Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This involves providing support to companies and their facilities in achieving targets for relatively difficult-to-quantify challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. [Solution] The service provider server 1 estimates the scale of additional reduction efforts required (such as the degree of GHG emission reduction of impactful elements) based on the current degree of achievement of the GHG emission reduction target set by the user, and the projected future achievement based on the current year-on-year reduction level. Based on the estimation results, it identifies elements such as corporations, locations, product groups, and scopes that are expected to have an impact on reduction, and provides the user with recommendation information including these elements and specific solutions for reducing GHG emissions.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been a global movement centered around listed companies called the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In order to comply with the TCFD, it is becoming obligatory to report after visualizing the carbon dioxide emissions for each company's base. Conventionally, there is a CO2 emission reduction technology that can measure carbon dioxide emissions and reduction amounts, visualize carbon dioxide reduction amounts, and provide incentives from a cost perspective (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, at present, regarding the calculated carbon dioxide reduction amount, targets have not been set for each company's base, and no consideration has been given to how to specifically reduce it.

[0005] <00​​​​​​​​​A registration means for registering the amount of activity for each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions, in association with one or more factors that change the amount of activity; A required reduction amount calculation means calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions that the user needs to reduce by a predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered by the registration means, A solution generation means that identifies the elements expected to have an impact on reducing the amount of reduction based on the calculation results of the required reduction calculation means, and generates a solution related to those elements, Solution presentation means for presenting recommendation information to the user, including the identified elements and the generated solution, It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to support companies and their facilities in achieving their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of one embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a service provider server in the information processing system. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the service provider server. [Figure 4] Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the service provider server. [Figure 5A] Figures 2 and 3 show the dashboard screen (by year) displayed on the user's My Page of the website, which is disclosed by the service provider's server. [Figure 5B]Figures 2 and 3 show the dashboard screen (by year) displayed on the user's My Page of the website, which is disclosed by the service provider's server. [Figure 6] Figures 2 and 3 show the dashboard screen displayed on the user's My Page of the website, which is disclosed by the service provider's server. [Figure 7] Figures 2 and 3 show the dashboard screen displayed on the user's My Page of the website, which is disclosed by the service provider's server. [Figure 8] Figures 2 and 3 show the database management screen of the user's My Page on the website, as disclosed by the service provider's server. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The information processing device of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of one embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention.

[0010] This service registers activity levels for each item used to calculate a user's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as CO2, as actual results, associated with one or more factors that change the activity levels (e.g., yearly / monthly, by company, by location, scope, or category). Based on the GHG emission reduction target set by the user and the registered actual results, the service calculates the degree of GHG emissions reduction efforts required by the specified deadline for the user. Based on these calculations, the system identifies elements that are expected to have an impact on reduction (resulting in emissions reductions exceeding a certain threshold), generates solutions for those elements, and presents users with recommendation information that includes the identified elements and the generated solutions.

[0011] The information processing system applicable to this service is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, by connecting a service provider server 1, user terminals 2-1 to 2-n (n is an arbitrary integer value), and a verification server 3 to a network N such as the Internet, respectively.

[0012] The service provider server 1 is an information processing device managed by the service provider of this service, and discloses a website to registered users. The service provider server 1 calculates, from the actual results (the degree of achievement at present and the expected achievement in the future when predicted based on the current reduction level compared to the previous year) for the GHG emission reduction target set by the user, the scale (such as the reduction degree of the element emissions with an impact) for which additional reduction efforts are required. Based on the calculation results, it identifies the corporations, bases, or product groups, Scopes, or categories that are expected to have an impact for reduction, and recommends them using AI together with specific solutions for reduction.

[0013] The user terminal 2 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone that accepts operations from the persons in charge of users (enterprises) who want to grasp the GHG emissions of their own company or its bases, etc., and users (enterprises) who desire to achieve the GHG emission reduction target. The user accesses the website of this service disclosed to the registered members from the user terminal 2, and registers the GHG emission reduction target amount and actual results, etc. until a specified period. Then, by requesting a recommendation for the scale for which additional reduction efforts are required, a recommendation for specific solutions for GHG emission reduction can be obtained.

[0014] In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the n users individually, the user terminals 2-1 to 2-n are collectively referred to as "user terminal 2".

[0015] That is, the user terminal 2 can execute a series of processes as follows, for example, as a process of obtaining a recommendation for GHG emission reduction while collaborating with the service provider server 1. Here, the method of "collaboration" is not particularly limited. For example, the user terminal 2 can adopt, as the method of "collaboration", a first method in which the user terminal 2 appropriately communicates with the service provider server 1 and has the service provider server 1 execute the main processing. Also, for example, the user terminal 2 can adopt, as the method of "collaboration", a second method in which the user terminal 2 downloads and installs in advance a dedicated application program (hereinafter simply referred to as "app") from the service provider server 1 or a device not shown under its management and executes it with the app. Alternatively, a method that appropriately combines the first method and the second method can also be adopted as the method of "collaboration". However, in the following examples, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the first method is adopted as the method of "collaboration". That is, in the following examples, the places where the operation subject of the processing is the "service provider server 1" are merely examples, and it is needless to say that it may be appropriately the "user terminal 2" at the time of implementation.

[0016] That is, in this example, the service provider server 1 executes a series of processes for presenting recommendation information in response to a request for a recommendation for achieving the GHG emission reduction target from the user, while appropriately communicating with the user terminal 2 and the verification server 3.

[0017] In addition, the verification server 3 connected to the service provider server 1 via the network N is also included in the information processing system. The verification server 3 is an information processing device managed by a third-party verification institution, such as a standardization institution, etc. By communicating with the service provider server 1, the verification server 3 executes a verification process (validity check) of the input value in response to a verification request for the input value from the service provider server 1 and returns a verification result as to whether the input value is valid or not.

[0018] In summary, the service provider server 1 calculates the degree of GHG emissions that users (companies, etc.) need to reduce by a predetermined deadline, such as by the end of the year, based on information registered by the user. Based on the calculation results, it identifies elements that are expected to have an impact on reducing GHG emissions and presents the user with recommendation information, including solutions related to those elements. In this way, it can support companies and their locations in achieving their goals, addressing challenges that are relatively difficult to quantify, such as reducing GHG emissions.

[0019] Thus, in this example, the service provider server 1 performs the main processing (the processing according to the first method described above), so we will focus on the service provider server 1 in the information processing system shown in Figure 1 and provide the following explanation.

[0020] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the server hardware configuration in the information processing system shown in Figure 1.

[0021] The service provider server 1 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0022] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 12 or the program loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. RAM13 also stores data and other information necessary for the CPU11 to perform various processes.

[0023] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0024] The output unit 16 consists of a display such as an LCD, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, and outputs various types of information. The memory unit 18 is composed of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and stores various types of data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices (for example, the user terminal 2 and verification server 3 in Figure 1) via a network N, including the Internet.

[0025] A removable media 30, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, is appropriately mounted in the drive 20. Programs read from the removable media 30 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as needed. Furthermore, the removable media 30 can store various types of data stored in the storage unit 18, just as the storage unit 18 does.

[0026] Although not shown in the diagram, the user terminal 2 and verification server 3 in Figure 1 can have essentially the same hardware configuration as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, the explanation of the hardware configuration of user terminal 2 and verification server 3 will be omitted.

[0027] Through the collaboration of various hardware and software components of the service provider server 1 shown in Figure 2, it becomes possible to execute a series of processes that present recommendations in response to user requests for recommendations to achieve GHG emission reduction targets. The following describes an example of the functional configuration of the service provider server 1 for performing such processing.

[0028] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the service provider server in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 18 of the service provider server 1 stores the database 121 (hereinafter referred to as "DB121").

[0029] DB121 stores data for each item used to calculate a user's GHG emissions, with the activity level associated with one or more factors that affect that activity level (e.g., yearly / monthly, by company, by location, scope, category, etc.). Furthermore, DB121 stores information about registered users (company name, location name, contact person, login information such as login ID and password, contact information, etc.). Furthermore, DB121 allows one or more member users (companies) to register their own unique unit cost databases as customized databases, and the contents of these customized databases are disclosed to others according to the requests of each member user (companie). Furthermore, to ensure the legitimacy of the information registered by each member user (company) and the unique unit cost database registered in the customized database, verification can be performed by a third-party verification organization (e.g., a standardization organization) at the request of each member user (company). In addition, the unique unit cost database registered in the customized database may be disclosed according to the user's authority level.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, in the CPU 11 of the service provider server 1, the site management unit 50 functions when the website is published. The site management unit 50 includes a registration unit 61, a required reduction amount calculation unit 62, a solution generation unit 63, a solution presentation unit 64, a registration content presentation unit 65, and a unit cost disclosure unit 66, etc.

[0031] The registration unit 61 registers the activity level for each item used to calculate the user's GHG emissions, associating it with one or more factors that change the activity level (for example, by year / month, by corporation, by location, scope, or category). Specifically, the registration unit 61 receives the activity amount for each item used to calculate GHG emissions transmitted from the user terminal 2, and registers the activity amount for each item in DB 121, associating it with one or more factors that change the activity amount (for example, by year / month, by corporation, by location, scope, or category). Furthermore, the registration unit 61 registers multiple items and the unit values ​​used for each of those items as part of the initial registration.

[0032] The required reduction calculation unit 62 calculates the degree (percentage or ratio) of the user's GHG emissions that need to be reduced by a predetermined deadline (for example, the end of this year) based on the GHG emission reduction target amount set by the user (for example, the end of this year) and the information registered by the registration unit 61. Specifically, the required reduction calculation unit 62 calculates the degree of GHG emissions that users need to reduce by the end of the year, based on the GHG emission reduction target amount set by the user in DB121 (for example, the end of this year) and the content of the elements registered in DB121 by the registration unit 61 (for example, by year / month, by corporation, by location, activity level in scope and category, etc.). Here, the required reduction amount calculation unit 62 calculates the GHG emissions for a predetermined item by multiplying the activity amount for that predetermined item, which has been registered in DB121 by the registration unit 61, by the unit intensity for that predetermined item, which has also been registered in DB121 by the registration unit 61. In other words, the GHG emissions for a predetermined item are calculated by multiplying the activity amount for that predetermined item, as registered by the registration unit 61, by the unit cost for that predetermined item, as registered by the registration unit 61.

[0033] The solution generation unit 63 identifies elements that are expected to have an impact on reducing emissions (i.e., have an emission reduction effect exceeding a predetermined threshold) based on the calculation results of the required reduction amount calculation unit 62, and generates solutions related to those elements. Specifically, the solution generation unit 63 has AI and, based on the degree of additional reduction (an additional XX tons or XX percent reduction) obtained as a result of the required reduction amount calculation unit 62, identifies elements that are expected to have an emission reduction effect exceeding a preset threshold, and generates a solution for those elements. For example, if a user is a company that procures electricity from a power company and uses it to manufacture goods, the element that has the greatest impact on reducing GHG emissions is "electricity," and solutions such as "switching from a thermal power plant electricity plan to a renewable energy electricity plan" are generated.

[0034] The solution presentation unit 64 presents the user with recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution. Specifically, the solution presentation unit 64 displays recommendation information, including the elements identified by the solution generation unit 63 and the generated solution, on the screen of the requesting user's terminal 2.

[0035] Here are some examples of how recommendation information can be presented. Example 1) "By switching to a renewable energy electricity plan, it is possible to reduce overall GHG emissions by 15% by effectively making Scope 2 emissions zero." "If you choose the renewable energy electricity plan offered by XX Electric Power Company, you can implement it at a total unit price of 18.0 yen / kWh." → Press the "Consult" button. The following will be displayed on the screen of user terminal 2. Example 2) "By switching the raw materials (e.g., wheat flour) purchased at the XX factory from overseas to domestically produced, a significant reduction in GHG emissions in Scope 3 Category 4 procurement logistics can be expected." → Click the "Consult with domestic raw material manufacturers" button. This is then displayed on the screen of user terminal 2.

[0036] The registration content presentation unit 65 visualizes (graphs, etc.) the content registered by the registration unit 61 (unit cost for each element (item), activity level, etc.) and presents it to the user. Specifically, the registration content presentation unit 65 visualizes the content registered in DB 121 by the registration unit 61 (such as the distribution of each item relative to GHG emissions for the entire company and each of its locations) in the form of a pie chart or table, and presents it to the user's terminal 2. This allows companies and their facilities to visualize relatively difficult-to-quantify challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in a way that is tailored to each company, making it easy to see at a glance which elements account for the largest proportions, thus enabling support for achieving their goals.

[0037] The unit intensity disclosure unit 66 discloses to other users (the general public) the unit intensity used to calculate the user's GHG emissions, which has been registered by the registration unit 61. Specifically, when an element is specified by another user accessing the website, the unit cost disclosure unit 66 discloses the unit cost corresponding to that element to the other user (general public). The unit cost disclosure unit 66 can disclose reliable unit costs by disclosing each user's unique DB (unit costs for each item) that has been verified and guaranteed by a verification server 3 of a designated third-party organization, such as a standardization organization.

[0038] Next, the operation of the service provider server in the embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the service provider server in Figures 2 and 3.

[0039] When a user registers a custom database on the user's My Page on the website or through the application on user terminal 2, the service provider server 1 executes the process of registering the user's custom database in DB 121. Specifically, in step S101 of Figure 4, the registration unit 61 of the service provider server 1 registers the activity amount in DB 121 for each item used to calculate the user's GHG emissions, associating it with one or more factors that change the activity amount.

[0040] Next, when the user requests a solution to achieve a GHG emission reduction target by a predetermined deadline through an operation of the user terminal 2, the required reduction amount calculation unit 62 calculates the degree of GHG emissions that the user needs to reduce by the predetermined deadline, based on the GHG emission reduction target amount set by the user by the predetermined deadline and the information registered in DB 121 by the registration unit 61, in step S102.

[0041] After calculating the degree, in step S103, the solution generation unit 63 identifies elements that are expected to have an impact on reduction based on the calculation results in the required reduction amount calculation step of step S102, and generates a solution related to those elements.

[0042] After generating the solution, in step S104, the solution presentation unit 64 presents the user with recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution.

[0043] In this way, by registering the activity level for each item in association with one or more factors that change that activity level, and based on the registered information and the GHG emission reduction target set by the user in advance by a predetermined deadline, the degree of GHG emissions that the user needs to reduce by the predetermined deadline is calculated, factors that are expected to have an impact on reduction are identified, and recommendation information including those factors and their solutions is presented to the user, thereby supporting companies and their locations in achieving their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

[0044] Here, the service provider server 1 of the embodiment is equipped with, [1] Recommendation function for greenhouse gas emission reduction solutions, [2] Construction and quality assurance of the master database, public release, generalization of the database disclosure function, I will explain this. First, we will explain the recommendation function for GHG emission reduction solutions. This recommendation feature allows users to request data on their GHG emissions, and based on that data, the dashboard visualizes emissions by element (yearly / monthly, by company, by location, scope, and category). The recommendation function uses AI to estimate the scale of additional reduction efforts needed (e.g., a further reduction of XX tons or XX% from the current GHG emission reduction amount) based on the current level of achievement of the user's set GHG emission reduction target and the projected future achievement based on the current year-on-year reduction level. The recommendation function then identifies elements (such as corporations, locations, product groups, scopes, or categories) that are expected to have an impact (a reduction effect exceeding a predetermined value) on reducing GHG emissions based on the calculation results. The AI ​​then generates recommendation information that includes these elements and specific solutions for reducing GHG emissions, and presents it to the requesting user.

[0045] Here, I will explain an example of a recommendation. "By switching to a renewable energy electricity plan, it is possible to reduce overall GHG emissions by 15% by effectively making Scope 2 emissions zero." "If you choose the renewable energy electricity plan offered by XX Electric Power Company, you can implement it at a total unit price of 18.0 yen / kWh." → Click the "Consult" button. "By switching the raw materials (e.g., wheat flour) sourced at the XX factory from overseas to domestically produced, we expect to significantly reduce GHG emissions in Scope 3 Category 4 procurement logistics." → Click the "Consult with domestic raw material manufacturers" button.

[0046] Next, we will explain [2] the construction and quality assurance of the master database, public release, and general-purpose database disclosure functions. In this case, GHG emissions are calculated as "activity level" × "intensity level". If "activity levels" do not decrease, the only way to reduce GHG emissions is to lower the "intensity" of emissions. If "unit intensity" is based on values ​​from standard databases such as the "Emission Intensity Database for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Organizations Through the Supply Chain," which is updated and published annually by public institutions such as the Ministry of the Environment, or the "LCI Database IDEA" published by the Sustainable Management Promotion Organization (SuMPO), then self-help efforts and supplier reduction efforts will not be reflected, and Scope 3 emissions will not be effectively reduced.

[0047] Therefore, suppliers are required to disclose their own "unit costs," and several companies are preparing to disclose the "unit costs" of their products. The service provider server 1 is equipped with an interface (such as the customized DB management screen 310 in Figure 16) that allows each user company's unique unit cost database to be registered as a "customized DB" in the system (DB121 of the service provider server 1). The registered contents (such as the numerical values ​​and units of the unit costs) registered in the "customized DB" can be freely referenced when registering data. In the future, as each user company will refer to its own proprietary unit cost database for each supplier, a system will be needed to centrally manage these proprietary unit cost databases and allow them to be accessed across companies and industries. On the other hand, if the quality of the proprietary unit cost databases created independently by each user company is poor, many companies will be affected by that quality when they refer to those proprietary unit cost databases.

[0048] Therefore, when disclosing each company's proprietary unit cost database to the public, this website can disclose it only after verifying the legitimacy of the proprietary unit cost database by collaborating with a third-party standardization organization's verification server 3 and guaranteeing the content of the proprietary unit cost database. The guaranteed, proprietary unit cost databases of each user company will be integrated and managed in DB121 (master database) on service provider server 1, making them widely available. This will significantly improve the efficiency of operations related to the visualization of GHG emissions, further promote visibility both domestically and internationally, and provide momentum for GHG emission reductions. Furthermore, by registering each company's unique unit cost database in the master database, it can be used to recommend solutions in [1]. (For example, it will be possible to say things like, "Compared to Company A's Product X, a similar Product Y from Company B, which has equivalent functionality and price, can significantly reduce GHG emissions.")

[0049] The functions of the service provider server will be explained below using the screens shown in Figures 5 through 8 as examples. First, let's explain the dashboard screen. Figures 5 through 8 show examples of dashboard screens displayed on a user's My Page on a website disclosed by the service provider server shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0050] The dashboard screens shown in Figures 5A and 5B represent the dashboard screens 200 (by year) displayed on the user's My Page of the website disclosed by the service provider server shown in Figures 2 and 3. Dashboard screen 200 includes visualization areas for different time periods and visualization areas for different categories. The visualization area for each period contains dropdown menus for organizational category, company name, business name, location, etc. When the user (company representative) selects from each dropdown menu, GHG emissions are displayed on user terminal 2, color-coded by period and scope (category), as bar graphs, pie charts, and numerical values. The category-specific visualization area includes a dropdown menu for specifying a period by year or month, and displays GHG emissions for each Scope within the specified period as a bar graph and numerical values.

[0051] Scope 1 represents direct GHG gas emissions by the business operator itself. Scope 2 represents indirect emissions from the use of energy supplied by other companies. Scope 3 is a concept that has been added in recent years, indicating the extent to which GHG gases are emitted by suppliers. It is divided into 15 categories, and the disclosure of GHG emissions for each category is increasing.

[0052] The 15 specific items include: "Purchased Products and Services," "Capital Goods," "Fuel and Energy-Related Activities," "Transportation and Delivery to Our Company," "Waste Generated from Our Business," "Business Trips," "Employee Commuting," "Leased Assets," "Transportation and Delivery to Other Companies," "Processing of Products Sold," "Use of Products Sold," "Disposal of Products Sold," "Leased Assets," "Franchise," and "Investments."

[0053] On Dashboard Screen 200, when a user selects an item such as "Purchased Products and Services" from the Scope 3 items in the category-specific visualization area, the right-hand area of ​​Dashboard Screen 200 displays the category, total emissions, year-on-year change, comparison with all locations, and the items with the highest emissions, both numerically and as a percentage (%). In this example, the total emissions are 4,234 t-CO2, a 12% increase compared to the previous year, and a 28% increase compared to all sites. The top five items with the highest emissions are listed, for example, iron 3,524 t-CO2 (40%), magnesium 2,202 t-CO2 (25%), special steel 1,586 t-CO2 (18%), polyethylene 810 t-CO2 (10%), epoxy resin 57 t-CO2 (7%), etc.

[0054] For example, if a user moves the cursor to one of the top five elements using the mouse, a pop-up bubble 201 containing recommendation information will appear at the corresponding position in the element's field.

[0055] By viewing this dashboard screen 200, users (company representatives) can quickly understand which elements account for the largest GHG emissions and what percentage they represent of the total. Furthermore, by viewing the recommendation information displayed in the 201 pop-up bubbles, users (company representatives) can gain insights and hints on the direction and methods for achieving their goals as a company.

[0056] The dashboard screen 210 shown in Figure 6 is a screen that presents emissions by location to the user, and displays a list of the user's (company's) locations, along with dropdown menus for scope (select one of Scope 1, 2, or 3), display (select one of monthly or yearly), and period (for example, select year and year / month). The list of locations displays information separated into the main company and subsidiaries, based on items such as organizational type, corporate name, business name, emissions, and ratio to all locations, allowing users to understand their company's GHG emissions by location.

[0057] In this dashboard screen example 210, by specifying the scope (Scope1), display (monthly), and period (e.g., March 2021) in the pull-down menu, the GHG emissions of the parent company and its subsidiaries, as well as their percentage relative to the total number of sites, are displayed on user terminal 2. This allows the user's representative to understand at a glance the proportion of GHG emissions from each site within their company (which sites have high emissions, which sites have low emissions, etc.).

[0058] The dashboard screen 220 shown in Figure 7 displays detailed emissions information for each site. For example, for the elements "1. Products and services purchased" and "Iron (excluding high-alloy steel)" under "Scope 3," the screen displays site-specific information (GHG emissions and ratio to all sites) for the display period (monthly, March 2021) selected from the display and period dropdown menus. This allows the user's representative to understand at a glance the proportion of GHG emissions for each site regarding the element "Iron (excluding high-alloy steel)" within their company (which sites have high emissions, which sites have low emissions, etc.).

[0059] Next, we will explain the customized DB screen with reference to Figure 8. The customizable DB management screen 310 shown in Figure 8 allows you to create a database that consolidates your own unit consumption data, such as IDEA and CFPDB. The management details include item name, activity level (unit), unit cost (numerical value), unit cost (unit), and source.

[0060] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and any modifications, improvements, etc. that can achieve the objectives of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0061] In the embodiments described above, carbon dioxide (CO2) was given as an example of a greenhouse gas (GHG), but other greenhouse gases may also be used; any greenhouse gas will suffice.

[0062] In the embodiments described above, examples of elements were explained such as yearly / monthly, corporate, location, scope, and category, but other elements are also acceptable, as long as there is one or more elements that change the amount of activity. Furthermore, although both reduction solution recommendations and unit cost database authentication and disclosure were described in the embodiments described above, it is sufficient to implement either one of them.

[0063] For example, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the functional configuration shown in Figure 3 is merely illustrative and not particularly limiting. In other words, it is sufficient for the information processing device to be equipped with a function that can execute the series of processes described above as a whole, and the type of functional blocks and databases used to realize this function are not particularly limited to the example in Figure 3. Furthermore, the location of the functional blocks and databases is not particularly limited to Figure 3 and can be arbitrary. For example, at least some of the functional blocks and databases necessary for executing various processes may be transferred to user terminal 2 or verification server 3, etc. Conversely, the functional blocks and databases of user terminal 2 or verification server 3 may be transferred to service provider server 1, etc. Furthermore, a single functional block and database may consist of hardware alone, software alone, or a combination of both.

[0064] When a series of processes are executed by software, the programs that make up that software are installed on a computer or other device from a network or storage medium. The computer may be a computer that is built into dedicated hardware. Furthermore, a computer can be any computer capable of performing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0065] Such recording media containing programs may consist not only of removable media (not shown) distributed separately from the main unit to provide programs to users, but also of recording media provided to users, etc., that are pre-installed in the main unit.

[0066] In this specification, the step of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes that are performed chronologically in that order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically, but are executed in parallel or individually. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall system composed of multiple devices, means, etc.

[0067] In other words, the information processing device to which the present invention applies only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various forms. In other words, the information processing device to which the present invention is applied (for example, the service provider server 1 in Figure 3) is: A registration means (e.g., registration unit 61 in Figure 3) that registers the amount of activity for each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions), in association with one or more factors that change the amount of activity (e.g., yearly / monthly, by corporation, by location, scope, or category), A required reduction amount calculation means (for example, the required reduction amount calculation unit 62 in Figure 3) calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) that the user needs to reduce by a predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission (GHG emission) reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered by the registration means, Based on the calculation results of the required reduction amount calculation means (for example, the required reduction amount calculation unit 62 in Figure 3), a solution generation means (for example, the solution generation unit 63 in Figure 3) identifies the elements that are expected to have an impact on reduction (resulting in an emission reduction effect of a certain value or more) and generates a solution related to those elements, A solution presentation means (for example, the solution presentation unit 64 in Figure 3) presents recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution to the user, It is equipped with. In this way, by presenting users with recommendation information that includes elements and generated solutions, it is possible to support companies and their locations in achieving their goals, even for challenges that are relatively difficult to quantify, such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

[0068] In the above-mentioned information processing device (for example, the service provider server 1 in Figure 3), A registration content presentation means (for example, a registration content presentation unit 65 in Figure 3) visualizes the content registered by the registration means (for example, a registration unit 61 in Figure 3) and presents it to the user. To further prepare. This allows companies and their facilities to visualize relatively difficult-to-quantify challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in a way that is appropriate for each company, and to provide support for achieving those goals.

[0069] The required reduction calculation means (for example, the required reduction calculation unit 62 in Figure 3) further calculates, based on the contents registered by the registration means, the current degree of achievement of the user's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) and the likelihood of achieving the user's future greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) reduction target if the current year-on-year reduction level is used as a basis for prediction. Based on these calculation results and the greenhouse gas emission (GHG emission) reduction targets, the degree to which the user's greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by the predetermined deadline can be calculated.

[0070] The registration means (for example, the registration unit 61 in Figure 3) can further register the multiple items and the units used for each of the multiple items as initial registration.

[0071] The greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) for a predetermined item are calculated by multiplying the activity amount for the predetermined item, which is registered by the registration means (for example, the registration unit 61 in Figure 3), by the unit cost for the predetermined item, which is also registered by the registration means (for example, the registration unit 61 in Figure 3).

[0072] Disclosure means (e.g., unit intensity disclosure unit 66 in Figure 3) for disclosing to other users the unit intensity used to calculate the user's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) that has been registered by the registration means (e.g., registration unit 61 in Figure 3), It can provide even more.

[0073] The aforementioned disclosure means (for example, the unit cost disclosure section 66 in Figure 3) discloses the unit costs that have been verified for legitimacy and guaranteed by a designated third-party organization (verification server 3 of a standardization organization, etc., in Figure 3). This allows for the disclosure of reliable unit consumption figures. Note that while the above example guarantees each unit cost, the guarantee may also apply to units in a user-specific database where multiple units costs are registered.

[0074] In the information processing method executed by the information processing device (service provider server 1 in Figure 3), For each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions), a registration step (such as step S101 in Figure 4) is performed to register the activity level in association with one or more factors that change that activity level. A required reduction calculation step (such as step S102 in Figure 4) calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions that the user needs to reduce by the predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered in the registration step, Based on the calculation results in the required reduction amount calculation step, a solution generation step (such as step S103 in Figure 4) is performed to identify the elements that are expected to have an impact on the reduction and to generate solutions related to those elements. A solution presentation step (such as step S104 in Figure 4) presents the user with recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution, It can include...

[0075] The program is On the computer, For each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions), a registration step (such as step S101 in Figure 4) is performed to register the activity level in association with one or more factors that change that activity level. A required reduction calculation step (such as step S102 in Figure 4) calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) that the user needs to reduce by the predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission (GHG emission) reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered in the registration step, Based on the calculation results in the required reduction amount calculation step, a solution generation step (such as step S103 in Figure 4) is performed to identify the elements that are expected to have an impact on the reduction and to generate solutions related to those elements. A solution presentation step (such as step S103 in Figure 4) presents the user with recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution, It is possible to execute control processing that includes this process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1...Service provider server, 2, 2-a to 2-n...User terminal, 3...Verification server, 11...CPU, 12...ROM, 18...Storage unit, 19...Communication unit, 50...Site management unit, 61...Registration unit, 62...Required reduction amount calculation unit, 63...Solution generation unit, 64...Solution presentation unit, 65...Registration content presentation unit, 66...Unit cost disclosure unit, 121...DB

Claims

1. A registration means for registering the amount of activity for each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions, in association with one or more factors that change the amount of activity; A required reduction amount calculation means calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions that the user needs to reduce by a predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered by the registration means, A solution generation means identifies the elements that are expected to have an impact on reducing the amount of reduction based on the calculation results of the required reduction amount calculation means, and generates a solution related to those elements. Solution presentation means for presenting recommendation information to the user, including the identified elements and the generated solution, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. A registration content presentation means that visualizes the content registered by the registration means and presents it to the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The required reduction calculation means further calculates, based on the content registered by the registration means, the current degree of achievement of the user's GHG emissions and the likelihood of the user achieving the greenhouse gas reduction target in the future, assuming the current year-on-year reduction level. Based on those calculation results and the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, the degree to which the user's greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by the predetermined deadline is calculated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The registration means further registers the plurality of items and the unit consumption used for each of the plurality of items. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The greenhouse gas emissions for a predetermined item are calculated by multiplying the activity amount for the predetermined item, registered by the registration means, by the unit cost for the predetermined item, registered by the registration means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Disclosure means for disclosing to other users the unit cost used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions, which has been registered by the registration means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

7. The aforementioned disclosure means discloses the aforementioned unit consumption that has been verified and guaranteed by a designated third-party organization. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. In an information processing method executed by an information processing device, A registration step in which, for each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions, the activity level is registered in association with one or more factors that change that activity level, A required reduction calculation step calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions that the user needs to reduce by the predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered in the registration step. A solution generation step involves identifying the elements that are expected to have an impact on reducing the amount of reduction based on the calculation results in the required reduction calculation step, and generating a solution related to those elements. A solution presentation step that presents the user with recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution, Information processing methods including

9. On the computer, A registration step in which, for each item used in calculating the user's greenhouse gas emissions, the activity level is registered in association with one or more factors that change that activity level, A required reduction calculation step calculates the degree of greenhouse gas emissions that the user needs to reduce by the predetermined deadline, based on the greenhouse gas emission reduction target amount set by the user and the information registered in the registration step. A solution generation step involves identifying the elements that are expected to have an impact on reducing the amount of reduction based on the calculation results in the required reduction calculation step, and generating a solution related to those elements. A solution presentation step that presents the user with recommendation information including the identified elements and the generated solution, A program that executes control processes, including those mentioned above.

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