Management device

Abstract

A management device is provided that increases the ratio of unit process greenhouse gas (GHG) emission information to target products. [Solution] In the management device 100, the control unit includes a request receiving unit that receives a request to input unit process-type GHG emission information to identify GHG emissions emitted in the first manufacturing process or a request to input process-aggregated GHG emission information to identify GHG emissions emitted prior to the first manufacturing process; an input request unit that requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or prior to the first manufacturing process; and an input receiving unit that receives from the first manufacturer the unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or prior to the first manufacturing process.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a carbon dioxide emission calculation system that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from each electrical appliance. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-25487 A Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] A management device according to one aspect of the present invention may be a management device that manages greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted in association with the production of a target product by a first manufacturer through multiple production processes including a first production process. The management device may include a request receiving unit that receives a request from the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information for identifying GHG emissions emitted in the first production process, or a request to input process-aggregated GHG emission information for identifying GHG emissions emitted prior to the first production process. The management device may include an input request unit that requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information for the target product for the first production process, or process-aggregated GHG emission information for the target product prior to the first production process, depending on a result of the request receiving unit. The management device may include an input receiving unit that receives input of unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier from the first manufacturer, and registers the unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or the process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier in a database.

[0004] In the management device, the plurality of manufacturing processes may include a second manufacturing process by a second manufacturer prior to the first manufacturing process. When the request receiving unit receives a request to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, the request receiving unit may further receive a request from the second manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or a request to input process aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for manufacturing processes prior to the second manufacturing process. Depending on a result of the reception by the request receiving unit, the input requesting unit may request the second manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or to input process aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for manufacturing processes prior to the second manufacturing process. The input receiving unit may receive, from the second manufacturer, input of unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or input of process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier, and may further register the GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process or the process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier in the database.

[0005] Any of the management devices may further include a consultation receiving unit that, when the consultation receiving unit requests the first manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, receives a consultation for input of unit process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process. The plurality of manufacturing processes may include a second manufacturing process by a second manufacturer prior to the first manufacturing process. When the consultation receiving unit receives a consultation for input of unit process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, the input request unit may request the first manufacturer to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, and may request the second manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the second manufacturing process. The input receiving unit may receive the input of process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the second manufacturing process from the second manufacturer, and further register the process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the second manufacturing process in the database.

[0006] In any of the management devices, the plurality of manufacturing processes may include a third manufacturing process by a third manufacturer prior to the second manufacturing process. When the inquiry receiving unit requests the second manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and prior to the second manufacturing process, the inquiry receiving unit may accept an inquiry to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process. When the inquiry receiving unit accepts an inquiry to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, the input request unit may request the second manufacturer to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, and may request the third manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the third manufacturing process and prior to the third manufacturing process. The input receiving unit may accept the input of process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the third manufacturing process and prior to the third manufacturing process from the third manufacturer, and further register the process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the third manufacturing process and prior to the third manufacturing process in the database.

[0007] In any of the management devices, the first manufacturer may be a first-tier contractor, the second manufacturer may be a second-tier contractor, and the third manufacturer may be a third-tier contractor.

[0008] In any of the management devices, the GHG emissions emitted in each of the plurality of manufacturing processes may be calculated according to a primary emission intensity unit specific to the target product or a common secondary emission intensity unit according to the type of the target product. The GHG emission information may include information indicating a proportion of the emission intensity units used to calculate the GHG emissions of each of the plurality of manufacturing processes that is calculated using at least one of the primary emission intensity unit and the secondary emission intensity unit.

[0009] A management method according to one aspect of the present invention may be a method for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted in association with the production of a target product by a first manufacturer through multiple production processes including a first production process. The management method may include a step in which a request receiving unit receives, from the first manufacturer, a request for input of unit process-type GHG emissions information for identifying GHG emissions emitted in the first production process, or a request for input of process-aggregated GHG emissions information for identifying GHG emissions emitted prior to the first production process. The management method may include a step in which an input requesting unit requests, based on a result of the reception by the request receiving unit, the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emissions information for the target product for the first production process, or input process-aggregated GHG emissions information for the target product prior to the first production process. The management method may include a step in which an input receiving unit receives, from the first manufacturer, input of unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or input of process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and before, and registers, in a database, the unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or the process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and before.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present invention may be a program for causing a computer to function as a management device for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted in association with the production of a target product by a first manufacturer through multiple production processes including a first production process. The program may cause the computer to function as a request receiving unit that receives a request from the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emissions information for identifying GHG emissions emitted in the first production process, or that receives a request from the first manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emissions information for identifying GHG emissions emitted prior to the first production process. The program may cause the computer to function as an input requesting unit that requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emissions information for the target product for the first production process, or that receives process-aggregated GHG emissions information for the target product prior to the first production process, depending on a result of the request receiving unit. The program may cause the computer to function as an input receiving unit that receives input from the first manufacturer of unit process GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or process aggregate GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier, and registers the unit process GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or the process aggregate GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier in a database.

[0011] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transaction structure between companies in automobile manufacturing. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a management system for managing GHG emissions according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of functional blocks of a management device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for specifying an input format for GHG emission information to be requested from each contractor. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when a contractor who has received a request to input process-aggregated GHG emission information approaches the contractor to input unit-process GHG emission information. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0014] In recent years, there has been a demand for accurate calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for each manufacturing process of a product, which can be used to calculate the total GHG emissions generated during the manufacturing of the product. Here, processes include the collection, transportation, storage, processing, and assembly of raw materials or components.

[0015] Therefore, the management device 100 according to this embodiment facilitates the derivation of the GHG emission amount for each manufacturing process while reducing the burden of managing the GHG emission amount of the product.

[0016] Products are manufactured through multiple manufacturing processes, which may be carried out by different organizations.

[0017] For example, in the case of automobile manufacturing, there are multiple parts manufacturers that supply parts to the manufacturer of the finished vehicle. Figure 1 shows an example of the transaction structure between companies in automobile manufacturing. The transaction structure between companies in automobile manufacturing shows a so-called pyramidal structure. Tier 0 represents the manufacturer of the finished product (Company A). Tier 1 represents the first-tier contractors (Companies B1 and B2) that directly provide parts to the manufacturer of the finished product. Tier 2 represents the second-tier contractors (Companies C1, C2, C3, and C4) that directly provide parts or materials to the first-tier contractors. Tier 3 represents the third-tier contractors (Companies D1, D2, D3, and D4) that directly provide parts or materials to the second-tier contractors. Note that while Figure 1 shows Tiers 0 through 3, depending on the transaction structure between companies, there may be Tier 4 and lower.

[0018] Manufacturers of finished products want to be provided with the GHG emissions for each manufacturing process. However, they may not be able to identify Tier 2 or lower subcontractors with whom they do not do business directly. In such cases, it is difficult for manufacturers of finished products to grasp the GHG emissions for each manufacturing process.

[0019] 2 shows an example of the overall configuration of a management system 10 that manages GHG emissions according to this embodiment. The management system 10 includes a management device 100 and a plurality of input terminals 200. The management device 100 communicates with the plurality of input terminals 200 via a network 50. The management device 100 is a device that can be operated by a person in charge of a Tier 0 manufacturer of finished products. The input terminals 200 are devices that can be operated by a person in charge of each of Tier 1 to 3 contractor companies.

[0020] The management device 100 collects and manages GHG emission information related to target products provided from each input terminal 200. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the management system 10 includes one management device 100. However, the management system 100 may include a management device 100 for each different tier or for each contractor, for example. GHG emission information, which will be described later, may be exchanged between multiple management devices 100.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an example of functional blocks of the management device 100. The management device 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a database 130. The management device 100 manages GHG emission information for identifying GHG emissions emitted in the manufacture of a target product. A target product, from which GHG emissions are derived, is manufactured through multiple manufacturing processes. An example of the target product is an automobile. The multiple manufacturing processes include a first manufacturing process performed by a Tier 1 primary contractor, a second manufacturing process performed by a Tier 2 secondary contractor, and a third manufacturing process performed by a Tier 3 tertiary contractor. The Tier 1 primary contractor is an example of a first manufacturer. The Tier 2 secondary contractor is an example of a second manufacturer. The Tier 3 tertiary contractor is an example of a third manufacturer.

[0022] The control unit 110 may be configured by a microprocessor such as a CPU or an MPU, or a microcontroller such as an MCU. The communication unit 120 manages communication between each component in the management device 100. In addition, the communication unit 120 communicates with external computers such as input terminals 200 via a network 50 such as the Internet. The database 130 stores the GHG emissions related to the target products provided from each input terminal 200.

[0023] The control unit 110 has a request receiving unit 112, an input request unit 114, an input receiving unit 116, and an inquiry receiving unit 118. The request receiving unit 112 receives a request from a Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information for identifying the GHG emission amount emitted in the first manufacturing process of the Tier 1 primary contractor, or receives a request to input process aggregate type GHG emission information for identifying the GHG emission amount emitted before the first manufacturing process.

[0024] Unit process GHG emission information is information for identifying so-called gate-to-gate (G2G) GHG emissions. Unit process GHG emission information may include gate-to-gate emission intensity. Gate-to-gate emission intensity indicates GHG emissions per specific unit (e.g., per target product, unit weight of target product) emitted in a specific manufacturing process.

[0025] Emission units include primary emission units, which are determined based on actual measurements of GHG emissions during the production of the target product, and secondary emission units, which are determined based on national or regional industry standards, medians, or averages for the target product's type. Primary emission units are more accurate than secondary emission units. Therefore, it is preferable that the emission units for each manufacturing process be primary emission units. The higher the proportion of primary emission units among all emission units used in each manufacturing process for the target product, the more accurate the GHG emissions for the target product. Therefore, the GHG emission information provided by each contractor may include information indicating whether the emission units are primary or secondary emission units. Furthermore, GHG emissions for each manufacturing process may be calculated according to either primary or secondary emission units. In this case, the GHG emission information may also include information indicating the proportion of the emission units used to calculate GHG emissions for each manufacturing process that are calculated using at least one of primary and secondary emission units. The GHG emission information may include information indicating the proportion of the emission intensity units used to calculate the GHG emission amount of each manufacturing process that is calculated using the primary emission intensity unit (PDS: primary data ratio).

[0026] Process-aggregated GHG emissions information is information for identifying so-called cradle-to-gate (C2G) GHG emissions. Cradle-to-gate GHG emissions information is information for identifying GHG emissions emitted before the target manufacturing process. In other words, cradle-to-gate GHG emissions information is information for identifying GHG emissions emitted up to the target manufacturing process. Cradle-to-gate GHG emissions information is information for identifying the total GHG emissions emitted in all manufacturing processes before the target manufacturing process. Cradle-to-gate GHG emissions information may include cradle-to-gate emissions intensity units. Cradle-to-gate emissions intensity units indicate GHG emissions per specific unit emitted before the target manufacturing process.

[0027] Depending on the result of reception by the request reception unit 112, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, or input process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and before.

[0028] The input receiving unit 116 receives input of unit process GHG emission information for the target product for the first manufacturing process or process aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier from the Tier 1 primary contractor, and registers the unit process GHG emission information for the target product for the first manufacturing process or process aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier in the database 130. For example, the unit process GHG emission information may be GHG emission information for direct emissions (Scope 1) from the Tier 1 primary contractor's own fuel use and the like that are attributable to the Tier 1 primary contractor's production of the target product, and indirect emissions (Scope 2) from the use of electricity and the like purchased from other companies. Furthermore, the process aggregated GHG emission information may include various GHG emission information for upstream processes attributable to the production of the target product, in addition to the GHG emission information from the Tier 1 primary contractor.

[0029] When the request receiving unit 112 receives a request to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, it may receive a request from the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or may further receive a request to input process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier.

[0030] The input request unit 114 may request the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or input process aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier, depending on the reception result of the request reception unit 112. The input reception unit 116 may receive the input of unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or input of process aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier, from the Tier 2 secondary contractor, and further register the GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process or the process aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier in the database 130.

[0031] A contractor that receives a request to input process-aggregated GHG emission information may be able to provide unit process-aggregated GHG emission information. Therefore, when the inquiry receiving unit 118 requests a Tier 1 primary contractor to input process-aggregated GHG emission information for a target product for the first manufacturing process and earlier, it accepts an inquiry to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information for a target product for the first manufacturing process. Note that in this embodiment, an inquiry to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information is accepted, but it is also possible to accept input of unit process-aggregated GHG emission information and process-aggregated GHG emission information for the second manufacturing process and later without making an inquiry. Furthermore, a Tier 1 primary contractor may make an inquiry within its own organization (i.e., at Tier 1, not Tier 2) to input unit process-aggregated GHG emission information and process-aggregated GHG emission information for the second manufacturing process and later.

[0032] When the inquiry receiving unit 118 receives an inquiry to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, the input request unit 114 may request the Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, and may request the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier.

[0033] The input receiving unit 116 may receive input of process-aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier from Tier 2 secondary contractors, and further register the process-aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier in the database 130.

[0034] When the inquiry receiving unit 118 requests a Tier 2 secondary contractor to input process-aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier, it may further receive an inquiry to input unit process-type GHG emission information for the target product for the second manufacturing process.

[0035] When the inquiry receiving unit 118 receives an inquiry to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, the input request unit 114 may request the Tier 2 second-tier contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, and may request the Tier 3 tertiary contractor to input process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for the third manufacturing process and earlier.

[0036] The input receiving unit 116 may receive input of process-aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the third manufacturing process and earlier from the Tier 3 third-tier subcontractor, and may further register the process-aggregated GHG emission information for the target product for the third manufacturing process and earlier in the database 130.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for specifying the input format of GHG emission information requested from each contractor.

[0038] The request receiving unit 112 receives an input format for GHG emission information for Tier 1 primary contractors (S100). On the input screen, a person in charge at a Tier 0 manufacturer of a finished product may select whether to request the Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process-type GHG emission information for identifying GHG emissions emitted in the first manufacturing process of the Tier 1 primary contractor, or to request the Tier 1 primary contractor to input process-aggregated GHG emission information for identifying GHG emissions emitted before the first manufacturing process. If there are multiple Tier 1 primary contractors involved in the manufacture of the target product, the request receiving unit 112 may receive an input format for GHG emission information separately for each primary contractor.

[0039] The input request unit 114 determines whether the input format for the Tier 1 primary contractor is the unit process type (S102). If the input format for the Tier 1 primary contractor is the process summation type, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 1 primary contractor to input process summation type GHG emission information (S104). The input request unit 114 may request the Tier 1 primary contractor to input process summation type GHG emission information by sending a message via the communication unit 120, such as by email, to the person in charge at the Tier 1 primary contractor.

[0040] If the input format for the Tier 1 primary contractor is a unit process type, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S106). Furthermore, the request receiving unit 112 receives the input format for the GHG emission information for the Tier 2 secondary contractor (S108). If there are multiple Tier 2 secondary contractors involved in the manufacture of the target product, the request receiving unit 112 may receive the input format for the GHG emission information separately for each secondary contractor.

[0041] The input request unit 114 determines whether the input format for the Tier 2 secondary contractor is the unit process type (S110). If the input format for the Tier 2 secondary contractor is the process summation type, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input GHG emission information of the process summation type (S112).

[0042] If the input format for the Tier 2 secondary contractor is the unit process type, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S114). Furthermore, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 3 tertiary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S116).

[0043] As described above, each contractor can be requested to input unit process type or process aggregate type GHG emission information. Note that the GHG emission information input by a Tier 1 primary contractor or the GHG emission information input by a Tier 2 secondary contractor may be stored in database 130 for sharing with organizations other than the Tier 0 or Tier 1 that requested the input. Furthermore, the GHG emission information that results when Tier 0 accepts input from Tier 1 or lower may be shared with the Tier 1 or lower.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when a contractor who has received a request to input process-aggregated GHG emission information approaches the contractor to input unit-process GHG emission information.

[0045] The inquiry receiving unit 118 determines whether or not an inquiry has been received from a Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S200). If an inquiry has been received, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 1 primary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S202). Furthermore, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input process aggregate type GHG emission information (S204).

[0046] Furthermore, the inquiry receiving unit 118 determines whether or not an inquiry has been received from a Tier 2 secondary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S206). If an inquiry has been received, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 2 secondary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S208). Furthermore, the input request unit 114 requests the Tier 3 tertiary contractor to input unit process type GHG emission information (S210).

[0047] As described above, by accepting inquiries from contractors who have received a request to input process-aggregated GHG emission information to input unit-process GHG emission information, the ratio of unit-process GHG emission information for the target products can be further increased.

[0048] 6 shows an example of a computer 1200 that can embody aspects of the present embodiment in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to perform operations associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or to function as one or more "parts" of the apparatus. Alternatively, the program can cause the computer 1200 to execute the operations or one or more "parts." The program can cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or steps of the process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program can cause the computer 1200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein. It may be executed by the CPU 1212.

[0049] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212 and a RAM 1214, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222 and an input / output unit, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230. The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit.

[0050] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. A hard disk drive may store programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The ROM 1230 stores a boot program executed by the computer 1200 upon activation and / or programs dependent on the computer's hardware. The programs may be provided via a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, USB memory, or IC card, or via a network. The programs may be installed in the RAM 1214 or the ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable recording media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200 and establishes cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing operations or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0051] For example, when communication is performed between computer 1200 and an external device, CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 1214 and instruct communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of CPU 1212, communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in RAM 1214 or a recording medium such as a USB memory, and transmits the read transmission data to a network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0052] The CPU 1212 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as a USB memory to be read into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write the processed data back to the external recording medium.

[0053] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 1212 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0054] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 1200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can also be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0055] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device. As a result, the computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture, including instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0056] The computer-readable instructions may include either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The source code or object code includes conventional procedural programming languages. The conventional procedural programming languages ​​may be assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. The processor or programmable circuitry may execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0058] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 Management System 50 Network 100 Management device 110 control section 112 Request Reception Unit 114 Input request section 116 Input reception section 118 Inquiry Reception Department 120 Communications Department 130 databases 200 Input terminal 1200 Computer 1210 host controller 1212 CPU 1214 RAM 1220 Input / Output Controller 1222 communication interface 1230 ROM

Claims

1. A management device for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted in association with the manufacture of a target product that is manufactured through a plurality of manufacturing processes including a first manufacturing process by a first manufacturer, a request receiving unit that receives a request from the first manufacturer to input unit process type GHG emission information for specifying the amount of GHG emission emitted in the first manufacturing process, or receives a request from the first manufacturer to input process total type GHG emission information for specifying the amount of GHG emission emitted before the first manufacturing process; an input request unit that requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or process aggregate-type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, depending on a result of reception by the request reception unit; an input receiving unit that receives, from the first manufacturer, input of unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or input of process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, and registers the unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or the process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process in a database; A management device comprising:

2. the plurality of manufacturing processes includes a second manufacturing process by a second manufacturer that occurs before the first manufacturing process, when the request receiving unit receives a request to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, it receives a request from the second manufacturer to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or it further receives a request to input process total type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the second manufacturing process, the input request unit requests the second manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, or process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the second manufacturing process, according to a result of reception by the request reception unit; 2. The management device of claim 1, wherein the input receiving unit receives, from the second manufacturer, input of unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process or input of process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and before, and further registers the GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process or the process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and before, in the database.

3. a consultation receiving unit that, when a request is made to the first manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, receives a consultation to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, the plurality of manufacturing processes includes a second manufacturing process by a second manufacturer that occurs before the first manufacturing process, 2. The management device of claim 1, wherein, when the inquiry receiving unit receives an inquiry to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, the input request unit requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process and requests the second manufacturer to input process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier, and the input receiving unit receives from the second manufacturer the input of process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier, and further registers in the database the process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process and earlier.

4. the plurality of manufacturing processes includes a third manufacturing process by a third manufacturer that occurs before the second manufacturing process, the inquiry receiving unit, when requesting the second manufacturer to input process aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the second manufacturing process, receives an inquiry to input unit process GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, when the inquiry receiving unit receives an inquiry to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, the input requesting unit requests the second manufacturer to input unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the second manufacturing process, and requests the third manufacturer to input process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the third manufacturing process; 4. The management device according to claim 3, wherein the input receiving unit receives input of process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the third manufacturing process and before from the third manufacturer, and further registers the process-aggregated GHG emission information of the target product for the third manufacturing process and before in the database.

5. The management device according to claim 4 , wherein the first manufacturer is a first-tier contractor, the second manufacturer is a second-tier contractor, and the third manufacturer is a third-tier contractor.

6. The GHG emissions emitted in each of the plurality of manufacturing processes are calculated according to a primary emission unit specific to the target product or a common secondary emission unit according to the type of the target product; 6. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the GHG emission information includes information indicating the proportion of the emission units used to calculate the GHG emissions of each of the plurality of manufacturing processes that is calculated using at least one of the primary emission unit and the secondary emission unit.

7. A management method for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted in association with the production of a target product that is produced through a plurality of production processes including a first production process by a first manufacturer, comprising: a step in which a request receiving unit receives a request from the first manufacturer to input unit process type GHG emission information for specifying the amount of GHG emission emitted in the first manufacturing process, or receives a request from the first manufacturer to input process total type GHG emission information for specifying the amount of GHG emission emitted before the first manufacturing process; an input request unit, in accordance with a result of reception by the request reception unit, requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process, or input process aggregate-type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process; an input receiving unit receiving, from the first manufacturer, input of unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or input of process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, and registering the unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or the process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process in a database; A management method comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to function as a management device for managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted in association with the manufacture of a target product that is manufactured through a plurality of manufacturing processes including a first manufacturing process by a first manufacturer, a request receiving unit that receives a request from the first manufacturer to input unit process type GHG emission information for specifying the amount of GHG emission emitted in the first manufacturing process, or receives a request from the first manufacturer to input process total type GHG emission information for specifying the amount of GHG emission emitted before the first manufacturing process; an input request unit that requests the first manufacturer to input unit process-type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or process aggregate-type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, depending on a result of reception by the request reception unit; an input receiving unit that receives, from the first manufacturer, input of unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or input of process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process, and registers the unit process type GHG emission information of the target product for the first manufacturing process or the process aggregate type GHG emission information of the target product for processes prior to the first manufacturing process in a database; and a program for causing the computer to function.

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