Environmental load assessment apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an environmental load evaluation device or the like which can be used in a unified manner among a plurality of subjects regarding a product.SOLUTION: The environmental load evaluation device 2 has an acquiring means 210 for acquiring the calculation formula and the emission intensity in the master data 4, and a datasheet creating means 220 for creating a datasheet from the acquired calculation formula and emission intensity, and a calculating means 230 for evaluating the environmental load of the product by calling the calculation formula and the emission intensity from the master data 4 based on the datasheet, and calculating the CO2 emission from the activity amount and the emission intensity calculated by the calculation formula. The data sheet creation means 220 creates a data sheet by converting data in which the same content is differently represented among a plurality of subjects related to a product among the acquired data into data of a predetermined representation on the basis of preset association data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental impact assessment device and a program for assessing the environmental impact of a product. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, environmental problems have become more serious, and it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their products. In this situation, a system for assessing the environmental impact of products is desired, and efforts have been made to assess the environmental impact of products based on the raw materials and energy used in their manufacture.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an evaluation system for evaluating the environmental impact of a product, which can select an environmental evaluation index such as CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions and evaluate the environmental impact of the product using that index. Patent Document 2 describes a greenhouse gas emission calculation device that can determine the amount of greenhouse gas emissions during the production of commercial materials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-288403 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-87405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] These systems calculate evaluation indicators such as CO2 emissions related to the environmental impact of a product from the raw materials and energy used in the manufacture of the product. To calculate CO2 emissions, it is necessary to input data such as the product name, the raw materials and energy required to manufacture the product, and the amounts of raw materials and energy used.

[0006] However, there are often multiple divisions within a single business entity, and each division often uses different notations for the data needed to calculate CO2 emissions, etc. For example, different divisions may use different notations for product names to refer to the same type of product. This has been an obstacle to building a system that can be used uniformly across multiple product-related entities, such as multiple divisions within a business entity.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide an environmental load assessment device and the like that can be used uniformly among a plurality of entities related to a product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first invention for solving the above problems is an environmental load assessment device comprising: an acquisition means for storing master data in a memory unit, the master data including a calculation formula for calculating an activity amount that indicates the degree of activity related to a product that involves the emission of an environmental load factor, and an emission intensity unit that indicates the emission amount of the environmental load factor per unit amount of the activity amount; an acquisition means for acquiring data for evaluating the environmental load of the product, the data including data necessary for calling the calculation formula and the emission intensity unit and calculating the activity amount using the calculation formula; a data sheet creation means for creating a data sheet from the acquired data; and a calculation means for evaluating the environmental load by calling the calculation formula and the emission intensity unit from the master data based on the data sheet and calculating the emission amount of the environmental load factor from the activity amount calculated by the calculation formula and the emission intensity unit, wherein the data sheet creation means converts data among the acquired data in which the same content is expressed differently among multiple entities related to the product into data of a predetermined notation based on preset linking data to create a data sheet.

[0009] The environmental load assessment device of the present invention evaluates the environmental load of a product by calculating the amount of CO2 and other environmental load factors as index values ​​using the activity amount and emission intensity calculated using the above-mentioned calculation formula. In this process, data for the environmental load assessment is acquired, and for data in which the same content is expressed differently among multiple entities, the data is converted to data in a predetermined format based on pre-set linking data to create a data sheet. The calculation formula and emission intensity are then retrieved from the master data based on the data sheet, and the amount of environmental load factor emissions is calculated from the activity amount and emission intensity calculated using the calculation formula. This makes it possible to handle data that is expressed differently among multiple entities, such as multiple business divisions within a business entity, in a unified manner, thereby providing an environmental load assessment device that can be used uniformly across multiple entities.

[0010] The acquiring unit may receive data input by a user for evaluating the environmental impact of the product, or may read the data for evaluating the environmental impact of the product from data created in advance. In the former case, it is easy to increase, decrease, or change the number of input data items, allowing users to select and input the necessary data. In the latter case, existing data can be used for automatic input, reducing data input errors.

[0011] It is also desirable that the data for evaluating the environmental impact of the product include data for calculating the amount of environmental impact factors emitted when the product is disposed of. This allows us to evaluate the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, including disposal.

[0012] A second invention is a computer having stored in a storage unit master data including a formula for calculating an activity amount that indicates the level of activity related to a product that involves the emission of an environmental load factor, and an emission intensity unit that indicates the emission amount of the environmental load factor per unit amount of the activity amount; an acquisition means for acquiring data for evaluating the environmental load of the product, including data necessary for calling the formula and the emission intensity unit and calculating the activity amount using the formula; a data sheet creation means for creating a data sheet from the acquired data; and a calculation means for evaluating the environmental load by calling the formula and the emission intensity unit from the master data based on the data sheet and calculating the emission amount of the environmental load factor from the activity amount calculated using the formula and the emission intensity unit, wherein the data sheet creation means is a program for causing the computer to function as an environmental load assessment device by converting, into data with a predetermined notation, data in which the same content is expressed differently among multiple entities related to the product, among the acquired data, based on preset linking data, into data with a predetermined notation and creating a data sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention can provide an environmental load assessment device and the like that can be used uniformly among a plurality of entities related to a product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an environmental load assessment system 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an environmental load assessment device 2. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the input terminal 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the environmental load assessment device 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of master data 4. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for evaluating environmental load. [Figure 7] A diagram showing Data Table 5. [Figure 8]A diagram explaining data conversion and the creation of Data Sheet 6. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for evaluating environmental load. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] [First embodiment] (1. Environmental Load Assessment Device 2) 1 is a diagram showing an environmental load evaluation system 1 including an environmental load evaluation device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The environmental load evaluation system 1 is configured by connecting the environmental load evaluation device 2 and one or more input terminals 3 via a network so that they can communicate with each other.

[0017] The environmental load assessment device 2 assesses the environmental load of a product. In this embodiment, the product is a printed matter printed with ink on paper, but is not limited to this. For example, the product may be various building materials or packaging materials.

[0018] In this embodiment, the environmental impact is evaluated by calculating the amount of CO2 emissions, which is an environmental impact factor, for each process in the product's life cycle, from raw material procurement and processing to disposal. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions other than CO2, such as CH4 (methane) and N2O (nitrous oxide), may also be calculated, or the amount of greenhouse gas emissions may be calculated for only some processes in the product's life cycle.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the environmental load assessment apparatus 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 can be realized by a computer configured by connecting a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, etc. via a bus or the like. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and various other configurations can be used as appropriate. For example, the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 can also be realized by a plurality of computers.

[0020] The control unit 21 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The CPU loads programs related to the processing of the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 stored in storage media such as the memory unit 22 and ROM into a work area on the RAM, executes the programs, and controls each part of the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 to realize the processing described below. The ROM is a non-volatile memory that permanently stores programs such as the boot program and BIOS, as well as data. The RAM is a volatile memory that temporarily stores programs and data loaded from the memory unit 22, ROM, etc., and also has a work area that the control unit 21 uses to perform various processes.

[0021] The storage unit 22 is a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like, and stores programs executed by the environmental load assessment device 2 during processing described below, data required for program execution, an OS (operating system), etc. These programs and data are read and executed by the control unit 21 as needed.

[0022] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface that mediates communication via a network or the like, and communicates with the input terminal 3 or the like.

[0023] The input terminal 3 is a terminal for inputting data for evaluating the environmental load of a product into the environmental load assessment device 2. In this embodiment, there are multiple entities related to the product, such as multiple business divisions that manufacture products within a company, and each entity inputs data into the input terminal 3.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the input terminal 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the input terminal 3 is realized by a computer having a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input unit 33, a display unit 34, a communication unit 35, etc.

[0025] The control unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication unit 35 are similar to the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the communication unit 23. The input unit 33 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and issues instructions and performs operations on the input terminal 3. The display unit 34 has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functions of the environmental load assessment apparatus 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 includes an acquisition means 210, a data sheet creation means 220, a calculation means 230, and the like.

[0027] The acquisition means 210 is for the control unit 21 of the environmental load assessment device 2 to acquire data for assessing the environmental load of a product.

[0028] The data sheet creation means 220 creates a data sheet from the acquired data by the control unit 21 of the environmental load assessment apparatus 2. Details of the data sheet creation will be described later.

[0029] The calculation means 230 is a means for evaluating the environmental load of a product by having the control unit 21 of the environmental load assessment device 2 calculate the amount of CO2 emissions based on the data sheet. Details of the calculation of the amount of CO2 emissions will be described later.

[0030] Master data 4 required for calculating CO2 emissions is stored in the storage unit 22 of the environmental load assessment device 2. Fig. 5(a) is an example of the master data 4. The master data 4-1 in Fig. 5(a) has items such as a company code 41, a division code 42, an item code 43, a classification code 44, a calculation formula name 45, and a calculation formula 46.

[0031] The company code 41 and business division code 42 are data indicating the company (business entity) and business division within the company, respectively. The item code 43 is data indicating the product produced by the company, etc. The classification code 44 is data indicating each process in the product's life cycle, such as raw material procurement, processing (manufacturing), and disposal.

[0032] The calculation formula name 45 is the name given to the calculation formula 46. The calculation formula 46 is a calculation formula for calculating the activity amount related to the product. The activity amount is a value that indicates the degree of activity that involves CO2 emissions, that is, the activity that causes environmental load. The calculation formula 46 is set for each activity that is performed in the above process.

[0033] For example, the activity of transporting ink to a factory when procuring raw materials for a product involves CO2 emissions, but for this activity, formula 46, which calculates the activity amount by multiplying the number of ink colors used in the product, the amount of ink used, and the transport distance of the ink, is recorded as "number of colors * amount used * transport distance," and this is given a formula name 45 of "raw material transport_ink." CO2 emissions are obtained by multiplying the activity amount calculated by formula 46 by the value of the emissions intensity, which will be described later. The emissions intensity is the amount of CO2 emissions per unit amount of activity.

[0034] Fig. 5(b) is another example of the master data 4. The master data 4-2 in Fig. 5(b) is data having items such as a company code 41, a division code 42, a classification code 44, emission source details 47, a value 48, and a unit 49.

[0035] The emission source details 47 record the raw materials and energy used in the product, which are the cause of CO2 emissions. The value 48 is the value of the emission intensity mentioned above. The unit 49 is the unit of CO2 emissions. These data are associated with the process and emission source details 47 indicated by the classification code 44.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(c), data 4-3 is also created in advance by integrating the master data 4-1 and 4-2 using a company code 41, a division code 42, etc., and is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0037] (2. Environmental Impact Assessment) 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for evaluating an environmental load according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 21 of the environmental load evaluation apparatus 2 controls each unit of the environmental load evaluation apparatus 2 to execute each step in FIG.

[0038] In this embodiment, first, the environmental load assessment device 2 accepts input of data for assessing the environmental load of a product by a user (S1). The input data includes, for example, product information, information related to the environmental load assessment, manufacturing information, information on auxiliary materials and transportation, disposal information, and document information, and includes data used for calling up the calculation formula 46 and the value 48 of the emission intensity from the master data 4, calculating the amount of activity using the calculation formula 46, and calculating the amount of CO2 emissions using the amount of activity and the emission intensity.

[0039] In this embodiment, an input screen including a data table for inputting these data is transmitted from the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 to the input terminal 3 and displayed. The user uses the input terminal 3 to input each piece of data into the data table on the input screen displayed on the display unit 34. The input terminal 3 transmits the input data to the environmental load assessment apparatus 2, which then accepts (receives) and acquires the data. It is also possible to operate the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 and directly input the data into the environmental load assessment apparatus 2.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a portion of the product information data table 5 as an example of the above data table. Data such as order number 51, product name 52, and product code 53 are input as product information. Order number 51 and product name 52 are data indicating the product order number and product name, respectively. Product code 53 is data indicating the type of product. In addition, data related to the company that manufactures the product and the division within the company, as well as data on the process for each product (such as "raw material procurement," "processing," and "disposal") and disposal method are also input in S1. This information can be used to call up the calculation formula 46 and the emission intensity value 48 (see FIG. 5) required to calculate activity amount.

[0041] In addition, S1 also inputs the production quantity of the product, the number of ink colors used in the product, the amount of ink and paper used as raw materials for the product, the transport distance for the raw materials of the product and the transport distance for disposal, and the type and amount of energy required for transporting the raw materials of the product, processing, and disposing of the product. This information can be used to calculate the amount of activity using formula 46.

[0042] Next, the environmental load assessment device 2 converts the data acquired in S1 and creates a data sheet (S2). For example, as shown in Fig. 8, in a case where one business division (subject) enters "office catalog" in the item name 52 field of data table 5 and another business division (subject) enters "office supplies catalog" in the product name 52a field of data table 5, these names (albeit written differently) refer to the same content, this conversion process converts these data into a predetermined notation, for example, the notation "123456" used in item code 43 of master data 4, and creates data sheet 6.

[0043] In S2, "Office Catalog" input as the item name 52 and "Office Supplies Catalog" input as the product name 52a are converted into data written as "123456" used in the item code 43 based on linking data for performing the conversion process, i.e., data indicating that "Office Catalog" and "Office Supplies Catalog" are "123456" in the item code 43. This linking data is set in advance by a system administrator or the like and stored in the memory unit 22 of the environmental load assessment device 2.

[0044] The "Office Catalog" and "Office Supplies Catalog" entered by each business division are written in a language that indicates product names, etc., and the converted data "123456" is written as an alphanumeric code, etc. This is because using the language of names, etc. when entering data makes it easier for users to understand what to enter and reduces the likelihood of input errors, but it is more convenient to use alphanumeric codes, etc., when handling the entered data on the system.

[0045] The above conversion is performed as needed when creating the data sheet 6, and is not limited to product names (product names). In addition, not only when multiple business divisions use different notations for the same data, but also when the notation of data entered in S1 is converted to the notation used in the master data 4 because this is necessary for calculating CO2 emissions, which will be described later. For example, the name of the company or business division entered in S1 is converted to the notation used in the company code 41 or business division code 42 in the master data 4. In this case, too, the linking data for performing the conversion process is set in advance by the system administrator or the like, and the notation conversion is performed using this linking data stored in the memory unit 22 of the environmental load assessment device 2.

[0046] The environmental load assessment device 2 calculates the CO2 emissions based on the data sheet (S3). For example, using data corresponding to the product name 52, company name, division name, and product-specific process entered in S1 in the data sheet 6 (as described above, the product name 52, etc., is converted into the notation used in the master data 4), the calculation formula 46 required to calculate the activity amount and the emission intensity value 48 required to calculate the CO2 emissions can be called up from the master data 4. Similarly, using data corresponding to the production quantity of the product entered in S1 in the data sheet 6, the number of ink colors used in the product, the amount of ink and paper used as raw materials for the product, the transportation distance for the raw materials and the transportation distance for disposal, and the type and amount of energy required for transporting, processing, and disposing of the raw materials, the calculation formula 46 can be used to calculate the activity amount for each activity performed in each process, such as when procuring raw materials for the product, when processing, and when disposing of the product.

[0047] In S3, these activity amounts are multiplied by the emission intensity value of 48 to calculate the CO2 emissions for each activity carried out within each process.The calculated CO2 emissions are then added up to calculate the CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of the product, making it possible to evaluate the environmental impact of the product.

[0048] As described above, the environmental load assessment device 2 of this embodiment evaluates the environmental load of products such as printed matter by calculating CO2 emissions as index values ​​using the activity amount and emission intensity calculated by the above-mentioned calculation formula 46. In this process, data for evaluating the environmental load is acquired, and for data in which the same content is expressed differently among multiple entities, the data is converted to data in a predetermined format based on pre-set linking data to create a data sheet 6. Then, calculation formula 46 and emission intensity are called up from master data 4 based on the data sheet 6, and CO2 emissions are calculated from the activity amount and emission intensity calculated by calculation formula 46. This makes it possible to handle data that is expressed differently among multiple entities, such as multiple business divisions within a business entity, in a uniform manner, thereby providing a highly scalable environmental load assessment device 2 that allows for uniform use across multiple entities.

[0049] The environmental load assessment device 2 of this embodiment also accepts user input of data for evaluating the environmental load of a product. In this case, it is easy to increase, decrease, or change the items of input data, and the user can select and input the necessary data. Therefore, it is possible to handle a variety of products.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the amounts of raw materials, energy, etc. used for a product can be entered individually each time a product is manufactured, making it possible to compare before and after changes in manufacturing conditions and evaluate the impact of accidents and problems, even for the same product. This makes it possible to externally explain the implementation of process improvement activities and the degree to which they contribute to reducing environmental impact. Fixed values ​​calculated from past performance, etc., are sometimes used for the amounts of raw materials, energy, etc. used for a product, but in this case, it is not possible to consider before and after changes in manufacturing conditions or the impact of accidents, etc.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, data for calculating CO2 emissions at the time of product disposal is input as data for evaluating the environmental impact, allowing for a rapid evaluation of the environmental impact of the entire product life cycle, including disposal. In particular, in recent years, there has been an increasing need to evaluate the environmental impact of the entire process from product manufacture to disposal, rather than just the product manufacturing process. This is largely due to the widespread recognition that the environmental impact of a single product occurs not only during manufacturing, but also during raw material procurement, processing, and disposal after use.

[0052] However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the environmental load is evaluated by calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2, but the amount of air pollutant emissions such as NOx (nitrogen oxides) and SOx (sulfur oxides) may also be calculated. In other words, the present invention is applicable to all calculations of the amount of emissions of environmental load factors.

[0053] Next, another example of the present invention will be described as a second embodiment. The second embodiment will be mainly described with respect to differences from the first embodiment, and similar features will be denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0054] [Second embodiment] 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for evaluating an environmental load according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Each step in FIG. 9 is also executed by the control unit 21 of the environmental load evaluation apparatus 2 controlling each unit of the environmental load evaluation apparatus 2.

[0055] This embodiment differs in that data for evaluating the environmental impact of a product is not input by the user at the time of environmental impact evaluation, but is instead acquired from data created in advance.

[0056] That is, in this embodiment, the environmental load assessment apparatus 2 acquires data for evaluating the environmental load of a product from data created in advance (S1a). The data is created at or before the time of product manufacture, and includes data such as a parts list, a manufacturing process chart, and an order receipt, which are used to call up the formula 46 and the emission intensity value 48 from the master data 4, calculate the activity amount using the formula 46, and calculate the CO2 emissions from the activity amount and the emission intensity, as described in the first embodiment. The environmental load assessment apparatus 2 may download this data from a factory computer (not shown) or the like via a network, or may read this data from a storage medium on which it is recorded using a reading unit (not shown).

[0057] The data to be acquired for evaluating the environmental load is not limited to the above, and may be any existing data created in advance. Furthermore, if the environmental load evaluation device 2 cannot sufficiently evaluate the environmental load using only the data created in advance, it may accept input of supplementary data to supplement the missing data, as in the first embodiment, and is therefore compatible with a variety of products.

[0058] The subsequent processing is the same as above. The environmental load assessment device 2 converts the acquired data and creates a data sheet (S2). Then, the data sheet and master data 4 are used to calculate CO2 emissions (S3). In this embodiment, data input is performed automatically from existing data, thereby reducing data input errors. Furthermore, since data for standard input items is input, highly reproducible evaluation is possible.

[0059] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical ideas disclosed herein, and it is understood that these modifications also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1: Environmental impact assessment system 2: Environmental impact assessment device 3: Input terminal 4: Master Data 5: Data Table 6: Datasheet 46: Calculation formula 48: (Emissions intensity) value 210: Acquisition means 220: Data sheet creation method 230: Calculation method

Claims

1. storing master data in a storage unit, the master data including a formula for calculating an activity amount that indicates the degree of an activity related to a product that involves the emission of an environmental load factor, and an emission unit that indicates the amount of emission of the environmental load factor per unit amount of the activity amount; an acquisition means for acquiring data for evaluating the environmental impact of the product, including data necessary for calling the calculation formula and the emission intensity and for calculating the amount of activity using the calculation formula; a data sheet creation means for creating a data sheet from the acquired data; a calculation means for evaluating the environmental load by calling up the calculation formula and the emission intensity from the master data based on the data sheet and calculating the amount of emission of the environmental load factor from the activity amount calculated by the calculation formula and the emission intensity; and The data sheet creation means of the environmental load assessment device is characterized in that, among the acquired data, data in which the same content is expressed differently among multiple entities related to the product is converted into data with a predetermined notation based on pre-set linking data, and creates a data sheet.

2. 2. The environmental load assessment device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means receives input of data for assessing the environmental load of the product from a user.

3. 2. The environmental load assessment device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means reads data for assessing the environmental load of the product from data created in advance.

4. 2. The environmental load assessment device according to claim 1, wherein the data for assessing the environmental load of the product includes data for calculating the amount of environmental load factors emitted when the product is disposed of.

5. a computer having stored in a storage unit master data including a formula for calculating an activity amount indicating the degree of an activity related to a product that involves the emission of an environmental load factor, and an emission unit indicating the emission amount of the environmental load factor per unit amount of the activity amount; an acquisition means for acquiring data for evaluating the environmental impact of the product, including data necessary for calling the calculation formula and the emission intensity and for calculating the amount of activity using the calculation formula; a data sheet creation means for creating a data sheet from the acquired data; a calculation means for evaluating the environmental load by calling up the calculation formula and the emission intensity from the master data based on the data sheet and calculating the amount of emission of the environmental load factor from the activity amount calculated by the calculation formula and the emission intensity; and The data sheet creation means is a program for functioning as an environmental impact assessment device that converts the acquired data, in which the same content is expressed differently among multiple entities related to the product, into data with a specified notation based on pre-set linking data, and creates a data sheet.

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