Visualization device, visualization method, and visualization program

Abstract

The present invention assists efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of a supplier chain. A visualization device according to the present invention is provided with: an acquisition unit for acquiring a first greenhouse gas emission that is discharged when a unit amount of the nth order product is generated by an nth business operator among N business operators constituting a supplier chain, a second greenhouse gas emission that is discharged when the (n-1)th order product is generated by each of the first to the (n-1)th business operators from the primary product that is used when generating the unit amount of the nth order product, and a third greenhouse gas emission that is discharged when the Nth order product is generated by each of the (n+1)th to Nth business operators from the (n+1)th order product generated using the unit amount of the nth order product; and a visualization unit that visualizes the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business operators constituting the supplier chain by using the ratio of the second to the first greenhouse gas emissions and the ratio of the third to the first greenhouse gas emissions.

Description

Visualization device, visualization method, and visualization program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a visualization device, a visualization method, and a visualization program.

[0002] Conventionally, businesses that emit greenhouse gases have been required to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, and various calculation methods have been proposed by each business.

[0003] Patent No. 7369984

[0004] However, the calculation methods used by each business are not standardized and compatible, and information is rarely shared between businesses. This makes it difficult to, for example, analyze greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain and develop countermeasures.

[0005] This disclosure supports efforts to improve greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain.

[0006] A visualization device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is produced by an nth business among N business entities that make up a supplier chain; a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when primary products to n-1th products used to produce the unit amount of the nth product are produced by the 1st to n-1th business entities; and a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when n+1th to Nth business entities produce n+1st to Nth products that are produced using the unit amount of the nth product; and a visualization unit that visualizes the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business entities that make up the supplier chain using a ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions and a ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the visualization device according to the first aspect, wherein the first greenhouse gas emissions include greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the implementation of the business of the nth business operator, greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the supply of energy for the nth business operator to implement the business, greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with transportation for the nth business operator to implement the business, and greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the activities of business workers for the nth business operator to implement the business.

[0008] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the visualization device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second greenhouse gas emissions include greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the implementation of the business of each of the first to n-1th businesses, greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the supply of energy to implement the business of each of the first to n-1th businesses, and greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the activities of business workers to implement the business of each of the first to n-1th businesses.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the third greenhouse gas emissions include greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the implementation of the business of each of the n+1th to Nth businesses, greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the supply of energy to implement the business of each of the n+1th to Nth businesses, and greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the activities of business workers to implement the business of each of the n+1th to Nth businesses.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the visualization unit visualizes the greenhouse gas emissions of N businesses that make up the supply chain using a Sankey diagram, using a ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions and a ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the visualization device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the Sankey diagram includes: emission amount lines connecting each business operator, the thickness of which is adjusted according to the ratio between the second greenhouse gas emission amount and the first greenhouse gas emission amount and the ratio between the third greenhouse gas emission amount and the first greenhouse gas emission amount; and recovery amount lines having each business operator as a start and end, or recovery amount lines connecting each business operator, the thickness of which is adjusted according to the amount of resources recovered by each business operator for recycling.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a modification unit that modifies the greenhouse gas emissions of any one of the businesses, and the visualization unit modifies the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the one business in the Sankey diagram according to the modified greenhouse gas emissions modified by the modification unit.

[0013] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a modification unit that modifies the proportion of renewable energy in the energy used by any one business operator to carry out its business, and the visualization unit modifies the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the one business operator in the Sankey diagram in accordance with the greenhouse gas emissions based on the modified proportion of renewable energy modified by the modification unit.

[0014] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a modification unit that modifies the means of transportation used by any one of the businesses to carry out its business, and the visualization unit modifies the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram in accordance with the greenhouse gas emissions based on the modified means of transportation modified by the modification unit.

[0015] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a modification unit that modifies the amount of resources collected for recycling when any one of the businesses carries out its business, wherein the visualization unit modifies the thickness of a collection amount line that starts and ends at the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram, or a collection amount line connecting between the businesses, according to the modified collection amount modified by the modification unit, and modifies the thickness of an emission amount line corresponding to the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram according to greenhouse gas emissions based on the modified collection amount modified by the modification unit.

[0016] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a visualization device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the nth business operator is a specific business operator, the first through n-1th businesses each include a plurality of businesses that generate n-1th products from the same type of primary product, and the n+1th through Nth businesses each include a plurality of businesses that generate Nth products from the same type of n+1th products.

[0017] A visualization method according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of: acquiring a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is produced by an nth business among N business entities making up a supplier chain; a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when primary products to n-1th products used to produce the unit amount of the nth product are produced by the 1st to n-1th business entities; and a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when n+1th to Nth business entities produce n+1st to Nth products, which are produced using the unit amount of the nth product; and visualizing the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business entities making up the supplier chain using a ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions and a ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

[0018] A visualization program according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the steps of: acquiring a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is produced by an nth business among N business entities making up a supplier chain; a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when primary products to n-1th products used to produce the unit amount of the nth product are produced by the 1st to n-1th business entities; and a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when n+1th to Nth business entities produce n+1st to Nth products, which are produced using the unit amount of the nth product; and visualizing the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business entities making up the supplier chain using a ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions and a ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

[0019] The present disclosure can support efforts to improve greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of greenhouse gas emissions for each business operator in a supplier chain. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of greenhouse gas emissions related to a specific product. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of acquisition of greenhouse gas emissions acquired by a visualization device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a visualization device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a visualization device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a data storage unit of the visualization device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a first diagram showing an example of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by the visualization device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of visualization processing executed by the visualization device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by a visualization device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by a visualization device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a third diagram showing an example of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by a visualization device according to a second embodiment.

[0021] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0022] First Embodiment <Calculation Example of Greenhouse Gas Emission Amount of Each Business Operator> First, a description will be given of a calculation example of greenhouse gas emission amounts visualized by a visualization device according to the first embodiment. The visualization device according to the first embodiment visualizes the greenhouse gas emission amount of each business operator that constitutes a supply chain for a specific product.

[0023] Figure 1 shows an example of calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each business in a supply chain. As shown in Figure 1, a supply chain 100 for a specific product includes a resource manufacturer 110, a material manufacturer 120, a parts manufacturer 130, and a finished product manufacturer 140.

[0024] In the example of Figure 1, for the sake of simplicity, only one business entity is shown for each of the resource manufacturer 110, material manufacturer 120, parts manufacturer 130, and finished product manufacturer 140, but multiple businesses may be included.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, each business in the supply chain calculates the greenhouse gas emissions for each item and then adds up all the items to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions.

[0026] Specifically, the resource manufacturer 110 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions of the resource manufacturer 110 by calculating: - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business (the generation of resources); - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy (electricity) to implement the business; - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business; and - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the activities of business workers to implement the business, and then adding up all of the items.

[0027] Of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy to carry out the project varies depending on the proportion of renewable energy in that energy.Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to carry out the project varies depending on the means of transportation.

[0028] The material manufacturer 120 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions of the material manufacturer 120 by calculating: - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business (production of materials); - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy (electricity) to implement the business; - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business; and - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the activities of business workers to implement the business, and adding up all of the items.

[0029] Of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business varies depending on the amount of materials collected for recycling from the material manufacturer 120 and each business downstream of the material manufacturer 120 (parts manufacturer 130, finished product manufacturer 140). Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy to implement the business varies depending on the proportion of renewable energy in that energy. Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business varies depending on the means of transportation.

[0030] Parts manufacturer 130 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions of parts manufacturer 130 by calculating: - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business (production of parts); - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy (electricity) to implement the business; - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business; and - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the activities of business workers to implement the business, and adding up all of the items.

[0031] Of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business varies depending on the amount of parts collected for recycling from the parts manufacturer 130 and businesses downstream of the parts manufacturer 130 (finished product manufacturers 140). Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy to implement the business varies depending on the proportion of renewable energy in that energy. Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business varies depending on the means of transportation.

[0032] The finished product manufacturer 140 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions of the finished product manufacturer 140 by calculating: - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business (the production of finished products); - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy (electricity) to implement the business; - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business; and - the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are indirectly emitted in connection with the activities of business workers to implement the business, and adding up all of the items.

[0033] Of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly emitted in connection with the implementation of the business varies depending on the amount of finished products collected for recycling from the finished product manufacturers 140. Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with the supply of energy to implement the business varies depending on the proportion of renewable energy in that energy. Furthermore, of the above items, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions indirectly emitted in connection with transportation to implement the business varies depending on the means of transportation.

[0034] In this way, in the first embodiment, each business that makes up the supply chain calculates the greenhouse gas emissions for each similar item and then calculates the greenhouse gas emissions by adding up all the items.

[0035] As a result, according to the first embodiment, calculation methods are standardized among businesses, and compatibility of greenhouse gas emissions between businesses can be improved compared to the past.

[0036] <Calculation example of greenhouse gas emissions related to a specific product> Next, a calculation example of greenhouse gas emissions acquired by the visualization device according to the first embodiment will be described. The greenhouse gas emissions acquired by the visualization device according to the first embodiment are calculated greenhouse gas emissions related to a specific product among the greenhouse gas emissions calculated by the calculation example shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, in the first embodiment, greenhouse gas emissions related to "material A", which is a specific product produced by material manufacturer 120, are calculated.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to a specific product. In FIG. 2, "raw material I" and "raw material II" are raw materials used to produce "material A," a specific product produced by the material manufacturer 120, and are raw materials produced by the resource manufacturer 110. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 210 indicates the raw material weights of "raw material I" and "raw material II" required when the material manufacturer 120 produces the unit amount of "material A" indicated by reference numeral 220. In the example of reference numeral 210, the raw material weight of "raw material I" is "X1_1," and the raw material weight of "raw material II" is "X1_2." The resource manufacturer 110 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions when "raw material I" is produced in the amount of "X1_1" raw material weight and "raw material II" is produced in the amount of "X1_2" raw material weight.

[0038] The material manufacturer 120 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions when producing a unit amount of "material A."

[0039] In FIG. 2, "part α" is a part produced by part manufacturer 130 using "material A," which is a specific product produced by material manufacturer 120. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 230 indicates the quantity of parts produced using a unit amount of "material A" produced by material manufacturer 120. In the example of reference numeral 230, the quantity of "part α" is "X3." Part manufacturer 130 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions when "X3" pieces of "part α" are produced.

[0040] In FIG. 2, "finished product a" is a finished product mounted with parts produced using "material A," a specific product produced by material manufacturer 120, and is a finished product produced by finished product manufacturer 140. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 240 indicates the quantity of finished products mounted with parts produced using a unit amount of "material A" produced by material manufacturer 120. In the example of reference numeral 240, the quantity of "finished product a" is "X4." The finished product manufacturer 140 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions when "X4" units of "finished product a" are produced.

[0041] As described above, when the material manufacturer 120 produces the unit amount of "material A" indicated by the reference numeral 220, the following cases are included: - when it is produced based on raw materials I and raw materials II; and - when it is produced based on materials recovered in-house, or materials recovered from the parts manufacturer 130, or materials recovered from the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0042] Similarly, when the parts manufacturer 130 produces "part α" in the quantity "X3" indicated by the reference numeral 230, the following cases are included: - production using material A; - production using parts collected in-house or parts collected from the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0043] Similarly, when the finished product manufacturer 140 produces "finished product a" in the quantity of "X4" finished products shown by the reference numeral 240, the following cases are included: - production using part α; - production using finished products collected in-house.

[0044] In addition, in the example of FIG. 2, the detailed steps of the resource maker 110 producing raw materials I and II are omitted, but it is assumed that the resource maker 110 produces raw materials I and II through multiple steps.

[0045] Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, the detailed steps of the material manufacturer 120 producing material A are omitted, but it is assumed that the material manufacturer 120 produces material A through a plurality of steps.

[0046] Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, the detailed steps of the parts manufacturer 130 producing the part α are omitted, but it is assumed that the parts manufacturer 130 produces the part α through a plurality of steps.

[0047] Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, the detailed steps of the finished product maker 140 producing the finished product a are omitted, but it is assumed that the finished product maker 140 produces the finished product a through a plurality of steps.

[0048] <Acquisition example of greenhouse gas emission amount acquired by visualization device> Next, an acquisition example of greenhouse gas emission amount acquired by the visualization device according to the first embodiment will be described. The visualization device according to the first embodiment is owned by the material manufacturer 120, and as described above, acquires greenhouse gas emission amount related to "material A", which is a specific product produced by the material manufacturer 120. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an acquisition example of greenhouse gas emission amount acquired by the visualization device according to the first embodiment.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3 , the visualization device possessed by the material manufacturer 120 obtains from the resource manufacturer 110 an example of a second greenhouse gas emission amount among the greenhouse gas emissions calculated by the resource manufacturer 110, the greenhouse gas emission amount emitted when producing raw material I having raw material weight "X1_1" and raw material II having raw material weight "X1_2".

[0050] However, when obtaining the greenhouse gas emissions from the resource manufacturer 110, the visualization device according to the first embodiment obtains the emissions separately for each means of transportation, and for each proportion of renewable energy.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3 , the visualization device possessed by the material manufacturer 120 acquires from the material manufacturer 120 the greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing a unit amount of material A, which is an example of a first greenhouse gas emission amount among the greenhouse gas emissions calculated by the material manufacturer 120.

[0052] However, when obtaining the greenhouse gas emissions from the material manufacturer 120, the visualization device according to the first embodiment obtains the greenhouse gas emissions separately for each means of transportation, for each proportion of renewable energy, and for each amount of recovered material. Note that the amount of recovered material refers to the amount of material recovered for recycling that was used when producing a unit amount of material A.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3 , the visualization device owned by the material manufacturer 120 acquires from the parts manufacturer 130 the greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing "X3" pieces of part α, which is an example of a third greenhouse gas emission amount among the greenhouse gas emissions calculated by the parts manufacturer 130.

[0054] However, when obtaining the greenhouse gas emissions from the parts manufacturer 130, the visualization device according to the first embodiment obtains the greenhouse gas emissions separately for each means of transportation, for each proportion of renewable energy, and for each amount of collected parts. Note that the amount of collected parts refers to the amount of parts collected for recycling that were used when producing "X3" parts α.

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, the visualization device possessed by the material manufacturer 120 obtains from the finished product manufacturer 140 another example of the third greenhouse gas emission amount among the greenhouse gas emission amounts calculated by the finished product manufacturer 140, namely, the greenhouse gas emission amount emitted when producing "X4" units of finished product a.

[0056] However, when acquiring the greenhouse gas emissions from the finished product manufacturer 140, the visualization device according to the first embodiment acquires the greenhouse gas emissions separately for each means of transportation, and for each proportion of renewable energy, and for each amount of collected finished products. Note that the amount of collected finished products refers to the amount of finished products collected for recycling that was used when producing "X4" units of finished products a.

[0057] <Hardware Configuration of Visualization Device> Next, the hardware configuration of the visualization device according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the visualization device. As shown in Fig. 4, the visualization device 400 includes a processor 401, a memory 402, an auxiliary storage device 403, an interface device 404, a communication device 405, and a drive device 406. Note that the respective hardware components of the visualization device 400 are connected to each other via a bus 407.

[0058] The processor 401 has various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The processor 401 executes various programs (for example, a visualization program) by reading them into the memory 402.

[0059] The memory 402 has a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The processor 401 and the memory 402 form a so-called computer, and the processor 401 executes various programs read onto the memory 402, thereby enabling the computer to realize various functions.

[0060] The auxiliary storage device 403 stores various programs and various data used when the various programs are executed by the processor 401. For example, a data storage unit 505 (described later) is realized in the auxiliary storage device 403.

[0061] The interface device 404 is a connection device for connecting an operation device 411, which is an example of a user interface device, and a display device 412. The communication device 405 is a communication device for communicating with an external device via a network (not shown).

[0062] The drive device 406 is a device for loading a recording medium 413. The recording medium 413 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, and magneto-optical disks. The recording medium 413 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as ROMs and flash memories.

[0063] The various programs to be installed in the auxiliary storage device 403 are installed, for example, by setting the distributed recording medium 413 in the drive device 406 and reading the various programs recorded on the recording medium 413 by the drive device 406. Alternatively, the various programs to be installed in the auxiliary storage device 403 may be installed when downloaded from a network via the communication device 405.

[0064] <Functional Configuration of Visualization Device> Next, a detailed description will be given of the functional configuration of the visualization device 400. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the visualization device. As described above, a visualization program is installed in the visualization device 400, and by executing this program, the visualization device 400 functions as an acquisition unit 501, a ratio calculation unit 502, a visualization unit 503, and a change unit 504.

[0065] The acquisition unit 501 acquires from the resource manufacturer 110 the greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing raw material I having raw material weight "X1_1" and raw material II having raw material weight "X1_2", for each means of transportation and for each proportion of renewable energy.

[0066] The acquisition unit 501 acquires from the material manufacturer 120 the amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing a unit amount of material A for each means of transportation, each proportion of renewable energy, and each amount of recovered material.

[0067] The acquisition unit 501 acquires from the parts manufacturer 130 the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that would be emitted when producing "X3" parts α, for each means of transportation, each proportion of renewable energy, and each amount of collected parts.

[0068] The acquisition unit 501 acquires from the finished product manufacturer 140 the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that would be emitted when producing "X4" units of finished product a, for each means of transportation, each proportion of renewable energy, and each amount of collected finished product.

[0069] Note that the description here has been given of a case in which the acquisition unit 501 acquires greenhouse gas emissions related to “material A,” which is a specific product produced by the material manufacturer 120. However, the acquisition unit 501 may acquire greenhouse gas emissions related to other specific products produced by the material manufacturer 120.

[0070] The ratio calculation unit 502 calculates the ratio between the greenhouse gas emission amount acquired from each of the resource manufacturer 110 , the parts manufacturer 130 , and the finished product manufacturer 140 and the greenhouse gas emission amount acquired from the material manufacturer 120 . Specifically, the ratio calculation unit 502 calculates the following: Ratio 1 = (amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing each of raw material I having raw material weight "X1_1" and raw material II having raw material weight "X1_2") / (amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing a unit amount of material A), Ratio 2 = (amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing a unit amount of material A) / (amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing a unit amount of material A), Ratio 3 = (amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing "X3" number of parts a) / (amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when producing a unit amount of material A), Ratio 4 = (amount of greenhouse gas emissions 4 when producing "X4" number of finished products a) / (amount of greenhouse gas emissions when producing a unit amount of material A).

[0071] The ratio calculation unit 502 stores the ratios calculated for each means of transportation, each proportion of renewable energy, and each amount of recovery, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions used to calculate the ratios, in the data storage unit 505 for each type of specific product.

[0072] The visualization unit 503 uses ratios 1 to 4 stored in the data storage unit 505 to visualize the greenhouse gas emissions of each of the resource manufacturers 110, material manufacturers 120, parts manufacturers 130, and finished product manufacturers 140 included in the supplier chain 100.

[0073] The visualization unit 503 visualizes the amount of materials collected by the material manufacturer 120, the amount of parts collected by the parts manufacturer 130, and the amount of finished products collected by the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0074] Specifically, the visualization unit 503 uses ratios 1 to 4 to visualize the greenhouse gas emissions of the resource manufacturer 110, material manufacturer 120, parts manufacturer 130, and finished product manufacturer 140, respectively, using a Sankey diagram.

[0075] For example, the visualization unit 503 visualizes an emission line in a Sankey diagram in which the ratio of the thickness of the emission line representing greenhouse gas emission amount 1 to the thickness of other emission lines is adjusted based on ratio 1.

[0076] The visualization unit 503 visualizes, in a Sankey diagram, an emission line in which the ratio of the thickness of the emission line representing greenhouse gas emission amount 2 to the thickness of the other emission lines is adjusted based on ratio 2.

[0077] The visualization unit 503 visualizes, in a Sankey diagram, an emission line in which the ratio of the thickness of the emission line representing greenhouse gas emission amount 3 to the thickness of the other emission lines is adjusted based on ratio 3.

[0078] The visualization unit 503 visualizes, in a Sankey diagram, an emission line in which the ratio of the thickness of the emission line representing greenhouse gas emission amount 4 to the thickness of the other emission lines is adjusted based on ratio 4.

[0079] Furthermore, the visualization unit 503 visualizes the collection amounts of the material manufacturer 120, the parts manufacturer 130, and the finished product manufacturer 140 using a Sankey diagram.

[0080] For example, the visualization unit 503 visualizes, in a Sankey diagram, a collection amount line whose thickness is adjusted according to the amount of material collected by the material manufacturer 120 in-house, the amount of material collected from the parts manufacturer 130, and the amount of material collected from the finished product manufacturer.

[0081] The visualization unit 503 visualizes, in a Sankey diagram, a collection amount line whose thickness is adjusted according to the amount of parts collected in-house by the parts manufacturer 130 and the amount of parts collected from the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0082] The visualization unit 503 visualizes, in a Sankey diagram, a collection amount line whose thickness is adjusted according to the collection amount of finished products collected by the finished product manufacturer 140 within the company.

[0083] The modification unit 504 receives input of modification details when changing the thickness of each line in the Sankey diagram generated by the visualization unit 503, and reflects the modification details in the visualization unit 503. The modification details that the modification unit 504 receives as input include: the type of material, the greenhouse gas emissions of the resource manufacturer 110, the greenhouse gas emissions of the material manufacturer 120, the greenhouse gas emissions of the parts manufacturer 130, and the greenhouse gas emissions of the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0084] In addition, the changes that the change unit 504 accepts as input include: the proportion of recycled energy of the resource manufacturer 110, the proportion of recycled energy of the material manufacturer 120, the proportion of recycled energy of the parts manufacturer 130, and the proportion of recycled energy of the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0085] The change contents that the change unit 504 accepts as input include: the transportation means of the resource manufacturer 110; the transportation means of the material manufacturer 120; the transportation means of the parts manufacturer 130; and the transportation means of the finished product manufacturer 140.

[0086] The change contents that the change unit 504 accepts as input include: the amount of materials recovered by the material manufacturer 120 in-house, from the parts manufacturer 130, or from the finished product manufacturer 140; the amount of parts recovered by the parts manufacturer 130 in-house or from the finished product manufacturer 140; and the amount of finished products recovered by the finished product manufacturer 140 in-house.

[0087] <Example of Data Stored in Data Storage Unit> Next, a description will be given of a specific example of data stored in the data storage unit 505. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the data storage unit of the visualization device according to the first embodiment.

[0088] As indicated by reference numeral 600 in FIG. 6, in the visualization device 400 according to the first embodiment, the data storage unit 505 stores the greenhouse gas emissions of each business for each type of material.

[0089] As indicated by the reference numeral 600, the greenhouse gas emission amounts stored in the data storage unit 505 include, as information items, the following: "Greenhouse gas emission amount 1 of the resource manufacturer emitted when producing raw materials of "raw material weight" X1_1 and "X1_2""; "Greenhouse gas emission amount 2 of the material manufacturer emitted when producing a unit amount of material"; "Greenhouse gas emission amount 3 of the parts manufacturer emitted when producing "quantity X3" of parts"; and "Greenhouse gas emission amount 4 of the finished product manufacturer emitted when producing "quantity X4" of parts". The example of the reference numeral 600 in FIG. 6 shows that the following are stored as greenhouse gas emission amounts corresponding to the information items: Y1, Y2 (= Y0), Y3, Y4.

[0090] In the example of reference numeral 600 in FIG. 6, although omitted for the sake of simplicity, for example, the item "direct emissions associated with business implementation" stores different emissions amounts for each recovery amount. Also, the item "indirect emissions associated with energy supply" stores different emissions amounts for each renewable energy ratio. Also, the item "indirect emissions associated with transportation" stores different emissions amounts for each transportation means.

[0091] Therefore, it is assumed that the "emission amount Y" stores greenhouse gas emission amounts corresponding to the number of combinations between items.

[0092] As indicated by reference numeral 610 in FIG. 6, in the visualization device 400 according to the first embodiment, the data storage unit 505 further stores the amount of waste collected by each business operator.

[0093] As indicated by reference numeral 610, the collected amount stored in the data storage unit 505 includes the following information items: "In-house collected amount", "Amount collected from downstream 1", and "Amount collected from downstream 2". The example of reference numeral 610 in Fig. 6 shows that the following are stored as collected amounts corresponding to the information items: Z2_1, Z2_2, Z2_3, Z3_1, Z3_2, and Z4_1.

[0094] <Example of Greenhouse Gas Emission Ratio Display Screen> Next, a description will be given of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by the visualization unit 503 of the visualization device 400 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by the visualization device according to the first embodiment.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 7, a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 has a change area 710 and a Sankey diagram display area 720 .

[0096] The change area 710 includes a material type change area 711, a resource manufacturer greenhouse gas emission amount change area 712, a material manufacturer greenhouse gas emission amount change area 713, a parts manufacturer greenhouse gas emission amount change area 714, and a finished product manufacturer greenhouse gas emission amount change area 715.

[0097] A Sankey diagram is displayed in the Sankey diagram display area 720. In the Sankey diagram display area 720, emission amount lines 721 connecting businesses are emission amount lines whose thickness ratios are adjusted based on ratio 1 (= Y1 / Y0), and correspond to the greenhouse gas emission amount "Y1" of the resource manufacturer 110.

[0098] In the Sankey diagram display area 720, an emission amount line 722_1 connecting businesses is an emission amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the ratio 2 (= Y2 / Y0), and corresponds to the greenhouse gas emission amount "Y2" of the material manufacturer 120. In the Sankey diagram display area 720, a recovery amount line 722_2 starting and ending at one business is a recovery amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the company's own recovery amount. Specifically, the recovery amount line 722_2 starting and ending at one business represents the company's own recovery amount "Z2_1" of materials for recycling used when the material manufacturer 120 produces a unit amount of material A. In the Sankey diagram display area 720, a recovery amount line 722_3 connecting businesses is a recovery amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the amount collected from the parts manufacturer 130. Specifically, the collected amount line 722_3 connecting the businesses represents the collected amount "Z2_2" of the recycled material from the parts manufacturer 130 that was used by the material manufacturer 120 to produce a unit amount of material A.

[0099] In the Sankey diagram display area 720, the emission amount line 723_1 connecting businesses is an emission amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the ratio 3 (= Y3 / Y0), and corresponds to the greenhouse gas emission amount "Y3" of the parts manufacturer 130. In the Sankey diagram display area 720, the collection amount line 723_2 starting and ending at one business is a collection amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the part manufacturer's collection amount. Specifically, the collection amount line 723_2 starting and ending at one business represents the part manufacturer 130's own collection amount "Z3_1" of parts for recycling used when the part manufacturer 130 produces "X3" units of parts α. In the Sankey diagram display area 720, the collection amount line 723_3 connecting businesses is a collection amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the part manufacturer's collection amount from the finished product manufacturer 140. Specifically, the collection quantity line 723_3 connecting the businesses represents the collection quantity "Z3_2" of the parts for recycling from the finished product manufacturer 140 that was used when the parts manufacturer 130 produced the part α in the quantity "X3".

[0100] In the Sankey diagram display area 720, the emission amount line 724_1 of the end business is an emission amount line whose thickness ratio has been adjusted based on the ratio 4 (= Y4 / Y0), and corresponds to the greenhouse gas emission amount "Y4" of the finished product manufacturer 140. In the Sankey diagram display area 720, the collection amount line 724_2 whose start and end are one business is a collection amount line whose thickness has been adjusted based on the company's collection amount. Specifically, the collection amount line 724_2 whose start and end are one business represents the company's collection amount "Z4_1" of finished products for recycling that was used by the finished product manufacturer 140 when producing "X4" parts of finished product a.

[0101] For example, when the user changes the type of material in the material type change area 711 of the change area 710 , a Sankey diagram for the changed material is displayed in the Sankey diagram display area 720 .

[0102] Also, for example, when a user changes the resource manufacturer greenhouse gas emission amount in the resource manufacturer greenhouse gas emission change area 712 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 721 connecting businesses is changed based on the changed resource manufacturer greenhouse gas emission amount.

[0103] Similarly, when the user changes the greenhouse gas emissions of a material manufacturer in the material manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions change area 713 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission line 722_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the changed material manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions.

[0104] Similarly, when the user changes the greenhouse gas emissions of a parts manufacturer in the parts manufacturer greenhouse gas emission change area 714 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission line 723_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the changed greenhouse gas emissions of the parts manufacturer.

[0105] Similarly, when the user changes the finished product manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions amount in the finished product manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions change area 715 of the change area 710, the thickness of the end operator's emissions line 724_1 is changed based on the changed finished product manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions amount.

[0106] In this way, by visualizing the greenhouse gas emissions of each business in the supply chain using a Sankey diagram, the user can: analyze the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions of each business to the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire supply chain. By being able to analyze the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions of each business, it becomes possible to recognize which business's greenhouse gas emissions would be effective in improving the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire supply chain. In other words, the visualization device 400 can support efforts to improve greenhouse gas emissions of the entire supplier chain.

[0107] <Flow of Visualization Process> Next, the flow of the visualization process executed by the visualization device according to the first embodiment will be described. Note that, here, the businesses constituting the supplier chain 100 will be described in general terms. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow of the visualization process executed by the visualization device according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the number of businesses constituting the supplier chain is set to N. The business that generates a specific product is set to the nth business. The products generated by the first to Nth businesses, respectively, are referred to as the first product to the Nth product. Therefore, the product generated by the n-1th business will be referred to as the n-1th product, the product generated by the nth business will be referred to as the nth product, and the nth product generated by the n+1th business will be referred to as the n+1th product.

[0108] In step S801, the visualization device 400 identifies a supplier chain for an nth product produced by an nth business operator.

[0109] In step S802, the visualization device 400 calculates a first greenhouse gas emission amount emitted when the nth business generates a unit amount of the nth product.

[0110] In step S803, the visualization device 400 acquires the second greenhouse gas emissions emitted when the first business operator produces the n-1st business operator from the primary product, which is used when the nth business operator produces a unit amount of the nth product.

[0111] In step S804, the visualization device 400 acquires the third greenhouse gas emissions emitted when the Nth business produces the n+1th to n+1st products, which are generated using a unit amount of nth-order products generated by the nth business.

[0112] In step S805, the visualization device 400 calculates the ratio of the second and third greenhouse gas emissions acquired in steps S803 and S804 based on the first greenhouse gas emission amount acquired in step S802. The visualization device 400 stores the calculated ratio in the data storage unit 505 together with the acquired first to third greenhouse gas emission amounts.

[0113] In step S806, the visualization device 400 determines whether to similarly acquire the first to third greenhouse gas emissions for other types of nth-order products of the nth business. If it is determined that the first to third greenhouse gas emissions for other types of nth-order products will be acquired in the same way (YES in step S806), the process returns to step S801.

[0114] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S806 that the first to third greenhouse gas emissions are not to be acquired for other types of nth-order products (NO in step S806), the process proceeds to step S807.

[0115] In step S807, the visualization device 400 receives an instruction to start the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen, and displays the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700.

[0116] In step S808, the visualization device 400 accepts input of change information in the change area 710 of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700.

[0117] In step S809, the visualization device 400 modifies and displays the Sankey diagram based on the received input modification information and the data stored in the data storage unit 505.

[0118] In step S810, the visualization device 400 determines whether to continue displaying the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700, and if it determines to continue (YES in step S810), returns to step S808.

[0119] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S810 that the visualization process will not continue (NO in step S810), the visualization process ends.

[0120] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the visualization device 400 according to the first embodiment: acquires a first greenhouse gas emission amount "Y0" emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is produced by an nth business out of N business entities making up a supplier chain; acquires a second greenhouse gas emission amount "Y1" emitted when n-1th to n-1th business entities produce, from a primary product to an n-1th product, which are used to produce a unit amount of an nth product; acquires third greenhouse gas emission amounts "Y3" and "Y4" emitted when n+1th to Nth business entities produce, from an n+1th to Nth product, which are produced using a unit amount of an nth product; visualizes the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business entities making up a supplier chain using the ratio of the second and third greenhouse gas emissions "Y1", "Y3", and "Y4" to the first greenhouse gas emission amount "Y0".

[0121] In this way, by visualizing the greenhouse gas emissions of N businesses that make up the supply chain, the visualization device 400 according to the first embodiment can support efforts to improve the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire supply chain.

[0122] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which a user changes the type of material or the greenhouse gas emissions of each business in the change area 710 of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700. However, the parameters that can be changed by a user in the change area 710 of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 are not limited to these. In the second embodiment, a description will be given of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 in the case in which other parameters are changed.

[0123] (1) Changing the Renewable Energy Proportion First, a case where a user changes the renewable energy proportion of each business operator will be described. Fig. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by the visualization device according to the second embodiment.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 9, the change area 710 includes a resource manufacturer renewable energy rate change area 912 , a material manufacturer renewable energy rate change area 913 , a parts manufacturer renewable energy rate change area 914 , and a finished product manufacturer renewable energy rate change area 915 .

[0125] For example, when a user changes the proportion of renewable energy in the resource manufacturer renewable energy proportion change area 912 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 721 connecting businesses is changed based on the resource manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to the changed proportion of renewable energy.

[0126] Similarly, when the user changes the renewable energy proportion in the material manufacturer renewable energy proportion change area 913 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 722_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the material manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to the changed renewable energy proportion.

[0127] Similarly, when the user changes the renewable energy ratio in the parts manufacturer renewable energy ratio change area 914 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 723_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the greenhouse gas emissions of the parts manufacturer according to the changed renewable energy ratio.

[0128] Similarly, when the user changes the renewable energy proportion in the finished product manufacturer renewable energy proportion change area 915 of the change area 710, the thickness of the end operator's emissions line 724_1 is changed based on the finished product manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to the changed renewable energy proportion.

[0129] (2) When Changing the Means of Transportation Next, a case where a user changes the means of transportation of each business operator will be described. Fig. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by the visualization device according to the second embodiment.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 10, the change area 710 includes a resource manufacturer transportation method change area 1012 , a material manufacturer transportation method change area 1013 , a parts manufacturer transportation method change area 1014 , and a finished product manufacturer transportation method change area 1015 .

[0131] For example, when a user changes the transportation method in the resource manufacturer transportation method change area 1012 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 721 connecting businesses is changed based on the resource manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions according to the changed transportation method.

[0132] Similarly, when the user changes the transportation method in the material manufacturer transportation method change area 1013 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 722_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the material manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions according to the changed transportation method.

[0133] Similarly, when the user changes the transportation method in the parts manufacturer transportation method change area 1014 of the change area 710, the thickness of the emission amount line 723_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the parts manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions according to the changed transportation method.

[0134] Similarly, when the user changes the transportation method in the finished product manufacturer transportation method change area 1015 of the change area 710, the thickness of the end operator's emission amount line 724_1 is changed based on the finished product manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions according to the changed transportation method.

[0135] (3) Changing the Collection Amount Next, a case where a user changes the collection amount of resources for recycling of each business operator will be described. Fig. 11 is a third diagram showing an example of a greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen generated by the visualization device according to the second embodiment.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 11, the change area 710 includes a material manufacturer collection amount change area 1113 , a parts manufacturer collection amount change area 1114 , and a finished product manufacturer collection amount change area 1115 .

[0137] For example, when the user changes the collection amount indicated by the symbol 1113_1 in the material manufacturer collection amount change area 1113 of the change area 710, the thickness of the collection amount line 722_2 is changed. Also, when the user changes the collection amount indicated by the symbol 1113_1, the thickness of the emission amount line 722_1 connecting businesses is changed based on the material manufacturer greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to the changed collection amount.

[0138] When the user changes the recovery amount indicated by symbol 1113_2, the thickness of the recovery amount line 722_3 is changed, and the thickness of the emission amount line 722_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the greenhouse gas emissions of the material manufacturer according to the changed recovery amount.

[0139] When the user changes the recovery amount indicated by symbol 1113_3, a new recovery amount line connecting the finished product manufacturer and the material manufacturer is displayed, and the thickness of the emission amount line 722_1 connecting the businesses is changed based on the material manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions according to the changed recovery amount.

[0140] Similarly, for example, when the user changes the collection amount indicated by reference numeral 1114_1 in the parts manufacturer collection amount change area 1114 of the change area 710, the thickness of the collection amount line 723_2 is changed. Furthermore, when the user changes the collection amount indicated by reference numeral 1114_1, the thickness of the emission amount line 723_1 connecting businesses is changed based on the greenhouse gas emissions of the parts manufacturers corresponding to the changed collection amount.

[0141] When the user changes the collection amount indicated by symbol 1114_2, the thickness of the collection amount line 723_3 is changed, and the thickness of the emission amount line 723_1 connecting businesses is changed based on the greenhouse gas emissions of the parts manufacturers according to the changed collection amount.

[0142] Similarly, for example, when a user changes the collection amount indicated by symbol 1115_1 in the finished product manufacturer collection amount change area 1115 of the change area 710, the thickness of the collection amount line 724_2 is changed, and the thickness of the end business operator's emission amount line 724_1 is changed based on the finished product manufacturer's greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to the changed collection amount.

[0143] In this way, the visualization device 400 according to the second embodiment allows the user to visually recognize the greenhouse gas emissions after changing other parameters.

[0144] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the calculation method for the greenhouse gas emissions of each business operator has been described using the calculation example in FIG. 1 . However, the calculation method for the greenhouse gas emissions of each business operator is not limited to the calculation example exemplified using FIG. 1 , and the greenhouse gas emissions may be calculated using other calculation methods.

[0145] The greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 of the first embodiment described above shows a Sankey diagram in which the resource manufacturer 110, the parts manufacturer 130, and the finished product manufacturer 140 are each one business operator. However, the display method of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 is not limited to this. For example, if the resource manufacturer 110 is made up of two businesses, the emission amount line 721 connecting the businesses may be divided into upper and lower halves according to the ratio of each business operator.

[0146] In the first embodiment, the specific product is described as "material A" and the n-th business is the material manufacturer 120. However, the specific product may be raw material I, raw material II, part α, finished product a, etc. In this case, the n-th business is the resource manufacturer 110, the part manufacturer 130, and the finished product manufacturer 140, respectively.

[0147] In the first embodiment, the visualization device 400 is described as acquiring, from each business operator, greenhouse gas emissions for each means of transportation, greenhouse gas emissions for each proportion of renewable energy, and greenhouse gas emissions for each amount of recovered material. However, the visualization device 400 does not need to acquire all greenhouse gas emissions, and, for example, some greenhouse gas emissions may be substituted with industry standard values, estimated values, or the like.

[0148] In the second embodiment described above, parameters other than the type of material and the greenhouse gas emissions of each business were exemplified, but the parameters other than the type of material and the greenhouse gas emissions of each business are not limited to those exemplified in the second embodiment described above.

[0149] In the second embodiment, when changing the transportation means, the user changes to any one of the transportation means, but the user may change to a plurality of transportation means at a predetermined ratio.

[0150] In each of the above embodiments, the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 is exemplified as the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen, but the layout, display items, etc. of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen are not limited to the exemplified greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700.

[0151] In the above embodiments, it has been described that when a parameter related to one of the businesses is changed in the change area 710 of the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700, the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the greenhouse gas emissions of that business is changed. However, the method of change on the greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 700 is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the thickness of the emission lines corresponding to the greenhouse gas emissions of businesses other than the business whose parameters have been changed is changed so as to maintain the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions between the businesses.

[0152] In each of the above embodiments, greenhouse gas emissions are shown using Sankey diagrams, but greenhouse gas emissions may be shown using diagrams other than Sankey diagrams.

[0153] In the above embodiments, the visualization device 400 is described as being realized by one device, but the visualization device 400 may be realized by a plurality of devices.

[0154] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, but may be combined with other elements, etc. These aspects can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form.

[0155] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-212948 filed on December 18, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0156] 100: Supplier chain 110: Resource manufacturer 120: Material manufacturer 130: Parts manufacturer 140: Finished product manufacturer 400: Visualization device 501: Acquisition unit 502: Ratio calculation unit 503: Visualization unit 504: Change unit 700: Greenhouse gas emission ratio display screen 710: Change area 720: Sankey diagram display area

Claims

1. A visualization device having: an acquisition unit that acquires a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is generated by an nth business among N business operators constituting a supplier chain; a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when primary products to n-1st products used when generating the unit amount of the nth product are generated by the 1st to n-1th business operators; and a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when n+1st to Nth business operators generate n+1st to Nth products produced using the unit amount of the nth product; and a visualization unit that visualizes the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business operators constituting the supplier chain using a ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions and a ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

2. The visualization device of claim 1, wherein the first greenhouse gas emissions include: greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the implementation of the business of the nth business operator; greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the supply of energy for the nth business operator to implement its business; greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with transportation for the nth business operator to implement its business; and greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the activities of business workers for the nth business operator to implement its business.

3. The visualization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second greenhouse gas emissions include: greenhouse gas emissions emitted in conjunction with the implementation of the business of each of the 1st to n-1th business operators; greenhouse gas emissions emitted in conjunction with the supply of energy to implement the business of each of the 1st to n-1th business operators; and greenhouse gas emissions emitted in conjunction with the activities of business workers to implement the business of each of the 1st to n-1th business operators.

4. The visualization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third greenhouse gas emissions include: greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the implementation of the business of each of the n+1th to Nth business operators; greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the supply of energy to implement the business of each of the n+1th to Nth business operators; and greenhouse gas emissions emitted in association with the activities of business workers to implement the business of each of the n+1th to Nth business operators.

5. The visualization device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the visualization unit visualizes the greenhouse gas emissions of N businesses that make up the supplier chain using a Sankey diagram, using the ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions, and the ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

6. The visualization device according to claim 5, wherein the Sankey diagram includes: emission amount lines connecting each business operator or emission amount lines of a terminal business operator, the thickness of which is adjusted according to the ratio between the second greenhouse gas emission amount and the first greenhouse gas emission amount and the ratio between the third greenhouse gas emission amount and the first greenhouse gas emission amount; and recovery amount lines starting and ending at each business operator, or recovery amount lines connecting each business operator, the thickness of which is adjusted according to the amount of resources recovered by each business operator for recycling.

7. The visualization device described in claim 6, further comprising a modification unit that changes the greenhouse gas emissions of any one of the businesses, wherein the visualization unit changes the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram according to the greenhouse gas emissions after the modification unit.

8. The visualization device of claim 6, further comprising a modification unit that changes the proportion of renewable energy in the energy used by any one of the businesses to carry out its business, wherein the visualization unit changes the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram in accordance with the greenhouse gas emissions based on the proportion of renewable energy after the change by the modification unit.

9. The visualization device of claim 6, further comprising a modification unit that changes the means of transportation used by any one of the businesses to carry out its business, wherein the visualization unit changes the thickness of the emission line corresponding to the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram in accordance with the greenhouse gas emissions based on the means of transportation after the modification unit has changed it.

10. A visualization device as described in claim 6, further comprising a modification unit that changes the amount of resources recovered for recycling when any one of the businesses carries out its business, wherein the visualization unit changes the thickness of a recovery amount line that has the one business as its start and end in the Sankey diagram, or a recovery amount line connecting between each of the businesses, in accordance with the recovery amount changed by the modification unit, and changes the thickness of an emission amount line corresponding to the one of the businesses in the Sankey diagram in accordance with the greenhouse gas emissions based on the recovery amount changed by the modification unit.

11. The visualization device of claim 6, wherein the nth business operator is a specific business operator, each of the 1st to n-1th businesses includes a plurality of businesses that generate n-1th products from the same type of primary product, and each of the n+1th to Nth businesses includes a plurality of businesses that generate Nth products from the same type of n+1th products.

12. A visualization method executed by a computer, comprising the steps of: acquiring a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is generated by an nth business among N business operators constituting a supplier chain; a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when primary products to n-1st products used when generating the unit amount of the nth product are generated by the 1st to n-1st business operators; and a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when n+1st to Nth business operators generate n+1st to Nth products produced using the unit amount of the nth product; and visualizing the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business operators constituting the supplier chain using a ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions, and a ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.

13. A visualization program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: acquiring a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when a unit amount of an nth product is generated by an nth business among N business operators constituting a supplier chain; a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when primary products to n-1st products used when generating the unit amount of the nth product are generated by the 1st to n-1st business operators; and a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when n+1st to Nth business operators generate n+1st to Nth products produced using the unit amount of the nth product; and visualizing the greenhouse gas emissions of the N business operators constituting the supplier chain using the ratio between the second greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions, and the ratio between the third greenhouse gas emissions and the first greenhouse gas emissions.