Greenhouse gas emission control devices, methods, and programs

Abstract

To support reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in a supply chain.SOLUTION: A management apparatus manages emissions of greenhouse gas generated by a supply chain in a procurement transaction in which a buyer purchases procurement articles from the supply chain. The management apparatus calculates a total emission difference value which is a difference between the total value of individual emission presentation values and a total emission target value, presents the total emission difference value to the buyer, urges the buyer to determine whether the buyer intends to improve the emissions, calculates, when the buyer intends to improve the emissions, an individual emission difference value which is a difference between an individual emission presentation value for each supplier and an individual emission target value, presents the individual emission difference value, urges each of the suppliers to determine whether the supplier intends to conduct emission trading, urges, when any of the suppliers intends to conduct emission trading, the supplier to purchase the emissions from another supplier, or urges, when no supplier intends to conduct emission trading, the buyer to change the supply chain from a designated supply chain to another supply chain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for managing greenhouse gas emissions in a supply chain.

Background Art

[0002] As a social requirement for companies that sell products and services to general users and customer companies, it is required to quantify greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases, also called GHGs (Greenhouse Gas), include carbon dioxide, which is the most abundant, as well as methane, nitrous oxide, and others.

[0003] In recent years, not only is it necessary to measure or calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from activities within a single company, but also, if raw materials are procured from other companies, to grasp the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the production of raw materials at the procurement source. Furthermore, it is also required to grasp the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated when customers use the company's products or services after the company sells its products or services to customers.

[0004] In transactions between companies, when delivering its products to a company that is a customer (hereinafter also referred to as a "customer company"), as a condition for delivering its products to that customer company, there is an increasing number of cases where a series of greenhouse gas emissions related to the company's products are requested to be quantified and further reduced. In such cases, if the company cannot respond to the requests from the customer company, there is a risk of losing actual business opportunities. Therefore, for many companies, efforts towards carbon neutrality, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are becoming one of the most important agendas.

[0005] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for centrally managing products composed of various raw materials and simulating the environmental impact of a product based on the greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the product's lifecycle. The environmental impact simulation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a screen generation means that generates a screen for the user to input setting conditions for pre-set processes included in the lifecycle; a greenhouse gas emission calculation means that, based on the setting conditions entered on the screen generated by the screen generation means, refers to a database that stores relevant information for calculating greenhouse gas emissions in advance and calculates greenhouse gas emissions from the relevant information corresponding to the setting conditions obtained from the database; and a simulation means that simulates the environmental impact of the target product using the calculation results.

[0006] The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 refers to a group of databases containing relevant information for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, and calculates greenhouse gas emissions for each life cycle stage of the target product, from raw material procurement, production, logistics, sales, use, and disposal, based on the relevant information corresponding to each setting condition obtained from the group of databases.

[0007] For example, if the target product is cosmetics, the raw material database stores information such as the formulation composition of the raw materials constituting the target product, the source and quantity of raw materials procured by each factory, the composition (structure, molecular formula) and the number of plant-derived carbon atoms in the molecule based on carbon neutrality of the raw materials, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during raw material manufacturing at the raw material source, GHG emissions associated with transportation from the raw material source to the factory, and GHG emissions from raw materials during raw material incineration. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can calculate greenhouse gas emissions within a range set by the user, divided into the "resource extraction and cultivation" stage of the raw materials constituting the target product (for example, divided into the "raw materials" of the target product and the "container and packaging" of the target product), the "manufacturing" stage of each raw material, the "product manufacturing" stage of manufacturing the target product using the raw materials, the "logistics and sales" stage of the manufactured target product, the "use" stage of the target product, and the "disposal and recycling" stage of the target product. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-204217 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The environmental load simulation device described in Patent Document 1, with the configuration described above, enables centralized management of products composed of various raw materials and simulation of the environmental load of a product based on the greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the product's lifecycle. However, the environmental load simulation device described in Patent Document 1 does not have a mechanism for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the product's lifecycle.

[0010] One of the purposes included in this disclosure is to provide technologies that effectively support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in supply chains. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A greenhouse gas emissions management system in one aspect as included in this disclosure is a greenhouse gas emissions management device that manages greenhouse gas emissions generated by a supply chain in a procurement transaction in which a buyer purchases goods to be procured from a supply chain that includes multiple suppliers, and includes a data collection unit that collects information on suppliers that may constitute part of the supply chain as supplier community information, and accepts buyer input regarding a total emissions target value generated until the goods to be procured are provided by a designated supply chain which is a supply chain designated by the buyer, and individual emissions target values ​​generated when each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain provides the goods to be procured, and the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain For each supplier, the system includes an analysis unit that receives supplier input of individual emission quotes arising from the provision of the goods subject to procurement, calculates a total emission difference value which is the difference between the sum of the individual emission quotes and the total emission target value, and presents it to the buyer to prompt them to decide whether or not they intend to improve their emissions, calculates an individual emission difference value which is the difference between the individual emission quotes and the individual emission target value for each supplier, presents it to the supplier to prompt them to decide whether or not they intend to engage in emissions trading, if any supplier intends to engage in emissions trading, prompts that supplier to purchase emissions from other suppliers, and if none of the suppliers intend to engage in emissions trading, prompts the buyer to change from the designated supply chain to another supply chain. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] One aspect of this disclosure can effectively support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the supply chain community system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2]It is a block diagram showing an example of functions provided by the management device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the category code table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the emission amount table by item according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the unit price table by GHG emission amount according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the GHG emission amount accumulation table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of the TierN information table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the supplier region table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing an example of the visualization process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the emission amount input screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen for the presence or absence of the trading intention of the emission amount according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example of the emission amount trading process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen for the emission amount trading supplier according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing an example of the excellent supply chain recommendation process according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] (This embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a supply chain community system 1 according to the present embodiment. The supply chain community system 1 includes a management device 10, a buyer enterprise terminal 2, and a supplier enterprise terminal 3.

[0016] The management device 10 is a device that manages the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by a supply chain in a procurement transaction in which a buyer purchases procurement target items from a supply chain including a plurality of suppliers. Therefore, the management device 10 may be read as a greenhouse gas emissions management device.

[0017] The buyer enterprise terminal 2 is a terminal operated by a person in charge of the buyer. One or more buyer enterprise terminals 2 may exist for each buyer enterprise. The buyer enterprise may be simply referred to as a buyer. A buyer enterprise is an enterprise that provides products or services as finished products to general users or customer enterprises. A buyer enterprise procures raw materials and parts from other enterprises in order to provide its own products. An enterprise that provides such raw materials and parts is referred to as a supplier enterprise. A supplier enterprise may receive parts and raw materials from other enterprises and form multiple tiers. A supplier enterprise may be simply referred to as a supplier. A supplier enterprise that directly provides raw materials and parts to a buyer enterprise is called Tier1, a supplier enterprise that provides raw materials and parts to Tier1 is called Tier2, and a supplier enterprise that provides raw materials and parts to Tier2 is called Tier3 in some cases.

[0018] The supplier enterprise terminal 3 is a terminal operated by a person in charge of the supplier enterprise. One or more supplier enterprise terminals 3 may exist for each supplier enterprise. In FIG. 1, the supplier enterprise terminals 3 are connected in a tree shape, which represents a supply chain and does not necessarily represent a physical or logical connection.

[0019] The management device 10, the buyer enterprise terminal 2, and the supplier enterprise terminal 3 may be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other through a communication network 4.

[0020] The management device 10 is a computer that includes, as hardware, a processor 11, memory 12, a network connection device 13, an input device 14, an output device 15, a drive device 16, an external storage medium 17, and an auxiliary storage device 18.

[0021] Memory 12 stores computer programs and data. Memory 12 may be volatile memory, or it may include both volatile and non-volatile memory.

[0022] The processor 11 reads computer programs and data from the memory 12 and processes them to realize the functions of the management device 10. The processor 11 may be read as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a controller, etc.

[0023] The network connection device 13 is a device for connecting the management device 10 to the communication network 4. The network connection device 13 may comply with communication standards such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

[0024] The input device 14 is a device that receives input from the user. Examples of the input device 14 include a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, microphone, etc.

[0025] The output device 15 is a device that outputs images and information. Examples of the output device 15 include displays and speakers.

[0026] The drive device 16 is a device for accessing CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, or Blu-ray Discs (Blu-ray is a registered trademark), etc.

[0027] The external storage medium 17 is a removable storage medium such as a USB memory stick or SD card.

[0028] The auxiliary storage device 18 is a storage device composed of non-volatile storage media such as flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), and HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions provided by the management device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0030] The management device 10 comprises, functionally, a data acquisition unit 31, an analysis unit 32, a recommendation unit 33, and a database 34. The functions of the data acquisition unit 31, the analysis unit 32, the recommendation unit 33, and the database 34 may be realized by the processor 11 reading computer programs and data from the memory 12 and performing processing in cooperation with other devices. The data in the database 34 may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 18.

[0031] The data collection unit 31 collects information about suppliers that may constitute part of the supply chain as supplier community information. At this time, the data collection unit 31 may also collect the cumulative emissions of each supplier and register them in the database.

[0032] Furthermore, the data collection unit 31 also pre-collects item-specific emission information for each supplier and category, indicating the emissions generated from providing goods in that category. The emissions collected as item-specific emission information may be historical values.

[0033] The data collection unit 31 stores the collected supplier community information in the database 34. At this time, the data collection unit 31 may store the cumulative emissions of each supplier included in the supplier community information in the GHG emissions cumulative table 44 of the database 34.

[0034] Furthermore, the data collection unit 31 stores the collected item-specific emission information in the database 34. At this time, the data collection unit 31 may store the contents of the item-specific emission information in the item-specific emission table 42 of the database 34.

[0035] The analysis unit 32 receives input from the buyer regarding the total emissions target value incurred until the procured goods are provided through the designated supply chain, which is a supply chain specified by the buyer, and the individual emissions target values ​​incurred when each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain provides the goods related to the procured goods.

[0036] The analysis unit 32 receives supplier input for individual emission values ​​generated when supplying goods related to the procured items for each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain.

[0037] The analysis unit 32, as part of its visualization process, calculates the sum of the individual emission quotes, or the total emission difference value (the difference between the sum of the individual emission quotes and the total emission target), and presents this to the buyer to prompt them to decide whether or not they intend to improve their emissions. When the buyer inputs that they intend to improve their emissions, the analysis unit 32, as part of its visualization process, calculates the individual emission difference value (the difference between the individual emission quotes and the individual emission target for each supplier), and presents this to the supplier to prompt them to decide whether or not they intend to engage in emissions trading. When any supplier inputs that they intend to engage in emissions trading, the analysis unit 32, as part of its emissions trading process, prompts that supplier to purchase emissions from other suppliers. If no supplier intends to engage in emissions trading, the analysis unit 32 prompts the buyer to change from the designated supply chain to another supply chain.

[0038] Furthermore, the analysis unit 32 may refer to supplier community information to extract suppliers who are willing to sell their emissions and present them to suppliers who are interested in emissions trading.

[0039] Furthermore, the analysis unit 32 may accept buyer input when requesting a quote for items to be procured, and supplier input when providing a quote response.

[0040] Further details regarding the visualization and emissions trading processes performed by the analysis unit 32 will be described later (see Figures 9 and 12).

[0041] If none of the suppliers are willing to engage in emissions trading, the recommendation unit 33, as part of its excellent supply chain recommendation process, extracts other supply chains that are capable of providing the items to be procured and whose emissions when providing items of the same category as the items to be procured can improve the total emissions of the designated supply chain, and presents these excellent supply chains to the buyer.

[0042] Further details regarding the excellent supply chain recommendation process performed by the recommendation unit 33 will be described later (see Figure 14).

[0043] Database 34 holds a category code table 41, a table of emissions by part, a table of unit prices by GHG emissions 43, a table of cumulative GHG emissions 44, a Tier N information table 45, a supplier region table 46, and a supplier community table 47.

[0044] The Supplier Community Table 47 holds information on each supplier registered in the community, including their industry, country / region, products and services offered, size, and emissions allowances.

[0045] Next, we will explain in detail the category code table 41, the item-specific emission table 42, the GHG emission-specific unit price table 43, the GHG emission cumulative table 44, the Tier N information table 45, and the supplier region table 46.

[0046] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the category code table 41 according to this embodiment.

[0047] Category Code Table 41 manages the correspondence between category codes, Japanese category names, and English category names. A category code is a code used to uniquely identify the category of an item. The Japanese category name is the Japanese name of the item category indicated by the category code. The English category name is the English name of the item category indicated by the category code.

[0048] Figure 4 shows an example of the item-specific discharge table 42 according to this embodiment.

[0049] The item-specific emission table 42 is a table that registers the actual GHG emissions required by each supplier to provide each component in each category. The item-specific emission table 42 manages the correspondence between category code, category name, item name, supplier name, and emission amount. The category code and category name are as explained with reference to Figure 3. The item name indicates the name of the item. The supplier name is the name of the company that provides the item with the item name. The emission amount indicates the actual GHG emissions required by the company with the supplier name to provide the item with the item name.

[0050] Figure 5 shows an example of the GHG emission-based unit price table 43 according to this embodiment.

[0051] The GHG Emissions Unit Price Table 43 shows the unit price when trading emissions. The GHG Emissions Unit Price Table 43 manages emissions in association with emission unit prices. Each row in the GHG Emissions Unit Price Table 43 shows what the unit price is for emissions ranging from a certain number of kilograms to a certain number of kilograms. In the example in Figure 5, emissions are classified as follows: more than 0 kg and up to 10 kg, more than 10 kg and up to 20 kg, more than 20 kg and up to 30 kg, more than 30 kg and up to 40 kg, and so on.

[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of a GHG emissions cumulative table 44 according to this embodiment.

[0053] The GHG Emissions Cumulative Table 44 is a table of cumulative values, aggregated by category, showing the actual emissions generated by each company through the provision of each item. Each supplier has a predetermined emission allocation (emission allowance), and each supplier must keep the total emissions across all categories within that allowance. Furthermore, if a supplier's total emissions across all categories are less than its emission allowance, it can sell the difference to other suppliers through emissions trading.

[0054] The GHG emissions cumulative table 44 manages suppliers by associating their names with item category codes and cumulative emissions. For example, the first row of the emissions cumulative table shows that supplier "Company A" handles items with category codes "11111121" and "11111122", that the cumulative emissions generated by providing items with category code "11111121" are "100 kg", and the cumulative emissions generated by providing items with category code "11111122" are "10 kg".

[0055] Figure 7 shows an example of the TierN information table 45 according to this embodiment.

[0056] The TierN information table 45 manages the correspondence between order number, category code, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and cumulative emissions. For example, the first row of the TierN information table 45 indicates that an order number is for an item with category code "11111121", that this item was manufactured through a supply chain involving Tier 1 "Company A", Tier 2 "Company B", and Tier 3 "Company C", and that the cumulative emissions generated by this manufacturing are "100 kg".

[0057] Figure 8 shows an example of a supplier region table 46 according to this embodiment.

[0058] The supplier region table 46 is a table that shows the locations of the facilities that provide goods for each category at each supplier. The supplier region table 46 manages the information by associating supplier names with item category codes, region codes, and region names.

[0059] For example, the first row of supplier region table 46 indicates that the item with category code "11111121" provided by supplier "Company A" is manufactured in the region name "Aichi Prefecture" indicated by the region code.

[0060] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the visualization process according to this embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the emissions input screen according to this embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen for whether or not to trade emissions according to this embodiment.

[0061] The visualization process involves aggregating emissions from the entire supply chain and displaying the results. The visualization process is explained in detail below.

[0062] The data collection unit 31 acquires quotation request information (S101) and writes it to each table in the database 43 (S102). For example, a buyer company issues a request for quotation specifying a supplier company (supply chain), product (goods), specifications, quantity, and GHG emission target value. Each supplier company included in the supply chain enters its own emission values ​​from the emission input screen shown in Figure 10 when responding to the quotation. The buyer company sets separate GHG emission targets for the entire supply chain (total emission target value) and GHG emission targets for each supplier company included in the supply chain (individual emission target value). The data collection unit 31 may acquire this entered information as quotation request information.

[0063] The analysis unit 32 reads information from each table in the database 43 (S103). In this embodiment, as an example, the analysis unit 32 adopts a processing method in which it comprehensively reads information in advance and uses the information as needed for subsequent processing. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that all of the information read in advance will be used for subsequent processing.

[0064] The analysis unit 32 extracts the emission values ​​(individual emission values) of each supplier company included in the entire supply chain (S104), calculates the sum of the extracted individual emission values ​​(total emission value), calculates the difference between the total emission value and the total emission target value (total emission difference value), visualizes the total emission value and / or total emission difference value to the buyer company, and prompts them to decide whether or not they intend to improve their emissions (S105).

[0065] If the buyer company has no intention of improving emissions, the analysis unit 32 performs the extraction of good supply chains, which is included in the good supply chain recommendation process shown in Figure 14 (S106), and terminates this process.

[0066] If a buyer company intends to improve its emissions, the analysis unit 32 extracts the difference between each supplier company's emissions target and the emissions entered by each supplier company when providing a quote, and displays it to each supplier company (S107).

[0067] Furthermore, the analysis unit 32 displays a selection screen showing whether or not there is an intention to trade emissions, as shown in Figure 11 (S108).

[0068] If the supplier company selects "yes" to emissions trading on the selection screen displayed in step S108, the management device 10 proceeds to the emissions trading process shown in Figure 12. If the supplier company selects "no" to emissions trading on the selection screen displayed in step S108, the management device 10 proceeds to the excellent supplier recommendation process shown in Figure 14.

[0069] Through the above process, buyer companies can verify total emissions and emission targets within their supply chain. Furthermore, if a supplier company intends to improve its emissions, it can engage in emissions trading with other suppliers to achieve this. Additionally, if a supplier company does not intend to improve its emissions, the buyer company can receive recommendations for high-quality supply chains.

[0070] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of emissions trading processing according to this embodiment. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the emissions trading supplier selection screen according to this embodiment.

[0071] The analysis unit 32 refers to the quotation project information (S201). The quotation project information referred to may have already been obtained through the visualization process shown in Figure 9.

[0072] The analysis unit 32 extracts and displays the difference between the emission target value from the buyer company and the emission value entered by the supplier company (S202).

[0073] The analysis unit 32 searches for supplier companies that are willing to trade emissions (S203). Since emissions trading is conducted between supplier companies, the analysis unit 32 extracts other supplier companies that can sell emissions to the supplier company that wants to buy emissions through trading.

[0074] The analysis unit 32 extracts and proposes several other supplier companies that can sell emissions to a supplier company that wants to buy those emissions, based on the cumulative emissions and the items handled by the supplier company (S204). At this time, the analysis unit 32 may extract supplier companies that can sell emissions by limiting their location. Alternatively, supplier companies may pre-enter a declaration of whether or not they wish to sell their emissions, and the data collection unit 31 may register this as an emissions trading preference flag in the supplier community table 47. In this case, when the analysis unit 32 extracts supplier companies that can sell emissions, it excludes supplier companies whose emissions trading preference flag indicates they do not wish to trade.

[0075] The analysis unit 32 displays the emissions trading supplier selection screen shown in Figure 13 (S205). Supplier companies select other supplier companies with whom they will trade emissions from this selection screen.

[0076] The analysis unit 32 displays the emissions trading execution screen (S206). Note that the emissions trading execution screen is not shown in the diagram. When a supplier company conducts emissions trading with the supplier company selected in step S205, it instructs the transaction to be executed from this screen.

[0077] The analysis unit 32 obtains the transaction volume and transaction unit price when conducting emissions trading with the supplier company selected in step S205 (S207). At this time, the analysis unit 32 can obtain the transaction unit price for emissions by referring to the GHG emission-specific unit price table 43 based on the transaction volume.

[0078] The analysis unit 32 executes the buying and selling of emissions with the supplier company selected in step S205, using the transaction volume and transaction price obtained in step S207 (S208), and then terminates this process.

[0079] Through the above process, the management device 10 can present a supplier company with other supplier companies that meet various conditions and with whom emissions can be traded. Therefore, the supplier company can easily find other supplier companies that meet various conditions and with whom emissions can be traded, and can easily trade emissions with those other supplier companies.

[0080] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the excellent supply chain recommendation process according to this embodiment.

[0081] The recommendation unit 33 extracts high-quality supply chains (S301). For example, the recommendation unit 33 extracts other supply chains that can provide the same category of goods, other than the supply chain specified by the buyer company when requesting a quote, and identifies the top supply chains with the lowest emissions as high-quality supply chains.

[0082] The recommendation unit 33 recommends the excellent supply chains extracted in step S301 as alternative candidates to the buyer company (S302).

[0083] The recommendation unit 33 displays the supply chain switching screen (S303). Note that the supply chain switching screen is not shown in the diagram. The supply chain switching screen is a screen that shows the buyer company's intention to switch supply chains and the destination supply chain.

[0084] When a buyer company indicates its intention to switch and specifies the target supply chain from the supply chain switching screen, the recommendation unit 33 returns to the visualization process, obtains re-quote information to be issued to the target supply chain via buyer input, and obtains necessary information from each supplier company included in the target supply chain, for example, via supplier input (S304).

[0085] Subsequently, the visualization process shown in Figure 9 is performed again, and once the buyer company specifies the supply chain it will use, the recommendation unit 33 makes the final decision on the supply chain based on the buyer company's specification (S305).

[0086] The recommendation unit 33 executes the supply chain selection completion process (S306) and terminates this process. For example, the recommendation unit 33 completes the sale of goods between the buyer company and the Tier 1 supplier company of the ultimately selected supply chain.

[0087] Through the above processing, the management device 10 can recommend a superior supply chain with lower cumulative emissions to the buyer company. Therefore, the buyer company can easily identify a superior supply chain with lower cumulative emissions and easily switch to that superior supply chain.

[0088] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and these embodiments may be used in combination or some of the configurations may be modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1…Supply Chain Community System, 2…Buyer Company Terminal, 3…Supplier Company Terminal, 4…Communication Network, 10…Management Device, 11…Processor, 12…Memory, 13…Network Connection Device, 14…Input Device, 15…Output Device, 16…Drive Device, 17…External Storage Medium, 18…Auxiliary Storage Device, 31…Data Acquisition Unit, 32…Analysis Unit, 33…Recommendation Unit, 34…Database, 41…Category Code Table, 42…Emissions Table by Item, 43…Unit Price Table by GHG Emissions, 44…GHG Emissions Cumulative Table, 45…Tier N Information Table, 46…Supplier Region Table, 47…Supplier Community Table

Claims

1. A greenhouse gas emission management device for managing greenhouse gas emissions generated by a supply chain in a procurement transaction in which a buyer purchases goods from a supply chain that includes multiple suppliers, A data collection unit that collects information on suppliers that may constitute part of the aforementioned supply chain as supplier community information, An analysis unit receives buyer input regarding the total emissions target value generated until the goods to be procured are provided by the designated supply chain, which is a supply chain designated by the buyer, and the individual emissions target values ​​generated when each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain provides the goods to be procured; for each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain, it receives supplier input regarding the individual emissions quoted values ​​generated when providing the goods to be procured; calculates the sum of the individual emissions quoted values, or the total emissions difference value which is the difference between the sum of the individual emissions quoted values ​​and the total emissions target value, and presents it to the buyer to prompt them to decide whether or not they intend to improve emissions; if the buyer intends to improve emissions, it calculates the individual emissions difference value which is the difference between the individual emissions quoted value and the individual emissions target value for each supplier, and presents it to the supplier to prompt them to decide whether or not they intend to engage in emissions trading; if any supplier intends to engage in emissions trading, it prompts that supplier to purchase emissions from other suppliers; if no supplier intends to engage in emissions trading, it prompts the buyer to change from the designated supply chain to another supply chain. A greenhouse gas emission control device having [a specific feature / feature].

2. The data collection unit collects the cumulative emissions of each supplier and registers them in the supplier community information. The analysis unit extracts suppliers who are willing to sell emissions by referring to the supplier community information and presents this information to suppliers who are willing to engage in emissions trading. The greenhouse gas emission control device according to claim 1.

3. The data collection unit further collects, in advance, item-specific emission information for each supplier and category, indicating the emissions generated from providing goods in that category. If none of the suppliers are willing to engage in emissions trading, the system further includes a recommendation section that identifies other supply chains as "good supply chains" if they are capable of providing the aforementioned procurement items and whose emissions record when providing items of the same category as the aforementioned procurement items can improve the total emissions of the designated supply chain, and presents these good supply chains to the buyer. The greenhouse gas emission control device according to claim 1.

4. The emissions data collected as the aforementioned item-specific emission information are historical figures. The greenhouse gas emission control device according to claim 3.

5. The analysis unit receives the buyer input when requesting a quote for the items to be procured, and receives the supplier input when providing a quote response. The greenhouse gas emission control device according to claim 1.

6. A greenhouse gas emissions management method for managing greenhouse gas emissions generated by a supply chain in a procurement transaction in which a buyer purchases goods from a supply chain that includes multiple suppliers, Computers Information regarding suppliers that may constitute part of the aforementioned supply chain is collected as supplier community information. The buyer accepts input regarding the total emissions target value incurred until the goods to be procured are provided through the designated supply chain, which is the supply chain designated by the buyer, and the individual emissions target values ​​incurred by each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain in providing the goods to be procured. For each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain, the supplier input of the individual emission values ​​incurred in providing the goods related to the procured goods is accepted. The total value of the individual emission values, or the total emission difference value which is the difference between the total value of the individual emission values ​​and the total emission target value, is calculated and presented to the buyer to encourage them to decide whether or not they intend to improve emissions. If the buyer intends to improve emissions, the individual emissions difference value, which is the difference between the individual emissions presented value and the individual emissions target value for each supplier, is calculated. Present this to the aforementioned supplier to prompt them to decide whether or not they are interested in emissions trading. If any supplier is willing to engage in emissions trading, encourage that supplier to purchase emissions from other suppliers. If none of the suppliers are willing to engage in emissions trading, the buyer will be encouraged to switch from the designated supply chain to another supply chain. Methods for managing greenhouse gas emissions.

7. A greenhouse gas emissions management program for managing greenhouse gas emissions generated by a supply chain in a procurement transaction in which a buyer purchases goods from a supply chain that includes multiple suppliers, Information regarding suppliers that may constitute part of the aforementioned supply chain is collected as supplier community information. The buyer accepts input regarding the total emissions target value incurred until the goods to be procured are provided through the designated supply chain, which is the supply chain designated by the buyer, and the individual emissions target values ​​incurred by each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain in providing the goods to be procured. For each of the multiple suppliers included in the designated supply chain, the supplier input of the individual emission values ​​incurred in providing the goods related to the procured goods is accepted. The total value of the individual emission values, or the total emission difference value which is the difference between the total value of the individual emission values ​​and the total emission target value, is calculated and presented to the buyer to encourage them to decide whether or not they intend to improve emissions. If the buyer intends to improve emissions, the individual emissions difference value, which is the difference between the individual emissions presented value and the individual emissions target value for each supplier, is calculated. Present this to the aforementioned supplier to prompt them to decide whether or not they are interested in emissions trading. If any supplier is willing to engage in emissions trading, encourage that supplier to purchase emissions from other suppliers. If none of the suppliers are willing to engage in emissions trading, the buyer will be encouraged to switch from the designated supply chain to another supply chain. A greenhouse gas emissions management program that uses a computer to perform this task.

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