Ericsson estimates that the combination of architecture, design and locations will reduce energy consumption up to 40 percent. This significant reduction in carbon footprint is instrumental in Ericsson's vision of a more sustainable future. The two ICT Centers in Sweden will begin initial operations from end of 2013 and from end of 2014 respectively and the North American ICT Center from early 2015. The new hardware design building in Stockholm, Sweden, will provide similar benefits as the global ICT Centers in use of equipment and energy savings. It will enable R&D hardware design activities in Stockholm to consolidate into one modern creative environment. Ericsson has its biggest R&D hub located in Sweden with more than 9,000 employees. Other bigger R&D sites are in China, US, Canada and Hungary. In 2012, Ericsson's R&D expenditures were SEK 32.8 billion, reflecting around 14 percent of sales.