Greenhouse gas reduction support device, greenhouse gas reduction support method, greenhouse gas reduction support program, and greenhouse gas reduction support system

Abstract

This greenhouse gas reduction support device (1) comprises: an information acquisition unit (11) that acquires unique information about a support target business operator including business-related information that includes various types of information related to the business performed by the support target business operator; a calculation unit (12) that, on the basis of the business-related information included in the unique information acquired by the information acquisition unit, calculates the predicted value of a greenhouse gas discharge amount after a specific period has elapsed from the present, and calculates the difference between the predicted value and a target value of the greenhouse gas discharge amount after the specific period has elapsed; and an output unit (14) that outputs the calculation results by the calculation unit to the outside.

Description

Greenhouse gas reduction support device, greenhouse gas reduction support method, greenhouse gas reduction support program, and greenhouse gas reduction support system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a greenhouse gas reduction support device, a greenhouse gas reduction support method, a greenhouse gas reduction support program, and a greenhouse gas reduction support system that support businesses in achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a measure against global warming. Accordingly, various technologies have been proposed to enable businesses such as companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that calculates CO2 emissions based on energy usage data output from an energy usage measuring device, and displays an image that graphs the calculated CO2 emissions and the target CO2 emissions, allowing the user to understand the difference between the actual CO2 emissions and the target value.

[0004] JP 2011-34205 A

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 predicts CO2 emissions based on the slope of a graph showing past CO2 emissions up to the present. However, in actual businesses, CO2 emissions change due to, for example, changes in scale or changes to equipment, so there is a problem that prediction accuracy may be poor when made based on the slope of a graph showing past CO2 emissions.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a greenhouse gas reduction support device that can predict CO2 emissions with improved accuracy.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the greenhouse gas reduction support device disclosed herein is characterized by comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires unique information of a supported business that includes business-related information, which is various information related to the business conducted by the supported business, a calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of greenhouse gas emissions after a specific period has elapsed from the present based on the business-related information included in the unique information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and calculates the difference between the target value and the predicted value of greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed, and an output unit that outputs the calculation result by the calculation unit to the outside.

[0008] The present disclosure provides an effect of realizing a greenhouse gas reduction support device that can predict CO2 emissions with improved accuracy.

[0009] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a greenhouse gas reduction support system according to a first embodiment; 2 is a diagram showing an example of a business-related information table; 3 is a diagram showing an example of a target setting table; 4 is a diagram showing an example of a weighting table; 5 is a diagram showing an example of a business growth information table; 6 is a diagram showing an example of an emission coefficient table; 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a greenhouse gas reduction support device according to a first embodiment; 8 is a diagram showing an example of an activity amount change prediction table; 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a greenhouse gas reduction support device according to a first embodiment, for determining GHG reduction measures to be implemented; 10 is a diagram showing an example of a GHG reduction measure proposal table;

[0010] Hereinafter, a greenhouse gas reduction support device, a greenhouse gas reduction support method, a greenhouse gas reduction support program, and a greenhouse gas reduction support system according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a greenhouse gas reduction support system 100 according to embodiment 1. The greenhouse gas reduction support system 100 includes a greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 and a terminal device 2 connected to the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 via a communication network (not shown).

[0012] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 includes an information acquisition unit 11, a calculation unit 12, a storage unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0013] The information acquisition unit 11 acquires information and the like required for processing to support greenhouse gas reduction from the terminal device 2. In order to support greenhouse gas reduction, the calculation unit 12 performs various calculation processes using the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 from the terminal device 2 and the information held in the storage unit 13. The storage unit 13 stores the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 from the terminal device 2 as a table. The output unit 14 outputs the calculation results by the calculation unit 12 to the terminal device 2.

[0014] In this embodiment, "supporting greenhouse gas reduction" means supporting the business operator in deciding on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that the emissions reach the target value.

[0015] The terminal device 2 is installed in an office or the like of a business operator that receives support for greenhouse gas reduction. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the terminal device 2 includes a display unit, an input unit that accepts operations, a communication unit that connects to a communication network and transmits and receives data, and the like. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a personal computer. The terminal device 2 may also be a tablet terminal or the like.

[0016] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 acquires various information related to the business conducted by a supported business (hereinafter referred to as the "supported business" or simply the "business") from a terminal device 2, and predicts future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on the acquired information. That is, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 calculates a predicted value of GHG emissions after a specific period has elapsed from the present based on various information acquired from the supported business. Furthermore, if the calculated predicted value of GHG emissions does not achieve a set target, specifically if the predicted value of GHG emissions is higher than the target value, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 supports the business in determining measures to enable the GHG emissions target to be achieved.

[0017] 2 to 6 show examples of information stored in the storage unit 13 among the information used in GHG reduction support by the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1. The information shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 is acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 from the terminal device 2 at a predetermined timing, or is calculated using information acquired from the terminal device 2. The information acquisition unit 11 may acquire some or all of the information shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 from another device not shown in FIG. 1, instead of the terminal device 2.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a business-related information table 201. The business-related information table 201 stores various types of business-related information related to the business conducted by the supported business. For example, the business-related information table 201 stores information such as an "equipment management number," an "equipment classification" indicating the classification of the business's equipment, a "number" indicating the number of each piece of equipment, a "location" indicating the installation location of each piece of equipment, a "building" indicating the building in which each piece of equipment is installed, an "annual energy consumption" indicating the annual energy consumption of each type of energy in each piece of equipment, a "power meter presence / absence" indicating whether each piece of equipment has a power meter, an "air conditioning presence / absence" indicating whether the installation location of each piece of equipment has air conditioning, a "solar power generation presence / absence" indicating whether solar power generation equipment is installed on the premises where each piece of equipment is installed, and a "solar power installation possibility" indicating whether solar power generation equipment can be installed on the premises where each piece of equipment is installed. The latest business-related information is registered in the business-related information table 201. The latest business-related information indicates the current status of the business conducted by the supported business.

[0019] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the target setting table 202. Target information for future GHG emissions of the support business operator is registered in the target setting table 202. For example, the target setting table 202 registers a "target reduction rate from the present" indicating a target value for the reduction rate of the current GHG emissions, and a "target number of years" indicating how many years from the present the target value is to be achieved.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the weighting table 203. The weighting table 203 is used when future GHG emissions cannot be achieved, i.e., when supporting a business operator in determining measures to further reduce GHG emissions. The weighting table 203 registers the ratios of three reduction categories: the energy-saving category, the renewable energy category, and the offset category. The ratio of each reduction category indicates the ratio of the additional GHG emission reduction amount in each reduction category to the total additional GHG emission reduction amount. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the energy-saving category is 60%, the renewable energy category is 40%, and the offset category is 0%. In this case, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1, in supporting a business operator in determining measures to further reduce GHG emissions, presents proposed measures to reduce GHG emissions so that 60% of the additional GHG emission reduction amount belongs to the energy-saving category and 40% belongs to the renewable energy category.

[0021] Here, the reduction of GHG emissions in the energy saving category refers to the reduction of GHG emissions by making equipment more energy-efficient, such as by replacing equipment with equipment that consumes less energy. The reduction of GHG emissions in the renewable energy category refers to the reduction of GHG emissions by switching the energy used by equipment to renewable energy, such as by introducing solar power generation, wind power generation, etc. The reduction of GHG emissions in the offset category refers to the reduction of GHG emissions by utilizing the offset credit system.

[0022] It is also possible to provide a plurality of weighting tables 203. For example, a plurality of weighting tables 203, each with a different ratio for each of the three reduction categories, may be stored in the storage unit 13, and priorities may be set for the plurality of weighting tables 203. When the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 is unable to present a countermeasure plan with the highest priority weighting (composition ratio) in supporting the business operator in deciding on countermeasures for additionally reducing GHG emissions, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 presents a countermeasure plan with the second highest priority weighting. When it is unable to present a countermeasure plan with the second highest priority weighting, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 presents a countermeasure plan with the highest weighting that can be presented among the countermeasure plans with the third and lower priorities.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the business growth information table 204. The business growth information table 204 is used by the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 when predicting the future GHG emissions of the supported business, i.e., when calculating the predicted future GHG emissions of the supported business. The business growth information table 204 registers the number of years elapsed and business growth information. The business growth information indicates how much the business scale will grow from the current point in time after the number of years indicated by the number of years elapsed has passed since the current point in time (this fiscal year). Note that information corresponding to the number of years elapsed = 0 represents the current business growth information, and the current business growth information is expressed as 100%. The business growth information is determined by the business, for example, based on the business plan of the business. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the business scale will be 110% of the current business scale (= growth rate 10%) after 10 years have passed, and will be 130% of the current business scale (= growth rate 30%) after 20 years have passed.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the emission coefficient table 205. Like the business growth information table 204, the emission coefficient table 205 is used by the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 when predicting future GHG emissions of a supported business. The emission coefficient table 205 registers emission coefficient change information for each elapsed year for each type of energy used by the business. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the emission coefficient change information for each elapsed year is registered as a ratio to the current (current year) emission coefficient. For example, when predicting GHG emissions for an elapsed year with an emission coefficient of 98%, the value of 98% of the current emission coefficient becomes the emission coefficient for the elapsed year being predicted. The emission coefficient is used to calculate the amount of GHG emissions generated by energy use. The GHG emissions can be obtained by multiplying the amount of energy used by the emission coefficient. The current emission coefficient is stored in the memory unit 13 as information different from the emission coefficient table 205.

[0025] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 first acquires the unique information of the business operator (step S11). Specifically, the information acquisition unit 11 acquires the unique information of the business operator to be supported from the terminal device 2. The unique information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 in step S11 constitutes the tables shown in Figures 2 to 6. That is, the information acquisition unit 11 acquires various pieces of information registered in the business-related information table 201, the target setting table 202, the weighting table 203, the business growth information table 204, and the emission coefficient table 205 held in the storage unit 13.

[0027] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then calculates the current GHG emissions of the supported business (step S12). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the current GHG emissions based on the business-related information of the supported business registered in the business-related information table 201. The calculation unit 12 calculates the current GHG emissions of the supported business using the business-related information in accordance with a known calculation method specified in the GHG Protocol. The calculation unit 12 calculates the current GHG emissions of the supported business as a whole using the annual energy consumption shown in FIG. 2 and the activity amounts of various emission activities specified in the GHG Protocol, which are not shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then calculates the target value of GHG emissions for the target year (step S13). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the target value of GHG emissions for the target year based on the current GHG emissions calculated in step S12 and the target reduction rate from the present registered in the target setting table 202. The calculation unit 12 calculates a value at which the target reduction rate from the present is achieved as the target value of GHG emissions for the target year. When the target setting table 202 shown in FIG. 3 is used, the target year is 10 years from the present. In this case, the calculation unit 12 sets the target value of GHG emissions for the target year to a value obtained by reducing the current GHG emissions by 30%, i.e., a value that is 70% of the current GHG emissions.

[0029] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then calculates the predicted amounts of energy and material to be used for each fiscal year (step S14). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the predicted amounts of energy and material to be used for each fiscal year based on the business growth information registered in the business growth information table 204. The calculation unit 12 stores the calculated predicted amounts of energy and material in the storage unit 13 as, for example, a table shown in FIG. 8.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the activity amount change prediction table 206. The activity amount change prediction table 206 stores the number of years elapsed, energy multiplier, energy usage, material multiplier, and material usage. The predicted energy and material usage for each fiscal year calculated by the calculation unit 12 is registered as the energy usage and material usage for each of one or more elapsed years (number of years elapsed = 1, 2, 3, ...). In the activity amount change prediction table 206 shown in FIG. 8, energy usage is expressed as the ratio of future energy usage (predicted energy usage) to current (this fiscal year) energy usage, i.e., the ratio of energy usage after the number of years indicated by the number of years elapsed to current energy usage. The energy usage corresponds to the result of multiplying the energy multiplier by the business growth information in the business growth information table 204. Furthermore, the material usage is expressed as the ratio of the future material usage (predicted material usage) to the current (this year) material usage, i.e., the ratio of the material usage after the number of years indicated by the number of years has passed to the current material usage. The material usage corresponds to the result of multiplying the business growth information in the business growth information table 204 by the material multiplying rate. The energy multiplying rate and material multiplying rate are assumed to be stored in advance in the memory unit 13. The energy multiplying rate and material multiplying rate may be acquired from the terminal device 2 in step S11 above. The energy multiplying rate and material multiplying rate may be different values ​​for each year that has passed.

[0031] Here, the material multiplication rate and material usage amount are information used in the calculation process of GHG emitted in the process of manufacturing raw materials, parts, products, etc. purchased by a business to run its business, GHG emitted along with the disposal of waste generated in the business, GHG emitted along with the use and disposal of products sold by a business, etc. In this embodiment, the material multiplication rate and material usage amount are used in the calculation process of GHG emissions that do not fall under the category of GHG emitted as a result of a business's use of energy (electricity, fuel).

[0032] The calculation unit 12 may calculate the energy consumption and material consumption for all of the elapsed years in the activity amount change prediction table 206, or may calculate only the energy consumption and material consumption for the elapsed years corresponding to the target year.

[0033] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then calculates a predicted value of GHG emissions for the target year (step S15). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the predicted value of GHG emissions for the target year based on the current GHG emissions, the business-related information table 201, the activity amount change prediction table 206, and the emission coefficient table 205. In the following description, the predicted value of GHG emissions may be referred to as predicted GHG emissions.

[0034] In step S15, the calculation unit 12 calculates the predicted value of GHG emissions associated with energy use and the predicted value of GHG emissions associated with material use, and sets the sum of the calculated predicted values ​​as the predicted value of GHG emissions for the target year. For example, the calculation unit 12 calculates the predicted value of energy use for the target year based on the annual energy use in the business-related information table 201 and the energy use in the activity amount change prediction table 206, and derives the predicted value of GHG emissions associated with energy use for the target year by multiplying the calculated predicted value by the corresponding emission coefficient for the target year. Note that the predicted value of energy use for the target year is calculated for each type of energy, and each calculated predicted value is multiplied by the corresponding emission coefficient for the target year. Furthermore, the calculation unit 12 derives the predicted value of GHG emissions associated with material use for the target year by multiplying the GHG emissions associated with material use, among the current GHG emissions, by the material use amount for the target year in the activity amount change prediction table 206.

[0035] Next, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 calculates the gap value between the predicted value and the target value of GHG emissions for the target year (step S16). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the difference between the predicted value of GHG emissions calculated in step S15 and the target value of GHG emissions calculated in step S13.

[0036] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then calculates the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for each of the energy-saving category, the renewable energy category, and the offset category (step S17). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for each reduction category based on the gap value calculated in step S16 and the weighting table 203. In more detail, the calculation unit 12 multiplies the gap value by the ratio of each reduction category registered in the weighting table 203, and sets each value obtained thereby as the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for each reduction category. For example, when calculating the target values ​​based on the weighting table 203 shown in FIG. 4, the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the energy-saving category is 60% of the gap value, the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the renewable energy category is 40% of the gap value, and the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the offset category is 0.

[0037] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then determines which GHG reduction measures to implement from among the GHG reduction measures that fall under the energy saving category (step S18). In step S18, the GHG reduction measures (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "measures") that have been prepared in advance are presented to the support target business operator, and the business operator is prompted to select one or more measures to implement, thereby determining which measures to implement. Specific examples of the operation corresponding to step S18 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13.

[0038] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 according to the first embodiment to determine a GHG reduction measure to be implemented. The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and determines a GHG reduction measure to be implemented from among GHG reduction measure plans that fall into the energy saving category.

[0039] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the GHG reduction measure plan table 207. The GHG reduction measure plan table 207 is assumed to be created in advance by a supported business operator and stored in the storage unit 13. The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may acquire the GHG reduction measure plan table 207 in step S11 described above and store it in the storage unit 13. Furthermore, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may create the GHG reduction measure plan table 207 by individually acquiring each piece of information to be registered in the GHG reduction measure plan table 207 from the supported business operator, rather than acquiring the created GHG reduction measure plan table 207.

[0040] The GHG reduction countermeasure proposal table 207 registers countermeasure proposals for realizing reductions in GHG emissions. The countermeasure proposals include "Countermeasure Proposal No.," "Reduction Category," "Content," "Equipment Classification," "Applicability to Equipment Category," "Cost," and "Reduction Effect." "Content" indicates the specific content to be implemented as a countermeasure. Equipment classification indicates the classification of equipment related to the countermeasure content. Equipment related to the countermeasure content is marked as "Applicable." "Applicability to Equipment Category" indicates whether the countermeasure is targeted at equipment installed in the facility, and is marked as "Applicable" if the countermeasure is targeted at equipment. "Cost" indicates the cost required to implement the countermeasure. "Reduction Effect" indicates the amount of GHG emissions reduced when the countermeasure is implemented.

[0041] When determining which GHG reduction measures to implement from among the GHG reduction measures that fall under the energy saving category, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 first calculates the cost-effectiveness of each of the GHG reduction measures that fall under the energy saving category (step S31). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the cost-effectiveness of each GHG reduction measure based on the costs and reduction effects included in each GHG reduction measure that falls under the energy saving category.

[0042] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then sorts and presents each GHG reduction measure proposal corresponding to the energy-saving category based on cost-effectiveness (step S32). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 creates a list in which each GHG reduction measure proposal corresponding to the energy-saving category is sorted, for example, in descending order of cost-effectiveness, and transmits the created list from the output unit 14 to the terminal device 2 for display. The terminal device 2 presents the GHG reduction measure proposal proposal screen 301 shown in FIG. 11 to the user by displaying it on the display unit. Note that FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the GHG reduction measure proposal presentation screen 301. Note that the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may sort and present each GHG reduction measure proposal corresponding to the energy-saving category based on reduction effect rather than cost-effectiveness. A configuration may be adopted in which the user can specify whether to sort based on cost-effectiveness or reduction effect. This further enhances user convenience. Furthermore, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may separate the GHG reduction measures into those that correspond to the equipment category and those that do not, and then sort and present them based on cost-effectiveness. For example, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may sort the GHG reduction measures for which the "Applicability to Equipment Category" in the GHG reduction measure plan table 207 is set to "Applicable" in order of decreasing cost-effectiveness and present them in the upper part of the GHG reduction measure plan presentation screen 301, and sort the GHG reduction measures for which the "Applicability to Equipment Category" is set to "Not Applicable" in order of decreasing cost-effectiveness and present them in the lower part of the GHG reduction measure plan presentation screen 301.

[0043] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then accepts the selection of a GHG reduction measure proposal to be implemented (step S33). In step S33, the terminal device 2 accepts the user's selection operation and transmits the selection result to the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1. The user checks the GHG reduction measure proposals presented on the GHG reduction measure proposal presentation screen 301 and performs a selection operation using an input device such as a mouse. The user selects a GHG reduction measure proposal to be implemented, for example, by clicking with the mouse on a column marked "Select" on the GHG reduction measure proposal presentation screen 301. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a GHG reduction measure proposal presentation screen 302 that is displayed when a GHG reduction measure proposal to be implemented has been selected. When the GHG reduction measure proposal to be implemented is selected by the user, the terminal device 2 switches to displaying the GHG reduction measure proposal presentation screen 302. When the decision button 3021 included in the GHG reduction measure proposal presentation screen 302 is pressed, the selection operation by the user is completed, and the selection result is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 .

[0044] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then calculates the GHG reduction amount when the selected GHG reduction measures are implemented (step S34). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the total reduction effect of each of the GHG reduction measures selected in step S33.

[0045] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then checks whether the GHG reduction amount calculated in step S34 is equal to or greater than the target value (step S35). The target value here refers to the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the energy-saving category calculated in step S17. If the GHG reduction amount is equal to or greater than the target value (step S35: Yes), the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 terminates the operation of determining a GHG reduction measure to be implemented from among the GHG reduction measures corresponding to the energy-saving category. If the GHG reduction amount is not equal to or greater than the target value (step S35: No), the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 checks whether there are any unselected GHG reduction measures, i.e., whether there are any GHG reduction measures not selected in step S33 (step S36). If there are no unselected GHG reduction measures (step S36: No), the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 terminates the operation of determining a GHG reduction measure to be implemented from among the GHG reduction measures corresponding to the energy-saving category. If there are any unselected GHG reduction measures (step S36: Yes), the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 returns to step S33 and again accepts the selection of a GHG reduction measure to be implemented (step S33). In this case, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 13 on the terminal device 2, notifying the user that the GHG reduction amount is insufficient and requesting the user to select an additional GHG reduction measure to be implemented. Note that FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a GHG reduction measure presentation screen 303 displayed when accepting the reselection of a GHG reduction measure to be implemented. When the user reselects a GHG reduction measure to be implemented, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 executes steps S34 to S36 again. Thereafter, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 repeats the processing of steps S33 to S36 until the GHG reduction amount becomes equal to or exceeds the target value or until there are no unselected GHG reduction measures.

[0046] If the GHG reduction amount is not equal to or greater than the target value and there are no unselected GHG reduction measures (step S35: No, step S36: No), the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may notify the user that the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the energy-saving category cannot be achieved. In this case, after receiving an instruction to change the weighting table 203 from the user via the terminal device 2, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may re-determine the GHG reduction measures to be implemented based on the changed weighting table 203. Alternatively, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may automatically change the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for other reduction categories based on the difference between the GHG reduction amount when all GHG reduction measures for the energy-saving category are implemented and the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the energy-saving category, and then use the changed target value to execute the various processes described below.

[0047] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 7 , when the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 completes the operation of step S18, i.e., the operation of determining GHG reduction measures to be implemented from among the GHG reduction measures that fall under the energy saving category, it determines GHG reduction measures to be implemented from among the GHG reduction measures that fall under the renewable energy category (step S19). The operation of this step S19 is the same as the operation of step S18 described above. That is, the "energy saving category" in the operation of step S18 described above is replaced with the "renewable energy category." Therefore, a detailed explanation of the operation will be omitted. The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 determines the GHG reduction measures to be implemented based on the GHG reduction measures that fall under the renewable energy category and the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the renewable energy category.

[0048] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then determines which GHG reduction measures to implement from among the GHG reduction measures that fall under the offset category (step S20). The operation of this step S20 is the same as the operation of step S18 described above. That is, the "energy saving category" in the operation of step S18 described above is replaced with "offset category." Therefore, a detailed explanation of the operation will be omitted. The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 determines which GHG reduction measures to implement based on the GHG reduction measures that fall under the offset category and the target value of the additional GHG reduction amount for the offset category.

[0049] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 then outputs the determination result (step S21). Specifically, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 outputs the GHG reduction measures to be implemented, determined in steps S18 to S20, to the terminal device 2 and presents them to the user. The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1, for example, displays a GHG reduction measure determination notification screen 304 shown in FIG. 14 on the terminal device 2 and presents it to the user. Note that FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the GHG reduction measure determination notification screen 304. The GHG reduction measure determination notification screen 304 shown in FIG. 14 includes a list of the GHG reduction measures to be implemented and the total amount of GHG emissions that will be reduced if the GHG reduction measures included in the list are implemented (total reduction amount).

[0050] Note that if the gap value between the predicted value and the target value of GHG emissions for the target year is zero or negative, i.e., if the predicted value of GHG emissions is equal to or less than the target value, there is no need to further reduce GHG emissions, and therefore the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 does not execute steps S17 to S21 shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 may output to the terminal device 2 a prediction result indicating that the target amount of GHG emissions for the target year will be achieved. The prediction result may also include a comparison result (e.g., a gap value) between the GHG emissions for the target year and the target value.

[0051] Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1. The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 is composed of, for example, a processor 91, a memory 92, and a communication circuit 93 shown in Fig. 15.

[0052] The processor 91 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also referred to as a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)), a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), etc. The memory 92 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory, a magnetic disk, etc. The communication circuit 93 is an electronic circuit for connecting to a communication network via wire or wirelessly and transmitting and receiving data, etc.

[0053] When the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 is composed of a processor 91, a memory 92, and a communication circuit 93, the above-mentioned information acquisition unit 11, calculation unit 12, and output unit 14 are realized by the processor 91 executing programs for operating these units. The programs for operating the information acquisition unit 11, calculation unit 12, and output unit 14 are stored in advance in the memory 92. The processor 91 operates as the information acquisition unit 11, calculation unit 12, and output unit 14 by reading and executing the programs from the memory 92. In addition, the above-mentioned storage unit 13 is realized by the memory 92.

[0054] The programs stored in memory 92 for operating as information acquisition unit 11, calculation unit 12 and output unit 14 may be provided to users, etc. in a form written on a storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or may be provided to users, etc. via a network.

[0055] As described above, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 according to the first embodiment calculates a predicted GHG emission amount for a target year based on business-related information, business growth information, and the like, which are composed of various types of information related to the business conducted by the supported business operator, and calculates a gap value indicating the difference between the predicted GHG emission amount for the target year and the target value. Furthermore, if the GHG emission amount for the target year cannot be achieved, i.e., if the predicted GHG emission amount for the target year is greater than the target value, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 supports the user in deciding on a countermeasure plan to be implemented by, for example, presenting the user with countermeasure plans for additionally reducing GHG emissions. When presenting the countermeasure plans for additionally reducing GHG emissions to the user, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 also presents the cost-effectiveness of each of the multiple countermeasure plans and sorts the countermeasure plans in descending order of cost-effectiveness to facilitate a comparison of the cost-effectiveness of each countermeasure plan.

[0056] According to the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 of the first embodiment, the predicted value of GHG emissions for the target year is calculated using business growth information that represents the future situation of the business operator, thereby improving the accuracy of GHG emission predictions. Furthermore, the user is no longer required to manually calculate the predicted value of GHG emissions for the target year, thereby reducing the user's workload. Furthermore, the user can select measures to be implemented to reduce GHG emissions from multiple proposed measures while referring to the cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the user can specify the additional GHG emission reduction rate for each reduction category, such as the energy-saving category, renewable energy category, and offset category, so the proposed measures to be implemented can be determined according to the user's request.

[0057] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, a greenhouse gas reduction support system 100 has been described in which a single terminal device 2 is connected to a greenhouse gas reduction support device 1, and the greenhouse gas reduction support system 100 supports the GHG reduction of the business operator in which the terminal device 2 is installed. However, the number of business operators to be supported may be multiple.

[0058] 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a greenhouse gas reduction support system 110 according to the second embodiment. The greenhouse gas reduction support system 110 includes a greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a, and a plurality of terminal devices 2-1 to 2-n and databases 3-1 to 3-n provided at a plurality of business operators 20-1 to 20-n, respectively. The terminal devices 2-1 to 2-n are connected to the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a via a communication network 5.

[0059] The greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a has the same configuration as the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 according to the first embodiment, and supports the task of determining measures to be implemented to reduce GHG emissions for each of the businesses 20-1 to 20-n. The operations that the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a executes for each of the businesses 20-1 to 20-n, i.e., the operations of supporting the task of determining measures to be implemented by the businesses to reduce GHG emissions, are the same as the operations that the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1 according to the first embodiment executes for the terminal device 2. Therefore, detailed explanation of the operations will be omitted.

[0060] Each of the databases 3-1 to 3-n manages tables corresponding to the business-related information table 201, the target setting table 202, the weighting table 203, the business growth information table 204, the emission coefficient table 205, the activity amount change prediction table 206, and the GHG reduction measure proposal table 207 described in embodiment 1. In response to a request from the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a, each of the databases 3-1 to 3-n transmits each table it manages to the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a via each of the terminal devices 2-1 to 2-n.

[0061] Thus, in the greenhouse gas reduction support system 110 according to the second embodiment, the greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a supports the task of deciding on measures to be implemented to reduce GHG emissions for a plurality of businesses 20-1 to 20-n that are respectively installed with a plurality of terminal devices 2-1 to 2-n connected via a communication network 5.

[0062] According to the greenhouse gas reduction support system 110 of the second embodiment, work support for a plurality of different businesses 20-1 to 20-n can be collectively carried out by a single greenhouse gas reduction support device 1a.

[0063] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or different embodiments may be combined with each other. It is also possible to omit or modify parts of the configurations as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0064] 1, 1a greenhouse gas reduction support device, 2, 2-1, 2-n terminal device, 3-1, 3-n database, 5 communication network, 11 information acquisition unit, 12 calculation unit, 13 storage unit, 14 output unit, 20-1, 20-n business operator, 100, 110 greenhouse gas reduction support system.

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit that acquires the unique information of the support target business operator, which includes business-related information that is various information related to the business conducted by the support target business operator; a calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of the greenhouse gas emissions after a specific period has elapsed from the present based on the business-related information included in the unique information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and calculates the difference between the target value of the greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed and the predicted value; and an output unit that outputs the calculation result by the calculation unit to the outside. A greenhouse gas reduction support device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The unique information includes the business expansion information of the support target business operator, and the calculation unit calculates the predicted value based on the business-related information and the business expansion information. The greenhouse gas reduction support device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The calculation unit calculates a first predicted value, which is a predicted value of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use in the target year, which is the year after the specific period has elapsed from the present, based on the energy use amount included in the business-related information and the business expansion information, and calculates a second predicted value, which is a predicted value of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with material use in the target year, based on the current greenhouse gas emissions and the business expansion information, and sets the total value of the first predicted value and the second predicted value as the predicted value of the greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed. The greenhouse gas reduction support device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. When the predicted value of the greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed is greater than the target value, the calculation unit arranges a plurality of countermeasure plans prepared in advance for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in descending order of cost-effectiveness and presents them to the user, and selects a countermeasure plan to be implemented from among the plurality of countermeasure plans so that the predicted value of the greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed becomes less than or equal to the target value. The greenhouse gas reduction support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. The plurality of countermeasures include countermeasures in the energy-saving category that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservation of facilities, countermeasures in the renewable energy category that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing the energy used by facilities to renewable energy, and countermeasures in the offset category that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using the offset credit system. The calculation unit causes the user to select a countermeasure to be implemented such that the reduction amount of greenhouse gas by implementing the countermeasure in the energy-saving category, the reduction amount of greenhouse gas by implementing the countermeasure in the renewable energy category, and the reduction amount of greenhouse gas by implementing the countermeasure in the offset category are in a predetermined ratio. The greenhouse gas reduction support device according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The calculation unit performs a first process of presenting the countermeasures in the energy-saving category to the user in descending order of cost-effectiveness and causing the user to select a countermeasure to be implemented, a second process of presenting the countermeasures in the renewable energy category to the user in descending order of cost-effectiveness and causing the user to select a countermeasure to be implemented, and a third process of presenting the countermeasures in the offset category to the user in descending order of cost-effectiveness and causing the user to select a countermeasure to be implemented. The greenhouse gas reduction support device according to claim 5, characterized in that it executes.

7. An information acquisition step of acquiring the unique information of the support target business operator including business-related information which is various information related to the business conducted by the support target business operator, a calculation step of calculating a predicted value of the greenhouse gas emission amount after a specific period has elapsed from the present based on the business-related information included in the unique information acquired in the information acquisition step, and calculating the difference between the target value and the predicted value of the greenhouse gas emission amount after the specific period has elapsed, and an output step of outputting the calculation result in the calculation step to the outside. A greenhouse gas reduction support method, characterized by including.

8. An information acquisition step of acquiring unique information of the support target business operator including business-related information which is various information related to the business conducted by the support target business operator; a calculation step of calculating a predicted value of greenhouse gas emissions after a specific period has elapsed from the present based on the business-related information included in the unique information acquired in the information acquisition step, and calculating a difference between the target value of greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed and the predicted value; and an output step of outputting the calculation result in the calculation step to the outside, wherein a greenhouse gas reduction support program causes a computer to execute the steps.

9. A greenhouse gas reduction support system for supporting a countermeasure decision-making operation for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of each of a plurality of support target business operators to a target value, the system including: a database provided for each of the plurality of support target business operators and managing unique information of the support target business operator including business-related information which is various information related to the business conducted by the support target business operator, and a terminal device used in the countermeasure decision-making operation; and a greenhouse gas reduction support device for supporting the countermeasure decision-making operation, wherein the greenhouse gas reduction support device includes: an information acquisition unit for acquiring the unique information from the database; a calculation unit for calculating a predicted value of greenhouse gas emissions after a specific period has elapsed from the present based on the business-related information included in the unique information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and calculating a difference between the target value of greenhouse gas emissions after the specific period has elapsed and the predicted value; and an output unit for outputting the calculation result by the calculation unit to the terminal device.

Images