Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To secure traceability of a carbon footprint, even in a case in which registration of carbon footprint information on transportation is delayed.SOLUTION: A control part of an information processor accepts registration of carbon footprint information on a carbon footprint related to transportation of products of each company included in a supply chain. The control part of the information processor calculates an estimated value of the carbon footprint for a company that has not been completed to register the carbon footprint information, among companies included in the supply chain, on the basis of a previously stored reference value, at a predetermined timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an environmental load data management device that manages environmental load information, which is information on the impact that equipment has on the environment. The environmental load data management device disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives from equipment information about multiple products manufactured by the equipment and environmental load information indicating energy information used when processing the products. Based on the received information, the environmental load data management device then determines the proportion of environmental load data generated by using the equipment that is contributed by the products. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-113512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to ensure carbon footprint traceability even in cases where registration of carbon footprint information related to transportation is delayed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: Accepting registration of carbon footprint information regarding the carbon footprint of the transportation of products from each company in the supply chain; At a predetermined timing, calculate an estimated carbon footprint value for each company included in the supply chain that has not yet completed registration of the carbon footprint information based on a pre-stored reference value; The controller is configured to:

[0006] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Accepting registration of carbon footprint information regarding the carbon footprint of the transportation of products from each company in the supply chain; At a predetermined timing, calculate an estimated carbon footprint value for each company included in the supply chain that has not yet completed registration of the carbon footprint information based on a pre-stored reference value; Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure makes it possible to ensure traceability of carbon footprints even in cases where registration of carbon footprint information related to transportation is delayed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between products supplied through a supply chain. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of product information held in the product information database. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of reference value information held in the reference value information database. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit of the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Ensuring carbon footprint traceability in a supply chain requires collecting carbon footprint information throughout the entire supply chain. However, calculating the carbon footprint of a company's product transportation requires inputting many items, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, because multiple companies are involved in a supply chain, the registration of carbon footprint information related to product transportation may not proceed smoothly. For these reasons, if some companies experience delays in the provision of carbon footprint information related to product transportation, it may become impossible to calculate the carbon footprint in the supply chain. This may make it difficult to ensure carbon footprint traceability in the supply chain. The information processing device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure solves such problems.

[0010] A control unit of an information processing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure accepts registration of carbon footprint information relating to the carbon footprint of products transported by each company in a supply chain. Then, at a predetermined timing, the control unit of the information processing device calculates estimated carbon footprint values ​​for companies in the supply chain that have not completed registration of their carbon footprint information, based on pre-stored reference values.

[0011] As described above, the information processing device calculates, at a predetermined timing, estimated carbon footprint values ​​for companies that have not completed registering their carbon footprint information, based on reference values. This allows for the calculation of the carbon footprint related to transportation by a company, even if the company in the supply chain is behind in registering its carbon footprint information, using the estimated carbon footprint value for that company. As a result, it is possible to ensure the traceability of carbon footprints in the supply chain.

[0012] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those configurations.

[0013] <Embodiment> (System Overview) An information processing system 1 in the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 is configured to include a plurality of corporate terminals 100 and a server 200. In the information processing system 1, the corporate terminals 100 and the server 200 are connected to each other via a network. The network may be, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet.

[0014] First, the structure of the supply chain will be described. The supply chain in this embodiment is configured to include an OEM company and multiple supplier companies. The OEM company is a company that assembles the final product. In addition, multiple supplier companies (Companies A, B, and C) are companies that supply parts, materials, or assemblies to manufacture final products. Multiple supplier companies each produce multiple products and deliver them to companies one level below them. Multiple companies repeat this process until the final product is assembled.

[0015] In this embodiment, the final product X is a battery. The final product X is, for example, a battery to be mounted on a vehicle. The battery mounted on a vehicle supplies electricity to a motor that drives the vehicle. The battery mounted on a vehicle may also be a battery used as an auxiliary battery. The final product X may also be, for example, a stationary storage battery.

[0016] In this embodiment, the side that delivers products in a certain hierarchy is referred to as the upstream side, and the side that purchases the products and produces new products is referred to as the downstream side. In this specification, a company located on the upstream side is referred to as an upstream company, and a company located on the downstream side is referred to as a downstream company. Furthermore, products produced by upstream companies are referred to as upstream products, and products produced by downstream companies are referred to as downstream products. Downstream products include upstream products.

[0017] In this specification, the layers in a supply chain are referred to as tiers. Tier 0 is the lowest layer (corresponding to OEM companies) that assembles final products, and as you progress through Tiers 1, 2, and 3, you move upstream. Depending on the layer you are focusing on, a downstream company may also be an upstream company. For example, Company B, which is located in Tier 2, is a downstream company in relation to Tier 3, but an upstream company in relation to Tier 1. In this way, the definition of upstream and downstream companies can change depending on the layer.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationships between products supplied by a supply chain. In FIG. 2, the supply relationships between multiple products that make up final product X are shown in a tree diagram. In the example shown in FIG. 2, final product X is produced by assembling products A1, B1, C1, and D1. Furthermore, product A1 is produced by assembling products A11, A12, and A13. In this way, the relationships between the multiple products that make up final product X can be represented by a tree diagram in which each product is a node.

[0019] In the example shown in FIG. 2, company A, which is located in Tier 1, produces products A1, B1, C1, and D1 and delivers them to an OEM company located in Tier 0. Also in the example shown in FIG. 2, company B, which is located in Tier 2, produces products A11, A12, and A13 and delivers them to company A, which is located in Tier 1. Also in the example shown in FIG. 2, company C, which is located in Tier 3, produces products A111, A121, A122, and A123 and delivers them to company B, which is located in Tier 2. Note that multiple companies may be located in each tier, and the products produced by each company may be delivered to an upstream company (a company one tier lower).

[0020] Here, when company A delivers products A1, B1, C1, and D1 to the OEM company, transportation occurs from company A's factory to the OEM company's factory. When company B delivers products A11, A12, and A13 to company A, transportation occurs from company B's factory to company A's factory. When company C delivers products A111, A121, A122, and A123 to company B, transportation occurs from company C's factory to company B's factory. In this way, products produced by each company are transported in the supply chain. At this time, greenhouse gases are emitted when each company transports its products.

[0021] (corporate terminal) The company terminal 100 accepts input of information about the company's products (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "product information"). The product information is information that indicates the delivery status of the company's products. The company terminal 100 specifies the companies (delivery destination companies) to which the company's products are delivered as product information. The system accepts input of information including an identifier (delivery destination company ID) for identifying the product to be delivered to the delivery destination company, and an identifier (product ID) for identifying the product to be delivered to the delivery destination company.

[0022] Furthermore, company terminal 100 accepts input of information on fuel consumption, loading rate, and emission intensity when a company transports the product (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "CFP information") as product information. The information indicating fuel consumption, loading rate, and emission intensity contained in the CFP information is information indicating fuel consumption, loading rate, and emission intensity over a predetermined period. Note that the product information may be information in which some or all of the information indicating fuel consumption, loading rate, and emission intensity contained in the CFP information is not input. Company terminal 100 transmits the product information including the CFP information to server 200 via the network. In this way, each company registers product information and CFP information with server 200.

[0023] (server) Server 200 is a server that manages product supply relationships in a supply chain. Server 200 receives product information from each company. Based on the product information received from each company, server 200 understands the supply relationships of multiple products that make up final product X shown in FIG. 2. Server 200 also monitors the carbon footprint of product transportation by each company based on the product information received from each company.

[0024] Server 200 requests each company to transmit product information (CFP information) in order to ensure traceability of carbon footprints in the supply chain. Information requesting each company to transmit product information (CFP information) is transmitted to each company's company terminal 100 via the network. The information requesting each company to transmit product information (CFP information) includes a deadline for transmitting the product information.

[0025] Then, based on the received product information (CFP information), server 200 calculates the carbon footprint (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "carbon footprint") of the product transportation in the supply chain. Here, in order for server 200 to manage greenhouse gas emissions related to product transportation in the supply chain, it is necessary to collect CFP information of multiple companies included in the supply chain.

[0026] On the other hand, creating CFP information requires inputting many items into the company terminal 100, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, since multiple companies are involved in a supply chain, the registration of CFP information may not proceed smoothly. In this case, if the CFP information is delayed at some companies, the server 200 will be unable to calculate the carbon footprint in the supply chain. This may make it difficult to ensure the traceability of carbon footprints in the supply chain.

[0027] Therefore, the server 200 calculates the estimated carbon footprint of companies included in the supply chain that have not completed registration of CFP information based on pre-stored reference values. The method by which the server 200 calculates the estimated carbon footprint will be described in detail later.

[0028] The server 200 is configured to include a computer having a processor 210, a main memory 220, an auxiliary memory 230, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 240. The processor 210 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main memory 220 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary memory 230 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 230 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. The auxiliary storage unit 230 may also be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Examples of removable media include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 240 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0029] In the server 200, the auxiliary storage unit 230 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, and the like. In addition, in the server 200, the processor 210 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 230 into the main storage unit 220 and executes them, thereby realizing various functions as described below. However, some or all of the functions of the server 200 may be realized by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs. Note that the server 200 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be configured by multiple computers working together.

[0030] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the server 200 that constitutes the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 5. Fig. 3 is a block diagram that schematically shows an example of the functional configuration of the server 200. The server 200 is configured to include a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, a product information database 203 (product information DB203), and a reference value information database 204 (reference value information DB204).

[0031] The control unit 201 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the server 200. The control unit 201 can be realized by the processor 210 in the server 200. The communication unit 202 has a function of connecting the server 200 to the network N1. The communication unit 202 can be realized by the communication I / F 240 in the server 200.

[0032] The control unit 201 receives product information from the company terminal 100 associated with each company via the communication unit 202. The control unit 201 stores the product information received from the company terminal 100 in the product information DB 203. The product information DB 203 has a function of holding the product information received from each company terminal 100. The product information DB 203 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the server 200.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of product information held in product information DB 203. As shown in Fig. 4, the product information held in product information DB 203 has a company ID field, a product ID field, a delivery company ID field, a fuel consumption amount field, an emission intensity field, and a loading ratio field.

[0034] The company ID field stores an identifier (company ID) for identifying the company that sent the product information. The product ID field stores a product ID for identifying the product of the company corresponding to the company ID stored in the company ID field. The delivery company ID field stores the company ID (delivery company ID) of the company that delivers the product corresponding to the product ID stored in the product ID field.

[0035] The fuel usage field stores information indicating the amount of fuel used by delivery vehicles, etc. when transporting products to customer companies. The emission intensity field stores information indicating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per activity amount. The emission intensity is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions when a unit amount of fuel is used. The loading ratio field stores information indicating the loading ratio when products are transported to customer companies. Here, the fuel usage field, emission intensity field, and The fuel consumption, emission intensity, and loading rate fields store information indicating the fuel consumption, emission intensity, and loading rate when a company actually transports products during a specified period.

[0036] Additionally, there are cases where a company has not registered all or part of its CFP information. In other words, there are cases where a company has not registered at least one of the following information: fuel consumption, loading rate, and emission intensity. In other words, the CFP information included in the product information may not include some information (information indicating at least one of fuel consumption, loading rate, and emission intensity). In such cases, "---" is entered in the fuel consumption field, loading rate field, and emission intensity field corresponding to the item for which information is not included in the CFP information.

[0037] The reference value information DB204 has a function of storing reference value information. The reference value information is information about reference values ​​for calculating estimated carbon footprint values. The reference value information DB204 can be realized by the auxiliary storage unit 230 in the server 200. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table configuration of reference value information stored in the reference value information DB204. As shown in FIG. 5, the reference value information has a company ID field, a shipping point field, a delivery point field, an estimated fuel efficiency field, an estimated emission intensity field, and an estimated loading ratio field.

[0038] The company ID field stores the company ID of each company included in the supply chain. The product ID field stores the product ID of the company's product corresponding to the company ID stored in the company ID field. The shipping point field stores information indicating the point (shipping point) from which the product stored in the product ID field is shipped. Here, the shipping point field stores information indicating a pre-determined point, such as a factory where the product is produced, as the shipping point. The delivery point field stores information indicating the point (delivery point) to which the product stored in the product ID field is delivered. Here, the delivery point field stores information indicating a pre-determined point, such as a factory of the delivery destination company to which the product is delivered, as the delivery point. Information indicating the shipping point and delivery point is registered in advance by the company that delivers the product.

[0039] The estimated fuel efficiency field stores information indicating the estimated fuel efficiency that the company corresponding to the company ID stored in the company ID field is estimated to use to transport products. Here, fuel efficiency refers to the distance traveled by a transport vehicle or the like per unit of fuel. The estimated fuel efficiency field stores information indicating a predetermined fuel efficiency as estimated fuel efficiency. The estimated fuel efficiency is, for example, the average fuel efficiency when multiple companies in the supply chain transport products. The estimated fuel efficiency may also be an average value calculated from the distance traveled and the amount of fuel used when the company transported products in the past. The estimated fuel efficiency may also be a fuel efficiency determined by law, regulations, etc., or by an administrator of server 200, etc.

[0040] The estimated emission intensity field stores information indicating the estimated emission intensity of a company corresponding to the company ID stored in the company ID field when transporting products. Here, the estimated emission intensity field stores information indicating a predetermined emission intensity as the estimated emission intensity. The estimated emission intensity is, for example, an average value of emission intensity calculated from the amount of fuel used and the amount of greenhouse gas emitted when multiple companies included in the supply chain transport products. Alternatively, the estimated emission intensity may be an average value of emission intensity calculated from the amount of fuel used and the amount of greenhouse gas emitted when the company transported products in the past. Alternatively, the estimated emission intensity may be an emission intensity determined by law, regulation, etc., or by an administrator of server 200, etc.

[0041] The estimated loading rate field contains the company ID stored in the company ID field. Information indicating the estimated loading rate at the time of product transportation by a company is stored. Here, the estimated loading rate field stores information indicating a predetermined loading rate as the estimated loading rate. The estimated loading rate is, for example, the average loading rate of transport vehicles, etc., when multiple companies in the supply chain transport products. The estimated loading rate may also be the average loading rate when the company has transported products in the past. The estimated loading rate may also be a loading rate determined by law, regulations, etc., or by an administrator of server 200, etc.

[0042] To ensure traceability of carbon footprints in the supply chain, the control unit 201 calculates carbon footprints related to transportation by multiple companies included in the supply chain at a predetermined timing. The timing (predetermined timing) at which the carbon footprints in the supply chain are calculated is, for example, a timing determined in advance by the administrator of the server 200. The timing at which the carbon footprints in the supply chain are calculated may also be, for example, a timing determined by law. The control unit 201 refers to the product information stored in the product information DB 203 and calculates the carbon footprint (amount of greenhouse gas emissions) for each product of each company by multiplying the fuel consumption, emission intensity, and loading rate for each product of each company.

[0043] On the other hand, among the companies included in the supply chain, there may be companies that have not completed the registration of some or all of their CFP information. In such cases, "---" is entered in at least one of the fuel consumption field, the emission intensity field, and the loading ratio field in the product information held in the product information DB 203. Therefore, the control unit 201 references the fuel consumption field, the emission intensity field, and the loading ratio field in the product information held in the product information DB 203, and identifies companies that have not completed the registration of some or all of their CFP information.

[0044] The control unit 201 refers to the reference value information stored in the reference value information DB 204 and obtains at least one of the shipping point, delivery point, estimated fuel efficiency, estimated emission unit, and estimated loading rate for the identified company (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "identified company").

[0045] Here, assume that the CFP information for a specific company does not include information indicating fuel consumption. In this case, the control unit 201 acquires information indicating the shipping point, delivery point, and estimated fuel efficiency from the reference value information stored in the reference value information DB 204 to calculate an estimated value of fuel consumption. Then, the control unit 201 searches for a transportation route estimated to be used by the specific company to transport its products based on the shipping point and delivery point. Then, the control unit 201 calculates an estimated value of fuel consumption by dividing the travel distance on the transportation route by the estimated fuel efficiency.

[0046] It is also assumed that the CFP information for a specific company does not include information indicating an emission intensity. In this case, the control unit 201 acquires an estimated emission intensity from the reference value information held in the reference value information DB 204 as an estimated value of the emission intensity. It is also assumed that the CFP information for a specific company does not include information indicating a loading ratio. In this case, the control unit 201 acquires an estimated loading ratio from the reference value information held in the reference value information DB 204 as an estimated value of the loading ratio.

[0047] The control unit 201 then uses the estimated value to calculate the carbon footprint of the specific company. If the CFP information for the specific company does not include information indicating fuel consumption, the control unit 201 multiplies the estimated value of fuel consumption by the emission intensity and loading rate in the product information. In this way, the control unit 201 calculates the estimated value of the carbon footprint of the specific company.

[0048] Furthermore, if the CFP information for a specific company does not include information indicating the emission intensity, the control unit 201 multiplies the estimated emission intensity by the fuel consumption and loading rate in the product information. In this way, the control unit 201 calculates an estimated carbon footprint for the specific company.

[0049] Furthermore, if the CFP information for a specific company does not include information indicating the loading ratio, the control unit 201 multiplies the estimated loading ratio by the fuel consumption and emission intensity in the product information. In this way, the control unit 201 calculates an estimated carbon footprint for the specific company.

[0050] If the CFP information for a specific company does not include two or more of the following items: fuel consumption, emissions intensity, and loading ratio, estimated values ​​for these items will be used to calculate the estimated carbon footprint for the specific company.

[0051] The estimated fuel efficiency field, estimated emission intensity field, and estimated loading ratio field in the reference value information may store information about multiple transportation modes. The estimated fuel efficiency field, estimated emission intensity field, and estimated loading ratio field in the reference value information may store information indicating different estimated fuel efficiency, estimated emission intensity, and estimated loading ratio for each transportation mode. In this case, the search result for the transportation route may be a route combining multiple transportation modes. In this case, the control unit 201 calculates an estimated carbon footprint by combining the information stored in the estimated fuel efficiency field, estimated emission intensity field, and estimated loading ratio field for each transportation mode. Furthermore, if the transportation route uses a terminal (such as a station, port, or airport), the amount of greenhouse gases emitted when transshipping products at the terminal may be added to the estimated value. The amount of greenhouse gases emitted when transshipping products at the terminal is stored in the reference value information in the reference value information DB 204. The amount of greenhouse gases emitted when transshipping products at the terminal may be set to a different value depending on attributes such as the type or size of the terminal.

[0052] (flowchart) Next, the processing executed by the control unit 201 of the server 200 in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the control unit 201 of the server 200. The processing shown in Fig. 6 is processing for calculating the carbon footprint in the supply chain. Execution of the processing shown in Fig. 6 begins when the server 200 transmits information requesting the transmission of product information (CFP information) to the company terminals 100 associated with each company.

[0053] 6, first, in S101, acceptance of registration of product information (CFP information) begins. Next, in S102, it is determined whether a predetermined timing has arrived. If the predetermined timing has not arrived, it is not time to calculate the carbon footprint in the supply chain, and the processing of S102 is executed again.

[0054] If a positive determination is made in S102, in S103, product information for each company is acquired from the product information DB 203. Next, in S104, the product information for each company acquired from the product information DB 203 is referenced to identify the specific company. Next, in S105, reference value information for the specific company is acquired from the reference value information DB 204. Next, in S106, an estimated carbon footprint value for the specific company is calculated based on the reference value information for the specific company. Here, if there are multiple specific companies, each For the specific company, the processes of S105 and S106 are executed.

[0055] Next, in S107, the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain is calculated by combining the carbon footprint of the companies other than the specific company with the estimated carbon footprint of the specific company. Here, the carbon footprint of the companies other than the specific company is calculated based on the product information stored in the product information DB 203. Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0056] The information processing device calculates an estimated carbon footprint for a specific company based on the reference value at a predetermined timing. This makes it possible to ensure carbon footprint traceability by using the estimated carbon footprint for the specific company, even if there is a company (specific company) in the supply chain that is slow to register its carbon footprint information.

[0057] (Variation 1) In this embodiment, the predetermined timing is the time when the carbon footprint calculation in the supply chain is performed. However, the predetermined timing does not necessarily have to be the time when the carbon footprint calculation in the supply chain is performed. The predetermined timing may be, for example, the time when product information (CFP information) is received. In other words, if the registration of some or all of the CFP information has not been completed at the time when the product information is received, the server 200 calculates an estimated carbon footprint based on the reference value information. Then, when the time arrives to calculate the carbon footprint in the supply chain, the calculated estimated carbon footprint is used to calculate the carbon footprint in the supply chain. Even in this way, even if there is a company in the supply chain that is behind in registering its carbon footprint information, the estimated carbon footprint of that company can be used to ensure carbon footprint traceability.

[0058] (Variation 2) In this embodiment, the product information includes CFP information. However, the product information does not necessarily have to include CFP information. That is, server 200 may receive CFP information separately from the product information. In this case, if server 200 receives the product information but has not received the CFP information, server 200 may calculate an estimated carbon footprint for the company that transmitted the product information. In this modification, the predetermined timing is the timing when server 200 receives the product information. If server 200 receives CFP information after calculating an estimated carbon footprint, server 200 calculates the carbon footprint based on the CFP information. That is, server 200 can provisionally use the estimated carbon footprint until it receives the CFP information. Even in this manner, even if a specific company exists, the traceability of the carbon footprint can be ensured using the estimated carbon footprint for the specific company.

[0059] (Variation 3) In this embodiment, server 200 calculates an estimated carbon footprint of a specific company based on at least one of estimated values ​​of fuel consumption, emission intensity, and loading ratio. However, if the product information for the specific company does not include at least one of estimated values ​​of fuel consumption, emission intensity, and loading ratio, server 200 may calculate a fixed value as the estimated carbon footprint of the specific company. Here, the fixed value is, for example, a statutory fixed value. Alternatively, the fixed value may be a value determined by an administrator of server 200, etc.

[0060] (Variation 4) In this embodiment, server 200 calculates the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain related to the transportation of products by multiple companies in the supply chain. However, server 200 may also calculate the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain related to the production and transportation of products in the supply chain. In this case, the product information includes information indicating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions during product production. Server 200 then calculates the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain by combining the greenhouse gases emitted during product production and the greenhouse gases emitted during product transportation. This makes it possible to ensure the traceability of the carbon footprint of the production and transportation of products, even if a specific company exists, by using an estimated carbon footprint of the product transportation by the specific company.

[0061] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0062] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0063] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or an optical card. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Information Processing System 100 Corporate terminals 200 Server 201 Control section 202··Communications Department 203·Product information DB 204 Reference Value Information DB

Claims

1. Accepting registration of fuel consumption, emissions intensity, and loading ratios for transporting products from each company in the supply chain; and At a predetermined timing, for companies included in the supply chain that have not completed registration of at least one of the information elements of the fuel usage amount, the emission intensity, and the loading rate, calculate an estimated carbon footprint value by multiplying the fuel usage amount, the emission intensity, and the loading rate after supplementing the estimated value of the information element that has not completed registration; a controller configured to execute Replenishing estimates of the information elements for which registration has not been completed includes: If the registration of the fuel usage amount has not been completed, searching for an estimated product transportation route based on the shipping point and delivery point pre-stored in a database, calculating an estimated value by dividing the travel distance on the transportation route by the estimated fuel efficiency pre-stored in the database, and supplementing the calculated estimated value as the estimated value of the fuel usage amount; If the registration of the emission intensity unit has not been completed, supplementing the estimated emission intensity unit stored in advance in the database as the estimated value of the emission intensity unit; and If the registration of the loading rate is not completed, an estimated loading rate stored in advance in the database is added as an estimated value of the loading rate; It consists of Information processing device.

2. Accepting registration of fuel consumption when transporting products from each company in the supply chain; At a predetermined timing, for companies included in the supply chain that have not completed registration of the fuel usage amount, searching for an estimated product transportation route based on shipping points and delivery points pre-stored in a database, and calculating an estimated value of the fuel usage amount by dividing the travel distance on the searched transportation route by the estimated fuel efficiency pre-stored in the database; Using the calculated estimated fuel usage, calculate an estimated carbon footprint for companies that have not completed registration of their fuel usage; a control unit configured to perform Information processing device.

3. Accepting registration of emission intensity when transporting products from each company in the supply chain; At a predetermined timing, for companies included in the supply chain that have not completed registration of their emission intensity, an estimated emission intensity stored in advance in a database is acquired as an estimated value of the emission intensity; Using the obtained estimated emissions intensity, calculate an estimated carbon footprint for companies that have not completed registration of their emissions intensity; a control unit configured to perform Information processing device.

4. Accepting registration of loading rates when transporting products from each company in the supply chain; At a predetermined timing, for companies included in the supply chain that have not completed registration of the loading ratio, an estimated loading ratio stored in advance in a database is acquired as an estimated value of the loading ratio; Using the obtained load factor estimates, calculate carbon footprint estimates for companies that have not completed their load factor registration; a control unit configured to perform Information processing device.

5. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Accepting registration of fuel consumption, emissions intensity, and loading ratios for transporting products from each company in the supply chain; and At a predetermined timing, for companies included in the supply chain that have not completed registration of at least one of the information elements of the fuel usage amount, the emission intensity, and the loading rate, calculate an estimated carbon footprint value by multiplying the fuel usage amount, the emission intensity, and the loading rate after supplementing the estimated value of the information element that has not completed registration; Including, Replenishing estimates of the information elements for which registration has not been completed includes: If the registration of the fuel usage amount has not been completed, searching for an estimated product transportation route based on the shipping point and delivery point pre-stored in a database, calculating an estimated value by dividing the travel distance on the transportation route by the estimated fuel efficiency pre-stored in the database, and supplementing the calculated estimated value as the estimated value of the fuel usage amount; If the registration of the emission intensity unit has not been completed, supplementing the estimated emission intensity unit stored in advance in the database as the estimated value of the emission intensity unit; and If the registration of the loading rate is not completed, an estimated loading rate stored in advance in the database is added as an estimated value of the loading rate; It consists of Information processing methods.

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