Methods and systems for reducing environmental impact associated with use of end products

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of sustainable production of end products, in particular to reducing and / or monitoring environmental impact associated with use of end products by a user. The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatus, signature modules, and computer elements for reducing and / or monitoring environmental effects associated with an end product user using an end product, where the end product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part as a function of a measured carbon content of the end product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the sustainable production of end products, and in particular to reducing and / or monitoring the environmental impacts associated with the use of end products by end product users. This disclosure relates to methods, apparatus, signature modules, and computer elements for reducing and / or monitoring the environmental impacts associated with the use of end products by end product users, wherein the end product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the end product. Background Technology

[0002] Various schemes and proposals have been put forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2 emissions, associated with the production of end products. However, these schemes and proposals currently lack transparency regarding the environmental footprint associated with the production and use of end products. This hinders the reduction of environmental footprint at the individual level and fails to incentivize the production and use of end products with reduced environmental footprints. Summary of the Invention

[0003] On one hand, a computer-implemented method for reducing and / or monitoring the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a user of that final product is disclosed, wherein the final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the method comprising:

[0004] • Provide a decentralized identifier associated with the final product and data associated with the users of the final product.

[0005] • Based on the provided decentralized identifier, the environmental footprint data is collected via a decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product.

[0006] • Receive data related to the purchase of the final product by the user.

[0007] • Transaction data is generated based on the collected environmental footprint data and the data associated with the end-product user to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the end-product from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit.

[0008] • Provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint of end-product users.

[0009] On the other hand, an apparatus for reducing and / or monitoring the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a final product user is disclosed, wherein the final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the carbon content contained within the final product, the apparatus comprising:

[0010] • A data provider interface configured to provide a distributed identifier associated with the final product and data associated with the users of the final product.

[0011] • An environmental footprint data provider configured to collect environmental footprint data via a decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on a provided decentralized identifier.

[0012] • A data receiving interface configured to receive data related to the purchase of the final product by the user.

[0013] • A transaction data generator configured to generate transaction data based on collected environmental footprint data and provided data associated with the end-product user, to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the end-product from an address linked to the end-product user and associated with a decentralized network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credits.

[0014] • A transaction data provider configured to provide generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

[0015] On another front, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for reducing and / or monitoring the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a user of that final product, wherein the final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the method comprising:

[0016] • Provide the environmental footprint data and data associated with the end-product user, wherein the environmental footprint data is collected via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the end product, based on a distributed identifier associated with the end product.

[0017] • Transaction data is generated based on the collected environmental footprint data and the data associated with the end-product user, to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the use of the end-product from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit.

[0018] • Provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint of end-product users.

[0019] On another front, an apparatus for reducing and / or monitoring the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a final product user is disclosed, wherein the final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the apparatus comprising:

[0020] • An environmental footprint data provider configured to provide environmental footprint data and data associated with the end-product user, wherein the environmental footprint data is collected via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the end-product, based on a distributed identifier associated with the end-product.

[0021] • A transaction data generator configured to generate transaction data based on collected environmental footprint data and provided data associated with the end-product user, to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the end-product from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit.

[0022] • A transaction data provider configured to provide generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

[0023] On another front, a computer-implemented method for improving the reuse or recycling of used end products purchased by end-product users is disclosed, wherein the end product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the end product, the method comprising:

[0024] • An environmental footprint deduction associated with the purchase of the final product is deducted from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit, wherein the environmental footprint deduction is made from the distributed network address linked to the end-product user according to the method disclosed herein or through the apparatus disclosed herein.

[0025] • Provide a decentralized identifier associated with the old end product and data associated with the end product's users.

[0026] • Provide data related to the reuse or recycling of the old end product, including refund data associated with the return of the deducted environmental footprint deduction.

[0027] • Optionally, the environmental footprint data can be collected via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on the provided distributed identifier.

[0028] • Transaction data is generated based on the provided data associated with the end-product user, data related to the reuse or recycling of the old end-product, and optionally collected environmental footprint data, to transfer environmental footprint credits associated with the reuse or recycling of the old end-product to a distributed network address linked to the end-product user.

[0029] • Provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint of end-product users.

[0030] On another front, an apparatus for improving the reuse or recycling of used end products purchased by end-product users is disclosed, wherein the end product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the end product, the apparatus comprising:

[0031] • An environmental footprint accounting system configured to deduct an environmental footprint debit associated with the purchase of the final product from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credits, wherein the environmental footprint debit is deducted from the distributed network address linked to the end-product user according to the methods disclosed herein or through the apparatus disclosed herein.

[0032] • A data provision interface configured to provide a distributed identifier associated with the legacy end product and data associated with the end product's users.

[0033] • A data provision interface configured to provide data related to the reuse or recycling of the old end product, including return data associated with the refund of the deducted environmental footprint deduction.

[0034] • Optionally, a distributed network interface is configured to collect the environmental footprint data via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on a provided distributed identifier.

[0035] • A transaction data generator configured to generate transaction data based on provided data associated with the end-product user, data related to the reuse or recycling of the old end-product, and optionally collected environmental footprint data, to transfer environmental footprint credits associated with the reuse or recycling of the old end-product to a distributed network address linked to the end-product user.

[0036] • A transaction data provider configured to provide generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

[0037] On another front, a signature module is disclosed, which is configured to receive transaction data generated as disclosed herein, sign the received transaction data, and provide the signed transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

[0038] On another front, the use of transaction data generated by the methods or apparatus disclosed herein for managing environmental footprint quotas allocated to distributed network addresses linked to end-product users and associated with distributed networks configured to manage environmental footprint quotas for end-product users is disclosed.

[0039] In another aspect, a computer element having instructions, particularly a computer program product or computer-readable medium, is disclosed that, when executed on one or more computing nodes, is configured to perform the steps of any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0040] In another aspect, a computer element having instructions is disclosed, which, when executed on one or more computing nodes, is configured to perform the steps of the methods(s) disclosed herein, or is configured to be performed by the means(s) disclosed herein.

[0041] Any disclosures, embodiments, and examples described herein relate to the methods, systems, signature modules, and computer elements listed above and below. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any embodiment and example also apply to all other embodiments and examples. Example

[0042] Embodiments of this disclosure will be outlined below through examples and / or embodiments. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and / or examples described.

[0043] Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions is a recognized value, linked to protecting natural resources and addressing climate change. Several existing systems aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the production of final products or the provision of services through incentives. These systems (such as CO2 certificates and tax rebates) should incentivize production entities and service providers to reduce emissions. However, these systems fail to provide transparency regarding the environmental impacts or environmental footprint associated with the production and use of final products. Therefore, they cannot allow the decisions of final product users to drive reductions in the environmental footprint of final products. Furthermore, they fail to incentivize final product users to reduce their environmental footprint.

[0044] By using environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the environmental footprint associated with the use of the final product by its users can be reliably determined and added to the environmental footprint associated with the production of the final product. Since the climatologically effective residence time of anthropogenic CO2 (e.g., various forms of carbon emissions from human activities) in the atmosphere is far longer than the life cycle of almost all products, the carbon content of the final product can be used as a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere during the use and disposal of the final product due to the metastability of the carbon contained in the final product in the atmospheric presence. Therefore, carbon content allows for a reliable measurement of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere during the use of the final product, avoiding complex calculations of this amount. For example, the sum of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (e.g., cradle-to-door emissions) associated with the production of a final product (such as a home care product containing surfactants) accounts for only about one-third of the total cradle-to-grave emissions of such a final product; for example, about two-thirds corresponds to Scope 3 emissions associated with the use of such a final product. Therefore, environmental footprint data can be reliably determined based on direct and indirect emissions associated with the production of the final product, all input materials used in the production of the final product, and the measured carbon content. Using measured carbon content provides a more reliable way to determine environmental footprint data compared to using estimated or calculated carbon content. This allows for a reduction in the overall environmental impact of byproduct ecosystems based on more accurate environmental footprint data. Therefore, narrowing the gap between cradle-to-gate emissions associated with the output product and cradle-to-grave emissions associated with the output product allows for more reliable environmental footprint data, enabling consumers to base their consumption decisions on this data and allowing the production of final products with reduced environmental impact to be triggered. This allows for a reduction in the overall environmental impact of the byproduct ecosystem.

[0045] By linking environmental footprint data to associated environmental footprint debits and deducting those debits from the environmental footprint credits held by end-product users, the environmental footprint associated with purchased end-products can be converted into new digital currency. This incentivizes end-product users to purchase end-products associated with reduced environmental footprints. Furthermore, this allows for separate disclosure of the currency price and the price associated with the environmental footprint, increasing transparency for end-product users and enabling the reduction of their overall environmental footprint based on their purchasing decisions. Separate accounting avoids the opaque costs associated with the environmental footprint of end-products that would result from including such costs in the currency price.

[0046] By using different decentralized networks to store and provide environmental footprint data and manage environmental footprint credits for end-product users, data security and privacy can be improved without adversely hindering data exchange within the decentralized networks. Environmental footprint data can be shared within the first decentralized network by participants in the product ecosystem (such as raw material suppliers, chemical product producers, chemical product users, end-product producers, end-of-life collectors and / or sorters and / or recyclers), under the control of the respective data owners. This allows for the reliable determination of the environmental footprint of output products produced by participants in the product ecosystem by collecting environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) input materials used to produce the corresponding output products. Therefore, upstream participants can control access to environmental footprint data associated with output products used as input materials by downstream participants. The second decentralized network can be a distributed ledger network that manages environmental footprint credits and can be used to deduct environmental footprint debits from the credits associated with environmental footprint data of (multiple) end products to be purchased or already purchased by end-product users. Because entities operating the second decentralized network may not have access to the first decentralized network, such entities may not have in-depth knowledge of the environmental footprint data associated with a particular end product. Furthermore, only a minimal amount of data associated with the final product to be purchased or already purchased by the end-product user is required to deduct the environmental footprint deduction for such (multiple) final products from the corresponding environmental footprint credit. Therefore, providing additional data about the final product (such as the final product name, type, price, identifier, etc.) is redundant and prevents entities operating the second decentralized network from obtaining data about the purchased final products that could be used to determine consumption behavior. This improves the overall environmental impact of the product ecosystem while ensuring data privacy and security regarding data exchanged within the decentralized network without implementing complex access controls to prevent unauthorized access to data stored within the decentralized network.

[0047] By allocating a defined environmental footprint limit to end-product users within a given timeframe(s), these users can monitor the environmental impact associated with their purchased end products and adjust this impact to not exceed their allocated limit. Exceeding the allocated environmental footprint within a given timeframe may incur additional costs for the end-product user. For example, the balance at an address associated with the end-product user (which can also be considered an environmental footprint account) within a given timeframe can be determined to identify any overdraft in that account. This overdraft can be converted into fiat currency. The fiat currency amount can be deducted from the end-product user's bank account. An invoice in fiat currency can be issued to the end-product user. Falling below the allocated environmental footprint within a given timeframe may result in the end-product user receiving a fiat currency limit. This incentivizes end-product users to adjust their spending behavior to not exceed the defined environmental footprint limit within a given timeframe. For example, the balance in the end-product user's environmental footprint account within a given timeframe can be determined to identify the amount of remaining environmental footprint limit. The remaining environmental footprint limit can be converted into fiat currency. The fiat currency amount can be transferred to the end-product user's bank account.

[0048] By refunding at least a portion of the environmental footprint deduction incurred when purchasing end products when they are reused or recycled, end product users can be incentivized to avoid waste generation by ensuring the reuse or proper recycling of old end products. This can improve the environmental impact of the product ecosystem that includes end products and prevent waste generated due to a lack of reuse or recycling of end-of-life products.

[0049] Various units, entities, nodes, or other computing components can be described as being "configured to" perform one or more tasks. "Configured to" should be interpreted as meaning "having a circuit system that performs one or more tasks during operation." Units, circuits, entities, nodes, or other computing components can be configured to perform tasks even when the unit / circuit / component is not operational. Units, circuits, entities, nodes, or other computing components forming the structure corresponding to "configured to" may include hardware circuitry and / or memory storing executable program instructions to perform the operation. For convenience in the description, units, circuits, entities, nodes, or other computing components can be described as performing one or more tasks. This description should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to."

[0050] Generally, the methods, apparatus, systems, computer elements, nodes, or other computing components described herein may include memory, software components, and hardware components. Memory may include volatile memory (such as static or dynamic random access memory) and / or non-volatile memory (such as optical disc or disk storage devices, flash memory, programmable read-only memory, etc.). Hardware components may include any combination of the following: combinational logic circuit systems, clock storage devices (such as flip-flops, registers, latches, etc.), finite state machines, memory (such as static random access memory or embedded dynamic random access memory), custom-designed circuit systems, programmable logic arrays, etc. Multiple end products may be associated with environmental impacts. Environmental impacts may relate to one or more environmental characteristics of the end product. Environmental impacts may relate to environmental footprint data associated with the end product. Environmental characteristics may indicate the environmental performance of the end product. Environmental characteristics may relate to the characteristics of the production of the end product. Environmental characteristics may relate to the characteristics of the multiple input materials used to produce the end product. Environmental characteristics may relate to the product's carbon footprint, bio-based content, recycled content, bio-derived carbon content, or other suitable measures of environmental impact listed below, or any combination thereof. Environmental characteristics can refer to one or more features that can impart an environmental impact to the final product. Environmental characteristics can include (multiple) environmental, technological, recyclability, or circularity features associated with the environmental impact of the final product.

[0051] For example, environmental characteristics may include carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, air emissions, ozone depletion potential, water pollution, noise pollution, or eutrophication potential. Environmental characteristics may include, for example, material characteristics related to the production of the final product (e.g., made from bio-based or recycled inputs). Technical characteristics may specify or quantify product performance that is at least indirectly related to environmental impact. Technical characteristics may include, for example, final product composition data, bill of materials, product specification data, final product component data, product safety data, application characteristic data, application instructions, or product quality data. Circularity characteristics may specify or quantify the product lifecycle characteristics associated with recycling. Circularity characteristics may include, for example, recycling data, reuse rate, recovery rate, recycling cycles, reuse performance of reused products, quality of reused products, etc. Recyclability characteristics may specify or quantify the product lifecycle characteristics associated with recycling. Recyclability characteristics may include the composition of the final product, which includes components specifically tailored to make the final product suitable for recycling. (Multiple) recyclability characteristics may include, for example, recycling data, recyclable data, etc.

[0052] The final product can be a physical product. The final product can be a chemical product. The final product can be a chemical product packaged within a packaging unit. The packaging unit can contain one or more materials. The final product can be a discrete product. Discrete products can exist within a packaging unit. Discrete products can be consumer products. The final product can be sold to end-product users, such as consumers or customers. The final product can include any product containing carbon. The final product can contain at least 0.1% carbon by weight. The final product can contain at least 0.5% carbon by weight. The final product can contain at least 1% carbon by weight. The final product can contain at least 2.5% carbon by weight. The final product can include any product containing at least one organic compound. The final product can be a carbon-containing final product, a final product containing at least one organic compound, a final product containing a metal (such as a precious metal), a car battery, a car, a fabric, a mattress, a tire, or a cosmetic product. The physical final product can be produced from one or more input materials. (Multiple) input materials can include any material used in one or more production steps required to produce the final product. The final product can be a service provided by a service provider to the end-product user.

[0053] The final product can be associated with an environmental footprint debit. This debit can relate to the environmental footprint associated with the production and use of the final product. The debit can relate to the carbon footprint associated with the production and use of the final product. The debit can relate to greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production and use of the final product. The environmental footprint debit can be associated with environmental footprint data. The environmental footprint debit can correspond to environmental footprint data. The environmental footprint debit can be determined based on environmental footprint data. The environmental footprint debit can relate to or correspond to token units. Tokens can be associated with a distributed ledger. Tokens can be digital currencies. Digital currencies can be central bank digital currencies, such as those issued and distributed by a central bank. Units of such central bank digital currencies can be minted by or on behalf of a central bank. The central bank can transfer units of such central bank digital currencies to the address of a final product user. Units of such central bank digital currencies can be transferred from the central bank to the address of a commercial bank, which can then allocate the received units to the addresses of its clients (e.g., to the address of a final product user). The final product can be used by the final product user. Use of the final product can include purchasing the final product. Use of the final product can include using the final product after purchasing it. The use of end products may include the disposal of end products (hereinafter referred to as scrap products) when they reach the end of their lifespan.

[0054] A final product user may use the final product. A final product user may purchase the final product before using it. A final product user may be a consumer. A final product user may be a customer. A final product user may be an individual. A final product user may be a natural person.

[0055] The final product can be part of a product ecosystem. A product ecosystem can include different phases, including manufacturing, use, and reuse. In these phases, one or more ecosystem participants can be responsible for the manufacturing, use, or reuse of the product. For example, the manufacturing phase can include raw material manufacturers, intermediate material manufacturers, and / or final product manufacturers. Furthermore, the use phase can include final product users, final product maintainers, and / or final product distributors. Further, the reuse phase can include collectors, sorters, dismantlers, recyclers, repairers, and / or refurbishers.

[0056] Participants in a product ecosystem can connect via a distributed network. This distributed network can be a peer-to-peer network. It can include computing nodes associated with participants in the product ecosystem and can be configured to perform data transactions. Data (such as environmental footprint data) can be stored on dedicated storage devices associated with each participant. This allows access to the data to be controlled by the data owner (e.g., a participant producing a product associated with the environmental footprint data). Therefore, instead of storing environmental footprint data on multiple nodes in the distributed network (e.g., in a shared ledger or shared database), the data owner retains ownership, allowing them complete control over access to the data. Computing nodes associated with participants in the product ecosystem can be associated with producers, users, or recyclers of physical products (e.g., chemical product producers, intermediate product producers, final product producers, final product users, users of used products, or product recyclers). Data transactions can be based on transaction protocols that include multiple authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. Peer-to-peer communication between computing nodes associated with participants in the product ecosystem can be established based on these authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. The corresponding nodes associated with participants in the product ecosystem of the distributed network can be configured as (multiple) environmental footprint data consumption services (hereinafter referred to as (multiple) distributed data consumption network nodes) and / or (multiple) environmental footprint data service providers (hereinafter referred to as (multiple) distributed data providing network nodes). Distributed data providing network nodes can be configured to provide or send environmental footprint data to other participant nodes in the distributed network. Distributed data providing network nodes can be associated with or connected to a dedicated storage device storing the corresponding environmental footprint data. Distributed data consumption network nodes can be configured to ingest or receive environmental footprint data from other participant nodes in the distributed network. Providing environmental footprint data to distributed data providing network nodes for access by distributed data consumption network nodes can include indirect or direct access to the environmental footprint data by the distributed data consumption network nodes.

[0057] One or more authentication mechanisms may be associated with or linked to a decentralized identifier that is linked to a physical entity associated with (multiple) input materials (e.g., chemical products, intermediate chemical products, components, parts, component assemblies) and (multiple) output products (e.g., (multiple) final products). One or more authentication mechanisms associated with the decentralized identifier may be provided to (multiple) participating nodes. One or more authentication mechanisms associated with the decentralized identifier may be accessed by data service providers and / or data consumption services. Decentralized configurations allow for more efficient use of computing resources and strengthen the control of data owners in decentralized networks. One or more authorization mechanisms may include at least one authorization rule for controlling access to data controlled by the data owner.

[0058] Participants in the product ecosystem can connect via a distributed ledger network. Environmental footprint credits can be managed by the distributed ledger network. The distributed ledger network can be a peer-to-peer network with multiple nodes. Each node can include a peer-to-peer application in the form of a distributed ledger. Each node can include a peer-to-peer application in the form of a shared database. Each node can include the same peer-to-peer application. The distributed ledger can be configured to store data (e.g., environmental footprint data and / or environmental footprint credits, transfer of credit units, allocation of credit units, creation of credit units, destruction of credit units, etc.) along with certain proofs or signatures. The distributed ledger can be further configured to store computer code in the form of an executable tool. In particular, the executable tool can be invoked by initiating a transaction to the (unique) communication address of the executable tool in a so-called 'smart contract'. The executable tool can be processed on multiple nodes of the peer-to-peer network. The executable tool (e.g., a smart contract) or processing logic can be stored and executed under so-called 'cryptographic conditions' of an inter-ledger protocol (ILP), meaning that not all the code for the executable tool needs to be stored in a smart contract such as an Ethereum smart contract or a Solana program. Alternatively, the executable tool (smart contract) can be stored and executed on a decentralized computing marketplace (e.g., Ethereum Compute Marketplace, Trubit, Golem, Cryptolets Microsoft).

[0059] A decentralized ledger or shared database can be read by participating entities in a peer-to-peer network (participants), such as any entity in the product ecosystem, including raw material manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, component manufacturers, assembly manufacturers, final product manufacturers, final product users, end-of-life collectors, and recyclers. A decentralized ledger or shared database can be read by participating entities in environmental footprint credit management (such as banks and final product users). A decentralized ledger or shared database can be read by at least a portion of the participants in the peer-to-peer network. A decentralized registry (at least the public portion (i.e., potentially without private contracts)) can be read by at least every participant in the peer-to-peer network. Peer-to-peer network nodes can send messages to or write messages to peer-to-peer applications. Messages or transactions sent to an executable tool can initiate the execution of the executable tool's code while using data (transaction guidelines and / or other data) stored in the executable tool. For example, sending transaction data indicating the generation of new units of previously generated tokens (such as environmental credit tokens) to such an executable tool can result in the generation (e.g., minting) of additional units of such tokens.

[0060] Information between peer nodes can be exchanged via a peer-to-peer messaging system. This means that a peer node can send a message to another peer node to submit information or trigger an action. Messages can be plaintext, signed, hashed, timestamped, and / or encrypted. This means that not all data exchanged between peer nodes needs to be stored on a decentralized registry.

[0061] Peer-to-peer applications can be built on top of the following elements: a peer-to-peer network, including a consensus system / protocol, data structures, Merkle trees, public-key signatures, and / or Byzantine fault tolerance. It can replicate data based on consensus principles. It can be auditable and traceable. Peer-to-peer applications can be decentralized ledgers comprising at least two blocks (e.g., blockchains) coupled to each other. A blockchain can be a decentralized, peer-to-peer registry where environmental footprint data can be stored. A blockchain can be permissionless. A blockchain can be permissioned. A blockchain can be public. A blockchain can be consortium blockchain. A blockchain can be private. Alternatively, peer-to-peer applications can consist of multiple blockchains connected via mechanisms such as sidechains or smart contracts. Peer nodes can run one or more different blockchain clients. The data of peer-to-peer applications can be stored on "decentralized ledger technology". Distributed ledgers can manipulate (encrypted) data that is accessible via the internet, such as in distributed data storage devices, object storage and databases (e.g., the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) or Storj) or distributed blockchain databases (e.g., BigChainDB). Access to encrypted data by third-party entities can be managed via access tools formed as one or more smart contracts on the blockchain.

[0062] Transaction data can be generated and sent to a distributed ledger network via peer modules. Peer modules can provide interface modules (such as application programming interfaces (APIs)) and decentralized applications for communicating with computer nodes or peer applications (such as blockchains or smart contracts on blockchains) within the peer network. For example, a peer module may not include a peer application and may not be a node on the peer network. This allows for a reduction in the processing power required by the peer module. For example, such a peer module can send plaintext or encrypted messages, or generate secure connections (e.g., tunnels) to a peer gateway (or so-called "remote node") to communicate with the peer network. The decentralized application of the software can include local algorithms configured at least to create data (such as transaction data) and transmit that data to the peer application via the API. The decentralized application (so-called "DApp") is configured at least to generate and transmit said data. For example, a peer module can be a so-called "light node" or a decentralized application (DApp) connected to a remote node. Data and messages can be signed or encrypted. Data and messages can be transmitted to peer nodes running peer applications (such as blockchains) via encrypted secure tunnels or secure internet connections. Trusted execution environments (such as Intel SGX, TPM, or Direct Anonymity Proof Modules) can be integrated with peer modules to securely deploy executable tools and / or data onto devices.

[0063] Alternatively, the peer module can be a peer node that includes at least a portion of a peer application. For example, the peer module can include the total data content of the peer application. The peer module can include decentralized applications, APIs, and peer applications such as blockchains or decentralized ledgers.

[0064] A peer-to-peer network can include one or more confirming peer nodes or (multiple) full nodes. Such confirming nodes can be configured to perform the confirmation process, for example, creating new entries in a distributed ledger or shared database. Peer-to-peer network nodes can further include one or more observer nodes. Observer nodes can be configured to confirm transactions to establish a level of trust, but will not confirm all transactions completed by the confirming peer nodes. A peer-to-peer network can include one or more nodes participating in a Proof-of-Work consensus algorithm. The consensus algorithm can include one or more protocols through which all nodes in the distributed system can reach a joint agreement on the current state of the decentralized network. Consensus algorithms can include Proof-of-Work, Proof-of-Stake, Proof-of-History, Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT), Delegated Proof-of-Stake, Proof-of-Burning, Proof-of-Capacity, Proof-of-Time, Proof-of-Activity, Proof-of-Weight, Proof-of-Importance, Lease Proof-of-Stake, or combinations thereof. Such nodes can append new blocks to the blockchain or store data in a distributed ledger.

[0065] Data stored on a distributed ledger can be stored in plaintext. Data stored on a distributed ledger can be encrypted, and the keys can be disposed of via the distributed ledger. Transactions involving token units can be stored in plaintext on the blockchain. Environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) end products can be stored in plaintext on the blockchain. Privacy-preserving, secure transactions or execution of computer code can be achieved using cryptographic tools such as zero-knowledge (zk) proofs or zk concise non-interactive arguments (zk-SNARK). Transactions or algorithms can be divided into two parts: an executable tool on the distributed ledger (e.g., a smart contract) and another executable tool (e.g., a private contract). Privacy-preserving protocols can ensure data privacy and the correctness of code execution (SNARK verification can be performed via on-chain smart contracts). Private contract computation can be performed by a group of nodes, off-chain computers, or in a measured launch environment or a secure hardware enclave for proof and sealing that cannot be manipulated by other software code running on the device. Alternatively, secure multi-party computation (sMPC) systems can be used for transaction privacy. Examples of privacy-preserving protocols and computations include HAWK and MITEnigma. The use of zero-knowledge proofs (zk proofs) allows verification that an algorithm executes correctly within a private contract without disclosing input data to the verifier. zk proofs can be stored in peer-to-peer applications and / or confirmed by peer-to-peer applications. Additionally, selective privacy can be achieved by decrypting transactions used for reporting and auditing purposes using a shared key.

[0066] In this embodiment, environmental footprint data includes one or more characteristics of the final product that can assign environmental impacts to the input materials(s) used to produce the final product, the processes(s) used to produce the final product, and the use of the final product. Environmental footprint data that can assign environmental impacts to the use of the final product can be determined based on the measured carbon content of the final product, as described later. Because the climatologically effective residence time of anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere is much longer than the duration of use of the final product by its users, additionally considering the environmental impacts of the use of the final product allows for a more reliable and accurate determination of the true environmental impacts associated with the final product. The environmental impacts of the input materials(s) can include environmental footprint data associated with said input materials(s). Such environmental footprint data can be collected from distributed networks, as described later.

[0067] In this embodiment, the environmental footprint data further includes environmental characteristic data. The environmental characteristic data may include (multiple) environmental, technological, recyclable, and / or circular characteristics associated with the environmental impact of the final product. These (multiple) environmental, technological, recyclable, and / or circular characteristics include those previously described.

[0068] In this embodiment, environmental footprint data is associated with the physical entity of the final product. The physical entity of the output product may refer to the packaged final product.

[0069] In this embodiment, the environmental footprint data includes carbon footprint data, which is associated with the amount of CO2 equivalent per defined quantity of the final product. The amount of CO2 equivalent can be determined based on environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) input materials used to produce the final product, (multiple) processes used to produce the final product, and the carbon content contained in the final product. The CO2 equivalent can represent an indicator measure used to compare emissions from greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons) based on their global warming potential (GWP), by converting the amounts of other gases into equivalent amounts of carbon dioxide with the same GWP. The defined quantity of the final product can correspond to the amount of the final product sold to the final product user. This quantity can be given by weight. This quantity can be given by volume. This quantity can be given by time, such as days, hours, and / or minutes. If the final product is packaged, the carbon footprint data of the final product can correspond to the sum of the carbon footprint data of the packaging unit and the carbon footprint data of the product contained within the packaging unit. For example, the amount of CO2 equivalent per weight of packaging unit can be added to the amount of CO2 equivalent of the product contained in each weight of packaging unit.

[0070] In this embodiment, carbon content refers to downstream environmental footprint data associated with the use and / or disposal phases of the final product. The climatologically effective residence time of anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is much longer than the use and / or disposal phases of the final product. Therefore, during the use and / or disposal phases of the final product, the carbon content contained in the final product will not degrade in the atmosphere, and thus this carbon content needs to be considered when determining the environmental impact associated with the final product, regardless of its use.

[0071] In an embodiment, the environmental footprint data associated with the final product is further determined based on production data associated with the production of the final product and environmental footprint data associated with the input materials(s) used to produce the final product. Production data may include process data collected from the production of the final product and energy data related to energy use in the production of the final product. Process data may include bill of materials data defining the input materials(s) used to produce the final product and their corresponding quantities(s). Process data may include data associated with the process equipment(s) used to produce the final product. Process data may include process parameters(s) used to produce the final product. This process data may be used to determine the input materials(s), their corresponding quantities(s), and the corresponding process equipment(s). Process data may be used to determine energy data associated with the determined process equipment(s). Energy data may include data associated with the energy consumed by the process equipment(s). Energy data may further include data associated with the environmental footprint of the energy consumed by the process equipment(s). The determined input materials(s) may be used to collect environmental footprint data associated with the input materials(s). For example, the input material(s) ...(s))(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s))(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s))(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s)(s))(s)(s)(s)(s) The identified distributed identifiers can then be used to collect environmental footprint data associated with the input material via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data.

[0072] In an embodiment, the distributed identifier is provided from a sensor that reads an identifier element physically connected to the final product or a portion thereof. At least during the production of the final product or a portion thereof, the identifier element may be associated with or connected to the final product or a portion thereof, respectively. Through the identifier element, the digital twin of the final product and thus the environmental footprint data contained therein can be accessed via a distributed network. For example, the identifier element may encode a final product identifier that can be used to determine the distributed identifier. In another instance, the identifier element may encode the distributed identifier. The digital twin of the final product may include data associated with the final product (hereinafter referred to as final product data). The final product data may include environmental footprint data. The digital twin may include one or more datasets. One or more datasets may include environmental footprint data. One or more datasets may include at least a portion of the final product data. One or more datasets may be associated with a corresponding distributed identifier (e.g., a distributed final product identifier). One or more datasets may include or be associated with dataset(s). This allows for the unique identification of the datasets in the digital twin. The identifier element may be uniquely associated with the final product. The identifier element may be uniquely associated with the digital final product identifier. Digital end-product identifiers can be uniquely associated with each end product. This allows for the provision of environmental footprint data for each end product or for each individual end product. End-product identifiers can include one or more distributed identifiers that are uniquely associated with each end product.

[0073] In this embodiment, a distributed identifier is associated with end-product data, including environmental footprint data. The distributed identifier can represent a digital twin of the physical entity of the end-product. The distributed identifier can be a digital identifier provided to the distributed network and the participating nodes of the distributed network. Therefore, the distributed identifier can represent the physical entity of the end-product in the distributed network, and participating nodes can be able to interpret the relationship between the distributed identifier and the physical entity of the end-product in the product ecosystem. The end-product identifier can relate to the distributed identifier. The distributed identifier can include any unique identifier uniquely associated with the end-product. The distributed identifier can include one or more Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) or (multiple) Digital Identifiers (DIDs). The distributed identifier can be generated by the entity producing the corresponding end-product. The distributed identifier can be generated by the distributed network. The distributed identifier can include authentication information. Access to the end-product data, including environmental footprint data, can be controlled through authentication and / or authorization rules implemented within the distributed network via the distributed identifier and its unique association with the end-product. The authentication and / or authorization rules can be defined by the data owner (e.g., the end-product producer). The authentication and / or authorization rules can be defined by the distributed network owner. Authentication and / or authorization rules can be defined by one or more participants in the product ecosystem. This contrasts with a centralized agency scheme, in which identifiers are provided by and access to data is controlled by such a centralized agency. In this context, decentralized refers to the use of decentralized identifiers controlled by the data owner or decentralized network owner or multiple participants in the product ecosystem.

[0074] Distributed identifiers can include one or more identifiers used in a distributed network and allowing data exchange via the distributed network. Data exchange can include distributed identifiers for discovering network nodes in the distributed network, authenticating network nodes in the distributed network, and / or authorizing data transmission via peer-to-peer communication between network nodes in the distributed network. Distributed identifiers can be associated with participants in the product ecosystem. Distributed identifiers can be associated with material entities in the product ecosystem, such as (multiple) input materials and the final product used to produce the final product.

[0075] In an embodiment, data associated with the end-product user includes an end-product user identifier, an address associated with the end-product user and linked to a distributed ledger network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credits, a private key associated with the end-product user, or a combination thereof. The address associated with the end-product user can uniquely identify the end-product user's account on the distributed ledger network. This address can be used to allocate environmental footprint credits. Multiple environmental footprint debits associated with multiple purchases of (multiple) end-products can be deducted from the address. For example, an environmental footprint credit can correspond to units of environmental footprint tokens. Similarly, an environmental footprint debit can correspond to units of the same environmental footprint token. Deducting a debit from a credit can include transferring token units associated with the debit from the user's account (e.g., address) to another account, thereby reducing the account's balance (e.g., the amount of units associated with the credit before the debit) by deducting token units.

[0076] In this embodiment, environmental footprint data is collected from distributed network nodes associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product and with the producer of the final product. Environmental footprint data can be collected by providing a distributed identifier associated with the final product to the distributed network nodes. The distributed network nodes can be distributed data providing network nodes associated with the final product producer. The distributed data providing network nodes can be associated with dedicated storage devices storing the environmental footprint data. The dedicated storage devices can be associated with the data owner of the environmental footprint data (e.g., the final product producer). Access to the dedicated storage devices can be controlled by the data owner of the environmental footprint data (e.g., the final product producer). Therefore, the environmental footprint data is not stored on multiple nodes of the distributed network (e.g., in a shared ledger or shared database), but rather the data owner retains ownership, allowing the data owner to retain complete control over access to such data by one or more data consumers. Environmental footprint data can also be collected by distributed data consuming network nodes. Distributed data consuming network nodes can use a distributed identifier to request access to the environmental footprint data from the distributed data providing network nodes associated with it. This request can further include authentication data associated with the distributed data consuming network nodes. Authentication data may include certificates(s) associated with a distributed data consuming network node and / or distributed participant identifiers of distributed network participants operating such distributed data consuming network nodes.

[0077] In this embodiment, the collected environmental footprint data is provided for display. For example, carbon footprint data included in the collected environmental footprint data may be provided for display.

[0078] In this embodiment, a decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product is configured to store and provide the environmental footprint data of the final product, and optionally, to store and provide the environmental footprint data of the (multiple) input materials used to produce the final product. The storage of the environmental footprint data of the (multiple) input materials enables the corresponding downstream participants in the product ecosystem to access this environmental footprint data and determine the environmental footprint data associated with the output product produced from such input materials. For example, a final product producer can access the environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) input materials used to produce the final product when determining the environmental footprint data associated with the final product. As previously stated, access to the environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) input materials can be controlled by the (multiple) input material producers. As previously stated, access to the environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) input materials can be controlled by authentication and / or authorization rules implemented within the decentralized network (e.g., decentralized network nodes). This enables the secure sharing of such data with participants who require it, without granting access to unauthorized participants in the product ecosystem. Environmental footprint data can be stored on dedicated storage devices associated with decentralized network participants and is accessible to decentralized network nodes (e.g., the data owners of such footprint data). As previously mentioned, decentralized identifiers can be used to provide environmental footprint data. Environmental footprint data can be stored in a distributed ledger within the decentralized network.

[0079] In this embodiment, the decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data is a distributed ledger network, and / or the decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint credits of end-product users is a distributed ledger network. The environmental footprint data may be stored within one or more distributed ledgers of the distributed ledger network. Environmental footprint credits may be managed via token units, and the amount of token units associated with an address or account on the distributed ledger network may be stored within one or more distributed ledgers of the distributed ledger network.

[0080] In this embodiment, the distributed network associated with environmental footprint data corresponds to a distributed network configured to manage environmental footprint credits. This allows a single distributed network to handle the storage and provision of environmental footprint data, as well as the management of environmental footprint credits. Access to environmental footprint data and environmental footprint credits can be controlled through authentication and / or authorization rules implemented within the distributed ledger network. For example, participants in a product ecosystem may only have access to environmental impact data associated with the input materials used in their production. In another scenario, participants involved in environmental footprint credit management (such as banks) may not have access to the environmental footprint data. Similarly, end-product users may only have access to the environmental footprint data of the end product and the environmental footprint credits allocated to the respective end-product user's accounts.

[0081] In another embodiment, the decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data differs from the decentralized network configured to manage environmental footprint credits. Using a separate decentralized network allows for ensuring data security and privacy without implementing complex authentication and / or authorization rules. For example, participants in the first decentralized network may not have access to the second decentralized network, and vice versa. This prevents environmental footprint data along the value chain within the product ecosystem from being shared with participants not involved in the lifecycle (including the production, use, and disposal steps of the final product). Additionally, this setup allows control over which data collected from the first decentralized network (such as final product data including environmental footprint data) is shared with participants in the second decentralized network. For example, data privacy can be improved by sharing only environmental footprint credits associated with final products to be purchased or already purchased with participants in the second decentralized network, while excluding additional final product data that would allow identification of the purchased final product. This prevents participants in the second decentralized network from accessing detailed data about consumer behavior that might be critical to end-product users.

[0082] The decentralized network associated with environmental footprint data can be a decentralized peer-to-peer network that stores environmental footprint data on multiple dedicated storage devices associated with the corresponding environmental footprint data owner(s), and the decentralized network configured to manage environmental footprint credits can be a distributed ledger network. Therefore, the difference between a peer-to-peer network and a distributed ledger network is that environmental footprint data is not stored on multiple network nodes within a distributed ledger, but rather on dedicated storage devices associated only with decentralized network nodes associated with the data owner (e.g., the corresponding producer). Thus, environmental footprint data associated with the final product can be stored on multiple dedicated storage devices associated only with the decentralized network node of the final product producer. This dual system allows access control of the environmental footprint data to be implemented by the corresponding data owner, thus ensuring secure sharing of environmental footprint data to reliably determine the environmental footprint data associated with the final product. Furthermore, this dual system allows for the simultaneous use of the immutability and trust required to manage the environmental footprint credits of final product users, while restricting access to one or more entities operating the distributed ledger network to environmental footprint debits associated with the final product user's purchase of the final product.

[0083] In this embodiment, the purchase-related data includes payment data indicating payment associated with the final product, user input indicating the purchase of the final product, sensor readings indicating the purchase of the final product, or a combination thereof. Payment data may include card data associated with a user's bank card. The bank card may be a physical bank card. The bank card may be a digital bank card. Payment data may include a payment token uniquely associated with the user's bank account. User input can be detected by displaying a user interface, and the corresponding user input can be detected on the displayed user interface.

[0084] In this embodiment, the transaction data includes at least a portion of the collected environmental footprint data associated with the final product and data associated with the final product user. The data associated with the final product user may include an address linked to the final product user and associated with a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint credits of the final product user. If the final product user purchases more than one final product, the collected environmental footprint data for each final product can be summed to determine the total environmental footprint debit associated with the final product user's purchase. The collected environmental footprint data may correspond to environmental footprint debits. For example, carbon footprint data included in the environmental footprint data may correspond to the environmental footprint debit for the corresponding final product.

[0085] In this embodiment, the address linked to the end-product user holds the amount of environmental footprint credits possessed by the end-product user. Environmental footprint credits may correspond to units of environmental footprint credit tokens. Environmental footprint credit tokens may correspond to digital currency. Environmental footprint credit tokens may be central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), such as digital currencies issued (e.g., minted and distributed) by a central bank. Units of such CBDCs may be minted by or on behalf of the central bank. The central bank may transfer units of such CBDCs to the end-product user's address. These units may then be transferred from the central bank to the address of a commercial bank, which may then allocate the received units to the addresses of its clients (e.g., to the end-product user's address).

[0086] In this embodiment, an address linked to a final product user receives a predefined amount of environmental footprint credit allocation at one or more predefined time intervals. The predefined amount may correspond to the emissions allocated to each individual for each defined time interval, for example, expressed in tons of CO2 equivalent. Thus, the final product user can receive an emissions budget, which they can spend according to their own consumption behavior. The predefined amount can be configured such that environmental footprint debits associated with the purchase of everyday consumer goods (such as staple foods) do not incur additional costs. The final product user can spend their predefined amount without paying any additional costs. After exceeding the predefined amount, the final product user needs to obtain additional credit, which may incur monetary costs. The predefined time intervals (multiple) may correspond to monthly, quarterly, or annual periods.

[0087] In this embodiment, the generated transaction data is signed before being provided to a decentralized network configured to manage environmental footprint credits for end-product users. The generated transaction data may be signed with one or more private keys. At least one private key may be associated with the address or account of an end-product user in such a decentralized network. The generated transaction data may be signed by a signing module configured to receive the generated transaction data, sign the received transaction data, and provide the signed transaction data to the decentralized network. The signing module may store the corresponding private key(s). The signing module may access a storage device storing the private key(s). Signing the transaction data improves security because access to the end-user's environmental footprint credits is only possible with the private key associated with the address or account storing such credits. The generated transaction data may be signed with more than one private key. For example, the generated transaction data may be signed with the private key of the end-product user and the private key of a bank acting as an intermediary or a central bank distributing environmental footprint credits.

[0088] In an embodiment, the method further includes: collecting environmental footprint data related to the environmental footprint credits held by the end-product user, based on the provided data associated with the end-product user, via a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint credits of the end-product user. The environmental footprint credit data can be collected using an address or account linked to the end-product user. The environmental footprint credit data can be collected via a digital wallet application running on the end-product user's device. The environmental footprint credit data may correspond to units of environmental footprint tokens.

[0089] The collected environmental footprint credit data can be displayed. For example, a digital wallet application can display the collected environmental footprint credit data. The collected environmental footprint credit data can correspond to the current environmental footprint credit available to the respective end-product user. Displaying the current environmental footprint credit allows end-product users to determine their remaining credit. This helps end-product users manage their spending and can be used to avoid exceeding their allocated credit limit.

[0090] In an embodiment, the method further includes determining an environmental footprint debit associated with the final product based on the collected environmental footprint data. The collected environmental footprint data can be converted into units associated with environmental footprint credits. This allows the corresponding debit associated with the environmental footprint data to be deducted from the credit. This step may only be necessary if the collected environmental footprint data and the environmental footprint credit do not have the same unit. For example, emissions associated with greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide can be converted into carbon dioxide equivalents to be used as the credit unit.

[0091] In an embodiment, the method further includes: generating transaction data for purchasing additional environmental footprint credit; and providing the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage environmental footprint credit before generating the transaction data to deduct the environmental footprint credit associated with the purchased final product from the address linked to the final product user. The transaction data may be generated in response to user input instructing the purchase of additional environmental footprint credit or in response to determining that the environmental footprint credit allocated to the address linked to the final product user is insufficient to cover the environmental footprint debit associated with the final product. This ensures that the address or account associated with the user has sufficient credit to prevent the transaction associated with the transaction data from being rejected. The additional credit may be purchased in fiat currency. For example, the fiat currency amount associated with the purchase of additional credit may be deducted from the account of a final product user holding fiat currency.

[0092] In one embodiment, the method further includes: generating transaction data to transfer at least a portion of the remaining environmental footprint credit allocated to an address linked to an end user; and providing the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint credit. The remaining credit may be transferred to another end-product user. For example, a family member's remaining credit may be transferred to another family member. This transfer may not involve the transfer of fiat currency. Attached Figure Description

[0093] The disclosure will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings and the disclosure, the same reference numerals are intended to refer to the same or similar elements, components and / or portions.

[0094] Figure 1This demonstrates an example of the product lifecycle, including the production of the product (final product), the use of the product, and the disposal of obsolete products resulting from the use of the product.

[0095] Figure 2 The system boundary definition according to the GHG protocol is shown.

[0096] Figure 3A Examples of cumulative emissions in Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 are shown during the production of the final product using (multiple) fossil input materials through multiple production steps.

[0097] Figure 3B Examples of cumulative emissions in Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 are shown during the production of the final product through multiple production steps using a mixture of (multiple) fossil input materials and recycled input materials.

[0098] Figure 4A This paper presents the first example of a participant network for a product ecosystem associated with a decentralized peer-to-peer network for exchanging environmental footprint data associated with input materials, (multiple) chemical products, (multiple) discrete products and (multiple) final products.

[0099] Figure 4B Demonstrated via Figure 4A The distributed peer-to-peer network exchange and the environmental footprint data associated with the final products are shown in the figure.

[0100] Figure 5A Another example of a participant network for an ecosystem of products associated with a distributed ledger network is shown, which exchanges environmental footprint data associated with input materials, (multiple) chemical products, (multiple) discrete products and (multiple) final products.

[0101] Figure 5B Demonstrated via Figure 5A The distributed ledger network shown in the paper exchanges environmental footprint data associated with the final products.

[0102] Figure 6A A first example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a chemical product produced by a chemical production network, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the chemical product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the chemical product to downstream participants.

[0103] Figure 6B A second example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a chemical product produced by a chemical production network, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the chemical product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the chemical product to downstream participants.

[0104] Figure 7A A first example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a final product using acquired carbon content data, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the final product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the final product to the end product user.

[0105] Figure 7B A second example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a final product using acquired carbon content data, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the final product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the final product to the end product user.

[0106] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for generating environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output products and providing the generated environmental footprint data for access via a distributed peer-to-peer network, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0107] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for generating environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output products and providing the generated environmental footprint data to a distributed ledger network for storage, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0108] Figure 10 The system demonstrates a system that allows end-product users to directly manage their environmental footprint limits using a distributed ledger network managed by a central bank.

[0109] Figures 11A to 12C This is a sequence diagram illustrating selected aspects of how, according to embodiments of this disclosure, environmental footprint debits associated with the final product are deducted from the environmental footprint credits held by the final product user when purchasing the final product via direct interaction with a distributed ledger.

[0110] Figure 13A A graphical user interface was demonstrated, which displays information related to the final product and such as... Figure 4B or Figure 5B The environmental footprint data was collected from a distributed network.

[0111] Figure 13B The graphical user interface for the user's wallet is shown, which displays environmental footprint data associated with the user's environmental footprint credit limit.

[0112] Figure 14 A system was demonstrated that allows end-product users to indirectly manage their environmental footprint credits through commercial banks.

[0113] Figures 15A to 16C This is a sequence diagram illustrating selected aspects of how, according to embodiments of this disclosure, a commercial bank deducts environmental footprint debits associated with the final product from the environmental footprint limit held by the final product user when purchasing the final product.

[0114] Figure 17 A flowchart illustrating a first example of a method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of the final product by a user, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0115] Figure 18 A flowchart illustrating another example of a method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of the final product by a user, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0116] Figure 19 Showing Figure 17 and Figure 18 One aspect of the method shown.

[0117] Figure 20 Showing Figure 17 Another aspect of the method shown.

[0118] Figure 21 A flowchart illustrating yet another example of a method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of the final product by a user of the final product, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0119] Figure 22 An embodiment of this disclosure is shown for improving the reuse or recycling of old end products purchased by end product users.

[0120] Figure 23 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for improving the reuse or recycling of old end products purchased by end product users, according to embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0121] Figure 1The product lifecycle 102 is illustrated, which includes the production of the product (also referred to as the final product below), the use of the product, the disposal of the product, and the recycling or incineration or stockpiling of at least a portion of the disposed product in a landfill. The final product 110 can be produced via one or more production steps. The final product 110 can be produced from one or more chemical products 106. One or more chemical products 106 can further be produced from input material 104 and / or recycled material 118. The chemical products 106 can be used to produce one or more discrete products 108, such as components or parts. The final product 110 can be produced from one or more discrete products. The final product 110 can be produced from one or more chemical products 106. The final product 110 can be produced from one or more chemical products 106 and one or more discrete products 108. The final product 110 can be used by the final product user (e.g., a customer or consumer). The final product user can dispose of the old final product (also referred to as the end-of-life product below) at a certain point in time. The disposed end-of-life product can be collected. The collected waste products can be sorted. The collected or sorted waste products can be incinerated or stockpiled at landfills. The collected or sorted waste products can be at least partially recycled. The recycled material 118 obtained from this recycling can be used to produce additional chemical products 106. This allows for a circular flow of materials.

[0122] Figure 2 This demonstrates the system boundary definition according to the GHG agreement. A crucial factor in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2 emissions, is quantitative knowledge about how much greenhouse gas emissions are associated with products along the production value chain and throughout their life cycle. Environmental footprint data associated with output products (e.g., any product produced by any entity within the product ecosystem) can include product carbon footprint (PCF) data. PCF can take into account the climate impacts of output products and summarize the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by output products at different stages of their life cycle.

[0123] Cradle-to-Gate or Partial Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) 216 can refer to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction to the production of the output product, expressed in CO2 equivalent. In this example, the output product can be a final product purchased by a customer. The output product can be produced by production facility 210. Cradle-to-Gate PCF can include all direct greenhouse gas emissions related to the output product from production processes owned or controlled by the entity operating production facility 210 (also referred to as Scope 1214 emissions). Cradle-to-Gate PCF can further include emissions from the generation of energy (such as electricity and steam) purchased by the entity operating production facility 210 (also referred to as Scope 2212 emissions). Cradle-to-Gate PCF can further include upstream emissions occurring throughout the lifecycle of the input material until it is received by the entity operating production facility 210 (also referred to as Scope 3 upstream 206).

[0124] Compared to cradle-to-gate PCF, cradle-to-grave PCF 226 considers additional emissions associated with the use and / or disposal of the output product (e.g., range 3 downstream 224). Within this disclosure, the carbon content within the output product can be considered as the only additional emissions to the range 3 downstream (disposal “grave”) emissions; for example, range 3 downstream 224 does not consider all other emissions during the use phase (e.g., transportation and use-related emissions).

[0125] Figure 3A An example of the cumulative Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions during the production of a final product using (multiple) fossil input materials through multiple production steps is illustrated. (Multiple) fossil input materials (such as naphtha and / or natural gasoline from crude oil) may be used in a first production step, for example, performed by a refinery / cracking plant 304. The fossil input materials may be associated with environmental footprint data. Environmental footprint data may include the product carbon footprint associated with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions 310 generated from the production of the fossil input materials. This product carbon footprint data may be further associated with Scope 3 emissions 310 generated by employee commutes of the entity producing the fossil input materials. The environmental footprint data associated with the fossil input materials may be accessed by downstream participants (such as the entity operating the PP / PE facility 306) via a distributed network, for example in... Figures 4A to 5B As described in the context.

[0126] The cracking unit of refinery / cracking plant 304 may include a steam cracking unit that breaks down saturated hydrocarbons into smaller, typically unsaturated hydrocarbons. A steam cracking unit is a facility in which lighter hydrocarbons are produced by thermally cracking fossil feedstocks (such as naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethane, propane, or butane) and / or non-fossil feedstocks using steam in a steam cracking furnace or electric furnace.

[0127] The effluent from the cracking unit may contain light olefins, C4 products, and heavy cracking products (such as C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C20, C4, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10 ... 10 The effluent (of a product) or mixture. The effluent can be separated in a separator. The effluent can be separated into different fractions. The light olefin fraction may include ethylene and propylene.

[0128] C4 fractions can contain gaseous mixtures including C4 olefins, from which butadiene and isobutylene can be extracted. Their residues (a mixture of butene and butane) can be used as chemical intermediates in other production processes. Butadiene and its derivatives can be used as chemical intermediates in the production of final products such as tires, paper, plastics, rubber, petroleum, lubricants, or perfumes. Isobutylene and its derivatives can be used as chemical intermediates in the production of isobutylene rubber and in the production of polyisobutylene to obtain final products (such as tires, paper, plastics, rubber, petroleum, lubricants, or perfumes).

[0129] The fractions from the heavy cracking unit may contain 5 to 12 hydrocarbon atoms (e.g., C5 non-aromatics, C7 / C8 mixtures, C9). C5 non-aromatics may be chemical intermediates used to produce (multiple) other chemical intermediates (such as mixtures of cyclopentane and n / i pentane) or (multiple) chemical products. Unhydrogenated or hydrogenated C9 fractions, C7 / C8 mixtures, or xylene mixtures may be used to produce (multiple) other chemical intermediates (such as hydrocarbon resins), as blending components for premium gasoline, or as chemical intermediates for the production of benzene.

[0130] Ethylene and / or propylene from the cracking unit effluent can be used as input materials for PP / PE facility 306 to produce polyethylene (PE) and / or polypropylene (PP). Ethylene and propylene can also be associated with the environmental footprint data as described above. The environmental footprint data may include the product carbon footprint associated with Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions 312 generated from the production of ethylene and propylene, respectively. The product carbon footprint data may be further associated with Scope 3 emissions 310 (e.g., upstream of Scope 3, see Scope 3) associated with the production of fossil input materials for refinery / cracking plant 304. Figure 2 The environmental footprint data associated with ethylene and propylene, respectively, can be accessed by downstream participants (such as end-product producers 408) via a distributed network, for example in... Figures 4A to 5BAs described in the context of [the above description], polyethylene can be produced within the PP / PE facility 306 via catalytic polymerization. Suitable catalysts may include titanium catalysts (such as titanium chloride (III)) and chromium catalysts (such as chromium oxide (VI) deposited on silica). Polypropylene can be produced within the PP / PE facility 306 via various catalytic polymerization processes. Example processes include gas-phase polymerization, bulk polymerization, and slurry polymerization. In gas-phase and slurry reactors, polypropylene is formed around heterogeneous catalyst particles. Gas-phase polymerization can be carried out in a fluidized bed reactor, where propylene passes through a bed containing a heterogeneous (solid) catalyst. The resulting polypropylene can be separated as a fine powder and converted into granules, while unreacted propylene can be recovered and returned to the reactor. In bulk polymerization, liquid propylene can act as a solvent to prevent the formed polypropylene from precipitating. Pressure can be applied to keep the propylene in a liquid state. In slurry polymerization, propylene can be introduced into C4-C6 alkanes (butane, pentane, or hexane) as an inert diluent to suspend the grown polypropylene particles.

[0131] Polypropylene (PP) produced by PP / PE facility 306 can be used as an input material by end-product producer 408 to produce end products, such as plastic articles made of PP. Polypropylene can also be associated with environmental footprint data as described above. Environmental footprint data can include the product carbon footprint associated with Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions 314 generated from the production of polypropylene. Product carbon footprint data can be further associated with Scope 3 emissions 310 and 312 associated with input materials used in the production of polypropylene (e.g., fossil input materials and propylene). Environmental footprint data associated with polypropylene can be accessed by downstream participants (such as end-product producer 408) via a distributed network, for example in… Figures 4A to 5B As described in the context. The final product can be produced from polypropylene via a variety of processes, including rotational molding, vacuum forming, injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding.

[0132] The final product may be purchased by the end-product user (such as a consumer or customer). The final product can also be associated with environmental footprint data as described above. Environmental footprint data may include the product carbon footprint associated with Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions 316 generated from the production of the final product. The product carbon footprint data may be further associated with Scope 3 upstream emissions 310, 312, and 314 associated with the input materials used in the production of the final product (e.g., fossil input materials, propylene, and polypropylene). The product carbon footprint may be further associated with Scope 3 downstream emissions due to the use of fossil input materials. Therefore, the cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint of the final product can be represented by the sum of Scope 3 upstream emissions (e.g., 310, 312, 314) and Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions (e.g., 316) associated with the production of the final product.

[0133] For cradle-to-grave PCF 320, downstream emissions in range 3 need to be considered (see [reference]). Figure 2 Given that 99.999% of all matter is converted into CO2 within a timeframe shorter than the climatologically effective residence time of anthropogenic CO2 (e.g., CO2 emissions from human activities) in the atmosphere, the carbon content 308 of the final products produced during their production due to the use of fossil input materials can be used to determine range 3 downstream emissions. Using the carbon content of the final products as a measure of range 3 downstream emissions allows for a reliable and simple consideration of these emissions, regardless of the specific use of the final products, thus making greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the use of final products more transparent. Transparency of range 3 downstream emissions can incentivize the production and consumption of final products associated with reduced range 3 downstream emissions, as will be discussed later, for example, regarding... Figures 11A to 16C As described.

[0134] Environmental footprint data associated with the final product can be accessed by downstream participants (such as end-product user 410) via a distributed network, for example in Figures 11A to 16C As described in the context.

[0135] Figure 3B An example of the cumulative emissions of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 during the production of the final product using a mixture of (multiple) fossil input materials and recycled input materials through multiple production steps is presented. The production process of the final product and the cumulative emissions of Scope 1, 2, and 3 can be illustrated as follows: Figure 3A Execute as described in the context.

[0136] and Figure 3AIn contrast, a mixture of fossil and recycled input materials can be used in the first production step, for example as feedstock to refinery / cracking plant 304. Examples of recycled materials suitable for use within 304 may include recycled materials such as pyrolysis oil (tar), pyrolysis wax, pyrolysis gas, and / or pyrolysis coke produced from the pyrolysis of the waste stream. For downstream emissions of Scope 3, the carbon content of the recycled materials can be disregarded, as such carbon content is considered for downstream emissions of Scope 3 because it has already been considered with respect to the final products from which the recycled materials are produced (e.g., with respect to the final products forming the waste stream).

[0137] Waste streams can include at least a portion of post-industrial materials, or post-consumer materials, or both. Post-consumer materials can be materials that have been used at least once for their intended application (regardless of wear) over any period of time, or materials that have been sold to end-user customers, or materials discarded by any individual or entity other than the manufacturer or enterprise engaged in the manufacture or sale of the material. Post-industrial materials can be materials that have been manufactured but not yet used for their intended application, or materials that have not been sold to end-user customers, or materials discarded by the manufacturer or any other entity engaged in the sale of the material. Examples of post-industrial materials include reworked, retoughened, scrapped, trimmed, non-conforming materials, and finished materials transferred from the manufacturer to any downstream customer (e.g., manufacturer to wholesaler to distributor) but not yet used or sold to end-user customers. Waste streams can be separated into one type of waste stream with specific waste materials, or they can be mixed waste streams. Waste streams can be mixed plastic waste streams. Waste streams can be waste streams from end-of-life tires.

[0138] Examples of plastics that may be included in the waste stream include: high-density polyethylene and its copolymers, low-density polyethylene and its copolymers, polypropylene and its copolymers, other polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyesters (including polyethylene terephthalate, copolyesters, and terephthalate copolyesters (e.g., containing residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, CHDM cyclohexanediol, neopentyl glycol monomers, or propylene glycol), polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, and poly(methyl methacrylate). Polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyurethane, cellulose and its derivatives (such as cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate); regenerated cellulose products (such as viscose and rayon), epoxy resins, polyamides, phenolic resins, polyacetals, polycarbonates, polyphenylene-based alloys, polypropylene and its copolymers, polystyrene, styrene compounds, vinyl-based compounds, styrene-acrylonitrile, thermoplastic elastomers, urea-based polymers and / or polymers containing melamine.

[0139] Using a mixed input material stream containing both fossil and recycled input materials as feedstock for the refinery / cracking plant 304 reduces range 3 downstream emissions within the cradle-to-grave PCF 320 associated with the final product, since range 3 downstream emissions are determined solely by considering the carbon content resulting from the use of fossil-based input materials. The same logic can be applied to the use of (multiple) renewable input materials, as these renewable input materials capture carbon dioxide during their growth. Therefore, using (multiple) recycled and / or (multiple) renewable input materials during the production of (multiple) final products can reduce range 3 downstream emissions associated with the use of final products, thereby producing final products with reduced environmental impact.

[0140] Figure 4A A first example of a participant network in a product ecosystem associated with a decentralized peer-to-peer network is shown, which is used to exchange environmental footprint data associated with input materials, (multiple) chemical products, (multiple) discrete products, and (multiple) end products. The decentralized network environment may include a decentralized participant network 436. Decentralized participant network 436 may include one or more decentralized network participants 402 to 414. Decentralized network participants may be part of a product ecosystem that includes chemical products. The product ecosystem may include a production chain that produces the end product. The product ecosystem may include a recycling chain to recover at least a portion of the end-of-life products generated from the use of the end product. The product ecosystem may include an original input material producer 404, a chemical product producer 402, a discrete product producer 406, an end-of-life product producer 408, an end-of-life product user 410, an EOL product collector 412, and a recycler 414. Decentralized participant network 436 may be a chemical supply chain. The product ecosystem may allow the production of new products, such as chemical products, using materials generated from the recycling of end-of-life products. The product ecosystem may be associated with the production and / or recycling of physical products. Products can be chemical products, intermediate chemical products, components, component assemblies, final products, scrapped products, or recycled products.

[0141] The decentralized participant network 436 may include participants(s) associated with the production and / or recycling of products. Decentralized network participants 402 through 414 may refer to manufacturers of physical products, such as input material producers 404, chemical product producers 402, discrete product producers 406, final product producers 408, users of physical goods (e.g., final product user 410), and / or participants in recycling chains associated with physical products (e.g., EOL product collectors 412 and recyclers 414). Decentralized network participants may be associated with decentralized participant identifiers. These identifiers uniquely identify decentralized network participants within decentralized participant network 436.

[0142] Multiple participants in a decentralized participant network 436 can be connected via a material flow 442. The material flow 442 can correspond to the flow of product from one participant in the decentralized participant network 436 to a downstream participant of the decentralized participant network 436. The material flow 442 can refer to a continuous or discontinuous flow of product. The flow of product can include any mode of transport suitable for transporting product from a participant to a downstream participant. Modes of transport can include pipes, containers, barrels, and packaging. The material flow 442 can be associated with raw materials 418 (e.g., virgin raw materials) used to produce chemical products. Raw materials can be supplied to chemical product producers 402 for the production of (multiple) chemical products and / or (multiple) intermediate chemical products (not shown). The material flow 442 can be associated with (multiple) chemical products 420. (Multiple) chemical products 420 can be supplied to discrete product producers 406 for the production of (multiple) discrete products. The discrete products produced are different units sold as a single product, as opposed to chemical production. The material flow 442 can be associated with recycled materials 416. The recycled material 416 can be provided to the chemical product producer 402 for the production of (multiple) chemical products.

[0143] At least some of the participants in the distributed participant network 436 may be associated with distributed participant network nodes 422 to 434. Distributed participant nodes 422 to 434 may be under the control of the corresponding distributed participant associated with the respective distributed participant node. Distributed participant nodes 422 to 434 may form a distributed network 440. Distributed network 440 may be a peer-to-peer communication network. Distributed network 440 may be configured to execute data transactions 438. Data transactions 438 may be based on a transaction protocol including (multiple) authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. Based on (multiple) authentication and / or authorization mechanisms, peer-to-peer communication may be established between distributed network nodes 422 to 434 associated with distributed network participants 402 to 414. One or more authentication mechanisms may be associated with or linked to a distributed identifier, such as in... Figure 4BAs described in the context of [the previous sentence]. One or more authentication mechanisms associated with the decentralized identifier can be accessed by decentralized participant nodes, as in [the previous sentence]. Figure 4B As described in the context, distributed configurations allow for more efficient use of computing resources and strengthen the control of data owners in distributed networks.

[0144] Data transactions between participating nodes in a decentralized network can be based on decentralized identifiers associated with the corresponding product data to be accessed, for example, as in... Figure 4B As described in the context of [the document / concept]. A distributed identifier can be uniquely associated with the physical entity of a product and the associated product data. A distributed identifier can uniquely identify a corresponding product within a distributed network. A distributed identifier can be associated with other distributed identifiers, such as distributed identifiers of multiple products used to produce that product. This allows tracking of multiple products used to produce the product (e.g., the final product). Distributed identifiers can be included in the digital access elements associated with the product, for example, as in [the document / concept]. Figure 4B As described in the context.

[0145] Data flows 438 (e.g., transactions) between distributed network participant nodes can be directly or indirectly associated with material flows 442 between distributed network participants. For example, data flow 438 can be directly associated with material flows 442 if data associated with input materials provided from input material producer 404 to chemical product producer 402 is accessed by a distributed participant node 424 associated with said chemical product producer 402. For example, data flow 438 can be indirectly associated with material flows 442 if data associated with chemical products produced by chemical product producer 402 is accessed by a distributed participant node 434 associated with recycler 414.

[0146] Distributed participant nodes 422 to 434 can be distributed computing nodes. A distributed “computing node” can be any device or system comprising at least one physical tangible processor and physical tangible memory capable of having computer-executable instructions executed by the processor thereon. The memory can take any form and depends on the nature and form of the computing node.

[0147] At least some of the distributed participant nodes 422 to 434 may be distributed data providing network nodes. At least some of the participant nodes 422 to 434 may be distributed data consuming network nodes. Participants in the distributed participant network 436 may be associated with distributed data providing network nodes and / or distributed data consuming network nodes, depending on whether the data is provided to downstream participants or consumed from upstream participants. For example, input material producer 404 may be associated with a distributed data providing network node configured to provide input material data to downstream participants (e.g., chemical product producer 402), for example, as in Figure 4B As described in the context. Alternatively, chemical product producer 402 may be associated with a decentralized data consumption network node configured to access data associated with recycled input materials produced by upstream participants (e.g., recycler 414).

[0148] The distributed network 440 may include additional distributed network nodes. These additional distributed network nodes may be distributed infrastructure service nodes (...). Figure 4A (Not shown in the image). Distributed infrastructure service nodes may not be associated with participants in the product ecosystem. Distributed infrastructure service nodes can provide services to distributed participant nodes 422 to 434, such as verifying the identity of distributed network participant nodes 422 to 434 before performing data exchange. Distributed network participant nodes 422 to 434 may be associated with or include multiple certificates, such as multiple X.509 certificates. Multiple certificates may be associated with multiple distributed infrastructure service nodes, which may include, for example, certificate issuance services and / or dynamic provisioning services that provide dynamic attribute tokens (e.g., OAuth access tokens). Thus, distributed network participant nodes 116 to 124 have a unique identifier embedded in the X.509 certificate that identifies the corresponding distributed network participant node 422 to 434. The information required to verify the certificate can be provided via a certification registry associated with the certificate issuance service and / or dynamic provisioning service. For example, in the IDSA Reference Architecture Model version 3.0 in April 2019, decentralized data provisioning network nodes associated with data owners, Certificate Authorities (CAs), Dynamic Attribute Provisioning Services (DAPS), and decentralized data consuming network nodes associated with data consumers verify identities (not shown) before performing data exchange.

[0149] Figure 4B Demonstrated via Figure 4A The distributed peer-to-peer network exchange and the environmental footprint data associated with the final products are shown in the figure.

[0150] Access to environmental footprint data can be made through decentralized data consumption service requests associated with participants in decentralized network 436 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 4A Participants can be end-product users 410 who purchase the end-product from end-product producer 408 (see end-product user 410). Figure 4A The final product can be purchased by the final product user 410 through a retailer or at a place of sale. The retailer or place of sale may have the final product supplied by the final product producer 408. Participants may be potential final product users, such as customers or consumers who decide to purchase the final product.

[0151] The final product 444 can be associated with a digital twin that includes environmental footprint data. This digital twin may include a distributed identifier and environmental footprint data. The environmental footprint data may include one or more characteristics of the final product that can assign environmental impacts to the input materials used to produce the final product, the processes used to produce the final product, and the use of the final product, such as... Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is outlined in more detail below. Environmental footprint data can include carbon footprint data. Carbon footprint data can be determined at least in part based on the carbon content of the final product. Carbon footprint data can be determined based on emissions associated with (multiple) input materials used to produce the final product and emissions associated with the use of the final product. Emissions associated with the use of the final product can be determined based on the carbon content of the final product. For example, as in... Figure 8 Environmental footprint data is determined as described in the context. The digital twin may be stored in a database belonging to or accessible to the data owner of the digital twin (e.g., end-product producer 408). The digital twin, or a portion thereof, may be stored in a database associated with end-product producer 408 for access by data consumers(s). Access to the database may be controlled by the end-product producer via distributed identifiers associated with the digital twin, or a portion thereof (e.g., distributed identifiers associated with the environmental footprint data).

[0152] Environmental footprint data can be associated with digital access elements generated during or after the production of the final product. Digital access elements can be associated with a digital twin of the final product or a portion thereof. Digital access elements can contain a decentralized pass identifier and a digital representation of the environmental footprint data. The digital representation can correspond to a locator or pointer indicating the storage location of the environmental footprint data. The digital representation can include representations used to access the environmental footprint data. The decentralized pass identifier can correspond to or be associated with a decentralized identifier of the digital twin. Digital access elements can further include or involve authentication and / or authorization information linked to the decentralized pass identifier. Authentication and / or authorization information can be provided for authentication and / or authorization of network node 428 providing decentralized data and / or network node 430 consuming decentralized data. Digital access elements can be provided to a decentralized registry 458. The decentralized registry 458 can store (multiple) decentralized pass identifiers and associated digital representations.

[0153] For example, a final product 444 produced by final product producer 408 can be provided to a final product user 410 in association with a digital access element. The final product user 410 can use the final product and dispose of older final products upon reaching the end of their lifespan. The final product 444 can be linked to a code that has been encoded with a decentralized pass identifier, such as a barcode or QR code. The final product user 410 can read the code via a code reader 446. The code reader 446 can be a smartphone running a code reading application (such as a QR code reader app). Data obtained from the code reading application can be used to determine the decentralized pass identifier. Data obtained from the code reading application can be used to determine the decentralized identifier. Data obtained from the code reading application can be used to determine the final product identifier. Data obtained from the code reading application can be used to determine the digital representation. The decentralized pass identifier, the decentralized identifier, the final product identifier, and the digital representation can all be determined by the code reader 446. For example, the distributed access identifier determined by code reader 446 may be a DID, and code reader 446 may be configured to, for example, use a DID resolver to retrieve an associated DID document containing the distributed identifier and its numerical representation. In another instance, the final product identifier is determined by code reader 446 and used, for example, to retrieve the distributed access identifier and its associated numerical representation from a database (such as distributed registry 458). Therefore, code reader 446 may be configured to retrieve a digital access element containing the distributed access identifier and its numerical representation from distributed registry 458. Code reader 446 may be configured to provide the distributed access identifier and / or distributed identifier to a database accessible by final product user 410, such as database 466. Code reader 446 may be configured to provide the determined distributed access identifier, distributed identifier, and numerical representation to distributed data consumption network node 430.

[0154] Code reader 446 can be configured to display the identified / retrieved data on a user interface as shown by reference numeral 448. The user interface can display the identified distributed pass identifier (PP identifier), the identified distributed identifier (DT identifier), and the identified numerical representation (DT location). In this embodiment, the distributed pass identifier and the distributed identifier are distinct from each other. In another embodiment, the distributed pass identifier is equivalent to the distributed identifier. The user interface can further display the identified final product identifier (EP identifier). The user interface can also allow retrieval of environmental footprint data based on the distributed pass identifier and the numerical representation, as described below. This process can be initiated via a button labeled “Access DT.” When the button is pressed, code reader 446 can send a request to access the environmental footprint data or a portion thereof to distributed data consumer network node 430.

[0155] The distributed data consumption network node 430 can generate a request for accessing environmental footprint data. The distributed data consumption network node 430 can generate this request based on data received from the code reader 446. For example, the distributed data consumption network node 430 can generate the request based on a distributed identifier received from the code reader 446. The distributed data consumption network node 430 can also generate the request based on a distributed pass identifier and / or a distributed identifier provided to the database 466. For example, the distributed data consumption network node 430 can be configured to retrieve a distributed identifier and a digital representation from the distributed registry 458 based on a distributed pass identifier stored in the database 466. The request generated by the distributed data consumption network node 430 may include a distributed identifier and a distributed participant identifier associated with the distributed data consumption network node 430. The distributed participant identifier may be associated with the final product user 410. The distributed participant identifier may be associated with an entity (not shown) operating the distributed data consumption network node 430. The entity may be different from the end-product user 410, and node 430 may operate as a service node to allow the end-product user to access environmental footprint data stored in the distributed network 440 via such a service node. In this case, the end-product user 410 may use a code reader 446 that runs an application that allows data exchange with node 430. Data exchange between 446 and node 430 may be performed via a server (not shown), such that code reader 446 can act as a front end, while the server can act as a back end and provide connectivity to the distributed network 440.

[0156] The request may include one or more actions to be performed on the environmental footprint data. The distributed data consuming network node 430 may be configured to determine the distributed data providing network node 428 associated with the environmental footprint data based on the digital representation provided by the code reader 446 or retrieved from the distributed registry 458.

[0157] The distributed data consuming network node 430 can send requests for access to environmental footprint data to a designated distributed data providing network node 428, as indicated by arrow 450. The distributed data providing network node 428 may be associated with the final product producer 408. The distributed data providing network node 428 may be associated with the production of the final product. The distributed data providing network node 428 may be associated with the data owner of the environmental footprint data (such as the final product producer 408). In addition to the request, the distributed data consuming network node 430 may also provide authentication and / or authorization information.

[0158] The request can be authenticated. Access to the environmental footprint data can be authorized based on access policy data associated with the environmental footprint data. This allows filtering of the network nodes based on the decentralized participant(s) identifier(s) associated with the decentralized data consuming network node requesting access and the requested action to be performed on the accessed data. If the request is not authorized, for example, if decentralized data consuming network node 430 is not authorized to access the environmental footprint data, decentralized data providing network node 428 will terminate the peer communication channel and will not provide the environmental footprint data.

[0159] If the request is authorized, the distributed data providing network node 428 can initiate contract negotiation with the distributed data consuming network node 430 before providing environmental footprint data. The distributed data providing network node 428 can provide an electronic contract to the distributed data consuming network node 430. The electronic contract may include one or more authorization rules associated with a distributed identifier. This allows the data consumer to determine the access and usage conditions associated with the desired data. The distributed data providing network node 428 and the distributed data consuming network node 430 can be configured to negotiate and sign the negotiated electronic contract. The use of the electronic contract ensures that the distributed data consuming network node and other systems processing the environmental footprint data comply with one or more authorization rules associated with the environmental footprint data. Upon signing the electronic contract, environmental footprint data can be collected, and access permissions can be applied to the collected data, as indicated by arrows 452 and 454. The environmental footprint data resulting from applying access permissions to the collected environmental footprint data can be provided by the distributed data providing network node 428 to the distributed data consuming network node 430, as indicated by arrow 456.

[0160] Environmental footprint data provided by distributed data providing network node 428 can be stored in database 466 associated with distributed data consuming network node 430, as indicated by arrow 462, depending on the access data storage. End-product user 410 can access the environmental footprint data from database 466 via code reader 446. The accessed environmental footprint data can be displayed by code reader 446 in a graphical user interface (not shown, see example...). Figure X (Displayed within)

[0161] Through decentralized identifiers, environmental footprint data can be uniquely associated with the final product. A decentralized network allows the digital twin, or a portion thereof, to be transferred in a standardized and secure manner between the final product producer 408 and the final product user 410, thereby enabling the final product producer 408 to control access to the environmental footprint data from multiple decentralized data-consuming network nodes within the decentralized network. In this way, environmental footprint data can be shared directly among participants in the product ecosystem 436 through a unique association with the final product and without a central intermediary. This achieves transparency in the digital twin and standardized and secure sharing of environmental footprint data within the product ecosystem 436.

[0162] Figure 5A Another example of a participant network in a product ecosystem associated with a distributed ledger network is shown, which exchanges environmental footprint data associated with input materials, (multiple) chemical products, (multiple) discrete products, and (multiple) final products. The participant network can be a decentralized participant network 516. The decentralized participant network 516 can include one or more decentralized network participants 404 to 414. The decentralized network participants can be part of a product ecosystem that includes final products, such as in... Figure 4A As described in the context.

[0163] The decentralized participant network 516 may include (multiple) participants who are associated with the production and / or recycling of the product. Decentralized network participants 404 to 414 may refer to manufacturers of the physical product, users of the physical goods, and / or participants in the recycling chain associated with the physical product, such as in... Figure 4A As described in the context of the distributed ledger network 520, decentralized network participants can have accounts on the distributed ledger network 520. An account can be associated with at least one unique address. The account and therefore the address can uniquely identify a decentralized network participant within the decentralized participant network 516. An account can be associated with multiple credentials of the decentralized participant. Credentials may include certificates and / or public-private key pairs. These credentials can be used to control access to the distributed ledger network 520 and / or data (such as transactions) stored therein. These credentials can also be used to control accounts on the distributed ledger network 520.

[0164] Multiple participants in a distributed participant network 516 can be connected via material flow 442, as in Figure 4A As described in the context.

[0165] At least some of the participants in participant network 516 can be associated with or have access to distributed network nodes 502 to 514. Although Figure 5A Only one distributed ledger network 520 is shown, but participants in the decentralized participant network 516 can access at least one additional distributed ledger network (not shown, see [link]). Figure 11A Distributed network nodes 502 to 514 can form a distributed ledger network 520. The distributed ledger network 520 can be a peer-to-peer network. A peer-to-peer network may not include a central instance and / or a third-party organization. Each node 502 to 514 and / or each participant 404 to 414 of the peer-to-peer network 520 can be connected to at least each other node of the peer-to-peer network 520 and / or a participant of the distributed participant network 516. For example, at least one physical standard network (wired and / or wireless) can be used for connectivity. For communication via at least one physical standard network, suitable transceiver modules can be deployed in the respective entities / devices. Nodes 502 to 514 can have equal permissions, which distinguishes them from a server-client architecture.

[0166] Nodes 502 to 514 may include peer-to-peer applications. The same peer-to-peer application can be implemented on each node 502 to 514; for example, each node may include the same content, and the same code (including one or more executable tools) can be executed on each node. The peer-to-peer application can preferably be a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain. The distributed ledger can be inspected by all participants in the product ecosystem (404 to 414). The distributed ledger can also be inspected by other entities that are not part of the product ecosystem, for example, for auditing purposes or to support purchasing decisions. In one example, each of nodes 502 to 514 may store the (entire) distributed ledger, such as a blockchain. In another example, only a portion of the distributed ledger may be provided on a node (a light node).

[0167] Peer applications can be configured to store environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) input materials, (multiple) chemical products, (multiple) intermediate chemical products, (multiple) components, (multiple) parts, component assemblies, and / or final products. Peer applications can be configured to store at least the environmental footprint data associated with the final product. Peer applications can be configured to manage (multiple) tokens linked to environmental footprint credits for end-product users. For example, a peer application can be configured to transfer units of such tokens to the end-product user's account. In another instance, a peer application can be configured to transfer units of such tokens to a predefined account upon purchase of the final product, thus reducing the account balance by the transferred token units. The transferred token units may correspond to an environmental footprint debit associated with the purchased end product. The environmental footprint debit may be associated with the environmental footprint data associated with the end product.

[0168] At least some of participants 404 to 414 may be associated with nodes running peer-to-peer applications. For example, participants 404 to 414 may run peer-to-peer applications on nodes 502 to 514. At least some of participants 404 to 414 may be connected to peer-to-peer network 520 via a peer module. The peer module may be configured to communicate at least with peer-to-peer network 520 (i.e., nodes 502 to 514 of peer-to-peer network 520). Therefore, the peer module may be a participant in peer-to-peer network 520. The peer module may not include the peer-to-peer application. Such a peer module may be configured to provide access to the peer-to-peer application, for example, via an API (Application Programming Interface). Such a peer module (which is also a node or light node) may include a decentralized application and at least an API. Therefore, such a peer module may access or may connect to a "gateway" of nodes (such as nodes 502 to 514) running a peer-to-peer network (so-called remote nodes). The peer module may be configured to generate transaction data, for example, as in Figure 7B and Figure 10 A to Figure 10 As described in the context of A. A peer module can be configured to, for example, sign the generated transaction data using a private key associated with a corresponding participant in network 520. A peer module can be configured to provide the generated transaction data to peer network 520 for processing. A peer module can be configured to query peer network 520 to obtain data. For example, a peer module can be configured to retrieve data from peer network 520, such as token units stored in one or more addresses associated with the peer module (e.g., the address of the corresponding participant running the peer module).

[0169] Peer-to-peer network 520 can be configured to execute data transactions 518. Such data transactions 518 can be associated with material flows 442 between participants in a decentralized participant network 516. Data transactions 518 can include data transactions between a peer module and peer-to-peer network 520. For example, a peer module can be configured to generate transaction data and provide the generated transaction data to peer-to-peer network 520. Transaction data can be associated with the storage of environmental footprint data, such as in... Figure 6B and Figure 7B As described in the context. Transaction data can be associated with the transfer of token units, such as in... Figure 10 A and Figure 10 As described in the context of A. Data transaction 518 may include data transactions between peer nodes 502 to 514. For example, a data transaction received by a node of peer network 520 may be broadcast to at least a portion of the other nodes in peer network 520. Each transaction provided to peer network 520 may contain a signature. For example, the transaction data may be signed using a private key associated with the corresponding participant in network 520. Before processing a transaction, it may be confirmed by checking the signature of the transaction (e.g., by comparing the signature with a valid signature stored, for example, in a peer application). A portion of nodes 502 to 514 may perform the confirmation process. If the transaction is valid, it may be further processed, for example, it may be included in another block of the blockchain. It should be understood that other means besides signatures (e.g., communication addresses, certificates, etc.) may also be used in the confirmation or authentication process, respectively.

[0170] The peer-to-peer network 520 can be configured to execute one or more consensus algorithms. Multiple consensus algorithms can be used to process received transactions. Multiple consensus algorithms can be used to process confirmed transactions. Multiple consensus algorithms can be executed by at least a portion of the nodes of the peer-to-peer network 520. The consensus algorithms can include one or more protocols through which all full nodes in the network 520 can reach a joint agreement on the current state of the network. The consensus algorithms can include Proof-of-Work consensus algorithms, Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithms, Proof-of-History consensus algorithms, Byzantine fault-tolerant algorithms, delegated Proof-of-Stake algorithms, Proof-of-Burning algorithms, Proof-of-Capacity algorithms, Proof-of-Time algorithms, Proof-of-Activity algorithms, Proof-of-Weight algorithms, Proof-of-Importance algorithms, Leased Proof-of-Stake algorithms, or combinations thereof. For example, the consensus algorithm can include a Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithm. In another instance, the consensus algorithm can include a combination of Proof-of-History and Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithms. In yet another instance, the consensus algorithm can be a Byzantine fault-tolerant consensus protocol on a collectively trusted subnet.

[0171] Peer-to-peer applications can be distributed ledgers. Examples include Ripple's XRP Ledger. Peer-to-peer applications can be blockchains. However, the following statement can be easily transferred to other peer-to-peer applications, such as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). A directed acyclic graph (such as IOTA or Tangle) means that blocks (or nodes in the graph) are coupled to each other via directed edges. Thus, directed means that (all) edges (always) have the same direction, similar to time. In other words, it is impossible to go back a step. Finally, acyclic means that there are no cycles.

[0172] Blockchains can be permissionless or permissioned. They can be public, consortium, or private. Peer-to-peer applications can form using multiple blockchains connected via mechanisms such as sidechains or smart contracts. Interoperability between blockchains can be established. Examples of blockchains include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

[0173] A blockchain can be formed from at least two interconnected blocks. The first block can also be called the genesis block. Each block (except the first block) can reference every previous block. A new block can be created through a computationally intensive process (e.g., so-called "mining") or through another suitable process, such as voting, and specifically, this new block is provided to all nodes 502 to 514 of the peer-to-peer network 520.

[0174] The blockchain can be configured to receive transactions, such as those associated with the storage of environmental footprint data and / or the transfer of token units linked to the environmental footprint credits of end-product users. Transactions can be received from peer-to-peer modules as previously described. The blockchain can be configured to confirm received transactions. The blockchain can be configured to store transactions (such as confirmed transactions) in new blocks on the blockchain. For example, a new block can be appended to an existing block on the blockchain. The blockchain can be configured at least to manage environmental footprint data, for example, as in... Figure 6B and Figure 7B As described in the context. Alternatively, the blockchain can be configured to manage the environmental footprint credits of end-product users.

[0175] Specifically, newly received transactions can be confirmed, stored, and published in the current block of the blockchain. Published transactions can be prepared by at least some of the participants in the peer-to-peer network. Alternatively or additionally, transaction data can be stored in a registered storage device, such as a decentralized file service controlled by the blockchain or a distributed blockchain database.

[0176] Only a portion of the nodes in peer-to-peer network 520 can be configured to store peer-to-peer applications, and / or only a portion of the nodes in peer-to-peer network 520 can be configured to execute smart contract algorithms. Since confirmation / verification requires a considerable amount of computation, it may be advantageous, for efficiency reasons, for only a portion of nodes 502 to 514 to execute executable tools and / or (multiple) confirmation algorithms and / or (multiple) authentication algorithms.

[0177] Confirmation, analysis, and optimization can be performed on-chain or off-chain, as described above. Off-chain confirmation, analysis, and / or optimization can be managed by peer applications (such as code on the blockchain). Powerful functionality specifically implies high computational power. In other words, if (only) a subset of peers 502 to 514 yields a positive result, it is assumed that a valid entry exists in the peer application (such as the blockchain). It should be understood that only a single, especially a particularly powerful, peer can perform the confirmation, analysis, and / or optimization process, while other nodes can be configured as monitoring nodes.

[0178] Similarly, in another embodiment (not shown), a particularly large peer-to-peer network can be divided into two or more clusters. For example, in a corresponding peer-to-peer network, confirmation can be performed by only members of one cluster (e.g., sharding the blockchain to improve scalability). In another embodiment, multiple blockchains can be used to form peer-to-peer applications. These blockchains are connected via frameworks such as sidechains, smart contracts, or inter-ledger protocols.

[0179] Figure 5B Demonstrated via Figure 5A The distributed ledger network shown in the paper exchanges environmental footprint data associated with the final products.

[0180] Final product producer 408 can receive (multiple) input materials, such as discrete products produced by discrete product producer 406 and / or (multiple) chemical products produced by chemical product producer 402. Environmental footprint data of the input materials can be provided through data services connected to a distributed network, such as in... Figure 4A and Figure 4B As described in the context. Environmental footprint data of input materials can be collected via distributed ledger networks, such as in Figure 5A and Figure 5B As described in the context.

[0181] Final product producer 408 can produce a final product from (multiple) input materials provided to the final product production associated with final product producer 408. Final product producer 408 can determine environmental footprint data associated with the final product, for example, as in... Figure 8As described in the context. The final product producer 408 can generate transaction data 526, which includes a final product identifier 524 and determined environmental footprint data 522, for example, as in... Figure 9 The context described above. Transaction data can be generated by TX generator 534. Transaction data 526 can be used... Figure 9 The transaction data 526 is generated using the method described in [the document]. Transaction data 526 may further include the address associated with the final product producer 408 and / or the address of the recipient. The recipient's address may be associated with an account controlled by executable code (such as a smart contract). The smart contract may be configured to store the received transaction data. The smart contract may be configured to generate token units representing environmental footprint debits associated with the environmental footprint data. The smart contract may be further configured to transfer the created token units to the address associated with the final product producer. The recipient's address may be associated with a defined portion of the distributed ledger network 520. Transaction data 526 may further include additional environmental attributes (such as recycled, renewable, and / or biodegradable) 528. Transaction data 526 may further include content 530 associated with the additional environmental attributes. Content may relate to the amount of recycled, renewable, and / or biodegradable materials used in the production of the final product. Transaction data 526 may be signed with the private key associated with the final product producer 408 and may be sent to the distributed ledger network 520, as shown in [the document]. Figure 5A As described in the context. Transaction data 526 can be confirmed by the distributed ledger network 520, for example, as in... Figure 5A As described in the context. Confirmed transaction data 526 can be included in a block and appended to an existing blockchain, for example, as in... Figure 5A As described in the context above. When adding transaction data 526 to a block, a unique transaction ID can be assigned to the transaction. The transaction ID can be generated by applying a hash function to the transaction data (such as the sender's address, the receiver's address, a decentralized end-product identifier, and / or environmental footprint data). The transaction ID can be collected by the application used by the end-product producer 408. The transaction ID can be considered a decentralized identifier that uniquely links to the end-product and the associated environmental footprint data. The transaction ID can be encoded in a code such as a barcode or QR code, and this code can be applied to the end-product or a portion thereof.

[0182] For example, a final product 444 produced by a final product producer 408 can be provided to a final product user 410 in association with a digital asset (e.g., transaction data 526 stored within a distributed ledger network 520). When a final product user 410 purchases a final product 444, the final product user 410 can collect, for example, transaction data 526 stored within the distributed ledger network 520 and associated with the final product via a final product identifier and / or via a distributed identifier (e.g., a transaction ID) through an application 532 (e.g., a decentralized application or DApp). Before collecting transaction data 526 from the distributed ledger network 520, the final product user 410 can provide authentication data to the security layer of the distributed ledger network 520. Upon successful authentication, the final product user 410 can be allowed to collect transaction data 526 via the application. The application may include a code reader configured to read code on the final product or a portion thereof. Data included in the code can be used to determine the final product identifier and / or the distributed identifier, for example, as in Figure 10 A to Figure 10 As described in the context of A. The final product identifier and / or distributed identifier can be used by the application to collect transaction data 526, including the final product identifier and / or associated with the distributed identifier. The collected transaction data 526 may include environmental footprint data associated with the final product. The app may display at least a portion of the collected transaction data 526, such as the environmental footprint data.

[0183] This makes environmental footprint data associated with end products transparent to end-product users (e.g., customers or consumers), allowing them to compare end-products based on their environmental footprint. This transparency enables end-product users to decide whether to purchase an end product based not only on its monetary price but also on the environmental footprint associated with its production and use. Because environmental footprint data also considers the carbon content of the end product, it provides more reliable environmental footprint data, allowing end-product users to make purchasing decisions based not only on monetary cost but also on the environmental footprint associated with the purchase and use of the end product. Providing reliable environmental footprint data for each end product encourages more sustainable behavior from end-product users and, consequently, incentivizes companies involved in end-product production to reduce the amount of fossil-based input materials, thus promoting a circular economy.

[0184] Figure 6AA first example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a chemical product produced by a chemical production network, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the chemical product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the chemical product to downstream participants.

[0185] To produce one or more chemical products 420 (hereinafter also referred to as (multiple) output materials), different input materials 418 can be provided as physical inputs to the chemical production 604. The (multiple) physical input materials 418 and the (multiple) output materials 420 can be associated with environmental footprint data. The production operating system 606 can be configured to ingest such environmental footprint data and use it to determine environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) output materials produced.

[0186] Input material 418 can be fed into chemical production 604 at any entry point. Input material 418 can be fed into chemical production 604 at the starting point of chemical production 604. For example, input material 418 can constitute a feedstock for a steam cracking unit or a syngas facility. Input material 418 may include non-fossil input materials (such as bio-based or recycled materials) and / or fossil input materials for the manufacture of chemical intermediates and (multiple) chemical output materials 420.

[0187] Chemical production 604 can be a chemical production network. A chemical production network can include multiple interconnected processing steps. A chemical production network can be an integrated chemical production network with interconnected production chains. A chemical production network can include multiple distinct production chains having at least one common intermediate product. A chemical production network can include multiple stages of a chemical value chain. A chemical production network can include the production, refining, processing, and / or purification of gases or crude oil. A chemical production network can include a steam cracking unit or syngas facility connected to multiple production chains that output products from the effluent of such facility. A chemical production network can include multiple production chains that output one or more output materials 420 from one or more input materials. A chemical production network can include a multi-layered chemical value chain. A chemical production network can include a physically interconnected arrangement of production sites. Production sites can be located in the same location or in different locations. In the latter case, production sites can be interconnected via dedicated transportation systems such as pipelines, supply chain vehicles (e.g., trucks), supply chain vessels, or other cargo transport vehicles.

[0188] The chemical production network can chemically transform input material 418 into one or more output materials 420. The chemical production network can chemically transform input material 604 into one or more output materials 606 via one or more chemical intermediates. The chemical production network can transform input material 418 into one or more output materials 420 through chemical transformation.

[0189] A chemical production network may include multiple production steps. The production steps included in a chemical production network can be defined by the system boundary 602 of the chemical production network. The system boundary can be defined by the location or control of the production processes. The system boundary can be defined by sites within the chemical production network. The system boundary can be defined by production processes jointly controlled by one or more entities. The system boundary can be defined by a value chain with interleaved production processes leading to the final product, which can be separately controlled by multiple entities. A chemical production network may include waste collection and sorting steps, recycling steps (e.g., pyrolysis), cracking steps (e.g., steam cracking), separation steps for separating intermediates from a process step, and further processing steps for converting such intermediates into (multiple) output materials 420 leaving the system boundary of the chemical production network.

[0190] The production operating system 606 for chemical production can be configured to monitor and / or control chemical production based on operating parameters of different processes. One process step monitored and / or controlled may be the feeding of input material 418 or the release of (multiple) output materials 420. Another process step monitored and / or controlled may be collecting environmental footprint data associated with the input material 418 entering the system boundary of chemical production 604. Yet another process step monitored and / or controlled may be determining environmental footprint data of (multiple) output materials 420 produced via chemical production 604. Yet another process step monitored and / or controlled may be assigning the determined environmental footprint data to (multiple) output materials 420 of chemical production 604.

[0191] The production operating system 606 can be configured to access environmental footprint data associated with input material 418, data associated with the processes used in chemical production 604, and / or (multiple) output materials 420. The production operating system 606 can be configured to generate environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output materials based on the accessed data. The production operating system 606 can be configured to generate access elements associated with the generated environmental footprint data of (multiple) output materials (see, for example...). Figure 8 The production operating system 606 can be configured to provide the generated access elements to the distributed network 440 for accessing the generated environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output materials.

[0192] When input material 418 enters, input material data 608 can be provided to the computing interface of the production operating system 606 via a communication network. A data provider (such as a QR code reader) can be configured to provide input material data 608 associated with one or more input materials 418 to the computing interface, which is configured to generate environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output materials 420. Input material data 608 can be collected from input material producers 404 via a distributed network 440, such as... Figure 4B As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Input material data 608 may include an input material identifier and environmental footprint data associated with input material 418. Input material data 608 may further include carbon content data related to the carbon content of (multiple) input materials. The input material identifier may be associated with the physical entity of input material 418 entering chemical production 604. Input material data may be provided at, before, or after one or more input materials are provided at the entry point of chemical production 604. The provided input material data may be stored in operating system 606 or in database 610 associated with that operating system.

[0193] Process data provider 612 can be configured to collect process data associated with the chemical processing of (multiple) input materials 418 for the production of (multiple) output materials 420. Process data provider 612 can be configured to collect energy data associated with energy consumption during the chemical processing. Process data provider 612 can be configured to collect environmental footprint data associated with the sources of the consumed energy. Process data provider 612 can be configured to provide process data, energy data, and environmental footprint data associated with the sources of the consumed energy to EF generator 614.

[0194] EF generator 614 can be configured to determine environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) output materials produced by chemical production 606, for example, as in Figure 8 The environmental footprint data of the (multiple) output materials can be determined based on process data, energy data, environmental footprint data associated with the source of the energy consumed, and environmental footprint data of the (multiple) input materials 418 used to produce the (multiple) output materials. The EF generator 614 can be configured to store the generated environmental footprint data together with the output product identifier in a database 622.

[0195] The identifier provider 616 can be configured to provide a decentralized identifier (ID) associated with the output product produced by chemical production 604 and provided at the exit point of chemical production 604. A decentralized identifier can be provided for each produced output product. The decentralized identifier can include one or more Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) or Digital Identifiers (DIDs). The decentralized identifier can be issued by a centralized or decentralized identity issuing authority. The decentralized identifier can be linked to authentication and / or authorization information. Through the decentralized identifier and its unique association with the chemical product producer and chemical product data (such as environmental footprint data), access to the chemical product data can be controlled by the chemical product producer. This contrasts with a centralized agency scheme, in which the identifier is provided by such a centralized agency, and access to the data is controlled by such a centralized agency. In this context, decentralized means that the use of the identifier is controlled by the data owner (such as the chemical product producer) at the time of implementation. The decentralized identifier can be unique for environmental footprint data. A distributed identifier can be uniquely associated with an output material or a physical entity of the output material, such as a consumer packaged for shipment to the output material (e.g., discrete product producer 406). In this way, a virtual identifier for the output material can be uniquely linked to the physical output material. This link can include a physical or virtual link to the distributed identifier uniquely associated with the physical output material. For a physical link, a label or code can be physically attached to the output material, for example, by printing a QR code on packaging or by embossing a code into the output product. This label or code can encode the distributed identifier. For a virtual link, different identifiers can be linked to the physical output material. For example, the order number, batch number, LOT number, or a combination thereof of the output material can be linked to the distributed identifier of the output material.

[0196] Access element generator 618 can be configured to generate access elements associated with the environmental footprint data generated by EF generator 614. Access element generator 618 can be configured to generate a digital representation of the environmental footprint data stored in database 622, for example, as shown in... Figure 4B The access element generator 618 can be configured to generate access elements that include a numeric representation and an output product identifier (ID) provided by the identifier provider 616, as described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figure 4B As described in the context above. Access element generator 618 can be configured to provide generated access elements to a distributed network 440 via node 424, such as a distributed registry 458 (not shown, see [link]). Figure 4B ).

[0197] Discrete product producer 406, which receives the produced output material 420, can use it as in Figure 4BAccess elements generated in the form of digital assets associated with the physical entity of the output material, as described in the context, collect environmental footprint data associated with the output material via ID-based patterns.

[0198] Figure 6B A second example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a chemical product produced by a chemical production network, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the chemical product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the chemical product to downstream participants.

[0199] like Figure 6A As described in the context, chemical production 604 and its operation can be monitored and / or controlled by production operating system 606. Input materials 418 (such as fossil input materials and non-fossil input materials) can be provided to operating system 606. Input materials 418 can be used in chemical production 604 to produce one or more output materials 420.

[0200] When input material 418 enters, the input material data 608 can be provided to the computing interface of the production operating system 606 via a communication network, such as in Figure 6A As described in the context. When input material 418 enters, the input material data 608 can be provided to the computing interface of the production operating system 606 via a communication network, as in Figure 5B The provided input material data 608 may be stored in the operating system 606 or in a database 610 associated with that operating system.

[0201] The process data provider 612 can be configured to collect process data associated with the chemical processing of (multiple) input materials 418 for the production of (multiple) output materials 420.

[0202] EF generator 614 can be configured to determine environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) output materials produced by chemical production 604, for example, as in Figure 8 The environmental footprint data of the (multiple) output materials can be determined based on process data, energy data, environmental footprint data associated with the source of the energy consumed, and environmental footprint data of the (multiple) input materials 418 used to produce the (multiple) output materials. The EF generator 614 can be configured to store the generated environmental footprint data along with the output product identifier in a database (not shown, see [link]). Figure 6A Database 622 in the database.

[0203] The generated environmental footprint data can be provided to the transaction data generator 534. The transaction data generator 534 can be configured to generate transaction data 526, for example, as in... Figure 9 As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to sign the generated transaction data 526 with a private key associated with the corresponding decentralized network participant (in this example, the private key of chemical product producer 402). Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to provide the generated or signed transaction data 526 to distributed ledger network 520. For example, transaction data generator 534 can send the generated or signed transaction data 526 to node 504 of distributed ledger network 520. Node 504 can broadcast the received transaction data to other nodes of distributed ledger network 520, such as [the following is a possible interpretation of the context]. Figure 5A As described in the context. Transaction data 526 can be confirmed by one or more nodes of the distributed ledger network 520. Transaction data 526 can be added to a block, and the block can be appended to the distributed ledger of the distributed ledger network, as described in... Figure 5A As described in the context above. Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to collect or receive transaction IDs from distributed ledger network 520. Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to assign transaction IDs to output material 420 or the physical entity of the output material, such as a consumer packaged for shipment to the output material (e.g., discrete product producer 406). In this way, a virtual identifier of the output material can be uniquely linked to the physical output material. This link can include a physical or virtual link to a transaction ID uniquely associated with the physical output material. For a physical link, a label or code can be physically attached to the output material, for example, by printing a QR code on packaging or by embossing a code into the output material. The label or code may already be encoded with the transaction ID. For a virtual link, different identifiers associated with the physical output material can be linked. For example, an order number, batch number, LOT number, or a combination thereof can be linked to a transaction ID.

[0204] Discrete product producer 406, which receives the produced output material 420, can use it as in Figure 5B The transactions described in the context of the distributed ledger network 520, which are in the form of digital assets associated with the physical entity of the output material, collect environmental footprint data associated with the output material via an ID-based schema.

[0205] Figure 7AA first example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a final product using acquired carbon content data, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the final product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the final product to the end product user.

[0206] As in Figure 6A As described in the context, the final product production 704 and its operation can be monitored and / or controlled by the production operating system 706. Input material 420 (e.g., (multiple) chemical products produced by chemical product producer 402) (see...) Figure 6A , Figure 6B Input material 420 can be provided to final product production 704. Input material 420 can be used in final product production 704 to produce one or more final products 444.

[0207] When input material 420 enters, the input material data 708 can be provided to the computing interface of the production operating system 706 via a communication network, such as in Figure 6A The input material data 708 provided may be stored in the database 710 of the operating system 706. The input material data 708 may include an input material identifier and environmental footprint data associated with the input material 420. The input material data 708 may further include carbon content data related to the carbon content of (multiple) input materials 420. The input material identifier may be associated with the physical entity of the input material 420 entering the final product production 704.

[0208] Process data provider 712 can be configured to collect process data associated with the processing of (multiple) input materials 420 for the production of (multiple) final products 444, for example, as in Figure 6A As described in the context.

[0209] The final product production 704 may include one or more measuring devices 720 configured to measure data associated with the carbon content of the produced (multiple) final products 444. Carbon content may refer to total carbon content (TOC). Total carbon content (TOC) may refer to the sum of inorganic and organic carbon content. Carbon content may refer to either inorganic or organic carbon content. Inorganic carbon content may refer to the carbon content derived from inorganic carbon-containing materials (such as minerals). Organic carbon content may refer to the carbon content derived from organic compounds. Organic carbon content may include element C. Inorganic and / or organic carbon content may be measured via carbon oxides produced from the oxidation or decomposition of a sample (e.g., a sample of output material). Carbon oxides may be measured using infrared spectroscopy (IR) methods (such as nondispersive infrared spectroscopy (NDIR)), thermal conductivity detection, gravimetric analysis using an absorption lamp, near-infrared spectroscopy, coulometric titration, flame ionization detection (FID), ion chromatography (IC), and gas chromatography (GC). Organic carbon content can be determined based on the concentration of the oxidant obtained after the chemical oxidation of the sample. The oxidant concentration can be determined by titration. Total carbon content can be determined using commonly known CHN elemental analysis methods. Alternatively, carbon content can refer to the C14 content of (multiple) final products. 14 Content can indicate the age of the various input materials used to produce the various final products. Fossil input materials have a higher age and therefore their C content is higher. 14 The content is negligible, while (multiple) bio-based input materials have relatively low ages and therefore measurable C. 14 Content. Therefore, measuring C 14 The content allows for the derivation of the amount of (multiple) bio-based input materials used during the production of the final product. C 14 Carbon content can be measured using gas proportional counting, liquid scintillation counting, and accelerator mass spectrometry. Carbon content can be measured for a batch of final products, and the carbon content of each individual entity of the final product can be determined based on the fraction present in that batch within the final product.

[0210] The carbon content can correspond to measurement data acquired by (multiple) devices 720. The data acquired by (multiple) measuring devices 720 can be used to determine the carbon content of the final product. The carbon content can be obtained based on the measurement data acquired by (multiple) devices 720. The data acquired by (multiple) measuring devices 720 can be stored in a database 714. The carbon content determined by (multiple) measuring devices 720 can be stored in the database 714. The operating system 706 can be configured to determine the carbon content of each final product based on the data acquired by (multiple) measuring devices 720. The operating system 706 can be configured to determine the carbon content of each final product based on the data stored in the database 714. The operating system 706 can be configured to store the determined carbon content of each final product in the database 714.

[0211] EF generator 716 can be configured to determine environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) final products produced by final product production 704, for example, as in Figure 8 The EF generator 716 can be configured to convert carbon content data stored in database 714 into CO2 equivalents. This conversion can be achieved by dividing the carbon content by 3.67 (molecular weight of CO2 = 44 g / mol vs. molecular weight of C = 12 g / mol). The EF generator 716 can be configured to consider the amount of recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based input materials used during the production of the final product when determining environmental footprint data. The recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based content can be determined based on environmental footprint data associated with the input materials. This environmental footprint data can be collected by operating system 706 via a distributed network, for example, as described in... Figure 4A and Figure 4B As described in the context. When determining environmental footprint data, the carbon content of the final product can be subtracted from the recycled content, renewable content, and / or bio-based content.

[0212] The environmental footprint data of the (multiple) output materials can be determined based on process data, energy data, environmental footprint data associated with the source of the energy consumed, environmental footprint data of the (multiple) input materials 420 used to produce the (multiple) output materials, and carbon content data. The EF generator 614 can be configured to store the generated environmental footprint data along with the output product identifier in a database 722.

[0213] Therefore, environmental footprint data can be viewed as an environmental footprint debit associated with the production of the final product and its use by the end-product user. This environmental footprint debit can be presented alongside monetary prices as an additional "emissions price" that the end-product user must pay for the final product. Because the environmental footprint debit can be displayed separately from the monetary price, the environmental footprint associated with the final product is transparent to the end-product user, thus enabling users to reliably compare the environmental footprint of the final product and make decisions based at least in part on the environmental footprint debit associated with said final product. The separate display of the monetary price associated with the final product and the environmental footprint debit (e.g., environmental footprint price), along with the allocation of an environmental footprint amount to each end-product user for purchasing the final product (see, for example...), further illustrates this. Figures 11A to 16C This combination allows for an incentive system that enables end-product users to purchase end-products associated with lower environmental footprint debits, thereby avoiding the additional costs associated with purchasing additional environmental footprint credits.

[0214] The identifier provider 616 can be configured to provide a distributed identifier (ID) associated with the output product 444 produced by and provided at the exit point of the final product production 704, for example, as in Figure 6A As described in the context. Distributed identifiers can be unique for environmental footprint data associated with the output product. Distributed identifiers can be uniquely associated with the output material or the physical entity of the output material, for example, a consumer packaged for transport to the output material (e.g., end-product user 410). Thus, a virtual identifier for the output material can be uniquely linked to the physical output material, as described in... Figure 6A As described in the context.

[0215] Access element generator 718 can be configured to generate access elements associated with the environmental footprint data generated by EF generator 716, such as in Figure 6A As described in the context above. Access element generator 718 can be configured to provide generated access elements to a distributed network 440 via node 426, such as a distributed registry 458 (not shown, see [link]). Figure 4B ).

[0216] The final product 444 received by user 410 can be used as follows: Figure 4B Access elements generated in the form of digital assets associated with the physical entity of the final product, as described in the context, collect environmental footprint data associated with the final product via ID-based patterns.

[0217] Figure 7BA second example of a method is shown for generating environmental footprint data associated with a final product using acquired carbon content data, assigning the generated environmental footprint data to the final product, and providing the generated environmental footprint data in association with the final product to the end product user.

[0218] As in Figure 7A As described in the context, the final product production 704 and its operation can be monitored and / or controlled by the production operating system 706. Input material 420 (e.g., (multiple) chemical products produced by chemical product producer 402) (see...) Figure 6A , Figure 6B Input material 420 can be provided to final product production 704. Input material 420 can be used in final product production 704 to produce one or more final products 444.

[0219] When input material 420 enters, the input material data 708 can be provided to the computing interface of the production operating system 706 via a communication network, such as in Figure 6A As described in the context. When input material 420 enters, the input material data 708 can be provided to the computing interface of the production operating system 706 via a communication network, as in Figure 5B The input material data 708 provided may be stored in the database 710 of the operating system 706. The input material data 708 may include an input material identifier and environmental footprint data associated with the input material 420. The input material data 708 may further include carbon content data related to the carbon content of (multiple) input materials 420. The input material identifier may be associated with the physical entity of the input material 420 entering the final product production 704.

[0220] Process data provider 712 can be configured to collect process data associated with the processing of (multiple) input materials 420 for the production of (multiple) final products 444, for example, as in Figure 6A As described in the context.

[0221] The final product production 704 may include one or more measuring devices 720 configured to measure data associated with the carbon content of the produced (multiple) final products 444, for example, as in... Figure 7A As described in the context. Operating system 706 can be configured to determine the carbon content of each final product, as in... Figure 7A As described in the context. Operating system 706 can be configured to store the carbon content of each determined final product in database 714.

[0222] EF generator 716 can be configured to determine environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) final products produced by final product production 704, for example, as in Figure 8 As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. EF generator 716 can be configured to transform carbon content data stored in database 714, as in [the previous sentence]. Figure 7A As described in the context. The EF generator 716 can be configured to, when determining environmental footprint data, consider the amount of recycled input materials, renewable input materials, and / or bio-based input materials used during the production of the final product, such as in... Figure 7A As described in the context. The EF generator 716 can be configured to store the generated environmental footprint data along with the output product identifiers in a database (not shown, see [link]). Figure 7A Database 722 in the database.

[0223] Therefore, environmental footprint data can be viewed as environmental footprint debits associated with the production of the final product and its use by the end-product's users, such as in Figure 7A As described in the context.

[0224] The generated environmental footprint data can be provided to the transaction data generator 534. The transaction data generator 534 can be configured to generate transaction data 526, for example, as in... Figure 9 As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to sign the generated transaction data 526 with the private key associated with the corresponding decentralized network participant (in this example, the private key of the final product producer 408). Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to provide the generated or signed transaction data 526 to the distributed ledger network 520, as described in [the previous sentence]. Figure 6B As described in the context, node 508 can broadcast received transaction data to other nodes in the distributed ledger network 520, as in... Figure 5A As described in the context. Transaction data 526 can be confirmed by one or more nodes of the distributed ledger network 520. Transaction data 526 can be added to a block, and the block can be appended to the distributed ledger of the distributed ledger network, as described in... Figure 5A As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to collect or receive transaction IDs from distributed ledger network 520. Transaction data generator 534 can be configured to assign transaction IDs to final product 444 or the physical entity of the final product, as described in [the previous sentence]. Figure 6B As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. In this way, the virtual identifier of the final product can be uniquely linked to the physical final product. This link can include a physical or virtual link to a transaction ID uniquely associated with the physical final product, as in [the previous sentence]. Figure 6B As described in the context.

[0225] The final product 444 received by user 410 can be used as follows: Figure 5B The transactions described in the context of the distributed ledger network 520, which are in the form of digital assets associated with the physical entity of the final product, collect environmental footprint data associated with the final product via an ID-based schema.

[0226] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for generating environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output products and providing the generated environmental footprint data for access via a distributed peer-to-peer network, according to embodiments of this disclosure. This method can be executed by the operating system that generates the environmental footprint data (see, for example...). Figure 6A and Figure 7A ).

[0227] Output products can be any output material produced within the product ecosystem, including final products, such as those produced in... Figure 4A and Figure 5A As described in the context, environmental footprint data may include carbon footprint data associated with output products. Environmental footprint data may further include carbon content data associated with output products.

[0228] Output material identifiers can be provided (see box 802). Output material identifiers may include order number, lot number, LOT number, or a combination thereof.

[0229] Data associated with the production of output materials can be collected (see box 804). This data can be collected at least in part based on the provided output material identifier. The output material identifier can be used to determine the production unit identifier associated with the production unit involved in producing the output material. Data associated with the production of output materials can include process data associated with processing (multiple) input materials to produce the corresponding output material. Process data can be collected based on (multiple) production unit identifiers. Process data can include data associated with (multiple) input materials and intermediate or (multiple) output materials produced in each production step. Process data can include data related to the production steps associated with the production of the output material. Data associated with the production of output materials can include energy data. Energy data can include data associated with energy consumption during processing. Data associated with the production of output materials can include environmental footprint data associated with the operation of the entity (including the production of output materials), such as environmental footprint data associated with business travel and environmental footprint data associated with employee commuting. Data associated with the production of output materials can include process data and energy data. Data associated with the production of output materials can include process data, energy data, and environmental footprint data associated with the operation of the entity. Data can be collected from one or more databases storing the relevant data.

[0230] Input material data associated with (multiple) input materials used to produce the output product can be collected (box 806). The (multiple) input materials used to produce the output product can refer to (multiple) input materials transformed in one or more production steps of the output product production. Transformation can occur via intermediate chemical products. Transformation can be a chemical reaction or any other processing step, such as physical processing. Input material data can be collected based on the provided output material identifier. Input material data can be collected based on the collected data associated with the production of the output material. Input material data can be collected for each type of input material. Input material data can include input material identifiers and environmental footprint data associated with the corresponding input material. Input material data can further include carbon content data associated with the corresponding input material. Input material data can be collected via a distributed network, such as in... Figure 4A As described in the context, input material data can be collected using ID-based schemes via distributed networks, such as in... Figure 4B and Figure 6A The context described above. The collected input material data can be stored in a database (see [reference]). Figure 6A 610 and Figure 7A (710).

[0231] It can be determined whether the carbon content of the output products should be considered during the determination of environmental footprint data (see decision box 808). Considering this carbon content allows for the inclusion of the environmental footprint associated with the use of the produced output products (e.g., Scope 3 downstream emissions – see...). Figure 2 This allows for more reliable overall environmental footprint data for the produced outputs, and thus provides more reliable overall environmental footprint data for the outputs. Considering the environmental footprint associated with the use of the produced outputs allows for greater transparency of the overall environmental footprint associated with the outputs, enabling users of the outputs to better compare the environmental impacts of various outputs of the same type. If carbon content is to be considered, the method can proceed to box 810. Otherwise, the method can proceed to box 814.

[0232] Data related to carbon content can be collected (see box 810). Data related to carbon content can be collected based on the provided output material identifier. It can be collected from one or more databases (e.g., in...). Figure 7A The database 714 described in the context collects data related to carbon content. This can be done using one or more measuring devices (e.g., in...). Figure 7A The device 720 described in the context of this study determines data associated with carbon content. Data associated with carbon content may include the carbon content of physical entities of the output products. Data associated with carbon content may include the carbon content of a batch of output products. Data associated with carbon content may include the CO2 equivalent of each defined physical entity of the output products.

[0233] The carbon content of each defined quantity of output product can be determined; this box is typically optional (see box 812). The carbon content can be determined based on collected data associated with carbon content. For example, the collected data associated with carbon content can be converted into the carbon content of the output product per physical entity. In another instance, the collected data associated with carbon content can be converted into the CO2 equivalent of the output product per physical entity. Determining the carbon content of each defined quantity of output product may include taking into account the amount of recycled input materials, renewable input materials, and / or bio-based input materials used during the production of the final product, such as… Figure 7A As described in the context.

[0234] Environmental footprint data associated with the physical entity of the output product can be determined (see box 814). Environmental footprint data can be determined based on collected production-related data and collected input material data. Environmental footprint data can be determined by summing environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) input materials and environmental footprint data associated with the production process of the output material. Environmental footprint data can be determined by summing environmental footprint data associated with the amount of (multiple) input materials used to produce the output material, environmental footprint data associated with energy use used to produce the output material, and environmental footprint data associated with carbon content. The obtained environmental footprint data can be assigned to the produced output material. The obtained environmental footprint data can be assigned to each physical entity of the output material (e.g., each packaging unit configured for transport to a user of the output material). The determined environmental footprint data can be associated with output material identifiers. The determined environmental footprint data can be stored in a database. The determined environmental footprint data can form part of a digital twin of the output product stored in one or more databases.

[0235] At least one distributed identifier can be provided (see box 816). This can be provided by a distributed ID provider (e.g., in...). Figure 6A and Figure 7A The ID provider 616 described in the context provides multiple distributed identifiers. The distributed ID provider can generate one or more distributed identifiers. The multiple distributed identifiers can be associated with a physical entity of the output material. The multiple distributed identifiers can be associated with a batch of output material produced. A request to provide multiple distributed identifiers can be triggered when the ID requester detects a packaged output product. The ID request can send a request to the distributed ID provider to provide multiple distributed identifiers. The distributed ID provider can generate multiple distributed identifiers and can provide the generated multiple distributed identifiers to the ID assigner. The ID assigner can be configured to assign the multiple distributed identifiers provided by the ID provider to the physical entity of the output material. The ID assigner can be part of a labeling machine and can be configured to generate labels (e.g., codes) that can be applied to or imprinted on a portion of the output material or its packaging unit. The distributed ID provider can be configured to provide multiple distributed identifiers to an access element generator, which is configured to generate access elements, as described later.

[0236] A digital representation associated with the environmental footprint data generated in box 814 can be generated (see box 818). The digital representation can be generated by a digital representation generator. The digital representation can be generated by an access element generator. The digital representation may include a representation for accessing the environmental footprint data or a portion thereof. The digital representation may include a locator or pointer to a dedicated storage address where the environmental footprint data generated in box 814 is stored. The dedicated storage address may be associated with the output material producer. The dedicated storage address may be associated with the environmental footprint data owner. The pointer or locator may point directly to the dedicated storage address. The pointer or locator may point to a data providing network node associated with the dedicated storage device. This improves data security because the dedicated storage address is not published to other participants in the decentralized network, thus avoiding the risk of direct access to the dedicated storage device without access control via a decentralized data providing network node. The digital representation may include one or more digital links to the environmental footprint data. Multiple digital representations may include locators or pointers, such as URLs or URIs, pointing to dedicated storage addresses associated with output material producers and storing environmental footprint data or a portion thereof.

[0237] Access elements associated with environmental footprint data can be generated (see box 820). Access elements can be generated by an access element generator. Access elements can include (multiple) distributed identifiers and (multiple) numerical representations. Access elements can involve authorization rules that grant access to the environmental footprint data based on participant identifiers associated with participants in the distributed network. Access elements can be provided to allow one or more data-consuming network nodes associated with the output material producer to access the environmental footprint data. In this way, access to the environmental footprint data can be limited to specific network nodes associated with data access, such as users of the output material.

[0238] The access element generator can provide the generated access elements to data-providing network nodes, allowing data-consuming network nodes to access environmental footprint data, for example, in... Figure 6A and Figure 7A As described in the context. Access to environmental footprint data based on access elements can be controlled by the data-providing network nodes, for example, as in Figure 4B As described in the context.

[0239] Environmental footprint data can be uniquely associated with output materials through decentralized identifiers. Decentralized networks enable the transfer of environmental footprint data between producers and users of output materials. This allows environmental footprint data to be shared directly among participants in the product ecosystem through a unique association with the output product, without the need for a central intermediary. This achieves transparency of the environmental footprint within the product ecosystem and makes the positive environmental impacts of output materials transparent to end-product users, enabling them to make purchasing decisions based at least in part on the environmental impact associated with the end product they wish to buy.

[0240] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for generating environmental footprint data associated with (multiple) output products and providing the generated environmental footprint data to a distributed ledger network for storage, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0241] Output products can be any output material produced within the product ecosystem, including final products, such as those produced in... Figure 4B and Figure 5B As described in the context, environmental footprint data may include carbon footprint data associated with output products. Environmental footprint data may further include carbon content data associated with output products.

[0242] This method can be executed by the operating system that generates the environmental footprint data (see, for example...). Figure 6B and Figure 7B The method may include... Figure 8 Boxes 802 to 814. Additionally, the method may include other boxes described below.

[0243] Transaction data can be generated (see box 902). This can be done as follows: Figure 5B The transaction data is generated as described in the context. The transaction data may include the EF data generated in box 814 and the provided output material identifier. The transaction data can be generated by a transaction data generator, such as TX generator 534 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5B , Figure 6B and Figure 7B ).

[0244] Transaction data can be signed (see box 904). Transaction data can be signed by a transaction data generator. Transaction data can be signed by another application (such as a wallet). Transaction data can also be signed using the private key of the entity that produces the output material (e.g., the output material producer).

[0245] Signed transaction data can be provided to a distributed ledger network (e.g., network 520) for storing transaction data, including EF data, within the distributed ledger (see box 906). Signed transactions can be provided to the distributed ledger network by a transaction data generator. Signed transaction data can also be provided to the distributed ledger network by another application. Signed transactions can be provided to the distributed ledger network by sending the signed transaction data to the API of a distributed ledger network node. A node receiving the signed transaction data can broadcast the received data to other network nodes (see...). Figure 5A Signed transaction data can be confirmed by at least a subset of the nodes in a distributed ledger network. Confirmed transactions can be included in blocks and appended to existing blockchains, such as... Figure 5A As described in the context. Transactions included within a block can be assigned a transaction ID, as in... Figure 5B As described in the context.

[0246] Confirmations of transactions can be collected, which is usually optional (see box 908). Confirmations can be collected by a transaction data generator. Confirmations can be collected by other applications. Confirmations may include the transaction ID assigned to the transaction. Confirmations can be collected by collecting block data associated with new blocks appended to the blockchain. Block data can be collected via an API or by generating events and subscribing to these events. New block data can be repeatedly queried from the API. Subscriptions allow new block data to be automatically pushed to predefined locations. Block data can be used to determine whether submitted signed transaction data has been added to a block and can therefore be considered confirmed.

[0247] The confirmation obtained in box 908 can be provided for display (see box 910). Providing confirmation for display may include displaying the transaction ID. Alternatively, providing confirmation for display may include displaying a message indicating confirmation.

[0248] Figure 10 This paper demonstrates a model that allows end-product users to directly manage their environmental footprint credits using a distributed ledger network managed by a central bank. The environmental footprint credits can correspond to units of digital currency. These credits can correspond to central bank digital currency (CBDC), for example, digital currency issued (e.g., minted and distributed) by central bank 1002. Units of such CBDC can be minted by or on behalf of central bank 1002. The central bank can transfer these units of CBDC to the addresses of end-product users.

[0249] In the system presented, the central bank 1002 could be the sole institution responsible for all operations related to the environmental footprint credit line. These operations could include: issuing the environmental footprint credit line, managing all transactions and the distributed ledger, and directly interfacing with end-product users (such as end-product user 1 1004, end-product user 2 1006, and end-product user 3 1008) on all relevant matters. Since central banks are generally viewed with high respect by the public, this model would foster trust in the environmental footprint credit line and alleviate potential concerns about its coexistence with traditional currencies such as fiat currencies. Furthermore, the system eliminates the need for intermediaries, thus improving efficiency.

[0250] In this system, end users can interact with the distributed ledger 520 and the central bank 1002 via a wallet or digital wallet application. End users 1004 to 1008 can use the digital wallet application to transmit a request to the central bank 1002 for account creation. Upon receiving the request, the central bank 1002 can, for example, request the distributed ledger network 520 to generate a wallet identifier and private key for the account via an interaction module. The distributed ledger network 520 can generate the wallet identifier and private key and transmit them back to the central bank 1002. The central bank 1002 can then transmit the wallet identifier and private key to the digital wallet application. This allows the digital wallet application to sign transactions to be transmitted to the distributed ledger network 520. The central bank 1002 can create a user identifier linked to the wallet identifier and transmit both the wallet identifier and the user identifier to the digital wallet application. The central bank 1002 can store the mapping between the user identifier and the private key. The private key can be stored in the keystore of the central bank 1002 and can be accessed using a user identifier and / or wallet identifier to sign transactions to be transmitted to the distributed ledger network 520.

[0251] Users can use their wallets to spend their environmental footprint credits (e.g., to pay for environmental footprint debits associated with final products purchased by the user). Users can use their wallets to transfer a portion of their environmental footprint credits to other users. Users can use their wallets to purchase additional environmental footprint credits from Central Bank 1002. Users can use their wallets to sell unused environmental footprint credits. For example, a user can sell unused environmental footprint credits to Central Bank 1002, and Central Bank 1002 can transfer fiat currency to the user's bank account in return.

[0252] The central bank 1002 can transfer predefined environmental footprint limits to addresses or accounts owned by users in the distributed ledger network 520. The transfer can be performed at one or more predefined points in time.

[0253] Figures 11A to 11C This is a sequence diagram illustrating selected aspects of the interaction between different network nodes according to embodiments of the present invention. User equipment 1102 can be a device operated by a user. Examples of user equipment may include mobile phones, smartphones, cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, desktop computers, server computers, thin client devices, tablets, etc. User equipment 1102 can be any type of wearable technology device, such as watches, headphones, glasses, etc. User equipment 1102 may include one or more processors capable of processing user input. User equipment 1102 may also include one or more input sensors for receiving user input, such as accelerometers, cameras, microphones, etc. User input obtained by input sensors can come from various data input types, including but not limited to audio data, visual data, or biometric data. User equipment 1102 may include any electronic device that can be operated by a user and may also provide remote communication capabilities with a network. Examples of remote communication capabilities include using mobile phone (wireless) networks, wireless data networks (e.g., 3G, 4G, or similar networks), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, or any other communication medium that can provide access to a network (such as the Internet or a private network). Figure 11A The aspects shown can illustrate the direct interaction between the central bank 1002 and the end-product users, such as in Figure 10 As described in the context.

[0254] User device 1102 may include applications running within a browser on a mobile computing device. The application running on the mobile device may display a graphical user interface, such as... Figure 13A The graphical user interface 1302 shown is illustrated here. The user may be purchasing one or more end products, such as consumer goods(s). The application can execute in... Figure 17 , Figure 19 , Figure 20 , Figure 21 and / or Figure 22 The method described in the context.

[0255] Users can simulate purchasing the final product by scanning the code (such as a barcode or QR code) of the final product they intend to buy. Figures 11A to 11C The sequence shown in the image. The front end may include a scanning module configured to scan the final product code. This module can be activated by the user pressing a button in the graphical user interface (e.g., button 1304 of graphical user interface 1302, see...). Figure 13AInitialization occurs during the scan. The scanning module can be configured to provide scan data. The scanning module can be configured to parse code and provide parsed data. The parsed data may include a URI pointing to server 1104. The parsed data may further include a final product identifier.

[0256] The parsed data can be displayed within the graphical user interface 1302. Figure 13A (Not shown in the image). Parsing data can trigger the collection of distributed identifiers at server 1104 based on the parsed data (e.g., based on the final product identifier). User device 1102 can provide the parsed data to server 1104. Server 1104 can use the data received from user device 1102 to collect distributed identifiers associated with the final product. The collected distributed identifiers can be provided to user device 1102 and can be displayed within the graphical user interface 1302. Server 1104 can provide user device 1102 with additional data associated with the parsed data, such as the final product name (see [link to documentation]). Figure 13A The graphical user interface 1302). Server 1104 can be configured to determine digital representations of environmental footprint data associated with distributed identifiers. For example, server 1104 can use a DID resolver to resolve distributed identifiers that include DIDs. Server 1104 can use the resolved DIDs to collect DID documents associated with those resolved DIDs. Server 1104 can be configured to resolve the DID documents to determine (multiple) digital representations of environmental footprint data. Server 1104 can be further configured to determine (multiple) additional distributed identifiers associated with the distributed identifiers, such as distributed digital twin identifiers associated with digital twins of the final product associated with the environmental footprint data.

[0257] Server 1104 can provide the collected environmental footprint data to user equipment 1102. User equipment 1102 can display the received environmental footprint data within a graphical user interface. (Reference) Figure 13AUser equipment 1102 can display environmental footprint data received from server 1104. User equipment 1102 can display the final product identifier. User equipment 1102 can further display the final product name. User equipment 1102 can further display the collected environmental footprint data. The collected environmental footprint data may include carbon footprint data. Carbon footprint data may be given in kg CO2 equivalent. Therefore, environmental footprint data can be viewed as an environmental footprint debit associated with the final product. The environmental footprint debit may correspond to the environmental impact associated with the production and use of the final product. Displaying the environmental footprint debit associated with the final product within the graphical user interface 1302 ensures transparency of the environmental impact associated with purchasing the final product. This transparency allows end-product users to make purchasing decisions not solely based on monetary prices and opaque data about environmental impact, but allows for transparent comparison of different end products regarding their environmental impact. This transparency enables an incentive system that incentivizes customers to purchase end products with lower environmental impact (e.g., lower environmental footprint). This, in turn, can increase the demand for end products with reduced environmental footprints, thus leading to greater efforts to use (multiple) recycled, renewable, or bio-based input materials to produce end products, and / or optimize production processes to reduce associated emissions, and / or use green energy in production processes.

[0258] Environmental footprint data can be collected repeatedly for each end product that the end product user intends to purchase. For example, the code for each end product can be scanned and used to collect the corresponding environmental footprint data associated with that end product. The collected environmental footprint data can be added together to obtain a total environmental footprint debit associated with all purchased end products.

[0259] Server 1104 can be configured to transform environmental footprint data. For example, server 1104 can be configured to convert the collected environmental footprint data into kgCO2 equivalents for each quantity of final product, such that the final product is associated with the kgCO2 equivalent. Similarly, user equipment 1102 can be configured to perform this transformation.

[0260] To incentivize the purchase of end products associated with reduced environmental impact (e.g., reduced environmental or carbon footprint), environmental footprint credits can be allocated to end product users. Predefined environmental footprint credits can be allocated to end product users at predefined time points. For example, predefined environmental footprint credits can be allocated annually. The predefined environmental footprint credits allocated annually to end product users can correspond to average greenhouse gas emissions per person per year. For example, 5000 kg of CO2 equivalent could be allocated to each end product user annually. Environmental footprint credits can be digital currencies managed in a distributed ledger. Therefore, environmental footprint credits can be considered fungible token units. Environmental footprint debits associated with end products can also be considered as said fungible token units, allowing deductions associated with end products from the environmental footprint credits held by end product users. One token unit can correspond to a defined amount of CO2 equivalent. For example, one unit can correspond to 1 kg of CO2 equivalent. Environmental footprint credits in digital currency form can be managed by end product users via digital wallets (e.g., user wallet 1110). User wallet 1110 can be integrated into user device 1102, for example, as a browser plugin running on user device 1102, such as a browser. User wallet 1110 can also be a standalone application running on the user's mobile device. User wallet 1110 can manage the user's private and public key pairs associated with the user's(s) accounts(s).

[0261] User device 1102 can be configured to interact with user wallet 1110 ( Figure 11A (Not shown) Data exchange. When a user accesses user device 1102, user device 1102 can initiate a request to connect to a digital wallet and can send this request to wallet 1110. This request can open wallet 1110, and wallet 1110 can prompt the user to confirm the request to establish a connection between wallet 1110 and user device 1102 to allow data exchange. Upon receiving confirmation from the user, a connection can be established between user device 1102 and wallet 1110, and wallet 1110 can return the addresses(s) associated with wallet 1110. A graphical user interface 1308 can be displayed to the user. Reference Figure 13BThe graphical user interface 1308 of wallet 1110 may include a list of accounts associated with wallet 1110. Each account may be associated with address 1310. Environmental footprint debits associated with purchased end products can be deducted from such address. Interface 1308 may further display the current balance 1312 of the environmental footprint credit (e.g., the remaining credit held by the user). The interface may further allow a transfer of a portion of the user's credit to be initiated via send button 1316. The interface may further allow a purchase of additional environmental footprint credit to be initiated via purchase button 1314. User interface 1308 may further display the transfer history associated with the accounts.

[0262] User equipment 1102 can receive an instruction from the user that they have purchased the final product. (Reference) Figure 13A The instruction can be received via user input on button 1306. This instruction can trigger user device 1102 to create transaction data, which includes the address received from wallet 1110 and environmental footprint data (e.g., environmental footprint debit) received from server 1104. The created transaction data may further include the recipient's address. The recipient's address can be predefined to ensure that token units deducted from the user's account are transferred to the correct recipient. The created transaction data can be sent to wallet 1110 for signing.

[0263] Upon receiving the created transaction data, Wallet 1110 can prompt the user to sign the received transaction data using the private key associated with the account. The user-signed transaction data can then be sent by Wallet 1110 via API to nodes on the distributed ledger network that manage the carbon credits of end-product users. Nodes receiving the signed transaction data can broadcast the received data to other nodes on the distributed ledger network, for example, as in... Figure 5A As described in the context. Transaction data can be confirmed by at least a subset of the nodes in the distributed ledger network (see [reference]). Figure 5A Confirmed transaction data can be included in a block, and that block can be appended to the blockchain (see [link]). Figure 5A ) can generate transaction IDs for the transactions included in a block.

[0264] Wallet 1110 can query the distributed ledger network for data on new blocks. Queries can be performed periodically. Wallet 1110 can query the distributed ledger network to confirm that a sent transaction is included in a new block. If wallet 1110 receives confirmation that a transaction is included in a new block, wallet 1110 can update the balance 1312 shown in user interface 1308. Confirmation of successful transactions (e.g., successful deduction of environmental footprint borrowing from the user's available credit) can be provided by wallet 1110 to user device 1102. User device 1102 can display the confirmation of successful deduction to the user.

[0265] refer to Figure 11A Server 1104 can connect to network nodes of the distributed peer-to-peer network 440. A network node can be a distributed data consuming network node (e.g., data consumer node 1106) configured to consume data from other distributed network nodes. The distributed data consuming network node can be a service node of the distributed network, providing data consumption services to end-product users. Server 1104 can be configured to provide consumer node 1106 with collected distributed identifiers. Server 1104 can be further configured to provide consumer node 1106 with determined numeric representations(s). Server 1104 can be further configured to provide consumer node 1106 with determined additional distributed identifiers(s). Server 1104 can further provide authentication data. Consumer node 1106 can perform authentication before establishing a data transmission channel with server 1104. This improves security and prevents unwanted data transmissions using consumer node 1106.

[0266] Consumer node 1106 can be configured to determine a digital representation pointing to environmental footprint data based on a distributed identifier. This digital representation can point to a provider node 1108 associated with a dedicated storage device storing the environmental footprint data. Environmental footprint data associated with the final product can be generated by or on behalf of the final product producer 408, as shown in [the original text]. Figure 6A , Figure 7A and Figure 8 As described in the context. Provider node 1108 can be associated with end-product producer 408, which produces the final product for which environmental footprint data is collected. This can be based on distributed identifiers from distributed registries (such as...). Figure 4B The distributed registry 458 shown retrieves multiple digital representations. Consumer node 1106 can be configured to request environmental footprint data associated with distributed identifiers provided by server 1104, for example, as in Figure 4BAs described in the context. Upon successful authentication, provider node 1108 can collect environmental footprint data associated with the received distributed identifier(s). Provider node 1108 can apply (multiple) authorization schemes to the collected data, such as in... Figure 4B As described in the context, provider node 1108 may provide the collected environmental footprint data to consumer node 1106 according to the applied licensing scheme(s). Consumer node 1106 may store the received data in a dedicated storage device associated with consumer node 1106 (see, for example...). Figure 4B Consumer node 1106 can provide the collected environmental footprint data to server 1104. Server 1104 can be configured to collect environmental footprint data stored in a dedicated storage device.

[0267] Combining a distributed peer-to-peer network 440 storing environmental footprint data associated with the final product with a distributed ledger 1112 storing environmental footprint credits associated with end-product users allows for the separation of environmental footprint data storage from the purchasing behavior of end-product users, which is related to the deduction of environmental footprint debits associated with the end products consumed by such end-product users. Therefore, entities operating the distributed ledger 1112 do not have in-depth knowledge of which end products customers have purchased, thus ensuring a high degree of privacy for end-product users. Furthermore, entities operating the distributed ledger 1112 cannot access the environmental footprint data stored in the peer-to-peer network 440. Similarly, participants in the product value chain involved in the production of the end product cannot access the distributed ledger 1112, thus ensuring data privacy for end-product users regarding their consumption behavior. Simultaneously, participants in the end-product value chain only need to share the minimum data required to calculate environmental footprint data in downstream steps of the value chain. Additionally, each participant can control access to this environmental footprint data, thereby improving data security while allowing the sharing of the necessary environmental footprint data.

[0268] This new approach allows for the monetization of greenhouse gas emissions while providing customers with reliable and transparent data on the environmental footprint of the end products they wish to purchase. Figure 11AThe architecture shown allows end-product users to reliably understand the separate costs of traditional accounting (e.g., the traditional monetary cost of the end product) and new carbon accounting (e.g., environmental footprint debits associated with the end product). Therefore, customers and end consumers have complete transparency and control over the environmental impact associated with their use of the end product. Carbon accounts can act as an incentive system to encourage end-product users to reduce their environmental impact by purchasing end products associated with lower environmental impact debits to avoid their environmental footprint credits becoming unsustainable. Increased demand for end products with reduced environmental impact can encourage participants in the production of end products to similarly reduce their environmental footprint. New carbon accounts allow for the monetization of CO2 via environmental footprint credits. These credits can be provided by the central bank to end-product users to enhance their trust in them (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 10 ).

[0269] and Figure 11A In comparison, Figure 11B The environmental footprint data is stored in a distributed ledger system 1114. This distributed ledger system 1114 can be different from the environmental footprint quotas managed by end-product users and... Figure 11A The distributed ledger system 1112 is described in the document. The distributed ledger carbon debit 1114 can be configured to store environmental footprint data associated with the final products. Environmental footprint data can be generated and stored within the distributed ledger 1114, as in... Figure 7B As described in the context, the distributed ledger carbon debit 1114 can be configured to provide environmental footprint data associated with the end products based on the decentralized identifiers associated with the corresponding end products.

[0270] When user equipment 1102 receives a decentralized identifier associated with a final product to be purchased, user equipment 1102 may generate a request for obtaining environmental footprint data associated with the decentralized identifier. The request may include the received decentralized identifier and multiple credentials associated with the end product user. The multiple credentials may include multiple certificates, usernames and / or passwords, public keys, private keys, or combinations thereof. The request may be authorized by distributed ledger 1114, thereby ensuring that only authorized users can access the data stored therein. Upon authorization, distributed ledger 1114 may collect the environmental footprint data associated with the received decentralized identifier and provide the collected data to user equipment 1102. User equipment 1102 may display the received environmental footprint data within a graphical user interface, such as in... Figure 11A As described in the context.

[0271] Combining distributed ledger network 1114, which stores environmental footprint data associated with the final product, with distributed ledger network 1112, which stores environmental footprint credits associated with users of the final product, allows for the separation of environmental footprint data storage from the purchasing behavior of users of the final product, which is related to the deduction of environmental footprint debits associated with the final product consumed by such users. Therefore, entities operating distributed ledger 1112 do not have in-depth knowledge of which final products customers have purchased, thus ensuring a high degree of privacy for users of the final product. This prevents the central bank 1002 from monitoring user behavior, thereby increasing acceptance of this environmental footprint accounting through environmental footprint credits and debits. Furthermore, entities operating distributed ledger 1112 cannot access the environmental footprint data stored in distributed ledger 1114. Similarly, participants in the product value chain involved in the production of the final product cannot access distributed ledger 1112, thus ensuring data privacy for users of the final product regarding their consumption behavior. Simultaneously, participants in the final product value chain only need to share the minimum data required to calculate environmental footprint data in the downstream steps of the value chain. In addition, each participant can control access to this environmental footprint data, thereby improving data security while allowing the sharing of the required environmental footprint data.

[0272] This new approach allows for the monetization of greenhouse gas emissions while providing customers with reliable and transparent data on the environmental footprint of the end products they wish to purchase. Figure 11B The architecture shown allows end-product users to reliably understand the separate costs of traditional accounting (e.g., the traditional monetary cost of the end product) and new carbon accounting (e.g., environmental footprint debits associated with the end product). Therefore, customers and end consumers have complete transparency and control over the environmental impact associated with their use of the end product. Carbon accounts can act as an incentive system to encourage end-product users to reduce their environmental impact by purchasing end products associated with lower environmental impact debits to avoid their environmental footprint credits becoming unsustainable. Increased demand for end products with reduced environmental impact can encourage participants in the production of end products to similarly reduce their environmental footprint. New carbon accounts allow for the monetization of CO2 via environmental footprint credits. These credits can be provided by the central bank to end-product users to enhance their trust in them (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 10 ).

[0273] and Figure 11A and Figure 11B In comparison, Figure 11C The system uses only one distributed ledger network 1116 to store environmental footprint data and manage the environmental footprint credits of end-product users. This distributed ledger network 1116 can be combined with... Figure 11BThe features of distributed ledgers 1112 and 1114 are described in the context of this study. Environmental footprint data can be generated and stored within a distributed ledger network 1116, as in... Figure 7B As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. The distributed ledger network 1116 can be configured to provide environmental footprint data associated with end products based on distributed identifiers associated with the respective end products. The distributed ledger network 1116 can store accounts of end product users holding environmental footprint credits and can be configured to deduct environmental footprint debits associated with the purchase of end products from such credits. Similarly, the distributed ledger network 1116 can allocate environmental footprint credits to user accounts, for example, as in [the previous sentence]. Figure 10 As described in the context.

[0274] When user equipment 1102 receives a distributed identifier associated with the final product to be purchased, user equipment 1102 may generate a request for obtaining environmental footprint data associated with the distributed identifier, such as in Figure 11B As described in the context. Figure 11B As described in the context, the request can be authorized by the distributed ledger network 1116, thereby ensuring that only authorized users can access the data stored therein. Upon authorization, the distributed ledger network 1116 can collect environmental footprint data associated with the received distributed identifier and provide the collected data to user equipment 1102. User equipment 1102 can display the received environmental footprint data within a graphical user interface, such as in... Figure 11A As described in the context.

[0275] Using a single distributed ledger network to store environmental footprint data and manage environmental footprint credits for end-product users reduces the overall complexity of the system and the need for interoperability between different distributed networks. Through access control, access to environmental footprint data and environmental footprint credit data can be restricted to those users who need such data. Storage of environmental footprint data and management of environmental footprint credits can be performed on different parts of the distributed ledger network 1116. For example, the distributed ledger network 1116 can be partitioned into smaller distributed ledger networks. This allows for easier implementation of access control because general access to each part of the distributed ledger network can be controlled independently.

[0276] Figures 12A to 12C This is another sequence diagram illustrating selected aspects of the interaction between different network nodes according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 12A to 12A The aspects shown can illustrate the direct interaction between the central bank 1002 and the end-product users, such as in Figure 10 As described in the context.

[0277] Figures 12A to 12C With the corresponding Figures 11A to 11C The difference lies in the additional presence of a merchant system 1202. Merchant system 1202 can be associated with a merchant. A merchant can be an individual or entity that provides goods and / or services to or provides access to goods and / or services to an end-product user based on a transaction (such as a payment transaction). A merchant system may include one or more computer systems operated by or on behalf of the merchant, such as a server computer executing one or more software applications. A merchant system may include one or more card readers, near-field communication (NFC) receivers, RFID receivers and / or other contactless transceivers or receivers, contact-based receivers, payment terminals, computers, servers, input devices and / or other similar devices that can be used to initiate payment transactions.

[0278] Merchant system 1202 can be used to scan for (multiple) final products to be purchased by end-product users. The scan data acquired by merchant system 1202 can be provided to server 1104. Server 1104 can be configured to use the received scan data to collect (multiple) distributed identifiers, such as in... Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context. Multiple distributed identifiers can be used by server 1104 to collect environmental footprint data associated with the multiple end products from distributed peer-to-peer network 440, such as in... Figure 11A The environmental footprint data collected can be provided to merchant system 1204, as described in the context. Merchant system 1202 can be configured to transform the environmental footprint data, such as in... Figure 11A As described in the context. Merchant system 1202 can display received environmental footprint data within a graphical user interface, such as in... Figure 11A As described in the context. Merchant system 1202 can add the collected environmental footprint data to determine environmental footprint data for all end products to be purchased by end product users.

[0279] Merchant system 1202 can provide collected or converted environmental footprint data to user device 1102. This data can be provided by generating codes (such as QR codes) that encode the environmental footprint data or total environmental footprint. Users can use user device 1102 to scan the codes to access the encoded environmental footprint data or total environmental footprint. User device 1102 can display the data received from merchant system 1202 within a graphical user interface, such as in… Figure 11A As described in the context. User equipment 1102 can be configured to create transaction data, as in Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context. Transaction data may include environmental footprint data received from merchant system 1202. User device 1102 can be configured to perform... Figure 18 The method described in the context.

[0280] Separating the scanning process and the collection of environmental footprint data from the generation of transaction data avoids the need to scan each final product to be purchased by the end-product user separately. Instead, the available scanning devices included in the merchant system 1202 are used to scan each final product to determine the monetary price of the purchase and the environmental footprint debit amount. This reduces the workload for the end-product consumer, instead utilizing already available infrastructure to collect environmental footprint data. Separating the generation of transaction data to deduct the environmental footprint debit amount associated with the purchase from the merchant system 1202 avoids transmitting the user's private key to the merchant system 1202 for signing the transaction data. This improves security and prevents the loss of the private key, and therefore avoids the loss of the environmental footprint amount associated with the private key.

[0281] Figure 14 A model is presented that allows end-product users to indirectly manage their environmental footprint credits via commercial banks. The environmental footprint credits can correspond to units of digital currency. These credits can correspond to central bank digital currency (CBDC), for example, digital currency issued (e.g., minted and distributed) by central bank 1002. Units of this CBDC can be minted by or on behalf of central bank 1002. Central bank 1002 can transfer these CBDC units to addresses of commercial banks 1406 and 1408. Commercial banks 1406 and 1408 can then transfer the received CBDC units to addresses or accounts associated with or owned by their customers, such as to end-product users 1004, 1006, and 1008.

[0282] In this model, Central Bank 1002 can issue environmental footprint credit lines, but can allow private companies (such as commercial banks and payment providers) to act as intermediaries. Central Bank 1002 can maintain complete retail records of all balances of the environmental footprint credit lines. Central Bank 1002 can maintain wholesale records of private companies.

[0283] In this example, different end-product users 1004 to 1008 are clients of different intermediaries (such as Bank 1 1010 and Bank 2 1408). These intermediaries can then be connected to central bank 1002. Central bank 1002 can be associated with distributed ledger network 520, for example, as in... Figure 10 As described in the context, the distributed ledger network 520 can be used to manage the environmental footprint credits of end-product users.

[0284] Distributed ledger network 520 can create accounts based on requests from intermediary banks 1 (1010) and 2 (1408). This request can be sent to central bank 1002, which forwards it to distributed ledger network 520. The request can then be sent to an interaction module communicating with distributed ledger network 520. The interaction module can then forward the request to distributed ledger network 520. Distributed ledger network 520 can create accounts for the intermediaries and return a wallet identifier and private key for each account.

[0285] In this system, end users can interact with the distributed ledger network 520 and its corresponding payment providers (e.g., Bank 1 1010 or Bank 2 1408) via wallets or digital wallet applications. End users 1004 to 1008 can use digital wallet applications to transmit requests for account creation to the corresponding payment providers. The corresponding payment providers can then transmit these requests to the central bank 1002. The central bank 1002 can forward the requests to the distributed ledger network 520. The corresponding payment providers can then forward the requests to the distributed ledger network 520 via an interaction module.

[0286] The distributed ledger network 520 can generate account data (e.g., distributed ledger addresses) and associated private keys, and can transfer this data back to the appropriate intermediary. The intermediary can store the private keys in a keystore. The intermediary can generate user identifiers, which are used by the intermediary to uniquely identify users. The intermediary can store the mapping between user account data and user identifiers in, for example, databases 1402 and 1404.

[0287] Intermediaries can issue digital cards linked to user account data. For example, a digital card can be associated with card data. This card data may include a card identifier linked to the account data. The intermediary can then transfer both the account data and card data to the end user's digital wallet application.

[0288] The central bank 1002 can transfer predefined environmental footprint limits to addresses or accounts owned by users in the distributed ledger network 520. The transfer can be performed at one or more predefined points in time.

[0289] Figures 15A to 15C This is another first sequence diagram illustrating selected aspects of the interaction between different network nodes according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 15A to 15C The aspects shown can illustrate the indirect interaction between the central bank 1002 and the end-product user via an intermediary (such as a payment provider (e.g., a bank)), as in... Figure 14 As described in the context.

[0290] Figures 15A to 15CThe user device 1102, server 1104, consumer node 1106, provider node 1108, distributed ledger carbon credit 1112, distributed ledger carbon debit 1114, and distributed ledger 1116 shown can correspond to the corresponding Figures 11A to 11C The user device 1102, server 1104, consumer node 1106, provider node 1108, distributed ledger carbon credit 1112, distributed ledger carbon debit 1114, and distributed ledger 1116 are described in the document.

[0291] Figures 15A to 15C With the corresponding Figures 11A to 11C The difference lies in that banking system 1502 creates transaction data, signs the transaction data on behalf of the final product user, and sends the signed transaction data to distributed ledger network 1112. Banking system 1502 can be configured to perform... Figure 18 The method described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Banking system 1502 could be a computing system that mediates between the central bank 1002 and the end-product user, such as [the previous sentence]. Figure 14 The example shown is Bank 11010 or Bank 2 1408. Bank system 1502 can access user account data and user private keys. Bank system 1502 can receive user account data and private keys from distributed ledger network 1112, for example, as shown in... Figure 14 As described in the context.

[0292] Upon receiving an instruction to purchase (multiple) final products, for example, as in Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context, user device 1102 can be configured to send a request to create transaction data to transfer an environmental footprint debit associated with received environmental footprint data from the account of a user holding an environmental footprint credit limit. The request may include card data associated with a digital card owned by the user. For example, the user may use a user wallet application storing card data to generate such a request. The request may further include environmental footprint data received by user device 1102. The request may be sent to banking system 1502. Banking system 1502 can authenticate the request. For example, banking system 1502 may determine the existence of account data based on the received card data. Banking system 1502 can use... Figure 14 The mapping data described in the context is used to determine whether user account data exists based on the card identifier included in the received card data. If account data is not found, the banking system 1502 can reject the request. A message indicating a rejection request can be sent from the banking system 1502 to the user equipment 1102 (not shown). If account data is found, the banking system 1502 can be configured to generate transaction data, as shown in... Figures 11A to 11CAs described in the context, banking system 1502 can sign the generated transaction data using a private key associated with the user's account data. The signed transaction data can then be sent to distributed ledger network 1112, as described in... Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context. Signed transactions can be processed by a distributed ledger network 1112, as in... Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context above. Upon successful processing, banking system 1502 may transmit confirmation to user device 1102. The user can access the updated balance via a wallet application running on user device 1102. For example, the wallet application may access distributed ledger network 1112 and retrieve the updated balance (see [link to documentation]). Figure 14 ).

[0293] By delegating the generation and execution of transaction data to a third party (e.g., an intermediary), the user actions required to purchase the final product can be reduced, thereby simplifying the process associated with that purchase. Additionally, since the private key is not stored on the user's device, security is enhanced. Furthermore, regarding... Figures 11A to 11C The listed advantages also apply.

[0294] Figures 16A to 16C This is another sequence diagram illustrating selected aspects of the interaction between different network nodes according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 16A to 16C The aspects shown can illustrate the indirect interaction between the central bank 1002 and the end-product user via an intermediary (such as a payment provider (e.g., a bank)), as in... Figure 14 As described in the context.

[0295] Figures 16A to 16C The server 1104, consumer node 1106, provider node 1108, distributed ledger carbon credit 1112, distributed ledger carbon debit 1114, and distributed ledger 1116 shown can correspond to the corresponding Figures 11A to 11C The server 1104, consumer node 1106, provider node 1108, distributed ledger carbon credit 1112, distributed ledger carbon debit 1114, and distributed ledger 1116 are described in the document. Figures 16A to 16C The merchant system 1202 shown can correspond to the corresponding Figures 12A to 12C The merchant system 1202 described in the document.

[0296] Figures 16A to 16C With the corresponding Figures 12A to 12CThe difference lies in that the merchant system 1202 can be configured to create a request for generating transaction data to transfer environmental footprint debits associated with the purchased (multiple) final products from the user account holding the environmental footprint credit to another account. This other account could be an account associated with the central bank 1002. The merchant system 1202 can be further configured to send the created request to the banking system 1502. This request may include environmental footprint data collected by the merchant system 1202, as well as data associated with the final product user (e.g., the final product purchaser). The merchant system 1202 can be configured to, upon receiving data associated with the final product user (in... Figures 16A to 16C A request is created when the data (represented as user data) is displayed. Data associated with the user in the final product can be included in... Figures 15A to 15C The card data is described in the context of [the previous sentence]. A user can use a user wallet application storing the card data to transfer the card data to the merchant system 1202. For example, the user wallet application can generate a code storing the card data, such as a QR code. In another instance, the card data can be transferred from a user device running the wallet application to the merchant system 1202, for example, via wireless communication (such as NFC, Bluetooth, etc.). The banking system 1502 can authenticate the request, such as [the request is missing from the original text]. Figures 15A to 15C As described in the context.

[0297] Figures 16A to 16C With the corresponding Figures 12A to 12C A further difference is that the banking system 1502 creates transaction data upon receiving a request from the merchant system 1202, for example, as in Figures 15A to 15C As described in the context, banking system 1502 can sign the generated transaction data using a private key associated with the user's account data. The signed transaction data can then be sent to distributed ledger network 1112, as described in... Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context. Signed transactions can be processed by a distributed ledger network 1112, as in... Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context above. Upon successful processing, banking system 1502 may transmit confirmation to user device 1102. The user can access the updated balance via a wallet application running on user device 1102. For example, the wallet application may access distributed ledger network 1112 and retrieve the updated balance (see [link to documentation]). Figure 14 ).

[0298] By delegating the generation and execution of transaction data to a third party (e.g., an intermediary), the user actions required to purchase the final product can be reduced, thereby simplifying the process associated with that purchase. Additionally, since the private key is not stored on the user's device, security is enhanced. Furthermore, regarding... Figures 12A to 12C The listed advantages also apply.

[0299] Figure 17 A flowchart illustrating a first example of a method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a user, according to embodiments of this disclosure, is provided. This method can be performed by... Figures 11A to 11C The user equipment 1102 described in the context of [the above description is missing]. The method can be executed upon purchasing (multiple) final products. The method can be executed after purchasing (multiple) final products. The method can be executed before purchasing final products (e.g., before paying the monetary price of (multiple) final products). The method can be initiated by paying the monetary price of (multiple) final products.

[0300] The end-product user can be a customer who purchases one or more end-products. Multiple end-products can include multiple physical goods. Multiple end-products can include multiple chemical products. Multiple chemical products can be packaged in a packaging unit. Multiple end-products can be multiple discrete products. Discrete products can be present within a packaging unit. Multiple end-products can include any product containing carbon. Multiple end-products can include any product containing at least one organic compound. Multiple end-products can be multiple end-products containing carbon, multiple end-products containing at least one organic compound, multiple end-products containing metals (such as precious metals), car batteries, automobiles, fabrics, mattresses, tires, or cosmetic products. Multiple end-products can include multiple services. Multiple end-products can include multiple physical goods and / or multiple services. Use of multiple end-products can include the purchase and use of the purchased multiple end-products by the end-product user. Use of end-products can include the disposal of the end-products upon reaching the end of their lifespan.

[0301] Multiple end products can be associated with environmental impacts. Environmental impacts can relate to one or more environmental characteristics of the end product. Environmental characteristics can relate to the characteristics of the production of the end product. Environmental impacts can relate to environmental footprint data associated with the end product. Environmental characteristics can relate to the characteristics of multiple input materials used in the production of the end product. Environmental characteristics can relate to the product's carbon footprint, bio-based content, recycled content, bio-derived carbon content, or other suitable measures of environmental impact, or any combination thereof. Environmental characteristics can relate to one or more features that can confer environmental impact on the end product. Environmental characteristics can include multiple environmental, technological, recyclability, or circular characteristics associated with the environmental impact of the end product. For example, multiple environmental characteristics can include carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, air emissions, ozone depletion potential, water pollution, noise pollution, or eutrophication potential.

[0302] The final product can be correlated with environmental footprint data. Environmental footprint data can be correlated with environmental impacts. Environmental footprint data can include carbon footprint data, which is correlated with the amount of CO2 equivalent per defined quantity of the final product. Environmental footprint data can be determined at least in part based on measured carbon content. This can be as follows: Figure 7A and Figure 7B The carbon content is measured in the context described above. Environmental footprint data can be determined based on this measured carbon content, such as in... Figure 7A and Figure 7B As described in the context. Environmental footprint data associated with the final product can be further determined based on production data associated with the production of the final product and environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) input materials used to produce the final product, as described in... Figure 7A and Figure 7B As described in the context.

[0303] The final product can be associated with a digital twin of the final product. The digital twin can include final product data. The digital twin can include environmental footprint data associated with the final product. The environmental footprint data can be a portion of the final product data. The environmental footprint data can be associated with a distributed identifier. The distributed identifier can represent a digital twin of the physical entity of the final product. The distributed identifier can include one or more Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) or multiple Digital Identifiers (DIDs). For example, the distributed identifier can include a distributed digital twin identifier and a distributed environmental footprint data identifier.

[0304] Final products can be associated with environmental footprint debits. Environmental footprint debits can relate to the "emissions price" of the final product. Therefore, each final product can be associated with both a monetary price and an emissions price. The debit can relate to the environmental footprint associated with the production and use of the final product. The debit can relate to the carbon footprint associated with the production and use of the final product. The debit can relate to the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production and use of the final product. Environmental footprint debits can be associated with environmental footprint data. Environmental footprint debits can correspond to digital currencies (such as in...). Figure 10 and Figure 14 The unit of CBDC described in the context of [the context].

[0305] Data associated with end-product users can be provided (see box 1702). This box can be executed at any time before box 1718. Data associated with end-product users may include an address associated with the end-user and linked to a distributed ledger network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credits. This address may be stored within a wallet application running on user device 1102, for example, as in... Figures 11A to 11CThe context described above. The wallet address can be provided by the wallet application to the execution... Figure 17 The application of this method. An address associated with the end user can uniquely identify the end-product user's account on a distributed ledger network. This address can be used to allocate environmental footprint credits. Multiple environmental footprint debits associated with multiple purchases of (multiple) end products can be deducted from said address. For example, an environmental footprint credit can correspond to token units. Similarly, an environmental footprint debit can correspond to the same token units. Deducting a debit from a credit can include transferring the token units associated with the debit from the user's account (e.g., address) to another account, thereby reducing the account's balance (e.g., the amount of units associated with the credit before the debit) by deducting the token units.

[0306] A distributed identifier associated with the final product can be provided (see Open Loop Box 1704). The distributed identifier can be provided by a sensor that reads identifier elements physically connected to the final product or a portion thereof, for example, as in... Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context of [the previous sentence]. At least during the production of the final product or a part thereof, identifier elements can be associated with or linked to the final product or a part thereof, respectively. Through identifier elements, a digital twin of the final product and thus the environmental footprint data contained therein can be accessed via a distributed network. Distributed identifiers associated with the final product can be provided, such as [the previous sentence]. Figure 4B , Figure 5B and Figures 11A to 11C As described in the context.

[0307] Environmental footprint data (also referred to as EF data) can be collected via a decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on a provided decentralized identifier (see box 1706). The decentralized network can be a decentralized peer-to-peer network, where the environmental footprint data is stored on dedicated storage devices associated with network nodes(s) of the respective environmental footprint data owners. The decentralized network can also be a distributed ledger network, where the environmental footprint data is stored in a distributed ledger shared among at least a portion of the distributed ledger network nodes. Environmental footprint data can be collected from decentralized network nodes associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product and associated with the producer of the final product, such as in… Figure 4B , Figure 11AAs described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Environmental footprint data can be collected by providing decentralized identifiers associated with the final product to decentralized network nodes. Decentralized network nodes can be decentralized data-providing network nodes associated with the final product producer. Decentralized data-providing network nodes can be associated with dedicated storage devices storing the environmental footprint data. Dedicated storage devices can be associated with the data owner of the environmental footprint data (such as the final product producer). Environmental footprint data can be collected from distributed ledger networks, for example, as in [the previous sentence]. Figure 5B , Figure 11B and Figure 11C As described in the context.

[0308] The collected EF data can be summed or aggregated (see box 1708). If EF data was collected for more than one end product, for example, if boxes 1704 and 1706 are repeated at least once, the EF data can be summed or aggregated. Summing the collected EF data allows for the determination of the total environmental footprint debit associated with all end products to be purchased or already purchased.

[0309] When determining whether or not to purchase additional final products, boxes 1704 and 1706 can be repeated. This determination can be made using scan data generated by a scanning module that scans the final products to be purchased (see also...). Figures 11A to 11C When it is determined that no other end product is to be purchased or has already been purchased, it can be determined whether at least a portion of the collected EF data should be made available for display (see box 1710). For example, carbon footprint data included in the collected environmental footprint data can be made available for display. Making at least a portion of the collected EF data available for display (box 1714) allows end product users to determine the emissions price associated with the purchase in addition to the monetary price.

[0310] It can receive data related to the purchase of (multiple) final products (see box 1716). This data may include payment data indicating payment associated with the final product, user input indicating the purchase of the final product, sensor readings indicating the purchase of the final product, or a combination thereof. Payment data may include card data associated with the user's bank card. The bank card may be a physical bank card. The bank card may be a digital bank card. Payment data may include a payment token uniquely associated with the user's bank account. User input can be detected by displaying a user interface, and the corresponding user input can be detected on the displayed user interface.

[0311] Transaction data can be generated to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the final product from the address linked to the final product user (see Box 1718). The transaction data may include at least a portion of the collected EF data or summed EF data and the data associated with the final product user. The transaction data may further include the recipient's address. The recipient's address may be predefined. The recipient's address may correspond to the institution that created the environmental footprint credit line (e.g., a central bank (see Box 1718)). Figure 10 , Figure 14 The data associated with the end-product user may include addresses linked to the end-product user and associated with a decentralized network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credits. Addresses linked to the end-product user may hold the environmental footprint credits held by the end-product user. Environmental footprint credits may correspond to units of environmental footprint credit tokens as described above. Addresses linked to the end-product user may receive predefined amounts of environmental footprint credit allocations at one or more predefined time intervals. These predefined amounts may correspond to emissions, for example, expressed in tons of CO2 equivalent, and are not associated with additional monetary costs. For example, an end-product user may receive environmental footprint credits corresponding to their individual share of a limited amount of global greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., 5000 kg CO2 equivalent per year).

[0312] The generated transaction data can be provided (see box 1720). This generated transaction data can be provided to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users (see also...). Figures 11A to 11C Distributed networks can be distributed ledger networks (see also: ...). Figure 10 , Figure 14 The generated transaction data can be provided to the APIs of nodes in the distributed ledger network. Nodes receiving the transaction data can broadcast the data within the distributed ledger network. The received transaction data can be verified by the distributed ledger network (see also...). Figure 5A Verified transaction data can be included in a block, and that block can be appended to an existing blockchain (see also...). Figure 5A ).

[0313] The generated transaction data can be provided to the signature module. The signature module can be configured to receive the generated transaction data, sign the received transaction data, and provide the signed transaction data to the decentralized network (see [link to documentation]). Figures 11A to 11C The signature module can be a digital wallet application running on the user's device (see...). Figures 11A to 11CThe generated transaction data can be signed with one or more private keys. At least one private key can be associated with the address or account of the end-user. The signing module can store the corresponding private key(s). The signing module can access the storage device storing the private key(s). Signing the transaction data improves security because the end-user's environmental footprint credit limit can only be accessed by possessing the private key associated with the address or account storing that credit limit. The generated transaction data can be signed with more than one private key. For example, the generated transaction data can be signed using the end-user's private key and the private key of the corresponding bank acting as an intermediary (see [link to documentation]). Figure 14 ).

[0314] This method allows for transparency of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of end products to end-product users. This transparency enables end-product users to make purchasing decisions not only based on the monetary price of the end product but also on its environmental impact. Furthermore, the environmental footprint credit system incentivizes customers to purchase end products with a reduced environmental footprint, thereby allowing for a reduction in the overall environmental footprint of end-product users. Data security and privacy are ensured by using different decentralized systems to store environmental footprint data and manage environmental footprint credits.

[0315] Figure 18 A flowchart illustrating another example of a method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of the final product by a user, according to embodiments of this disclosure, is provided. This method can be performed by... Figures 12A to 12C The method is implemented by user equipment 1102 as described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figures 15A to 15C The method can be implemented by the banking system 1502 described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figures 16A to 16C The method is implemented in the context of the banking system 1502 described above. The method can be executed upon purchasing (multiple) final products. The method can be executed after purchasing (multiple) final products. The method can be executed before purchasing final products (e.g., before paying the monetary price of (multiple) final products). The method can be initiated by paying the monetary price of the final products.

[0316] The end-product user can be a customer who purchases one or more end products. Multiple end products may include... Figure 17 The list includes (multiple) end products. These (multiple) end products can be associated with environmental impacts, such as in... Figure 17 The final product can be correlated with environmental footprint data, as described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figure 17 The final product can be associated with a digital twin, which includes environmental footprint data associated with the final product. Environmental footprint data can be associated with distributed identifiers (see [link to documentation]). Figure 17 The final product can be associated with environmental footprint debits, such as in... Figure 17 As described in the context.

[0317] It can provide data associated with the end-product user, such as in Figure 17 As described in the context (see box 1702).

[0318] Environmental footprint data (EF data) can be provided (see box 1802). EF data can be collected via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on a distributed identifier associated with the final product, for example, as in... Figure 17 As described in the context (see also) Figures 12A to 12C , Figures 15A to 15C as well as Figures 16A to 16C The collected EF data can be provided via the communication interface. The collected EF data can be provided to user equipment 1102 (see [link]). Figures 12A to 12C and Figures 15A to 15C The collected EF data can be provided to the merchant system 1202 (see...). Figures 16A to 16C ).

[0319] You can add received EF data, for example, as in Figure 17 As described in the context.

[0320] The received EF data can be transformed, for example, as in Figure 19 The context described (e.g., Figure 19 (Frames 1904 and 1906).

[0321] Figure 18 The method can be further included Figure 17 Steps 1712 to 1720 are described in the context of the above.

[0322] This method allows for transparency of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and use of end products to end-product users. This transparency enables end-product users to make purchasing decisions not only based on the monetary price of the end product but also on its environmental impact. Furthermore, the environmental footprint credit system incentivizes customers to purchase end products with a reduced environmental footprint, thereby allowing for a reduction in the overall environmental footprint of end-product users. Data security and privacy are ensured by using different decentralized systems to store environmental footprint data and manage environmental footprint credits.

[0323] Figure 19 Showing Figure 17 and Figure 18 One aspect of the method shown. Figure 19 The aspects shown can be found in Figure 17Execute after box 1706. Figure 19 The aspects shown can be found in Figure 18 Execute in box 1804.

[0324] It can be determined whether to transform the collected EF data (box 1902). This determination can be made based on data included in the collected EF data. For example, this determination can be made based on the units associated with the carbon footprint data included in the collected EF data. If the collected EF data is not to be transformed, then... Figure 17 Box 1712. Otherwise, box 1904 can be executed.

[0325] The collected environmental footprint (EF) data can be converted (see box 1904). This can include determining environmental footprint debits associated with the final products based on the collected environmental footprint data. The collected environmental footprint data can be converted into units used for environmental footprint credits. This allows the corresponding debits associated with the environmental footprint data to be deducted from the credits. For example, emissions associated with greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide can be converted into carbon dioxide equivalents as the credit unit.

[0326] Transformed EF data (e.g., environmental footprint debits) can be provided (see box 1906).

[0327] Figure 20 Showing Figure 17 Another aspect of the method shown. Figure 19 The aspects shown can be found in Figure 17 Execute after box 1714. Figure 19 The aspects shown can be found in Figure 17 Execute in box 1716.

[0328] You can determine whether to collect environmental credit limit data (see box 2002). If you do not want to collect credit limit data, you can proceed. Figure 17 Box 1716. Otherwise, box 2004 can be executed.

[0329] Environmental footprint credit data (credit data) can be collected via a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint credits of end-product users (see Box 2004). Environmental footprint credit data can be associated with the environmental footprint credits held by end-product users. Environmental footprint credit data can be collected using an address or account linked to the end-product user. Environmental footprint credit data can be collected via a digital wallet application running on the end-product user's device. Environmental footprint credit data can be collected via the API of network nodes in the decentralized network. Environmental footprint credit data can correspond to units of environmental footprint credit tokens.

[0330] The collected environmental footprint credit data can be provided for display (box 2006). Environmental footprint credit data can be displayed as a balance within a digital wallet application. Environmental footprint credit data can be displayed within applications such as those running in a browser or on the device of the end-product user. Displaying the environmental footprint credit balance allows the end-product user to determine the remaining amount of credit and adjust their spending accordingly.

[0331] It can be determined whether to compare the collected EF data or transformed EF data with the collected environmental footprint credit data (see box 2008). If no comparison is performed, then [the process can be executed]. Figure 17 See box 1716. Alternatively, the collected EF data or the converted EF data can be compared with the collected credit limit data (see box 2010).

[0332] Comparing the collected EF data or converted EF data with the collected credit limit data may include determining whether the collected EF data or converted EF data is lower than the collected credit limit data. Comparing the collected EF data or converted EF data with the collected credit limit data may include determining whether the collected credit limit data is higher than the collected EF data or converted EF data. For example, the token units corresponding to the collected credit limit data may be compared with the token units corresponding to the collected EF data or converted EF data.

[0333] The comparison results can be provided for display (see box 2012). This result can be indicative data showing whether the balance is sufficient or insufficient. For example, the current balance of the environmental credit line can be displayed along with an indication that the environmental footprint debit associated with the purchase is sufficient to cover the environmental footprint debit. Then, execution can be performed. Figure 17 Box 1716.

[0334] Figure 21 A flowchart illustrating yet another example of a method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a user, according to embodiments of this disclosure. This method can be performed by... Figures 11A to 11C The method is implemented by user equipment 1102 as described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figures 12A to 12C The method is implemented by user equipment 1102 as described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figures 15A to 15C The method can be implemented by the banking system 1502 described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figures 16A to 16CThe method is implemented in the context of the banking system 1502 described above. The method can be executed upon purchasing (multiple) final products. The method can be executed after purchasing (multiple) final products. The method can be executed before purchasing final products (e.g., before paying the monetary price of (multiple) final products). The method can be initiated by paying the monetary price of the final products.

[0335] The end-product user can be a customer who purchases one or more end products. Multiple end products may include... Figure 17 The list includes (multiple) end products. These (multiple) end products can be associated with environmental impacts, such as in... Figure 17 The final product can be correlated with environmental footprint data, as described in the context of [the previous sentence]. Figure 17 The final product can be associated with a digital twin, which includes environmental footprint data associated with the final product. Environmental footprint data can be associated with distributed identifiers (see [link to documentation]). Figure 17 The final product can be associated with environmental footprint debits, such as in... Figure 17 As described in the context.

[0336] Figure 21 The methods shown may include Figure 17 The steps are shown. Figure 21 The methods shown may include Figure 18 The steps are shown. Additionally... Figure 21 The method shown may include additional steps 2102 to 2108.

[0337] It can receive confirmation of transactions (see step 2102). Confirmation can be received from the signature module. Confirmation can be received from third-party systems (such as bank system 1502 or merchant system 1202). This can be done as follows: Figures 11A to 11C Receive confirmation as described in the context.

[0338] The received confirmation can be provided for display (see step 2104). This allows the end-product user to confirm that the environmental footprint debit associated with the purchase has been correctly deducted from the end-product user's environmental footprint credit limit. Additionally, this allows the merchant to confirm that the purchase of (multiple) end products has been completed.

[0339] Updated environmental footprint credit data can be collected (see step 2106). Updated credit data can be collected, such as in... Figure 20 As described in the context, the collected credit limit data can be provided for display (see step 2108).

[0340] Figure 22An embodiment of this disclosure illustrates a system for improving the reuse or recycling of used end products purchased by end-product users. This system can be used for implementation... Figure 23 The method is illustrated. End-product users may own old end-products. End-product users may want to discard old end-products. End-product users may want to sell old end-products to recyclers or participants in the recycling process.

[0341] Old end products can be scrapped products. Scrapped products can be recycled. Recycling can refer to any recycling operation through which scrapped (or abandoned) products (e.g., any old end products discarded, intended to be discarded, or required to be discarded by the holder) are reprocessed into products, materials, or substances, whether for the original purpose or otherwise. Recycling may include the step of collecting scrapped products. Recycling may include the step of sorting scrapped products or collected scrapped products. Recycling may include the steps of collecting scrapped products and sorting scrapped products. Recycling may include the reprocessing of organic materials. Recycling of scrapped products can be performed on single-use end products (e.g., non-reusable end products) or on scrapped products (e.g., non-reusable end products).

[0342] Used end products can be reused. Reuse can refer to any operation that reuses a reusable end product for the same intended purpose (e.g., reuse, refurbishment, refilling, repair). For example, a used end product intended to contain a liquid or solid product can be reused for the same purpose, such as reuse to contain a liquid or solid product. Reuse can also refer to any operation that reuses a reusable end product for a different intended purpose (e.g., repurposing, remanufacturing). Reuse can include, for example, preparing a reusable end product for reuse by performing inspection, cleaning, or repair operations. Reuse can include the step of collecting used end products. Reuse can include the step of sorting used end products or collected used end products. Reuse can include the steps of collecting used end products and sorting used end products.

[0343] The system may include an environmental footprint accounting system 2202. The environmental footprint accounting system may be configured to deduct environmental footprint debits associated with the purchase of the final product from distributed network addresses linked to end-product users. The environmental footprint accounting system 2202 may include a distributed ledger configured to manage the environmental footprint credits of end-product users. The distributed ledger may correspond to… Figure 11A , Figure 11B , Figure 12A , Figure 12B , Figure 15A , Figure 15B , Figure 16A and Figure 16BThe distributed ledger carbon credit is 1112. Distributed ledgers can correspond to... Figure 11C , Figure 12C , Figure 15C and Figure 16C The distributed ledger 1116. A distributed ledger can be associated with addresses linked to end-product users. The distributed ledger can store transactions associated with transfers of environmental footprint credits and debits. Environmental footprint credits and debits can correspond to digital currencies (e.g., in...). Figure 10 and Figure 14 The unit of CBDC described in the context of [the context].

[0344] refer to Figure 23 Environmental footprint debits associated with the purchase of the final product can be deducted from the distributed network addresses linked to end-product users (see box 2302). Environmental footprint debits can be deducted by the environmental accounting system based on received transaction data, for example, as in... Figures 11A to 12C , Figures 15A to 16C and Figure 17 As described in the context. An environmental footprint debit can be deducted from the environmental footprint credit allocated to the address at (multiple) given time intervals, for example, as in... Figure 17 As described in the context.

[0345] Continue to refer to Figure 23 This can provide a distributed identifier associated with the old final product (see box 2304). This can be done as follows: Figures 11A to 12C , Figures 15A to 16C and Figure 17 Distributed identifiers are provided as described in the context. Distributed identifiers can be provided by scanning identifier elements physically attached to the old end product. The scan data can be provided to an application 2212 used by a recycler, collector, sorter, or recycler. This application can be configured to determine the distributed identifier based on the scan data received from the code scanner 446, as described in... Figure 5B As described in the context. The application can be configured to collect distributed identifiers based on scan data received from the code scanner 446, as in... Figure 4B As described in the context.

[0346] Continue to refer to Figure 23 This can provide data associated with the end-product user (see box 2304). This data can be as follows: Figure 17 The data shall be provided as described in the context described above. This data may include the address associated with the end-product user.

[0347] Continue to refer to Figure 23This can provide data related to the reuse or recycling of old end products (see box 2308). This data can illustrate the reuse or recycling of old end products. This data can indicate the reuse or recycling of old end products. This data can include return data associated with the return of deducted environmental footprint debits. Return data can include the relative amount of deducted environmental footprint debits to be returned. Return data can include the absolute amount of deducted environmental footprint debits to be returned. Returns can also correspond to environmental footprint credits associated with the reuse or recycling of old end products. This can allow incentives for end product users to ensure that old end products are reused or recycled to mitigate the environmental impact of such end products and avoid waste generation. This data can further include data associated with reuse or recycling, such as the recycler's identifier and / or data indicating reuse (e.g., a contract transferring ownership to another end product user). Data related to reuse or recycling can be provided by application 2212.

[0348] Continue to refer to Figure 23 Environmental footprint data associated with the final product can be collected via a distributed network based on the provided distributed identifier (see box 2306), for example in... Figure 4B , Figure 5B , Figures 11A to 12C , Figures 15A to 16C and Figure 17 This box is typically optional. It can be executed if the refund data includes a relative amount of the deducted environmental footprint credit to be refunded. Data collection can be triggered by application 2212, as described in... Figure 4B and Figure 5B As described in the context.

[0349] Continue to refer to Figure 23 Transaction data can be generated based on provided data associated with end-product users and data related to the reuse or recycling of old end-products, to transfer environmental footprint credits associated with the reuse or recycling of old end-products to distributed network addresses linked to end-product users (see box 2310). Transaction data can be generated by transaction data generator 2214. This can be done as follows: Figures 11A to 12C , Figures 15A to 16C and Figure 17 Transaction data is generated as described in the context.

[0350] Generating transaction data can include determining the environmental footprint amount associated with reuse or recycling. The environmental footprint amount can be determined by identifying the environmental footprint debit associated with the final product based on EF data collected from a distributed network. The identified environmental footprint debit can then be used with return data to determine the environmental footprint amount. For example, the identified environmental footprint debit can be multiplied by a relative amount of the environmental footprint amount included in the return data to determine the environmental footprint amount to be returned to the end-product user.

[0351] The generated transaction data may include addresses associated with end-product users, addresses associated with environmental footprint credits used for refunds, and the environmental footprint credits to be refunded. Addresses associated with environmental footprint credits used for refunds may be associated with reusers or recycling chain participants. Addresses associated with environmental footprint credits used for refunds may be associated with central bank addresses.

[0352] The generated transaction data can be signed, for example, using a private key linked to an address holding the environmental footprint credits to be used for refunds. The generated transaction data can then be sent to a signing module for signing, for example, as in... Figures 11A to 12C , Figures 15A to 16C and Figure 17 As described in the context.

[0353] Continue to refer to Figure 23 The generated or signed transaction data can be provided to the distributed ledger 2206 of the environmental footprint accounting system 2202 (see box 2312). The distributed ledger 2206 can process the received transactions, such as... Figures 11A to 12C , Figures 15A to 16C and Figure 17 As described in the context. Processing may include confirming received transaction data. Processing may include adding the confirmed transaction data to a block and appending the block to the blockchain. Transaction data generator 2214 may be configured to query environmental footprint accounting system 2202 for successful processing of a transaction. Upon successful processing of a transaction, environmental footprint credits included in the transaction data may be allocated to addresses linked to end-product users who provide old end-products to reusers or recycling chain participants. Allocation may result in an increase in the balance of environmental footprint credits owned or assigned to the address.

[0354] By refunding at least a portion of the environmental footprint deduction incurred when purchasing end products when they are reused or recycled, end product users can be incentivized to avoid waste generation by ensuring the reuse or proper recycling of old end products. This can improve the environmental impact of the product ecosystem that includes end products and prevent waste generated due to a lack of reuse or recycling.

[0355] This disclosure has also been described in conjunction with various preferred embodiments and examples. However, by studying the accompanying drawings, this disclosure, and the claims, those skilled in the art, as well as those who practice the claimed invention, will understand and implement other variations.

[0356] Any steps presented in this document can be performed in any order. The methods disclosed herein are not limited to a specific order of these steps. Nor is it required that different steps be performed in a particular place or on a particular computing node in a distributed system; that is, each step can be performed on different computing nodes using different devices / data processing.

[0357] As used herein, "determine" also includes "initiating or causing determination," "generate" also includes "initiating and / or causing generation," and "provide" also includes "initiating or causing determination, generation, selection, sending, and / or receiving." "Initiating or causing an action" includes any processing signal that triggers a computing node or device to perform a corresponding action.

[0358] In the claims and specification, the word "comprising" or "including" or similar wording does not exclude other elements or steps and should not be construed as limiting oneself to the listed elements or steps. The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple. A single element or other unit may perform the function of several entities or items recited in the claims. The fact that certain measures are recited only in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in advantageous implementations or that additional elements may be included.

[0359] Within the scope of this disclosure, provision may include any interface configured to provide data. This may include application programming interfaces, human-machine interfaces (such as displays), and / or software module interfaces. Provision may include transmitting or submitting data to the interface, particularly displaying data to a user or having data used by a receiving entity.

[0360] Any disclosures and embodiments described herein relate to the methods, systems, apparatuses, devices, chemicals, materials, services, uses, and computer program elements listed above, and vice versa. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any embodiments and examples also apply to all other embodiments and examples, and vice versa.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of the final product by a user, wherein, The final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the method comprising: - Provide a decentralized identifier associated with the final product and data associated with the users of the final product. - Based on the provided decentralized identifier, the environmental footprint data is collected via a decentralized network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product. - Receive data related to the purchase of the final product by the user. - Transaction data is generated based on the collected environmental footprint data and the data associated with the end-product user, to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the end-product from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit. - Provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

2. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 1, wherein, The environmental footprint data includes carbon footprint data, which is related to a specified amount of CO2 equivalent for each specified amount of final product.

3. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The environmental footprint data associated with the final product is further determined based on production data associated with the production of the final product and environmental footprint data associated with the (multiple) input materials used to produce the final product.

4. The computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The distributed identifier is associated with the final product data that includes this environmental footprint data.

5. The computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The environmental footprint data is collected from distributed network nodes that are associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product and with the producer of the final product.

6. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 5, wherein, Access to the environmental footprint data is controlled by the data owner of the environmental footprint data via a decentralized identifier associated with the final product, specifically, where the data owner is associated with the decentralized network node.

7. The computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The decentralized network associated with environmental footprint data is a distributed ledger network, and / or the decentralized network configured to manage environmental footprint credits for end-product users is a distributed ledger network.

8. The computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The decentralized networks associated with environmental footprint data are decentralized peer-to-peer networks, and the decentralized networks configured to manage environmental footprint quotas are distributed ledger networks.

9. A computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The address linked to the end-product user holds the amount of environmental footprint credits owned by that end-product user.

10. A computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The address linked to the end-product user receives a predefined environmental footprint quota allocation at one or more predefined time intervals.

11. The computer-implemented method as described in any of the preceding claims, further comprising generating transaction data for purchasing additional environmental footprint credits; and providing the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage environmental footprint credits before generating the transaction data to deduct the environmental footprint credits associated with the purchased final product from the address linked to the end-product user.

12. An apparatus for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of a final product by a final product user, wherein, The final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the carbon content contained within the final product, and the device includes: - A data provider interface configured to provide a distributed identifier associated with the final product and data associated with the users of the final product. - An environmental footprint data provider configured to collect environmental footprint data via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on a provided distributed identifier. - A data receiving interface configured to receive data related to the purchase of the final product by the user. - A transaction data generator configured to generate transaction data based on collected environmental footprint data and provided data associated with the end-product user, to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the purchased end-product from an address linked to the end-product user and associated with a decentralized network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit. - A transaction data provider configured to provide generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

13. A computer-implemented method for reducing the environmental impact associated with the use of the final product by a user of the final product, wherein, The final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the method comprising: - Provides the environmental footprint data and data associated with the end-product user, wherein the environmental footprint data is collected via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the end product, based on a distributed identifier associated with the end product. - Based on the collected environmental footprint data and the data associated with the end-product user, transaction data is generated to deduct the environmental footprint debit associated with the use of the end-product from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit. - Provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint quotas of end-product users.

14. A computer-implemented method for improving the reuse or recycling of old end products purchased by end-product users, wherein, The final product is associated with environmental footprint data determined at least in part based on the measured carbon content of the final product, the method comprising: • An environmental footprint deduction associated with the purchase of the final product is deducted from a distributed network address linked to the end-product user and associated with a distributed network configured to manage the end-product user's environmental footprint credit, wherein the environmental footprint deduction is made from the distributed network address linked to the end-product user according to the method disclosed herein or through the apparatus disclosed herein. • Provide a decentralized identifier associated with the old end product and data associated with the end product's users. • Provide data related to the reuse or recycling of the old end product, including refund data associated with the return of the deducted environmental footprint deduction. • Optionally, the environmental footprint data can be collected via a distributed network associated with the environmental footprint data of the final product, based on the provided distributed identifier. • Transaction data is generated based on the provided data associated with the end-product user, data related to the reuse or recycling of the old end-product, and optionally collected environmental footprint data, to transfer environmental footprint credits associated with the reuse or recycling of the old end-product to a distributed network address linked to the end-product user. • Provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized network configured to manage the environmental footprint of end-product users.

15. A signature module configured to receive transaction data generated by the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 14, to sign the received transaction data, and to provide the signed transaction data to a distributed network configured to manage environmental footprint quotas for end-product users.

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