Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The methods for generating carbon credits to create demand will be allocated to creators. [Solution] The demand acquisition unit 120 acquires the demand for carbon credits. The method allocation unit 121 refers to a method database 100 that stores multiple carbon credit creation methods and the carbon credit creation capacity of each of the multiple creation methods in association with each other, and a creator database 101 that stores one or more carbon credit creators and the creation methods that each creator can implement in association with each other, and allocates one or more creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand to the extent that each of the one or more creators can implement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane emitted along with various human activities, and for greenhouse gases that cannot be avoided from being emitted, the idea of "carbon offset" has been spreading by investing in greenhouse gas reduction activities to offset the emitted greenhouse gases. Among these, for greenhouse gases that are difficult for companies and the like to reduce through their own activities, efforts are being made to offset them by purchasing the reduction or absorption of greenhouse gas emissions achieved by other organizations or locations as "carbon credits".

[0003] As a technology related to the above efforts, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for calculating how much emissions can be suppressed during material use from the methane emissions of paddy fields and granting carbon credits according to the reduction amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] With the above technology, it is possible to quantify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be reduced or absorbed in individual farmlands such as paddy fields. On the other hand, in order to realize carbon offset, a mechanism is required to meet the demand for carbon credits in companies and the like with the supply of one or more carbon credits including farmland, and its construction is desired.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to provide a technology for allocating carbon credit creation methods to carbon credit creators in order to create demand for carbon credits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device. This device includes a demand acquisition unit that acquires the demand for carbon credits, a method database that stores a plurality of carbon credit creation methods and the carbon credit creation capacity of each of the plurality of creation methods in association with each other, and a method assignment unit that, by referring to a creator database that stores a plurality of carbon credit creators and the creation methods that each of the creators can implement in association with each other, assigns one or more of the creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand to each of the one or more creators within the scope that each of the creators can implement.

[0008] The information processing device may further include: a request creation unit that creates a request for one or more carbon credit creators to implement one or more of the creation methods; a confirmed method acquisition unit that acquires one or more confirmed methods which are the creation methods and their scope decided by one or more carbon credit creators; and a total supply amount calculation unit that calculates the total amount of carbon credits that can be created by the confirmed methods, based on one or more of the confirmed methods.

[0009] The total supply calculation unit may calculate the total supply by subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions required to introduce the confirmation method, which have been converted to the emissions of the reference gas, from the reduction amount obtained by converting the greenhouse gas emissions obtained by introducing one or more confirmation methods to a reference gas which is a predetermined greenhouse gas.

[0010] The total supply calculation unit may calculate the total supply by subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions required to introduce the determining method, converted to the emissions of the reference gas, from the reduction amount obtained by converting the greenhouse gas emissions obtained by introducing one or more determining methods to a reference gas which is a predetermined greenhouse gas, and further subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions before introducing one or more determining methods, converted to the emissions of the reference gas.

[0011] The information processing device may further include: a demand sufficiency determination unit that determines the relationship between the total supply amount calculated by the total supply amount calculation unit and the demand amount acquired by the demand amount acquisition unit; and a demand adjustment unit that, when the total supply amount is less than the demand amount, acquires one or more carbon credit sources so that the total supply amount is equal to or greater than the difference between the demand amount and the total supply amount.

[0012] The multiple carbon credit creation methods may include creation methods that produce products as an outcome, the demand acquisition unit may further acquire purchase designations for the products, and the method allocation unit may allocate the creation methods to include creation methods that produce the products for which purchase designations have been made.

[0013] The multiple creation methods for creating carbon credits may include creation methods that produce products as an outcome, the creator database may include balance information for specifying the balance between the yield of products based on the creation methods that produce products and the capacity to create carbon credits, and the method assignment unit may include an optimization unit that assigns one or more of the creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand to the creator by optimizing an objective function that includes the balance information as a constraint.

[0014] The information processing device may further include a combination database for storing combination information on creation methods that indicates conditions to be imposed when different creation methods are used in combination, and the method assignment unit may include an optimization unit that assigns one or more of the creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand to the creator by optimizing an objective function that includes the combination information on creation methods as constraints.

[0015] The information processing device may further include a results sales unit that sells at least a portion of the results obtained by a creation method that includes products as an outcome to those who wish to purchase such results.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing method. In this method, the processor performs the steps of: obtaining the demand for carbon credits; referring to a method database that stores a plurality of creation methods for creating carbon credits and the carbon credit creation capacity of each of the plurality of creation methods in association with each other, and a creator database that stores one or more carbon credit creators and the creation methods that each creator can implement in association with each other, the processor allocates one or more of the creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand to the extent that each of the one or more creators can implement.

[0017] A third aspect of the present invention is a program. This program enables a computer to implement a function that acquires the demand for carbon credits, a method database that stores multiple carbon credit creation methods and the carbon credit creation capacity of each of the multiple creation methods in association with each other, and a creator database that stores one or more carbon credit creators and the creation methods that each creator can implement in association with each other, and to allocate one or more of the creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand to the extent that each of the one or more creators can implement.

[0018] To provide this program, or to update parts of it, a computer-readable recording medium on which this program is recorded may be provided, and this program may also be transmitted over a communication line.

[0019] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system comprising a terminal used by carbon credit demanders and an information processing device connected to the terminal via a communication network. In this system, the information processing device comprises a demand acquisition unit that acquires the demand amount of carbon credits from the terminal, a method database that stores a plurality of carbon credit creation methods and the carbon credit creation capacity of each of the plurality of creation methods in association with each other, and a method assignment unit that, by referring to a creator database that stores one or more carbon credit creators and the creation methods that each of the creators can implement in association with each other, assigns one or more of the creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand amount to one or more of the creators within the scope that each of the creators can implement.

[0020] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as conversions of the expression of the present invention between methods, apparatus, systems, computer programs, data structures, recording media, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, methods for creating demand for carbon credits can be allocated to carbon credit creators. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows an overview of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows the functional configuration of the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows an example of the data structure of a method database according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows an example of the data structure of the creator database according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically shows an example of the data structure of a combined database according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram schematically illustrates an example of a graph used to explain information about combined generation methods. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of information processing performed by the information processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram schematically shows the functional configuration of the information processing device according to the third modified example. [Figure 9] This diagram schematically shows the data structure of the creator database 101 related to the fourth modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] <Overview of the Embodiment> The information processing device according to this embodiment selects a carbon credit creation method to create more carbon credits than the amount demanded by carbon credit demanders (e.g., companies), and performs the process of assigning that creation method to a carbon credit creator (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "creator") who will carry it out. Here, "creation method" refers to a method for creating carbon credits, and examples include methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, methods for sequestrating carbon, and methods for acquiring carbon credits created by others. A "creator" is a person who carries out a creation method and is responsible for creating carbon credits, and an example would be a farmer.

[0024] In many cases, the demand for carbon credits from large organizations such as corporations exceeds the supply of carbon credits that can be produced by individual producers such as farmers. Therefore, the information processing device according to this embodiment selects one or more carbon credit production methods to meet the demand for carbon credits and distributes them to one or more producers.

[0025] Here, each individual creator has different scales and goals, and the maximum amount of carbon credits they can create, the feasible methods they can use, and their preferred methods may differ from one creator to another. The information processing device takes into account the creation capacity and needs of each creator to whom the creation methods are to be distributed, and optimizes the creation methods to be allocated to each creator. As a result, the information processing device according to this embodiment can optimize the allocation of creation methods to creators in order to create the demand for carbon credits.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of an information processing system S according to an embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information processing device 1, a customer terminal 2, and a storage device 3. Hereinafter, the outline of the information processing flow performed in the information processing system S will be explained in order from (1) to (8) with reference to Figure 1, where the numbers correspond to (1) to (8) in Figure 1.

[0027] (1) The information processing device 1 obtains the amount of carbon credits demanded by carbon credit demanders. In the example shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 1 obtains the amount of carbon credits demanded from the demander terminal 2 used by carbon credit demanders. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the information processing device 1 may obtain the amount of demand by estimating future demand based on the history of past demand. In this case, the information processing device 1 can predict the amount of demand by applying a known estimation algorithm, such as a known seasonal autoregressive composite moving average or Bayesian modeling, to the history of past demand. The information processing device 1 may also obtain a total amount of demand obtained by summing the demands of multiple demanders, or it may use the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of carbon credits already secured as the amount of demand.

[0028] (2) The information processing device 1 allocates one or more carbon credit creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the acquired demand to the extent that each of the one or more creators can implement them. Here, the creation methods preferably include two main types of methods. The first type is a method that switches an existing method that emits greenhouse gases to another method that reduces emissions. For example, a greenhouse farmer can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas emitted when the heater is in operation, by switching an old, fuel-inefficient heater to a new, fuel-efficient heater, thereby creating carbon credits.

[0029] The second type of method involves preventing greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise occur. For example, wood, bamboo, rice husks, and human waste would normally be decomposed by microbial activity and released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. By burying these materials in farmland as charcoal, bamboo charcoal, or biochar made from human waste, human waste, and rice husks (hereinafter referred to as "biochar"), carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide is fixed in the soil, creating carbon credits.

[0030] The first type of method reduces greenhouse gas emissions that have already been emitted, that is, it reduces emissions that are already in the positive. In contrast, the second type of method suppresses greenhouse gas emissions that will be generated in the future, so to speak, it is a method to make greenhouse gas emissions negative from a zero base. In this sense, another example of the second type of method is solar power generation using solar panels. This is because carbon credits can be created by suppressing the burning of fossil fuels that would have been generated to produce the electricity generated by solar power.

[0031] The two methods described above each have multiple variations. For example, biochar is offered by multiple companies, each with different carbon sequestration rates and application limits. Similarly, when replacing heating equipment, similar equipment is offered by multiple companies, each with different greenhouse gas reduction effects. Furthermore, various types of seedlings used in conjunction with fertilizers (e.g., tomato seedlings or bell pepper seedlings) also have different carbon sequestration rates and compatibility with fertilizers, and creators may have preferred seedlings or equipment that they are good at cultivating.

[0032] Therefore, the information processing device 1 accesses the method database and the creator database stored in the storage device 3, and solves a combinatorial optimization problem to assign each creator a creation method and its scope (for example, the amount of bio-tip to be buried and the number of seedlings to be planted) according to the creator's needs.

[0033] (3) The information processing device 1 creates a request for one or more carbon credit creators to implement one or more creation methods. The information processing device 1 notifies each creator of the created request using electronic means such as email, a dedicated application, or a web application, or physical means such as postal mail, and requests them to implement the creation method.

[0034] (4) The information processing device 1 obtains the creation method that each creator has decided to implement from the creator who has requested implementation. The creation method and its scope that each creator has decided to implement will be referred to as the "confirmed method" in this specification below. The information processing device 1 may obtain the confirmed method by electronic means from the electronic equipment used by each creator, or it may obtain the confirmed method that each creator has communicated by mail, which can then be entered by the operator of the information processing device 1.

[0035] (5) The information processing device 1 calculates the total supply, which is the total amount of carbon credits that can be created by the determination method obtained from each creator. (6) If the total supply is greater than or equal to the demand, the information processing device 1 will have the material manufacturer 4 send the materials used in the determination method to the creator within the scope of the determination method. This will enable the creator to create carbon credits.

[0036] (7) If the total supply is less than the demand, the information processing device 1 acquires one or more sources of carbon credits so that the total supply is equal to or greater than the difference between the demand and the total supply. Here, the "procurement" of carbon credits preferably includes the following three main methods.

[0037] The first method, similar to the one described above, involves procuring carbon credits by assigning production methods to producers who have already decided on their production methods, or to new producers. In this case, the recipients of the credits are the producers, such as farmers, mentioned above.

[0038] The second method involves procuring carbon credits for greenhouse gas reductions that have already been implemented but have not been notified to the information processing device 1. For example, if a producer has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by changing equipment or installing solar panels, the information processing device 1 can procure carbon credits corresponding to that reduction. In the case of greenhouse gas emission reductions due to equipment changes, the carbon credits belong to the producer, such as a farmer, so the information processing device 1 procures the carbon credits by purchasing them from the farmer. In this case, the supplier is the aforementioned producer, such as a farmer.

[0039] In the case of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar panels, carbon credits will be assigned to the solar panels. In this case, the ownership of the carbon credits will vary depending on the sales contract between the panel manufacturer and the creator. If the carbon credits belong to the creator, the information processing device 1 can procure them by purchasing them from farmers, etc. If the carbon credits belong to the panel manufacturer, the information processing device 1 will procure them by purchasing them from the panel manufacturer. In the case of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar panels, the supplier will be the manufacturer of the equipment that contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

[0040] The third method is similar to the first, but involves procuring carbon credits from a party other than the creator to whom the information processing device 1 commissions the creation method, and from a party that is collaborating with the information processing device 1 in procuring carbon credits. For example, seaweed that grows in clusters near the continental shelf is known to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. The information processing device 1 can procure carbon credits by purchasing carbon credits corresponding to "blue carbon," which is the carbon dioxide absorbed by this seaweed and phytoplankton, from a party that is working to increase or halt the decrease of blue carbon.

[0041] (8) When the determination method involves agricultural products such as grains and fruits, livestock products such as cattle and pigs, and marine products such as fish and seaweed (hereinafter simply referred to as "products") as an outcome, carbon credit demanders may wish to purchase these products. In this case, the information processing device 1 obtains a purchase designation for the products from the demander. The information processing device 1 manages the process of collecting the purchased products from the producers and transporting the collected products to the demanders. This allows carbon credit demanders to purchase products at the same time as purchasing carbon credits. If the carbon credit demander is a company, the purchased products can be consumed in the employee cafeteria or sold or distributed to employees as an employee benefit.

[0042] Thus, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment can assign a method for generating carbon credit demand to a creator.

[0043] <Functional configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment> Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment. The information processing device 1 comprises a storage unit 10, a communication unit 11, and a control unit 12. In Figure 2, the arrows indicate the main data flow, and there may be data flows not shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, each functional block shows a functional unit configuration, not a hardware (device) unit configuration. Therefore, the functional blocks shown in Figure 2 may be implemented in a single device, or they may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data exchange between functional blocks may be performed via any means, such as a data bus, network, or portable storage medium.

[0044] The storage unit 10 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that implements the information processing device 1, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of ​​the information processing device 1, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information referenced when the application programs are executed. As shown in Figure 2, the storage unit 10 stores the method database 100, the creator database 101, and the combined database 102.

[0045] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for the information processing device 1 to exchange data with external devices, and can be implemented using known communication modules such as a known Wi-Fi® module or a LAN (Local Area Network). Hereinafter, when each component of the information processing device 1 exchanges data with external devices, it is assumed that the communication unit 11 is used as a gateway, and the description of the communication unit 11 may be omitted.

[0046] The control unit 12 is a processor such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) of the information processing device 1, and by executing programs stored in the memory unit 10, it functions as a demand quantity acquisition unit 120, a method assignment unit 121, a request creation unit 122, a confirmed method acquisition unit 123, a total supply quantity calculation unit 124, a demand sufficiency determination unit 125, a demand adjustment unit 126, and a results sales unit 127.

[0047] Figure 2 shows an example where the information processing device 1 is composed of a single device. However, the information processing device 1 may be implemented using multiple computing resources such as processors and memory, for example, in a cloud computing system. In this case, each part constituting the control unit 12 is implemented by at least one of the multiple different processors executing a program.

[0048] The demand acquisition unit 120 acquires the amount of carbon credits demanded by carbon credit demanders. The method allocation unit 121 allocates one or more carbon credit creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the amount of demand acquired by the demand acquisition unit 120 to each of the one or more creators to the extent that it is feasible for them.

[0049] Specifically, the method assignment unit 121 refers to a method database that stores multiple carbon credit creation methods and the carbon credit creation capacity of each of the multiple creation methods in association with each other, and obtains candidate creation methods to assign to each creator. Subsequently, the method assignment unit 121 refers to a creator database that stores one or more creators and the creation methods that each creator can implement in association with each other, and assigns one or more creation methods to one or more creators by solving an optimization problem with the creation methods that each creator can implement as constraints. As a result, the information processing device 1 can assign creation methods for creating the demand for carbon credits to creators.

[0050] Here, it is not guaranteed that each creator will accept the implementation of the creation method assigned to them by the information processing device 1. Therefore, the request creation unit 122 creates a request for implementation of one or more creation methods for one or more creators. A creator who receives a request decides whether or not to implement the requested creation method, and if so, whether to implement all of the requested creation method, only some of it, or modify some of it.

[0051] The Confirmed Method Acquisition Unit 123 acquires one or more confirmed methods, which are the creation methods and their scopes that one or more creators have decided to implement. As described above, the confirmed methods that creators have decided to implement may differ from the creation methods and their scopes in the implementation request created by the Request Creation Unit 122. Therefore, the Total Supply Calculation Unit 124 calculates the total supply, which is the total amount of carbon credits that can be created by the confirmed methods, based on the one or more confirmed methods.

[0052] Specifically, the total supply calculation unit 124 first calculates the reduction amount when greenhouse gases are converted to a reference gas, which is a type of greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide, by introducing one or more determination methods. In the following explanation, we will assume that the reference gas is carbon dioxide, but the reference gas does not have to be carbon dioxide. For example, it may be other greenhouse gases such as methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), or carbon monoxide, and it is sufficient to determine which one it is in advance. Here, let's assume that the determination method is the method of burying a predetermined amount of biochar in agricultural land. In this case, the amount of carbon fixed can be calculated by multiplying the amount of carbon stored per unit weight of biochar by a predetermined amount, and the reduction amount of greenhouse gases when this carbon is converted to carbon dioxide is calculated.

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the method database 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the method database 100 manages creation methods by assigning an identifier to each creation method. In the example of the method database 100 shown in Figure 3, the creation method with identifier ID0001 is biochar provided by Company A, and the amount of carbon dioxide fixed is X kilograms per liter. Since the carbon credits created by the biochar belong to the creator who purchased the biochar, the type of creation method is "normal".

[0054] In the method database 100 shown in Figure 3, the carbon creation method with identifier ID0ccc is a carbon creation method that uses solar panels. Since the carbon credits created by the solar panels belong to the solar panel manufacturer, the type of the carbon creation method is "program". Also, the carbon creation method with identifier IDXXXX is a method that creates carbon credits by purchasing carbon credits from partner company X, so the type of the carbon creation method is "purchase". The total supply calculation unit 124 can calculate the amount of reduction in greenhouse gases converted to carbon dioxide by introducing one or more established methods by referring to the method database 100.

[0055] Although not shown in the method database 100 in Figure 3, another example of a carbon credit creation method is the conversion from conventional farming methods using chemical fertilizers to organic fertilizers, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, as a result, contribute to the creation of carbon credits. For example, by changing the greenhouse gases generated in the synthesis process of chemical fertilizers (e.g., greenhouse gases related to the mining and transportation of phosphate rock) to domestically produced organic fertilizers, greenhouse gases from the use of chemical fertilizers related to mining and transportation from overseas can be reduced, and carbon credits can be created.

[0056] Next, the total supply calculation unit 124 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions required to implement the determination method and then calculates the emissions converted to carbon dioxide emissions. When the determination method involves burying a predetermined amount of biochar in farmland, the biochar needs to be transported from the manufacturer's factory to the farmland. In this case, if a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine is used for transportation, greenhouse gases are emitted as exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine during transportation. If an electric vehicle is used for transportation, greenhouse gases are generated when the electricity is produced. By calculating the greenhouse gas emissions according to the power of the vehicle used for transportation, the total supply calculation unit 124 can calculate the greenhouse gas emissions when implementing the determination method with greater accuracy.

[0057] If the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the introduction of one or more deterministic methods exceeds the greenhouse gas emissions required to introduce the deterministic methods, the difference represents the net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the introduction of the deterministic methods. Therefore, the total supply calculation unit 124 calculates the total supply by subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions required to introduce each of the deterministic methods, which are converted to carbon dioxide emissions, from the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the introduction of each of the one or more deterministic methods, which are converted to carbon dioxide emissions.

[0058] This allows the information processing device 1 to estimate the total amount of carbon credits that can be created by the deterministic method.

[0059] The method assignment unit 121 assigns creation methods to creators to generate the demand for carbon credits. If all creators implement the creation methods requested by the request creation unit 122, the total supply of carbon credits will satisfy the demand. However, the confirmed methods may differ from the creation methods included in the implementation request, or their scope may be narrower. Therefore, the demand satisfaction determination unit 125 determines the relationship between the total supply calculated by the total supply calculation unit 124 and the demand acquired by the demand acquisition unit 120.

[0060] The demand adjustment unit 126 acquires one or more carbon credit sources so that the total supply is equal to or greater than the difference between the demand and the total supply when the total supply is less than the demand. The carbon credit sources are the aforementioned producers such as farmers, equipment manufacturers, or partners. The information processing device 1 can ensure the creation of carbon credits that meet the demand by repeatedly calculating the total supply, comparing the total supply with the demand, and acquiring sources until the total supply exceeds the demand.

[0061] (Assignment of creation methods) The assignment of creation methods by the method assignment unit 121 will be explained in more detail below.

[0062] Among the various generation methods, there are methods that use seedlings of products as materials, such as tomato seedlings. These generation methods are those that produce products as an outcome. When the demand acquisition unit 120 acquires not only the demand for carbon credits but also the purchase designation of products, the method allocation unit 121 preferentially allocates these generation methods so that they include generation methods that involve the production of the products for which the purchase designation has been made.

[0063] The results sales unit 127 sells the carbon credits created by the creators to the consumers. The results sales unit 127 also accepts purchase requests from prospective buyers of results from creation methods that involve products as results, and sells the products to the prospective buyers after they have been harvested. As a result, consumers become prospective buyers, allowing them to purchase products at the same time as purchasing carbon credits. In addition, producers of products, who are the creators, can more easily create production plans because the buyers of their products are determined at the time they start production.

[0064] As mentioned above, producers of carbon-generating products each specialize in different products. Furthermore, producers of carbon-generating products have different stances on generating carbon credits associated with their production. For example, some producers prioritize increasing product yields over generating carbon credits, while others prioritize securing a certain amount of carbon credits and maximizing product yields within that framework.

[0065] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the creator database 101 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the creator database 101 manages creators by assigning an identifier to each creator, and stores balance information for each creator to specify the balance between the yield of products based on creation methods involving product production and the capacity to create carbon credits.

[0066] In the example of the creator database 101 shown in Figure 4, the creator with identifier UID0001 is capable of at least implementing the creation methods indicated by identifiers ID0001 and ID00YY, and the balance information is "Type 1". Type 1 balance information indicates that priority is given to maximizing carbon sequestration (i.e., the amount of carbon credits created), and the yield of products is left to chance. Similarly, the creator with identifier UID0002 is capable of at least implementing the creation methods indicated by identifiers ID0XXX and IDZZZZ, and the balance information is Type 2 (the amount of carbon sequestration is set to be above an arbitrary value, while the yield of products is maximized).

[0067] These balance information can be considered as conditions that the method assignment unit 121 should take into account when assigning a carbon creation method to each creator. For this reason, the method assignment unit 121 includes an optimization unit 1210 that assigns one or more carbon creation methods to creators that are necessary to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand, by optimizing an objective function that includes the balance information as a constraint.

[0068] Here, j is an index representing the creator, k is an index representing the creation method that utilizes farmland, and l is an index representing the creation method that does not utilize or depend on farmland. The j-th creator will be referred to as creator j, the k-th creation method that utilizes farmland as creation method k, and the l-th creation method that does not utilize farmland as creation method l. Furthermore, the application rate per unit area when creator j implements creation method k will be a j k The area of ​​farmland that creator j uses for creation method k is h j k Let's assume that.

[0069] Creation methods that do not utilize agricultural land include, for example, replacing heating equipment used by creator j with more fuel-efficient equipment, or electrifying agricultural machinery powered by internal combustion engines, and the amount of carbon sequestration by these creation methods is b j k Let's assume that.

[0070] When the creation method k is vegetable seedlings, the carbon sequestration amount r per unit area can be changed by changing the application rate (the density of seedlings planted in the farmland) per unit area. j k When the creation method k is biochar, the carbon sequestration amount r varies depending on the application rate per unit area (the amount of biochar per unit area buried in the farmland). j k Thus, even for the same creation method k, the application rate a per unit area may differ depending on the creator j, and accordingly, the carbon sequestration amount r per unit area may also differ. r j k is represented as a function of a, and this function is different for each creation method k. Letting this function be f j k j k j k k j k j k j k j k k j

[0071] <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This is not subject to optimization by the optimization unit 1210 and can be considered a constant. In this case, the total amount of carbon credits C created by all creators is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0074]

number

[0075] The yield per unit area of ​​the creation method k implemented by creator j is q. j k Let's assume the yield q per unit area of ​​the creation method k. j k This is the application rate a per unit area of ​​the creation method k implemented by creator j. j k It depends on q. For example, increasing the density of seedlings planted in the field will increase the yield, but if it is increased too much, it may negatively affect the development of the seedlings and the yield may decrease. j k and application rate a j k The function g represents the relationship k Therefore, q j k is a j k It can be expressed by the following equation (3) using g. k The specific form is the application rate a per unit area for each creation method. j k The process was carried out while changing the method, and the yield q at that time j k This can be determined through experimentation.

[0076]

number

[0077] At this time, the yield P of the product obtained by creator j implementing creation method k j k It can be expressed by the following equation (4).

[0078]

number

[0079] The balance information is the yield P of the product shown in equation (4). j k This becomes a constraint condition. For example, the creator j is concerned with the yield P of the product that is the result of the creation method k. j k If the balance information indicates that maximizing P is desired, the optimization unit 1210 will optimize the yield P j k The constraint is that this is maximized. Conversely, the creator j is concerned with the yield P of the product resulting from the creation method k. j k If the outcome is acceptable, the optimization unit 1210 will determine the yield P j k Without imposing any constraints on a j k You just need to decide that.

[0080] In this case, creator j may have a minimum yield target that they want to achieve with regard to creation method k (for example, average yield per item or per unit area). In such cases, the completion target of creation method k set by creator j is P. cons Therefore, the following equation (5) is related to a in yield j k This becomes a constraint.

[0081]

number

[0082] In the equation shown in equation (2), Σ l b j l The term is determined once the creator j and the creation method l are determined. Also, h j k This is determined in advance by the creator j. The carbon credits corresponding to the demand amount acquired by the demand amount acquisition unit 120 are C demand This is done. At this time, the optimization unit 1210 determines a predetermined h j kAnd under various constraints based on balance information such as equation (5), the C shown in equation (2) is C ≥ C demand To achieve this, for example, by using a known optimization method such as linear programming, j k Determine the amount of the creation method k applied per unit area by creator j.

[0083] This allows the information processing device 1 to reflect each creator's stance on carbon credit creation in the allocation of creation methods to each creator.

[0084] The above explanation assumes that each creation method can be implemented independently. For example, one creator can simultaneously implement the creation method of cultivating tomatoes and the creation method of replacing heaters without interfering with each other. On the other hand, there are combinations of two different creation methods that influence each other when used together.

[0085] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the combined database 102 according to the embodiment. The combined database 102 stores combined creation method information that indicates the conditions to be imposed when using different creation methods in combination.

[0086] As shown in Figure 5, the combined use database 102 stores, for each of the multiple biochar generation methods, the upper limit of the amount that can be used when that method is used alone, and the upper limit of the amount that can be used when used in combination with other biochar generation methods that have an impact when used in combination. Figure 5 shows an example of biochar generation method combined use information for a biochar generation method (biochar manufactured by Company A) with identifier ID0001.

[0087] Biochar has the property of making the soil more alkaline when buried underground. On the other hand, chemical fertilizer A has the property of making the soil more acidic when used. Therefore, by using biochar and chemical fertilizer A together, the effect of biochar is neutralized by chemical fertilizer A, and as a result, a larger amount of biochar can be used than when biochar is used alone. In other words, in Figure 5, the upper limit of usage when using biochar in combination with chemical fertilizer A, T [kg] / square meter, is greater than the upper limit of usage S [kg] / square meter when using biochar alone.

[0088] In contrast, organic fertilizer U, which contains lime made from, for example, oyster shells, has the property of making the soil more alkaline when used. Therefore, when using biochar and organic fertilizer U together, the upper limit of the amount used should be lower than when using biochar alone, in order to prevent the soil from becoming too alkaline. That is, in Figure 5, the value of V [kg] / square meter is smaller than the value of S [kg] / square meter.

[0089] Although not shown in Figure 5, the combined use database 102 also stores information on combined use of creation methods, including the products used as creation methods and the pesticides that can be used for those products. When assigning the cultivation of a product for which the usable pesticides are limited as a creation method, it is preferable that the information processing device 1 can also show the creator pesticides suitable for that product. Furthermore, since the acceptable range of soil acidity differs depending on the product cultivated on the farmland, the biochar and fertilizers to be used in combination may be assigned so that the soil pH becomes within the acceptable range for the type of product assigned as a creation method. In addition, "pesticides" are mainly intended for weed control and protecting products from pests. For this reason, for example, by having birds such as ducks control weeds and insects instead of using pesticides on rice, it is possible to suppress the generation of greenhouse gases associated with pesticide production and contribute to the creation of carbon credits.

[0090] Therefore, the optimization unit 1210 optimizes an objective function that includes information on the combination of creation methods as a constraint, thereby assigning one or more creation methods to the creators that are necessary to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand.

[0091] Figures 6(a)-(c) schematically show examples of graphs used to explain information on the combined use of creation methods. The graphs shown in Figures 6(a)-(c) are just examples; although not shown, the combined use database 102 stores data on the effects of various combinations of creation methods when they are used together.

[0092] Figure 6(a) is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of biochar applied and the amount of carbon fixed, as well as the relationship between the amount of biochar applied and the yield of the product, when a certain production method k, which produces a product as an outcome, is used in combination with biochar manufactured by Company A. In Figure 6(a), the horizontal axis represents the amount of biochar applied per unit area, the solid vertical axis and graph represent the amount of carbon fixed, and the dashed vertical axis and graph represent the yield. Figure 6(a) shows that the amount of carbon fixed is proportional to the amount applied per unit area. On the other hand, the yield increases as the amount applied per unit area increases, but eventually levels off and eventually begins to decrease.

[0093] Figure 6(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the application rate of biochar manufactured by Company B and the amount of carbon fixed, as well as the relationship between the application rate of biochar and the yield of the product. Similarly, Figure 6(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the application rate of biochar manufactured by Company X and the amount of carbon fixed, as well as the relationship between the application rate of biochar and the yield of the product.

[0094] Comparing Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b), the change in product yield with respect to the amount of biochar applied is almost the same. On the other hand, it can be seen that biochar from Company B fixes more carbon than biochar from Company A, even with the same amount of application. Furthermore, comparing Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(c), it can be seen that biochar from Company X fixes slightly more carbon than biochar from Company A, and also shows a higher maximum yield when biochar is applied.

[0095] For example, regarding a certain creator j, the balance information concerning a certain creation method k is "Yield is a predetermined amount P". cons The above is considered "maximizing carbon fixation." In this case, the optimization unit 1210 searches for the conditions under which carbon fixation is maximized, under the constraints shown in equation (4). In the example shown in Figures 6(a)-(c), if the application rate per unit area of ​​biochar manufactured by Company B is α, the yield is a predetermined amount P cons As described above, it can be seen that the amount of carbon fixed is maximized. Therefore, the optimization unit 1210 derives as the solution that the application rate per unit area of ​​biochar manufactured by Company B is α for the creation method k.

[0096] As another example, suppose that for a certain creator j, the balance information regarding a certain creation method k is "maximize yield, allow carbon fixation to occur naturally." In this case, the optimization unit 1210 does not consider carbon fixation as a constraint and searches for the condition that maximizes the yield. In the example shown in Figures 6(a)-(c), it can be seen that the yield is maximized when the application rate of X company's biochar per unit area is β. Therefore, the optimization unit 1210 derives the solution for creation method k as setting the application rate of X company's biochar per unit area to β.

[0097] In this way, the information processing device 1 can reflect the effects of using multiple creation methods in the allocation of creation methods.

[0098] <Processing flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing device 1> Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of information processing performed by the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The processing in this flowchart starts, for example, when the information processing device 1 is started up.

[0099] The demand acquisition unit 120 acquires the amount of carbon credits demanded by carbon credit demanders (S2). The method allocation unit 121 allocates one or more creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demand amount to one or more creators to the extent that it is feasible for each (S4).

[0100] The request creation unit 122 creates a request for implementation of one or more carbon credit creation methods to one or more carbon credit creators (S6). The confirmed method acquisition unit 123 acquires one or more confirmed methods, which are the one or more creation methods and their scope, that one or more carbon credit creators have decided to implement (S8).

[0101] The total supply calculation unit 124 calculates the total supply, which is the total amount of carbon credits that can be created by one or more determination methods, based on those determination methods (S10). If the total supply is insufficient to meet the demand for carbon credits (No. in S12), the demand adjustment unit 126 acquires one or more carbon credit suppliers so that the total supply is equal to or greater than the difference between the demand and the total supply (S14). After that, the information processing device 1 returns to the process of step S8 and repeats the processes of step S8 and step S10.

[0102] If the total supply meets the demand for carbon credits (Yes in S12), the process in this flowchart ends.

[0103] <Effects of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment> As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment can assign a method for creating demand for carbon credits to a creator.

[0104] 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, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments.

[0105] <First variation> The above describes the case in which the results sales unit 127 of the information processing device 1 receives purchase requests from prospective buyers for products produced by the creator. In addition to this, the results sales unit 127 may also receive purchase requests from prospective buyers for products produced by partners.

[0106] For example, among partners working to increase or halt the decrease of blue carbon, some capture sea urchins and other organisms that feed on seaweed growing in clusters near the continental shelf to protect the seaweed, and also cultivate the captured organisms for sale as food. The Sales Department 127 can provide providers with a distribution channel for the products produced by partners by accepting purchase requests from those who wish to buy the organisms that partners have cultivated for food.

[0107] <Second variation> The above describes the case where the method assignment unit 121 refers to the creator database 101 and assigns a creation method to each creator, taking into account the balance information of each creator. In addition, the method assignment unit 121 may assign a creation method with the constraint that the risk incurred when each creator applies the creation method be minimized. Furthermore, the method assignment unit 121 may also assign a creation method with the constraint that the amount of product produced by each creator approaches the sales target, taking into account the sales target quantity of the product that each creator has. This can be done by the creator database 101 storing the risk incurred when applying the creation method and the sales target quantity of the product, associated with each creator.

[0108] <Third variation> The above describes the case in which the total supply calculation unit 124 calculates the total supply based on one or more determination methods. However, not all creators will implement all of the determined determination methods, and for various reasons, the methods themselves or the scope of the determination methods may differ.

[0109] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the third modified example. The information processing device 1 according to the third modified example differs from the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 in that it is equipped with a performance acquisition unit 128, but is otherwise the same. Hereafter, parts common to the information processing device 1 according to the third modified example and the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0110] The performance acquisition unit 128 acquires the methods actually implemented as performance methods from each creator who has acquired a confirmed method. Specifically, the performance acquisition unit 128 acquires performance methods from creators by electronic means such as email, a dedicated application, or a web application, or by mail or other means using a dedicated application form completed by the creator.

[0111] The total supply calculation unit 124 calculates the total supply by subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions required to implement each of the actual methods, converted to carbon dioxide emissions, from the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions converted to carbon dioxide emissions resulting from implementing each actual method acquired by the actual method acquisition unit 128. This allows the total supply calculation unit 124 to calculate the total supply more accurately based on the actual methods that each producer has actually implemented.

[0112] <Fourth variation> The above describes a case where the creator database 101 stores each creator and the creation methods that they can implement in association with each other. Alternatively, the creator database 101 may store each creator and the area of ​​farmland available to them, the crops currently being planted, and the materials currently being used.

[0113] Figure 9 schematically shows the data structure of the creator database 101 according to the fourth modified example. As shown in Figure 9, the creator database 101 according to the fourth modified example stores an identifier assigned to each creator, along with the creator's location, the area of ​​farmland available to the creator, the crops currently planted, and the materials currently used. For example, from the example of the creator database 101 shown in Figure 8, it can be seen that the creator with identifier UID0001 is located in BB town, AA prefecture, has a farmland area of ​​EE [ha], plants tomatoes, does not use soil conditioners, uses chemical fertilizer A, and uses seedlings manufactured by company α.

[0114] The method assignment unit 121 in the fourth modified example refers to the creator database 101 to determine the crops that can be planted in the region based on the location of each creator, and calculates the range of planting (e.g., the number of seedlings) for each of the determined crops based on the available farmland area for each creator. As a result, the method assignment unit 121 can determine the creation methods and their ranges that each creator can implement, even if the creation methods that each creator can implement are not recorded in the creator database 101. Furthermore, the optimization unit 1210 can refer to the creator database 101 to reflect the creation methods that each creator has already implemented (e.g., soil conditioners, various fertilizers, etc.) in the creation method assignment. As a result, the optimization unit 1210 can improve the accuracy of the creation method assignment.

[0115] <Fifth variation> The above describes a case where the total supply calculation unit 124 calculates the total supply as the net reduction R (=PQ), which is obtained by subtracting the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions Q required to introduce the determination method from the reduction P obtained by introducing the determination method when greenhouse gases are converted to carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the total supply calculation unit 124 may use the greenhouse gas emissions B before introducing the determination method as the baseline, and use the carbon dioxide equivalent amount T (=RB=PQB), obtained by subtracting the baseline emissions B from the net reduction R, as the total supply. In this case, carbon credits will only be created if the greenhouse gas reduction effect from introducing the determination method exceeds the amount of greenhouse gases that were previously emitted. This can promote the introduction of determination methods that subtract greenhouse gas emissions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1. Information Processing Device 10...Storage section 100 Method Databases 101...Creator Database 102... Combined Database 11. Communications Department 12. Control Unit 120...Demand quantity acquisition section 121...Method Assignment Section 1210...Optimization Department 122... Request Creation Department 123... Deterministic method acquisition part 124...Total Supply Calculation Department 125... Demand Sufficiency Judgment Department 126...Demand Adjustment Department 127... Sales Department 128...Achievement Acquisition Department 2. Customer terminal 3...Storage device 4. Material manufacturers 5... slides S... Information Processing System

Claims

1. A demand acquisition unit that acquires the demand for carbon credits, A method allocation unit that allocates one or more carbon credit creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the aforementioned demand to one or more carbon credit creators, A request creation unit that creates requests for one or more carbon credit creators to implement one or more of the aforementioned creation methods, A notification unit that notifies the carbon credit creator of the aforementioned request for implementation, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The carbon credits created by the creation method assigned by the aforementioned method assignment unit are associated with the location where the carbon credits are created. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The carbon credits created by the creation method assigned by the aforementioned method assignment unit are further associated with at least one of the following: the crop planted to create the carbon credits, the yield of the crop, and the materials used. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A confirmed method acquisition unit that acquires one or more confirmed methods which are the creation methods and their scope decided to be implemented by one or more carbon credit creators, The system further comprises: a total supply calculation unit that calculates the total amount of carbon credits that can be created by one or more of the aforementioned determination methods, based on the determination methods; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The total supply calculation unit calculates the total supply by subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions required to implement the determination method, which have been converted to the emissions of the reference gas, from the reduction amount obtained by converting the greenhouse gas emissions obtained by implementing one or more of the determination methods to a reference gas, which is a predetermined greenhouse gas. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The total supply calculation unit calculates the total supply by subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions required to introduce the determining method, converted to the emissions of the reference gas, from the reduction amount obtained by converting the greenhouse gas emissions obtained by introducing one or more determining methods to a reference gas which is a predetermined greenhouse gas, and further subtracting the greenhouse gas emissions before introducing one or more determining methods, converted to the emissions of the reference gas. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

7. A demand fulfillment determination unit determines the relationship between the total supply amount calculated by the total supply amount calculation unit and the demand amount acquired by the demand amount acquisition unit, The system further includes a demand adjustment unit that, when the total supply is less than the demand, acquires one or more carbon credit sources so that the total supply is equal to or greater than the difference between the demand and the total supply. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

8. The aforementioned carbon credit creation methods include creation methods that result in tangible products, The demand quantity acquisition unit further acquires the purchase designation for the product, The method assignment unit assigns the creation methods to include creation methods that involve the production of the products for which the purchase designation has been made. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The aforementioned carbon credit creation methods include creation methods that result in tangible products, The information processing device further includes a database containing balance information for specifying the balance between the yield of products based on the production method involving the production of the products and the capacity to generate carbon credits, The method assignment unit is, The system includes an optimization unit that optimizes an objective function that includes the aforementioned balance information as a constraint, thereby assigning one or more of the aforementioned creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demanded amount to the carbon credit creator. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

10. The aforementioned database further stores information on combined creation methods, which indicates the conditions that should be imposed when using different creation methods in combination. The method assignment unit is, The system includes an optimization unit that optimizes an objective function that includes the information on the combination of the aforementioned creation methods as a constraint, thereby assigning one or more of the aforementioned creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the demanded amount to the carbon credit creator. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The system further includes a results sales unit that sells at least a portion of the results obtained through a creation method that produces tangible products to those who wish to purchase such results. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8.

12. The processor, Steps to obtain the demand for carbon credits, A step of allocating one or more carbon credit creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the aforementioned demand to one or more carbon credit creators, A step of creating one or more requests for carbon credit creators to implement one or more of the aforementioned creation methods, The steps include notifying the carbon credit creator of the aforementioned request for implementation, An information processing method that performs the following.

13. On the computer, The function to obtain the demand for carbon credits, A function to allocate one or more carbon credit creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the aforementioned demand to one or more carbon credit creators, A function to create requests for one or more carbon credit creators to implement one or more of the aforementioned creation methods, A function to notify the carbon credit creator of the aforementioned implementation request, A program that makes this possible.

14. An information processing system comprising a terminal used by carbon credit demanders and an information processing device connected to the terminal via a communication network, The aforementioned information processing device is A demand acquisition unit that acquires the demand for carbon credits from the aforementioned terminal, A method allocation unit that allocates one or more carbon credit creation methods required to create carbon credits equivalent to the aforementioned demand to one or more carbon credit creators, A request creation unit that creates requests for one or more carbon credit creators to implement one or more of the aforementioned creation methods, A notification unit that notifies the carbon credit creator of the aforementioned request for implementation, Information processing system.

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