Environmental investment management apparatus

Abstract

To promote environmental investment.SOLUTION: An environmental investment management apparatus sells carbon credits and invests consideration obtained from the sales in environmental conservation projects. Also, the apparatus obtains various deliverables including carbon credits as investment returns from the environmental conservation projects, and generates revenue by selling the deliverables to consumers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for managing investments in environmental conservation. [Background technology]

[0002] It is believed that the cause of global warming is the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as a result of humans digging up carbon compounds that had accumulated underground over eons and burning them to extract energy.

[0003] The Kyoto Protocol was concluded in 1990 with the aim of reducing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The Kyoto Protocol set greenhouse gas emission quotas for each country. In addition, a financial product called "carbon credits" was devised to further encourage greenhouse gas reduction. Specifically, when projects that lead to greenhouse gas reductions, such as the introduction of energy-saving equipment, the introduction of renewable energy, and afforestation and thinning, are carried out, a public institution certifies that carbon credits have been produced. In other words, carbon credits are certified.

[0004] Purchasing carbon credits supports greenhouse gas reduction projects. Companies around the world are aiming to achieve their greenhouse gas reduction targets not only by reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also by purchasing carbon credits.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for limiting greenhouse gas emissions within a certain range. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-326375 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5340959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In order to increase momentum for greenhouse gas reduction, it is necessary to create a system that allows many users to participate in carbon credit trading and that allows many users to directly or indirectly benefit from carbon credit trading. In other words, it is necessary to expand the range of stakeholders involved in carbon credit trading. Patent Document 1 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but does not take into account the perspective of encouraging many users to participate in greenhouse gas reduction projects.

[0008] Humans use the global environment as a public good in their activities. Maintaining a healthy global environment requires extensive and large-scale investment in various environmental conservation projects, not just greenhouse gas reduction. To promote investment in environmental conservation projects, technology is needed to make investment in environmental conservation projects efficient and rational.

[0009] The present invention was completed in view of the above background, and its main object is to provide a technology for promoting environmental investment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An environmental investment management device in one aspect of the present invention includes a sending unit that sends carbon credits to consumers, a payment acquisition unit that receives payment for the sale of the carbon credits from the consumers, an investment selection unit that selects an environmental conservation business operator, an investment execution unit that invests a portion of the payment for the sale of the carbon credits in the selected environmental conservation business operator, and a receiving unit that receives a notification indicating the results of the environmental conservation project by the environmental conservation business operator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it becomes easier to encourage investment in environmental conservation projects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a carbon credit trading system. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram of investment in marine plastic removal projects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a carbon credit trading system. Environmental investment management units are operated by private companies or local governments. Hereinafter, the operators of environmental investment management units will be referred to as "investment managers." As will be described later, investment managers earn profits by investing in environmental protection projects.

[0014] In this embodiment, each company is assigned a predetermined carbon dioxide "emissions allowance." Companies emit carbon dioxide during their business activities. A society is envisioned in which, when carbon dioxide emissions exceed the emission allowance, a levy (monetary burden) such as a carbon tax is imposed on the excess amount. Producers of carbon credits (emissions credit data) (hereinafter referred to as "CC producers") generate carbon credits using technologies known as CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) and CCU (Carbon dioxide Capture and Utilization).

[0015] Carbon credits generated by CC producers through carbon dioxide reduction projects are inspected by a designated inspection organization. Through this inspection, the carbon credits are officially certified. In this embodiment, carbon credits are digital data that represent the "right to emit a specified amount of carbon dioxide."

[0016] The investment manager first purchases carbon credits from a CC producer. The environmental investment management device instructs an external payment system, such as a financial institution, to make payment to the CC producer. The CC producer then transmits the carbon credits (digital data) to the environmental investment management device. Note that payment from the investment manager to the CC producer may also be made by transferring electronic money from the environmental investment management device to the CC producer's communication terminal.

[0017] Suppose an investment manager purchases one unit of carbon credit from a CC producer for X1 yen. By continuously purchasing large amounts of carbon credits from multiple CC producers, the investment manager can lower the unit purchase price of carbon credits.

[0018] Next, the investment manager sells the purchased carbon credits to users who need them (hereinafter referred to as "CC consumers"). CC consumers are assumed to be corporations that conduct business involving carbon dioxide emissions. CC consumers purchase carbon credits by paying a fee to the investment manager. Let's say that a CC consumer purchases one unit of carbon credit from the investment manager for X2 yen. In this case, since X2 > X1, the difference becomes the investment manager's revenue.

[0019] The investment manager invests all or part of the profits earned from the sale and purchase of carbon credits in various environmental protection businesses. In Figure 1, the investment manager invests in a business operating a forest conservation business (hereafter referred to as a "forest conservationist").

[0020] Forests act as a carbon dioxide sink. However, if proper conservation efforts such as reforestation and thinning are not carried out, the forest's carbon dioxide absorption capacity will decline. If forest conservation is neglected, forests may change from being a carbon dioxide sink to being a carbon dioxide emission source. Therefore, forest conservation projects are important for environmental protection. Forest conservators can raise funds through investments from investment managers and operate forest conservation projects stably.

[0021] Properly conserved forests act as carbon dioxide sinks and can produce carbon credits. Forest conservators become CC producers by having their carbon credit production certified by an assessment organization. Investment managers receive the carbon credits generated from forest conservation projects in return for their investment. Investment managers can also sell the carbon credits they receive from forest conservation projects to CC consumers. In other words, investing in forest conservation projects is a rational economic activity for investment managers as well.

[0022] Investment returns on forest conservation projects are not limited to carbon credits. Investment managers may receive a portion of the "forest bounty" such as mushrooms and vegetables harvested from the forest through forest conservation projects. For example, the annual mushroom harvest before the investment in the forest conservation project may be used as the benchmark, and all or part of the increase in annual mushroom harvest after the investment may be delivered to the investment manager as investment returns. "Crops" as investment returns may also include insects such as rhinoceros beetles, wild animals such as wild boars, wild plants, timber, spring water, and tourism revenues such as mountain entrance fees.

[0023] Investment managers sell the various crops they obtain in return for their investments in forest conservation projects to the general public. In this way, by investing in forest conservation projects, investment managers can earn not only carbon credits but also various investment returns as the fruits of the forest conservation project. In addition, the widespread cultivation of mushrooms, vegetables, and other crops is desirable from the perspective of preserving forest ecosystems.

[0024] Investments in environmental conservation projects include not only forest conservation but also agriculture. Some agricultural crops are highly effective at storing carbon dioxide underground. Furthermore, cost competitiveness is an issue when it comes to agriculture that takes environmental conservation into consideration. Investment managers may invest in such agriculture that contributes to environmental conservation and receive investment returns from increased crop yields.

[0025] When multiple environmental conservation projects are considered as investment targets, the investment manager selects the investment with the greatest carbon dioxide reduction effect. Specifically, based on known ground observation data, the investment manager may prioritize afforestation projects in areas with high carbon dioxide emissions. Afforestation projects in areas with high carbon dioxide emissions are expected to produce many carbon credits.

[0026] In forests, tree species diversity is said to be important for ecosystem conservation. A variety of crops can be obtained from forests with rich ecosystems. Therefore, investing in forest conservation that contributes to the diversification of tree species not only reduces carbon dioxide emissions but also contributes to biodiversity.

[0027] In addition to terrestrial organisms, marine organisms also absorb carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean. Carbon absorbed and stored by marine organisms is called "blue carbon." Therefore, preserving mangrove forests and cultivating seaweed along coastal areas are also effective ways of reducing carbon dioxide. For example, research is being conducted into promoting the growth of algae by supplementing the ocean with iron as a nutrient. Investment managers can invest in marine conservation as well as land-based conservation, and receive investment returns in the form of carbon credits or crops obtained through the conservation of the marine environment.

[0028] Other environmental conservation projects include the development of renewable energy sources such as solar power generation and geothermal power generation. In this case, the investment manager may receive a portion of the generated electricity or electricity charges as investment income.

[0029] A variety of investment projects are registered in the environmental investment management device. The environmental investment management device selects or proposes investment targets from the multiple investment projects. As a selection method, for example, as described above, it may be possible to prioritize projects that contribute to carbon dioxide absorption in areas with high carbon dioxide emissions. Alternatively, investment targets may be selected based on the expected investment returns obtained from environmental investment, the amount required for the investment, and the investment diversification effect across multiple investment projects.

[0030] The environmental investment management device may select an investment destination based on the preferences of the investment manager. For example, if the investment manager is highly concerned about marine pollution, the environmental investment management device may preferentially select, from among multiple investment projects, investment projects that contribute to marine cleanup and propose them to the investment manager as investment candidates.

[0031] The investment management device may select investment targets based on various criteria, such as the level of contribution to environmental conservation, the size of the investment return expected from environmental investment, the investment manager's preferences, the investment target's past performance, the amount of investment required, the diversification of investment areas, and the diversity of investment businesses.

[0032] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of investment in marine plastic removal projects. The problem of marine plastics is becoming more serious for fishermen. Aquaculture farmers are said to be particularly vulnerable to the damage caused by marine plastics. Marine plastic removal projects are important for protecting the marine environment and maintaining and increasing fish catches.

[0033] In Figure 2, the investment manager provides funding for the marine plastic removal project. In turn, the investment manager collects membership fees from fishermen whose fishing grounds are in the target sea area of ​​the marine plastic removal project. These membership fees may be low or even free.

[0034] If fish catches increase as a result of the marine plastic removal project, the investment manager will receive some or all of that increase from the fishermen as investment income.

[0035] In Figure 2, the investment manager also operates a biofuel production business. Specifically, the investment manager cultivates a plant called sorghum. Sorghum has deep roots in the soil, stores carbon, and can produce biofuel from its stalks. Therefore, the biofuel production business can produce carbon credits and biofuel.

[0036] Fishermen use heavy oil (fossil fuel) as an energy source for their fishing boats. When heavy oil is burned, carbon dioxide is generated. If emissions regulations are imposed on the carbon dioxide generated by the use of heavy oil, fishermen will also need carbon credits. Investment managers can receive compensation by selling carbon credits to fishermen.

[0037] Also, suppose that a fisherman switches from heavy oil to biofuel as fuel for his fishing vessel in order to comply with carbon dioxide emission regulations. In this case, the investment manager can earn compensation by selling the biofuel produced by the biofuel production business to the fisherman. At present, biofuel is more expensive than heavy oil, but depending on carbon dioxide emission regulations, there may come a time when biofuel becomes more economically rational than heavy oil. The investment manager can support the fisherman in switching from heavy oil (fossil fuel) to biofuel.

[0038] Greater demand for biofuels will allow for larger investments in biofuel production businesses.

[0039] Investment managers can build ties with fishermen through marine conservation through marine plastic removal projects. More specifically, increased catches are also passed on to the investment managers. In addition, the investment managers can expand their business with fishermen through the sale of carbon credits and biofuel obtained through the biofuel production project. Meanwhile, fishermen do not have to incur costs to remove marine plastic themselves; they can simply pay the investment manager a proportionate share of the increased catch resulting from the investment manager's removal of marine plastic. As a result, the cost of marine plastic removal can be lower than if they were to carry it out themselves.

Claims

[Claim 1] a sending unit for sending the carbon credits to the consumer; a consideration acquisition unit that receives a sales consideration for the carbon credits from the consumer; An investment selection department that selects environmental conservation businesses; an investment execution department that invests a portion of the sales proceeds of the carbon credits in the selected environmental conservation business; a receiving unit for receiving a notification indicating the outcome of the environmental conservation project by the environmental conservation business operator.

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