JP7796433B2 - Information processing system, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Emissions of carbon dioxide and other substances have been calculated (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-164754

The system in Patent Document 1 made it difficult to create reports that did not conform to existing templates.

The present invention was made in light of this background, and aims to provide technology that enables flexible report creation.

The information processing system according to this embodiment is characterized by comprising an emissions-related information storage unit that stores information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream in a supply chain; a report type storage unit that stores report types; an input unit that inputs a group of information in which items to be included in a report of a predetermined type are set; an item information storage unit that stores the items to be included in the report of the predetermined type; a management unit that matches the information related to greenhouse gas emissions stored in the emissions-related storage unit with the items to be included in the report of the predetermined type and manages it as correspondence information; and an output unit that outputs the correspondence information.

Other problems and solutions disclosed in this application will be made clear in the detailed description of the invention and drawings.

This invention allows for flexible report creation.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a management server 200. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the software configuration of a management server 200. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for outputting a target discharge amount. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for outputting the amount of emissions reduced by a solution. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for outputting a reduction target. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for presenting an emission coefficient. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process 1 for generating and presenting third information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process 2 for generating and presenting third information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process 3 for generating and presenting third information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process 4 for generating and presenting third information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for calculating and presenting a carbon tax. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of analyzing and outputting first information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for displaying the emission intensity for each associated company. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for calculating a PCF. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for identifying an activity. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of classifying activities. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for managing the execution state of a reduction means. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing procurement information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of registering a template. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the 18th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the 18th function. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the 19th function. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the 19th function. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operation 3 of the 19th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the 20th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the 20th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a process for calculating an emission amount. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a process for outputting an emission amount. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output of a discharge amount. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for calculating emissions at a construction site. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for calculating the discharge amount for each package. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for setting an approval route. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for linking emission intensity units. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of generating and outputting information for receiving authentication by a third party. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for displaying results based on data trends. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 28th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 29th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 30th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the 31st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 31st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where carbon offset is performed when paying a taxi fare. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where an inquiry about participation in carbon offsetting is made in advance. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 32nd function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 33rd function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the calculation process of the emission amount of the 34th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the output process of the evidence data of the 34th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 35th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 36th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 37th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 38th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 39th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 40th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the 41st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment of the 41st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for displaying the emission intensity for each associated company. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for calculating a PCF. This is a conceptual diagram of a case where a user acquires emission credits directly from a holder. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a case where a user acquires emission credits from a holder via an intermediary. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 2. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 3. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 4. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operation 4 of the 19th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 44th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 45th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 46th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 47th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 48th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 49th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 50th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a graph adjustment function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 51st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the review function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a group function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the activity amount input reinforcement function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the company group function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 3 of the company group function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a company group application function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 53rd function. A diagram explaining the operation of the 54th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 55th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 56th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 57th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 58th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an offset function corresponding to the type of viewer terminal. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 59th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 60th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the 61st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the 61st function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 62nd function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 63rd function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 64th function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 65th function.

In this embodiment, greenhouse gas emissions will be mainly used as an example, but the following information can also be targeted. The targeted information (data) is information E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, S1, S2, S3, S4, G, and human rights due diligence (hereinafter referred to as human rights DD). E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5 are information related to the environment. S1, S2, S3, and S4 are information related to society. G is information related to governance. This information is collected by the acquisition unit 250, which will be described later. The acquisition unit 250 collects this information in real time or periodically. Note that hereinafter, the term "emissions" will refer to greenhouse gas emissions unless otherwise defined.

E1 is climate change data. There are two types of climate change data: transition risk type and physical risk type. Examples of climate change data for the physical risk type include location information of the target base, base attribute information (building information, etc.), financial information (asset value, etc.), greenhouse gas emissions, etc.

E2 is pollution data. Examples of pollution data include emissions, transfers, and consumption of hazardous substances, waste disposal history of hazardous substances, confirmed pollution sites and conditions, emissions of air pollutants, emissions to water, emissions of inorganic pollutants, emissions of ozone-depleting substances, microplastics, total amount of substances of concern generated or used during production, total amount of substances of concern procured, total amount of substances of concern shipped, significant risks, opportunities, and financial impacts arising from pollution-related impacts, operating and capital expenditures related to accidents and deposits, incidents (such as production interruptions that resulted in pollution), targets for determining regional ecological thresholds (TNFD/SBTN based), site location information for adopted policies, contextual information for targets, and responses to shortcomings in DNSH standards.

E3 is data on water and marine resources. Examples of water and marine resource data include water withdrawals, wastewater discharges, information on base locations in water-stressed areas, water recycling rates, COD (biochemical oxygen demand), BOD (chemical oxygen demand), targets for water and marine resources (TNFD/SBTN based), water withdrawal reduction targets, wastewater discharge reduction targets, total water use in areas with significant water risks, information on water quality and quantity in the watershed, total amount of water recycled and reused, total water storage and changes in storage, potential financial impacts of significant risks/opportunities, and risks exposed to related products and services.

E4 is biodiversity data. Examples of biodiversity data include location of business activities, business sector information, financial information (e.g., asset values), TNFD/SDPI-based targets, avoidance/minimization/restoration/offset targets, area of land permanently protected, area of land restored, number of sites with improved ecosystem integrity, number and area of material sites, land use based on LCA, changes in land cover over time (e.g., deforestation), changes in ecosystem management over time, changes in the spatial composition of the landscape, changes in the structural connectivity of ecosystems, financial impact of risks/opportunities, products and services at risk, etc.

E5 is circular economy data. Examples of circular economy data include: amount and percentage of recycled materials used in procurement, total amount and percentage of waste, repairability, degradability, SBTN-based target setting, resource use/circular economy related targets (e.g., increasing circular design, increasing the percentage of recycled materials used), ecological thresholds and allocations, sustainable procurement related targets, value chain targets, absolute and percentage weight of renewable input materials, absolute and percentage weight of reused or recycled products and materials (non-virgin), information on materials emitted from production processes (e.g., durability, reusability, repairability, degradability, remanufacturability/refurbishability), total amount and percentage of waste (hazardous/non-hazardous), financial impact of significant risks/opportunities, and related products and services at risk.

S1 is data on your own employees. Examples of your own employee data include data on your company's HR system, history of interactions with labor unions, and employee-related incidents. S2 is data on employees in the value chain. Examples of employee data in the value chain include data collected in the form of a questionnaire (customized for each industry and company) based on the SAQ established by the United Nations. S3 is data on affected communities. S4 is data on consumers and end customers. G is data on business activities.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system according to this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to a user terminal 100 via a communication network 300. The communication network 300 is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed using a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

The user terminal 100 is a computer operated by a user of a business entity, such as a company, that is the waste generator. The user terminal 100 can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. The user can use the user terminal 100 to access the management server 200 and calculate the amount of waste emissions.

The management server 200 is a computer that calculates and manages emissions. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing.

<Management Server>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 200. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and other configurations may also be used. The management server 200 includes a CPU 201, memory 202, storage device 203, communication interface 204, input device 205, and output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, and is, for example, a hard disk drive, solid state drive, or flash memory. The communication interface 204 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 300, and is, for example, an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or an RS232C connector for serial communication, etc. The input device 205 is used to input data, and is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, button, microphone, etc. The output device 206 is used to output data, and is, for example, a display, printer, speaker, etc. Each functional unit of the management server 200 described below is realized by the CPU 201 reading a program stored in the storage device 203 into the memory 202 and executing it, and each storage unit of the management server 200 is realized as part of the storage area provided by the memory 202 and the storage device 203.

Figure 3 shows an example of the software configuration of the management server 200. The management server 200 comprises a calculation unit 210, an input unit 220, a storage unit 230, an output unit 240, an acquisition unit 250, a generation unit 260, an estimation unit 270, an analysis unit 280, and an execution unit 290. An information processing system including the management server 200 comprises multiple functions. These functions are described below.

<<Goal setting function (first function)>>
An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 in the first function will be described using Fig. 3. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (emission coefficient storage unit, emission amount storage unit, solution storage unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, unit reduction amount calculation unit, target emission amount calculation unit), an input unit 220, and an output unit 240.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the initial information source) or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies that offer the same type of product). The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients in association with the type of activity. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients in association with information identifying the business entity (company ID) and information indicating the type of activity (type-specific information).

The emissions memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity. The emissions memory unit can store the first direct emissions (Scope 1) by the business entity, the second indirect emissions (Scope 2) by the business entity, and the third emissions (Scope 3) by other businesses located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain. The emissions memory unit can also store fourth emissions by category for the third emissions (Scope 3) related to other businesses. In this embodiment, the emissions memory unit can store a company ID indicating the business entity, information specifying the time when the activity was performed (time information), a scope, a category, and an emissions amount, in association with each other. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year, month, date, or date and time range. The scope and category can be those specified in the GHG Protocol. Note that the category may be omitted.

The solution storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (referred to as solution information) related to solutions that achieve emission reductions. Solutions can include, for example, various services and products related to the reduction and offset of greenhouse gas emissions, such as consulting services related to the formulation and implementation of reduction plans, the procurement of renewable energy electricity, and offset trading such as J-Credit. The solution storage unit can store reduction information for calculating the amount of emission reduction that can be achieved by a solution, in association with information identifying the solution (solution ID) and the industry type in which the solution can be adopted. The reduction information may be, for example, a percentage of emissions, or an emission coefficient to be multiplied by the amount of activity.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 can calculate the business entity's emissions (or at least one of the first to fourth emissions). The emissions calculation unit can, for example, accept input of the amount of activity, obtain an emissions coefficient corresponding to the type of activity from the emissions coefficient storage unit, calculate the emissions for each activity by multiplying the activity amount by the obtained emissions coefficient, and calculate the emissions by summing the emissions by scope and/or category. The emissions calculation unit may also accept input of emissions calculated externally.

The input unit 220 accepts input of the business entity's emission reduction target percentage, base point, and target point. The base point and target point are, for example, a year (fiscal year). The goal can be set to achieve target emissions at the target point that are reduced by the reduction target percentage based on the emissions at the base point. The input unit 220 can accept first to third reduction target percentages for each of the first to third emissions. The input unit 220 can also accept a fourth reduction target percentage by category for the third emission.

The input unit 220 can accept the third reduction target percentage from another business operator. The input unit 220 can receive the third reduction target percentage, for example, from a user terminal 100 operated by (an employee of) the other business operator. The input unit 220 can send a message to the user terminal 100 of the other business operator instructing the user to input the third reduction target percentage, and can receive from the user terminal 100 the third reduction target percentage input by the other business operator in response to the message.

The unit reduction amount calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of reduction in emissions per unit time (unit period). The unit time is, for example, one year, but it can also be a quarter, month, week, etc. The unit reduction amount calculation unit obtains the amount of emissions at the base point in time from the emissions storage unit and multiplies the obtained emissions by the reduction target rate to calculate the amount of reduction to be made from the base point in time to the target point in time. The unit reduction amount calculation unit can calculate the target value (unit reduction amount) of the amount of reduction to be made per unit time (for example, one year) by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times (for example, years) from the base point in time to the target point in time. The unit reduction amount calculation unit can also calculate first to third unit reduction amounts for each of the first to third emissions. The unit reduction amount calculation unit can also calculate a fourth unit reduction amount by category for the third emission amount.

The target emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the target value of emissions (referred to as the target emission amount) for each unit time (e.g., one year). The target emission calculation unit can calculate the target emission amount for each unit time from the base point in time by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emission amount at the base point in time. The target emission calculation unit can calculate the target emission amount for each unit time (first to third target emission amounts) for each of the first to third emission amounts. The target emission calculation unit can calculate a fourth target emission amount by category for each unit time for the third emission amount.

The output unit 240 can output the target emission amount for each unit time. The output unit 240 can output the target emission amount for each of the first to third emission amounts. The output unit 240 can output a fourth target emission amount by category for the third emission amount.

For the period for which the emission amount is registered, the output unit 240 can output the emission amount and the target emission amount (total or the first to fourth emission amounts and the target emission amount) in association with each other. The output unit 240 can output the emission amount and the target emission force, for example, in a graph format.

The output unit 240 can also visualize the emissions (or reductions) after the solution is introduced. For example, the output unit 240 can accept the specification of a solution from the user terminal 100, read reduction information corresponding to the specified solution from the solution storage unit, calculate the amount of emissions reduction based on the read reduction information, calculate the value obtained by subtracting the reduction amount from the emissions (simulated emissions), and output the simulated emissions. The output unit 240 can also output the simulated emissions along with the emissions and target emissions.

<Operation>
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the process (operation 1) for outputting the target discharge amount.

The management server 200 accepts input of a base point, a target point, and a reduction rate from a user terminal 100 operated by a user of the company (S401). The management server 200 transmits a request for a reduction rate, with the base point and target point set, to the user terminal 100 of another business entity upstream and/or downstream in the supply chain (S402). The user of the other business entity inputs the reduction rate into the user terminal 100 in response to the request, and the management server 200 receives the reduction rate transmitted from the user terminal 100 in response to the request (S403). Note that a system that manages emissions at the other business entity may also respond with the reduction rate. The management server 200 may also accept input of a reduction rate by another business entity from a user of the company.

The management server 200 calculates the reduction amount for each unit time (e.g., year) from the base point to the target point (S404). For example, the management server 200 can read the emissions at the base point from the emissions storage unit and calculate the reduction amount by multiplying the read emissions by the reduction rate. The management server 200 may accept different reduction rates for each of Scopes 1 and 2. For Scope 3, the reduction rate obtained from the user terminal 100 of another business entity may differ from the reduction rates for the company's own Scopes 1 and 2. The management server 200 can calculate the target reduction amount by reading the emissions corresponding to the company's own company ID and the base point from the emissions storage unit and multiplying them by the reduction rate received from the company's own user terminal 100, and can also calculate the target reduction amount by reading the company ID indicating the other business entity and the emissions corresponding to the base point from the emissions storage unit and multiplying them by the reduction rate received from the user terminal 100 of the other business entity, thereby totaling the target reduction amounts for each scope and/or category.

The management server 200 calculates the reduction amount per unit time by dividing the target reduction amount by the number of unit times (e.g., years) from the base point in time to the target point in time (S405), and can calculate the target emissions per unit time by subtracting the accumulated reduction amount from the emissions at the base point in time (S405).

For unit times (years) for which emissions are registered in the emissions storage unit, the management server 200 can output the emissions amount in association with the target emissions amount (S406). For unit times (years) for which emissions are not registered, the management server 200 can output only the target emissions amount. Note that the management server 200 may also output the reduction amount and emissions amount (if registered) per unit time instead of the target emissions amount.

Figure 5 explains the process (operation 2) of outputting the amount of emissions reduced by the solution.

The management server 200 accepts the designation of a solution (S501), reads the reduction information corresponding to the accepted solution and the company's industry from the solution storage unit, and calculates the reduction amount (expected reduction amount) expected by introducing the solution based on the read reduction information and the emissions at the base point in time (S502). The management server 200 calculates the expected reduction amount per unit time by dividing the expected reduction amount by the number of unit times (e.g., years) from the base point in time to the target point in time (S503), and calculates the emissions (expected emissions) expected by introducing the solution per unit time by subtracting the accumulated expected reduction amount per unit time from the emissions at the base point in time (S504). For unit times (years) for which emissions are registered in the emissions storage unit, the management server 200 can output the expected emissions along with the emissions and target emissions in association with each other (S505). For unit times (years) for which emissions are not registered, the management server 200 can output the target emissions and expected emissions in association with each other. Note that the management server 200 may output the expected reduction amount and emission amount (if registered) per unit time instead of the expected emission amount.

The calculation unit 210, input unit 220, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The first function also includes the following configuration.
[Item A1 (P025)]
an input unit that receives input of a target rate of reduction of the emissions by the business entity, a base point in time, and a target point in time; a unit reduction amount calculation unit that obtains the emissions corresponding to the base point in time from the emissions memory unit, calculates a reduction amount by multiplying the obtained emissions by the reduction target rate, and calculates a unit reduction amount by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time; a target emissions calculation unit that calculates a target emissions amount for each unit time by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emissions corresponding to the base point in time; and an output unit that outputs the target emissions amount for each unit time. Item A1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item A2]
The information processing system according to Item A1, wherein the emission amount memory unit stores a first direct emission amount by the business entity, a second indirect emission amount by the business entity, and a third emission amount by another business entity located upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the business entity, the input unit accepts first to third reduction target rates for the first to third emission amounts, respectively, the unit reduction amount calculation unit calculates first to third unit reduction amounts for the first to third emission amounts, respectively, the target emission amount calculation unit calculates the target emission amount per unit time for the first to third emission amounts, respectively, and the output unit outputs the target emission amount for the first to third emission amounts.
[Item A3]
The information processing system described in Item A2 is characterized in that the emission storage unit stores fourth emissions by category for the third emissions related to the other business operator, the input unit accepts the fourth reduction target rate by category for the third emissions, the unit reduction amount calculation unit calculates the fourth unit reduction amount by category for the third emissions, the target emission calculation unit calculates the fourth target emission by category per unit time for the third emissions, and the output unit outputs the fourth target emission by category for the third emissions.
[Item A4]
The information processing system according to item A2, wherein the input unit receives the third reduction target rate from the other business operator.
[Item A5]
An information processing system according to item A4, wherein the input unit transmits a message to the other business operator instructing the other business operator to input the third reduction target percentage, and accepts the third reduction target percentage input from the other business operator in response to the message.
[Item A6]
The information processing system according to Item A1 includes a solution storage unit that stores information that identifies a solution that achieves the reduction of the emissions and reduction information for calculating an amount of reduction in the emission power that can be achieved by the solution, and the output unit accepts specification of the solution, reads out the reduction information corresponding to the specified solution from the solution storage unit, calculates the amount of reduction in the emissions based on the read reduction information, and outputs a value obtained by subtracting the amount of reduction from the emissions.
[Item A7]
1. An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores X information of a business entity (e.g., emissions of hazardous substances E2 or working hours of a human rights DD); an input unit that accepts input of a reduction target rate, a base point, and a target point for the X information of the business entity; a unit reduction amount calculation unit that acquires a value of the X information corresponding to the base point from the storage unit, calculates a reduction amount by multiplying the acquired value of the X information by the reduction target rate, and calculates a unit reduction amount by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point to the target point; a target value calculation unit that calculates a target value for each unit time by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the value of the X information corresponding to the base point; and an output unit that outputs the target value for each unit time.

<<Goal setting suggestion function (second function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the embodiment of the first function, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the embodiment of the first function described above will be described in detail as an embodiment of the second function below. In the embodiment of the second function, support is provided for formulating emissions reduction targets, particularly for Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol. Scope 3 emissions are greenhouse gas emissions by business entities (hereinafter referred to as suppliers) that are upstream and/or downstream in the supply chain of a business entity whose emissions are to be calculated. An information processing system equipped with the second function incorporates the supplier's reduction target and proposes it as a candidate for the company's own Scope 3 emissions reduction target.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the second function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit, target memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (target acquisition unit), an estimation unit 270, and a calculation unit 210 (reduction rate calculation unit).

The emissions memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information identifying the greenhouse gas emissions for each supplier. In an embodiment of the second function, the emissions memory unit stores activity amounts and emissions intensity units as information identifying emissions, but it may also store the emissions themselves. The emissions memory unit can store a company ID indicating the supplier, time information, information for identifying activities by the supplier (activity details), the activity amount and emissions intensity units related to the activities. The time information may be, for example, a year. Time information can also be the year/month, year/month/day, etc.

The emissions storage unit can further store information identifying the company's direct and indirect emissions (emissions related to Scope 1 and 2). The emissions storage unit may store the emissions themselves as information identifying the company's emissions related to Scope 1 and 2, or it may store activity data and emission coefficients.

The target memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores a target reduction rate for each supplier. The target reduction rate is a target set by the supplier and is a ratio to the supplier's emissions in the base year. The target memory unit stores the base point in time, the target point in time, and the reduction rate in association with the company ID that identifies the supplier and the activity content that identifies the supplier's activities. The base point in time and the target point in time may be specified by year, or by year/month, date, date, etc., for example.

The target acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires the target reduction rate from the supplier. The target acquisition unit can, for example, send a request to the supplier's user and receive the target reduction rate from the supplier's user terminal 100. The target acquisition unit may acquire the target reduction rate from a server on which the target reduction rate is managed, or may acquire the target reduction rate disclosed by the supplier from, for example, the supplier's web page or a newspaper company's web page. The target acquisition unit can acquire the activity content, base year, target year, and reduction rate. The target acquisition unit can register the acquired target reduction rate in the target memory unit.

The target acquisition unit can also acquire the target reduction rate for the company's emissions (company reduction rate). The target acquisition unit can receive the company reduction rate from the user terminal 100.

The estimation unit 270 estimates future emissions for each supplier. The estimation unit 270 can calculate emissions at the target point in time by multiplying the supplier's emissions at the base point in time (the value obtained by multiplying the activity amount by the emissions intensity) by the target reduction rate.

For suppliers for which the target reduction rate could not be obtained, the estimation unit 270 can estimate future emissions by using the statistical value of the target reduction rate stored in the target memory unit as the target reduction rate for that supplier. For example, the estimation unit 270 can use the average of the target reduction rates of all suppliers as the target reduction rate for suppliers for which the target reduction rate could not be obtained.

The reduction rate calculation unit, which is one of the calculation units 210, calculates the target reduction rate for Scope 3 emissions. The reduction rate calculation unit can calculate the reduction rate (the ratio of the value obtained by subtracting the second total from the first total) by comparing a first total of future emissions estimated for each supplier with a second total of emissions for each supplier at the base time. The reduction rate calculation unit can similarly calculate the reduction rate for each Scope 3 category.

The reduction rate calculation unit can also calculate the reduction rate (carbon footprint: CFP reduction rate) for the total of Scopes 1 to 3. The reduction rate calculation unit calculates the company's future emissions (at the target point in time) based on the company's emissions and its reduction rate, calculates a first total of the emissions for the company and its suppliers at the target point in time and a second total of the emissions for the company and its suppliers at the base point in time, and calculates the ratio of the difference between the first and second totals to the second total as the reduction rate for Scopes 1 to 3.

<Operation>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process of outputting a reduction target (operation 3).

The management server 200 acquires a reduction target (reduction rate from the base point to the target point) from a supplier (S601). For example, the management server 200 can send a request to the supplier's user and receive the reduction target from the supplier's user's user terminal 100. The management server 200 acquires the emissions at the base point related to the supplier's activities from the emissions storage unit, and multiplies the acquired emissions by the reduction rate to calculate the reduction target amount up to the target point (S602). The management server 200 calculates the reduction target amount for Scope 3 by adding up the reduction target amounts calculated for each supplier (S603). Note that for suppliers for which the management server 200 was unable to acquire a reduction target, it can calculate the reduction target amount using statistics (such as the average reduction rate) of the reduction targets of other Scope 3 suppliers or other suppliers in the same Scope 3 category.

The management server 200 can calculate the total supplier emissions at the base point in time (i.e., the Scope 3 emissions at the base point in time) and calculate the ratio of the Scope 3 reduction target to that total as the Scope 3 target reduction rate (S604).

The management server 200 acquires the company's reduction targets for Scopes 1 and 2 (S605). For example, the management server 200 can acquire the company's reduction targets and calculate the reduction target amount up to the target point in time by multiplying the company's emissions at the base point in time by the reduction rate. The company's reduction targets can be obtained, for example, by sending a request to the company's users and receiving the reduction targets from the company's users' user terminals 100.

The management server 200 obtains the company's emissions related to Scopes 1 and 2 from the emissions storage unit, and multiplies the obtained emissions (total) by the reduction rate to calculate the reduction target amounts for Scopes 1 and 2 up to the target time point (S606).

The management server 200 totals the reduction target amounts for Scopes 1-3 (S607), calculates the total emissions related to Scopes 1-3 at the base point in time from the emissions storage unit, and calculates the ratio of the total reduction target amounts for Scopes 1-3 to the calculated emissions for Scopes 1-3 at the base point in time as the company's target reduction rate (S608).

The management server 200 can output the reduction target (target reduction rate) for Scope 3 and the reduction target (target reduction rate) for Scopes 1-3 (carbon footprint: CFP) (S609).

In this way, the information processing system with the second function can automatically calculate a company's Scope 3 reduction targets and its carbon footprint reduction targets based on the reduction targets collected from suppliers.

The calculation unit 210, acquisition unit 250, and estimation unit 270 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The second function also includes the following configuration.
[Item B1 (P032)]
an information processing system comprising: a target acquisition unit that acquires target greenhouse gas reduction rates from multiple business entities constituting upstream or downstream of a supply chain; an emission storage unit that stores information identifying the greenhouse gas emissions of each of the business entities at a base time; an estimation unit that estimates future emissions for each of the business entities by multiplying the emission amounts by the target reduction rate; and a calculation unit that calculates the target reduction rate for emissions for all of the business entities by comparing the total estimated future emissions for each of the business entities with the total emissions for each of the business entities at the base time. Item B1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a location of each of the business entities (hereinafter referred to as a base) that emits greenhouse gases; an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that identifies the base based on the location information by referencing the base information storage unit; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item B2]
An information processing system according to item B1, wherein the emissions memory unit further stores information identifying the first emissions by the business entity, as well as information identifying second direct and indirect emissions by the company; the target acquisition unit acquires the company's reduction rate for the second emissions; and the calculation unit estimates the future third emissions for the business entity, calculates future fourth emissions for the company based on the second emissions and the company's reduction rate, and calculates a target reduction rate for the company based on a value corresponding to the sum of the third and fourth emissions and a value corresponding to the sum of the first and second emissions.
[Item B3]
The information processing system according to item B1, further comprising: a target storage unit that stores the target reduction rate for each of the business entities; and the estimation unit, for a business entity for which the target reduction rate could not be obtained, estimates the future emissions using a statistical value of the target reduction rate stored in the target storage unit as the target reduction rate for that business entity.
[Item B4]
2. An information processing system comprising: a target acquisition unit that acquires a target reduction rate of X information from multiple business entities that are upstream or downstream of a supply chain; a storage unit that stores information that specifies the value of the X information for each business entity at a reference point in time; an estimation unit that estimates a future value of the X information for each business entity by multiplying the value of the X information by the target reduction rate; and a calculation unit that calculates a target reduction rate of X information for all business entities by comparing the total value of the future X information estimated for each business entity with the total value of the X information for each business entity at the reference point in time.

<<Function for generating and presenting various types of information (third function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been partially explained in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first and second functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the third function: P030, P044, P045, P047, P052, P054, P063, and P064.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the third function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, scale information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (activity amount acquisition unit, information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), an output unit 240 (information presentation unit, emission coefficient presentation unit), a generation unit 260 (information generation unit, information conversion unit), and an input unit 220 (information input unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores, for each business entity, an emission coefficient for calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of that business entity. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients in association with information (activity details) that identifies the business entity and the business entity's activities. The emission coefficient memory unit can also store the business entity's own emission coefficient.

The scale information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores, for each business entity, scale information indicating the scale of the business entity. In this embodiment, the scale of the business entity is at least one of sales scale and asset scale. Sales scale and asset scale may be numerical values. In this embodiment, the scale information includes the business entity's sales and asset amount, associated with the business entity ID indicating the business entity. The scale information storage unit stores first information and second information, which will be described later. The first information and second information may be combined as total information, and this total information may be stored in the scale information storage unit. Note that the first information and second information may be stored using a storage unit separate from the scale information storage unit.

The activity amount acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires the activity amount of the business entity. The activity amount acquisition unit can accept input of the business entity's activity amount. The activity amount acquisition unit can also acquire the business entity's activity amount from the business entity's accounting system, business system, etc.

The activity amount acquisition unit can also acquire the activity amount of a first business entity (supplier) that is upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The activity amount acquisition unit may, for example, accept input of the activity amount, or may acquire the activity amount from the supplier's information processing device.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates greenhouse gas emissions. The emission calculation unit may calculate the company's own emissions. The emission calculation unit can also calculate the emissions of suppliers. The emission calculation unit can calculate the supplier's emissions by reading the emission coefficient corresponding to the supplier from the emission coefficient storage unit and multiplying the supplier's activity amount acquired by the activity amount acquisition unit by the read emission coefficient.

The emission coefficient presentation unit, which is part of the output unit 240, presents the emission coefficients of other business entities similar to the supplier if the supplier's emissions are not registered. The emission coefficient presentation unit transmits the presented emission coefficient to the user terminal 100 and can accept instructions from the user terminal 100 on the emission coefficient to be adopted. The user terminal 100 can adopt the presented emission coefficient, input an emission coefficient that the user knows, or adopt a standard emission coefficient provided by the Ministry of the Environment or the like. The emission calculation unit can calculate emissions using the emission coefficient instructed by the user terminal 100.

The emission coefficient presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 reads out scale information corresponding to the supplier from the scale information storage unit, and further refers to the scale information storage unit to identify second business entities (other suppliers) corresponding to scale information that matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, and reads out emission coefficients corresponding to the identified other suppliers from the emission coefficient storage unit. Similarity of scale information can be determined by whether the difference in sales and/or asset amount falls within a specified range. The emission coefficient presentation unit may read out emission coefficients corresponding to the identified other suppliers and activities from the emission coefficient storage unit. The emission coefficient presentation unit can present the read-out emission coefficients. The second business entities are one or more other suppliers.

The emission coefficient presentation unit may identify other suppliers with similar scale information related to the activity. In this case, the scale information stored in the scale information storage unit includes sales and/or asset amounts by activity (e.g., by product, service, etc.). The emission coefficient presentation unit can read out from the emission coefficient storage unit other suppliers with the same or similar scale information related to the activity, and the emission coefficients corresponding to the activity.

The information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires first information and second information. The first information is information that includes at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The first information is, for example, a report that describes information related to emissions (hereinafter, an emissions report), a group of information that indicates multiple external findings, etc. The first information is also referred to as emissions information. Examples of emissions reports include TCFD reports, CDP reports (responses to CDP questionnaires), sustainability reports, and periodic reports based on the Energy Conservation Act, but other reports such as securities reports may also be used. Information related to greenhouse gas emissions is, for example, information indicating emissions amounts, information on the contents to be included in emissions reports, information that indicates internal and external findings, etc.

The second information is information that indicates at least the attributes of the business entity (supplier). The second information includes, for example, scale information, attribute information of each supplier, information on industry type, greenhouse gas emission registration information, information on future targets, industry information as attribute information of suppliers, industry trend information, customer information, information mapping accounting items and emission intensity, information on guidelines related to the GHG Protocol, information on internal and external knowledge such as information mapping accounting items and emission factors accumulated in the past, and various other information. The second information may also be a variable.

Methods by which the information acquisition unit acquires this information include acquiring information input from one or more user terminals 100 and acquiring information by the management server 200. When acquired by the management server 200, the size information of the second business entity and information related to emissions are acquired based on attribute information corresponding to the first business entity. For example, if the attribute information corresponding to the first business entity is transportation, the size information of the second business entity and information related to emissions, which is transportation information, are acquired. Emissions-related information (also referred to as information on emission types) includes, for example, information on greenhouse gas emissions, information indicating Scopes 1 to 3, and information indicating Categories 1 to 15 of Scope 3. The information acquisition unit and activity amount acquisition unit may be a single acquisition unit rather than separate acquisition units. Furthermore, the emissions-related information may be information to be included in an emissions report, etc.

The information generation unit constituting the generation unit 260 reads second information corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., transportation information, which is the company's attribute information) from the scale information storage unit, references the scale information storage unit to identify second business entities (e.g., other transportation suppliers) corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read second information, reads emissions-related information corresponding to the identified second business entity (e.g., information to be included in the TCFD report) from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information (e.g., a TCFD report reflecting the review results or a new TCFD report) that differs from the first information and second information based on the read emissions-related information. The third information reflects the content to be included in the second business entity's emissions report. In other words, the third information is information created based on emissions reports from other suppliers, and the management server 200 stores emissions reports from multiple other suppliers and generates the third information based on this information. In particular, the generation unit 260 analyzes the emissions reports from multiple other suppliers and generates the third information based on the analysis results. An analysis unit 280, which functions differently from the generation unit 260, may be provided separately from the generation unit 260, and the analysis unit 280 may analyze the emission reports of multiple other suppliers. The generation unit 260 may generate third information based on the analysis results of the analysis unit 280. The analysis targets are not limited to the emission reports of other suppliers. Emissions and carbon taxes (as in the fourth function embodiment) may also be analyzed to present future emissions and carbon taxes. The generated third information may also be the emission report itself, in which case the information generation unit creates a new emission report. Furthermore, the third information may be information on the emissions of a second business entity, information indicating Scopes 1 to 3, or information suggesting Categories 1 to 15 of Scope 3, etc.

The information generation unit may also be configured to read information corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., question information) from the scale information storage unit, refer to the scale information storage unit to identify a second business entity (e.g., another supplier) corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read information corresponding to the first business entity, read emissions-related information corresponding to the identified second business entity (e.g., external knowledge information) from the scale information storage unit, and generate third information (e.g., information in response to the question) different from the first information and second information based on the read emissions-related information. The information generation unit may also be configured to identify a second business entity (e.g., another supplier) corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the information corresponding to the first business entity, read combined information (e.g., information combining internal knowledge and external knowledge) that combines emissions-related information corresponding to the identified second business entity with emissions-related information corresponding to the first business entity, and generate third information (e.g., information in response to the question) different from the first information and second information based on the read emissions-related information. The third information is information on an answer to a question, such as information indicating a scope, information indicating a category, or information indicating a reason. Furthermore, the third information may be information on a suggestion for the question. Furthermore, the third information may be an answer to the question and a suggestion for the question.

In addition, the information corresponding to the first business entity may be, for example, information in which a user maps the scope and/or category for an accounting item to an emission coefficient. In this case, the information generation unit reads information corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., information in which the scope and/or category for an accounting item is mapped to an emission coefficient) from the scale information storage unit, refers to the scale information storage unit to identify a second business entity (e.g., another supplier) corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read information corresponding to the first business entity, reads emissions-related information (e.g., external knowledge information) corresponding to the identified second business entity from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information (e.g., knowledge for the mapped information) different from the first information and second information based on the read emissions-related information. The third information may be information in which accounting items are mapped to emission intensity units, information in which scope and/or categories are mapped to emission coefficients, etc.

The information conversion unit constituting the generation unit 260 converts unit information (e.g., kilowatts) in one type of emission report (first information) into unit information (e.g., gigajoules) in another type of emission report (third information). If the information conversion unit determines that the type of emission report as the first information differs from the type of emission report as the third information, it executes a process to convert the unit information. However, if the user specifies the converted unit information, it may execute a process to set the specified unit information. When the user specifies unit information in this manner, the information presentation unit (described later) notifies the user that the specified unit information does not match the third information. In this case, the information presentation unit presents unit information that matches the third information. Then, if the user instructs that they wish to convert to the presented unit information, the information conversion unit converts to unit information corresponding to the third information. While the example shown here shows the information conversion unit determining whether the emission report types differ, an information determination unit separate from the information conversion unit may also be provided to make the determination. The information determination unit constitutes the generation unit 260, but may also constitute a determination unit or the like that is separate from the generation unit 260. The unit information may also be currency unit information, such as from yen to dollars.

The information presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the third information. The information presentation unit transmits the third information to be presented to the user terminal 100, and displays the third information on the user terminal 100. The third information transmitted to the user terminal 100 can also be edited and processed on the user terminal 100. The information presentation unit is described as having a separate function from the emission coefficient presentation unit, but they may also have the same function, in which case they will be referred to as the presentation unit.

The information input unit constituting the input unit 220 inputs information corresponding to the first business entity input from the user terminal 100 to the management server 200. The management server 200 acquires the input information corresponding to the first business entity using the information acquisition unit. The information corresponding to the first business entity is, for example, information regarding an inquiry such as a question.

In addition, when a user inputs information about an emission report created by their own company into the management server 200 using the user terminal 100, the review results (third information) may be displayed. In this case, the emission report created by their own company is the first information. It is also preferable that the emission report created by their own company includes the second information. Based on the emission reports of multiple other suppliers that it has acquired, the management server 200 generates review results, which are information about the items to be written that are necessary for the user's emission report and information about content that should be added or corrected in the emission report, and presents an emission report that reflects the review results. The emission report information may also be input into the management server 200 by inputting text information via OCR using the input unit 220. In this way, multiple types of emission reports can be easily acquired.

When entering information for the emission report into the management server 200, the information written on the vehicle inspection certificate may be entered as text information via the input unit 220 as text information to be read by OCR. The information listed on the vehicle inspection certificate includes the vehicle registration number, registration date/issue date, initial registration year and month, vehicle type, purpose (passenger or cargo type, second information), personal or commercial use (personal or commercial use, second information), vehicle shape (van, station wagon, etc., second information), vehicle name, passenger capacity, maximum load capacity, vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight, vehicle identification number, length, width, height, front axle load, front and rear axle load, rear axle load, model, engine model, total displacement or rated output (combined with the engine model, first information), fuel type (gasoline, diesel, etc., first information), model designation number, classification number, vehicle ID, owner's name or title, owner's address, user's name or title, user's address, expiration date, etc. This information can be imported into the vehicle master of the information processing system. Vehicle master data can be automatically imported by matching vehicle master data items with vehicle inspection certificate data items. By entering vehicle inspection certificate data in this way, it can be easily imported as vehicle master information into the information processing system. Vehicle master data can be output to logistics companies, who can use this vehicle master data within their own company as a vehicle management ledger.

When vehicle inspection certificate information is entered using OCR, an information processing system, an information processing method executed by a computer, and a program for causing a computer to execute the system can be provided (P060) that have the following configuration. The system includes an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., emission information and fuel type information such as gasoline or diesel) including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream of the supply chain, second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (e.g., vehicle inspection certificate information indicating personal or commercial use), an information setting unit (information generation unit) that sets third information (e.g., emissions intensity) based on information related to the emissions of the second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity, and a presentation unit that presents the third information. In the case of a logistics company consisting of a primary contractor and a subcontractor, the third information, the emissions intensity, is the emissions intensity reported by the subcontractor to the primary contractor. The information setting unit constitutes the generation unit 260. The third information may be generated by an information generation unit instead of the information setting unit, or the information identification unit may identify the third information. Even if the information identification unit identifies the third information, it is preferable that the identified information be presented by the presentation unit.

If the acquisition unit 250 acquires an emission report or if the first information is an emission report, it is preferable that the information setting unit set an emission unit based on the type of emission report.

The information to be recorded on the vehicle inspection certificate may be included in a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or IC tag and added to the vehicle inspection certificate. In the case of a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or IC tag, it is preferable to read it using the user terminal 100 and input the information using the input unit 220.

When an IC tag is used, the IC tag is read at the start (time point) and end (time point) of the trip when calculating the driving history, and this information is entered via the input unit 220, allowing the driving history to be stored (registered) in the memory unit 230. The calculation unit 210 can then calculate greenhouse gas emissions using the driving history. Note that, for users such as logistics companies, the driving history can also be used as transportation history. When a user such as a logistics company uses the driving history as transportation history, the information identification unit can identify emissions based on specific information such as shipper information and cargo information (name of the transported/delivered cargo). For example, a receiving company can search for specific information indicating shipper A or shipper B as shipper information, and the search results can identify and present the emissions per shipper for shipper A or shipper B. The information identification unit can identify the shipper from the shipper information, such as the owner's name or title, the owner's address, the user's name or title, and the user's address, in the vehicle master.

In addition, when a user inputs information such as receipts or estimates obtained by a user into the management server 200 via the user terminal 100, an emission coefficient (third information) may be displayed. Identifying the emission coefficient will be described later in the ninth function. In this case, the information on the acquired receipts, estimates, etc. is the first information. It is also preferable that the information on the acquired receipts, estimates, etc. includes second information. The management server 200 classifies the multiple acquired receipts, estimates, etc. into categories such as material costs, transportation costs, and labor costs, identifies the emission coefficients corresponding to these classified categories, and presents the emission coefficients. Information on receipts, estimates, etc. may be input into the management server 200 by inputting text information via OCR via the input unit 220. In this way, information on multiple types of receipts, estimates, etc. can be easily acquired.

When information such as receipts or estimates is entered using OCR, an information processing system, an information processing method executed by a computer, and a program for causing a computer to execute the system can be provided, which have the following configuration: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., information such as receipts or estimates) containing at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain, second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (e.g., information on items such as material costs, transportation costs, and labor costs), an information setting unit (information generation unit that generates) that sets third information (e.g., emission coefficients) based on information related to the emissions of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity, and a presentation unit that presents the third information.

<Operation>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the process (operation 4) of presenting the emission coefficient of the information processing system.

For each activity for which emissions are to be calculated (e.g., each raw material procured by the company), the management server 200 acquires the activity amount of the corresponding supplier related to that activity (S701). The management server 200 may, for example, send a request to the supplier and receive the activity amount from the supplier's user terminal 100, or may receive the activity amount from the company's own user terminal 100, or may acquire the activity amount from the supplier's business system, etc. The management server 200 acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the supplier and activity from the emission coefficient storage unit (S702).

If an emission coefficient cannot be acquired (S703: NO), the management server 200 reads the scale information corresponding to the supplier from the scale information storage unit (S704). The management server 200 may also acquire scale information (sales and/or asset value) related to the supplier and activity corresponding to the activity. The management server 200 identifies other suppliers similar to the acquired scale information from the scale information storage unit (S705) and reads the emission coefficients corresponding to the other suppliers and activities from the emission coefficient storage unit (S706). If an emission coefficient corresponding to another supplier and activity has not been registered, the management server 200 can repeat the process from S705. The management server 200 sends the read emission coefficient to the user terminal 100 (S707) and accepts specification of the emission coefficient to be used from the user terminal 100 (S708).

The management server 200 can calculate the amount of emissions by multiplying the emission coefficient by the amount of activity (S709).

In this way, for suppliers whose emission coefficients are unknown, users can be presented with the emission coefficients of other suppliers of a similar scale. Users can use the emission coefficients of other similar suppliers related to their own company, rather than secondary data.

In the embodiment of the third function, other suppliers with similar size information to the supplier are identified, but other suppliers with the same or similar industry as the supplier and the same or similar size (sales, asset value) may also be identified. In this case, the size information may include the business entity's industry, or an industry storage unit may be provided that stores the business entity's industry.

Figure 8 is a diagram explaining process 1 (operation 5) for generating and presenting third information.

The management server 200 acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain for each activity for which emissions are to be calculated (e.g., each raw material procured by the company) (S801). The management server 200 also acquires second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (S802). The management server 200 then stores the acquired first information and second information in the scale information storage unit (S803). The management server 200 then reads out second information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit (S804). The management server 200 then references the scale information storage unit to identify a second business entity whose second information matches or is similar to the read-out second information (S805). The management server 200 then reads out emission-related information corresponding to the identified second business entity from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information based on the read-out emission-related information (S806). Next, the management server 200 presents the third information (S807).

In operation 5, the management server 200 may calculate information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain. This calculation is performed by the emissions calculation unit. Operation 4 and operation 5 may also be combined.

An increasing number of companies are disclosing information related to greenhouse gas emissions. Preparing an emissions report requires specialized knowledge and know-how, but businesses (especially small and medium-sized enterprises) that lack these skills often find themselves unsure of the type of information they should compile or what information to include when preparing an emissions report, forcing them to rely on consultants who are knowledgeable in this field. While it's possible for a company to create its own emissions report by referencing emissions reports disclosed by competitors, there's the problem of the significant amount of work required to compile and organize the information needed for that company from the referenced emissions reports.

According to operation 5 (P044), an information processing system can be provided that includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., a TCFD report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information to be included in a TCFD report); second information indicating the attributes of the business entities (e.g., transportation information as supplier attribute information); an information generation unit that generates third information (e.g., a new TCFD report, a TCFD report reflecting review results) based on information related to emissions by a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the second information (transportation information) corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Note that the first information and the third information do not have to be the same type of report and may be different types of reports. For example, a securities report may be the first information and a CDP report may be the third information. This makes it easy to create a report that is different from a certain type of report from another type of report.

In this way, simply by entering prerequisites such as the first and second information, an emission report format suited to the user is provided, so even businesses without specialized knowledge or know-how can easily create emission reports. Furthermore, because the information processing system reviews the numerous published emission reports, the accuracy of emission reports created in-house can be improved.

Furthermore, according to operation 5 (P063), an information processing system can be provided that includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., a CDP report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information to be included in a CDP report); second information indicating the attributes of the business entities (e.g., company information such as industry, sales, and number of employees as supplier attribute information); an information generation unit that generates third information (e.g., a new CDP report, a CDP report reflecting review results) based on information related to emissions by a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the second information (company information) corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., information to be included in a highly rated CDP report); and a presentation unit that presents the third information. The information processing system also includes an input unit that inputs instruction information (e.g., question information, instruction information for the information generation unit), and an information generation unit that generates new information (e.g., a question answer, a questionnaire, a new email address, a code) based on the instruction information. An analysis unit 280 may be provided to evaluate the CDP reports acquired by the acquisition unit 250 and acquire reports with high scores. Scores from the previous year may be referenced and analyzed, sorted in descending order, and the top 10 (not limited to the top 10) reports may be acquired. Scores from multiple years, such as the previous year and the year before, may be referenced and analyzed to acquire the top 10 reports with the highest average scores. When multiple years' worth of scores are referenced and analyzed, the most recent scores may be prioritized. The analysis unit 280 may also use machine learning to generate the best answer based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 250. By analyzing and presenting the top CDP reports for the industry indicated by the attributes, it is possible to create emissions reports (e.g., CDP reports) with high scores and to use the results in climate change strategies. After the annual CDP report is submitted, the submitted CDP reports may be automatically acquired and machine-learned. To acquire a CDP report, the user can individually specify the CDP report to view using the user terminal 100.

Figure 9 is a diagram explaining process 2 (operation 6) for generating and presenting third information.

The management server 200 acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain for each activity for which emissions are to be calculated (e.g., each of the raw materials procured by the company) (S901). The management server 200 also acquires second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (S902). The management server 200 then stores the acquired first information and second information in the scale information storage unit (S903). The management server 200 then reads the second information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit (S904). The management server 200 then acquires information corresponding to the first business entity (S905). "Acquiring information corresponding to the first business entity" refers to storing information corresponding to the first business entity input from the user terminal 100 in a storage unit (e.g., a scale information storage unit) and then reading and acquiring this stored information. Next, the management server 200 references the scale information storage unit to identify a second business entity corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read first business entity (S906). Next, the management server 200 reads information related to emissions corresponding to the identified second business entity from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information based on the read information related to emissions (S907). Next, the management server 200 presents the third information (S908).

In operation 6, the management server 200 may calculate information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain. This calculation is performed by the emissions calculation unit. Operation 6 may also be combined with operations 4 and 2.

Companies are using FAQs and chatbots as a way to reduce the amount of work required to respond to customer questions (inquiries). However, because conventional FAQs and chatbots can only respond with pre-defined patterns, they may not be able to elicit the answers or solutions that the questioner is truly looking for.

According to operation 6 (P045), an information processing system can be provided that includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., internal knowledge group information) including at least information (e.g., internal knowledge) related to greenhouse gas emissions by multiple business entities upstream or downstream of the supply chain; second information (e.g., external knowledge information such as customer information) indicating at least the attributes of the business entities; a storage unit (e.g., a scale information storage unit) that stores the acquired first information and second information; an input unit that inputs information corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., question information); an information generation unit that generates third information (e.g., information in response to the question) based on information related to emissions by a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the third information. The input unit includes an audio input unit that enables audio input using a microphone or the like. The audio input unit starts audio input upon detecting the pressing of a button to start audio input. After starting voice input, the voice input unit ends voice input when it detects that the voice input start button is pressed again. Note that voice input may also be ended when it detects that the voice input end button is pressed. Voice input may also be ended when the voice is interrupted, or when a predetermined time has passed since the start of voice input. Information input from the voice input unit is acquired by the acquisition unit and stored in the storage unit.

Furthermore, according to operation 6 (P047), an information processing system can be provided that includes: an acquisition unit that acquires emissions information (e.g., group information of information indicating scope) including at least type information (e.g., information indicating scope) regarding greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain; a storage unit (e.g., scale information storage unit) that stores the acquired emissions information; an input unit that inputs information corresponding to a first business entity (e.g., question information); an information generation unit that generates type information corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., information indicating scope, information indicating category, and information on the reason as information in response to a question) based on type information regarding emissions (e.g., information indicating scope, information indicating category) that matches or is similar to the information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents type information corresponding to the first business entity. Note that type information corresponding to the first business entity is also third information.

By combining publicly available external expert knowledge with internal knowledge such as customer data accumulated within the company, it is possible to extract the answers and solutions that the customer asking the question is truly looking for, making it possible to automatically respond to inquiries with high accuracy.

The following issues have also arisen. Under the Energy Conservation Act, companies and organizations designated as specified businesses are required to submit regular reports on their energy usage, etc. In addition to these regular reports, CDP (an international environmental nonprofit organization) requires companies and organizations to disclose information on their environmental impact. Companies and organizations voluntarily respond to the "CDP Environmental Questionnaire" to demonstrate their commitment to disclosing climate change-related information. Companies and organizations publicly report their energy usage, etc., by submitting regular reports under the Energy Conservation Act and responding to the CDP questionnaire. However, because the emissions intensity (kilowatts) used in regular reports under the Energy Conservation Act differs from the emissions intensity (gigajoules) used in responses to the CDP questionnaire, reporting companies and organizations must convert the emissions intensity of their calculated carbon dioxide emissions data from those used in regular reports under the Energy Conservation Act to those used in the CDP questionnaire. The same applies to the work of converting the emissions intensity units for CDP questionnaires into those for regular reporting under the Energy Conservation Act, and the work of converting the emissions intensity units of one emissions report into those of another. This means that reporting companies and organizations have to spend a great deal of time and effort converting into the emissions intensity units for different emissions reports.

According to operation 6 (P052), an information processing system can be provided, comprising: first information (e.g., an emissions report based on the Energy Conservation Act) including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream of the supply chain; an acquisition unit that acquires second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities; an information generation unit that generates third information (e.g., a CDP report) based on information related to emissions by a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; an information conversion unit that converts unit information in the first information (e.g., kilowatts) into unit information in the third information (e.g., gigajoules); and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Note that if the first information is a certain type of emissions report (e.g., an emissions report based on the Energy Conservation Act), the third information is preferably a different type of emissions report (e.g., a CDP report), but the third information may also be a new type of emissions report (e.g., a new emissions report based on the Energy Conservation Act).

This makes it possible to automate the process of converting the emissions intensity units in one emissions report to those in another, thereby streamlining the process of converting emissions intensity units. In particular, it makes it possible to automate the process of converting the emissions intensity units (kilowatts) used in periodic reports based on the Energy Conservation Act to the emissions intensity units (gigajoules) used in responses to CDP questionnaires, thereby streamlining responses to CDP questionnaires.

Figure 10 is a diagram explaining process 3 (operation 7) of generating and presenting third information (new information).

The management server 200 acquires emission information for each activity for which emissions are to be calculated (e.g., each raw material procured by the company), including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (S1001). The management server 200 also acquires second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (S1002). The management server 200 then stores the acquired emission information and second information in the storage unit 230 (S1003). The management server 200 then determines whether instruction information has been input (S1004). The input of instruction information refers to the user entering instruction information from the user terminal 100. Examples of input methods include text input and voice input. If no instruction information has been input (S1004: NO), the management server 200 loops the processing of S1004 until instruction information is input. On the other hand, if instruction information has been input (or was input) (S1004: YES), the management server 200 acquires instruction information (S1005). The instruction information entered in S1004 is stored in the memory unit 230, and in S1005, this stored information is read and acquired. Next, the management server 200 generates third information (new information) based on the instruction information (S1006). Next, the management server 200 presents the third information (S1007).

Operation 7 (P064) is an information processing system characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires emissions information (e.g., a CDP report) including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information to be included in a CDP report); a memory unit that stores the acquired emissions information; an input unit that inputs instruction information (information corresponding to the first business entity; e.g., question information, instruction information for the information generation unit); and an information generation unit that generates new information (e.g., a questionnaire, a new email address, a code) based on the instruction information (information corresponding to the first business entity) (e.g., information related to emissions that matches or is similar to part of the instruction information).

For example, the generation unit (information generation unit) references and uses the information to be included in the CDP report obtained based on the instruction information (Please create a questionnaire for Supplier A and Supplier B regarding the information to be included in the CDP report. The questionnaire should be for obtaining information regarding ●●●, ▲▲▲, and XXX. Send the created questionnaire to Supplier A and Supplier B on dd/mm/yyyy), and generates a questionnaire (new information) from that information to confirm the information that should be included in the CDP report. The generation unit generates new information based on emissions-related information (information to be included in the CDP report) that matches or is similar to part of the instruction information (Please create a questionnaire regarding the information to be included in the CDP report). "Partially matches or is similar" means that part of the instruction information and part of the information to be included in the CDP report are the same or related.

The generation unit also references and uses email address information (userA@zb.jp and userB@zb.jp) indicating user A already stored in the storage unit 230 based on the instruction information (please register a new user with the username C) to generate a new email address (userC@zb.jp) from that information. The generation unit generates new information based on information stored in the storage unit 230 that matches or is similar to part of the instruction information (please register a new user with the username C) (userA@zb.jp and userB@zb.jp as information related to release). "Partially matches or is similar" means that part of the instruction information and part of the user information stored in the storage unit 230 are the same or related. Here, an example is shown in which the users' email domain names match.

The generation unit also generates code (program) for executing instructions based on the instruction information (please delete the data entered on dd/mm/yyyy. Please delete all data entered one month prior to today), and code (program) for changing (adding, deleting, correcting, etc.) information related to discharge (information entered on dd/mm/yyyy and information entered one month prior to today). The generation unit also generates code (program) for deleting information entered in January based on information stored in the memory unit 230 that matches or is similar to part of the instruction information (please delete the data entered on dd/mm/yyyy. Please delete all data entered one month prior to today). In this way, when the instruction information entered from the input unit is an instruction in natural language, the generation unit (information generation unit, generation unit 260) generates the instruction in computer language, i.e., code or a program, as new information. Based on the instruction information, the analysis unit 280 analyzes the discharge-related information stored in the memory unit 230, and the generation unit generates new information based on the analysis results of the analysis unit 280.

The management server 200 also includes an execution unit 290 that executes code (programs) as new information. The execution unit 290 executes predetermined processing based on the code generated as new information. For example, if the generation unit generates code to delete information entered on yyyy-year-mm-dd-day, the execution unit 290 executes the code and performs processing to search for, acquire, and delete the information entered on yyyy-year-mm-dd-day. Furthermore, if the instruction information is an instruction to calculate data such as "calculate the emission amount of data entered on yyyy-year-mm-dd-day," the generation unit generates code to calculate the information entered on yyyy-year-mm-dd-day, and the execution unit 290 executes the code to calculate and present the emission amount of the information entered on yyyy-year-mm-dd-day. Note that the calculation unit 210 may execute the processing instead of the execution unit 290. The presentation processing may also be performed by the output unit 240. Furthermore, if the instruction information is an instruction to visualize data, such as "create a graph of the data entered on yyyy/mm/dd," the generation unit generates code to graph the information entered on yyyy/mm/dd, and the execution unit 290 executes the code to create and present a graph of the information entered on yyyy/mm/dd. The presentation process may also be performed by the output unit 240. In order to execute the input data deletion process, emission amount calculation process based on the input data, and input data graph creation process, the data entered on yyyy/mm/dd may be searched for and obtained from external software that has been linked via the API linking function.

Figure 11 is a diagram explaining process 4 (operation 8) for generating and presenting third information (new information). Note that operation 8 (P064) is an operation for generating a code as the new information shown in operation 7.

The management server 200 acquires emission information for each activity for which emissions are to be calculated (e.g., each raw material procured by the company), including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (S1101). The management server 200 also acquires second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (S1102). The management server 200 then stores the acquired emission information and second information in the storage unit 230 (S1103). The management server 200 then determines whether instruction information has been input (S1104). The input of instruction information refers to the user entering instruction information from the user terminal 100. Examples of input methods include text input and voice input. If no instruction information has been input (S1104: NO), the management server 200 loops the processing of S1004 until instruction information is input. On the other hand, if instruction information has been input (yes) (S1104: YES), the management server 200 acquires instruction information (S1105). The instruction information entered in S1104 is stored in the storage unit 230, and in S1105, this stored information is read and acquired. Next, the management server 200 generates code for executing the contents of the instruction as third information (new information) based on the instruction information (S1106). Next, the management server 200 executes a predetermined process based on the generated code (S1107). Next, the management server 200 presents the results of the predetermined process executed based on the code (S1108).

The second information may be information indicating customer attributes. Examples of information indicating customer attributes include industry type, sales revenue, sales revenue by business, market segment, number of employees, business region, business content, and products and services sold, manufactured, and provided. The second information may also be information on sustainability initiatives. Examples of information on sustainability initiatives include climate change-related goals, internal strategies and structures, and numerical targets. The second information may also be information on external factors, such as competitive information and information related to customer trends. Such information may also be used as the first information. In this way, providing many types of first information and second information makes it easier to create the third information.

The management server 200's input unit 220, output unit 240, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, generation unit 260, estimation unit 270, analysis unit 280, and execution unit 290 may be implemented by a self-learning artificially intelligent system (mechanical system). This system may also be tuned to learn acquired information, such as information indicating the scope, category, and reason. By doing so, documents published by the WBCSD or the Ministry of the Environment or an internal customer database can be loaded into the management server 200. When a customer inputs prerequisites (industry, product, service, etc.), the system can automatically generate an optimal answer for the customer from the learned information. Multilingual information can also be loaded. Questions and answers can also be entered and answered in multiple languages. A multilingual system allows anyone to easily obtain the information they want. Furthermore, if a question entered earlier by the input unit 220 is related to a later question, the output unit 240 can respond by taking the earlier question and answer into account. For example, if the previous input content and the subsequent input content contain the same or similar words, the estimation unit 270 estimates that they are related questions, and the output unit 240 outputs the answer as a related question.

<Disclosures>
The third function also includes the following configuration.
[Item C1 (P030)]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores, for each business entity, an emission coefficient used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions; a scale information storage unit that stores, for each business entity, scale information indicating at least one of sales scale and asset scale; an acquisition unit that acquires an activity amount by a first business entity that is upstream or downstream in a supply chain; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by the first business entity by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that, when the emission coefficient corresponding to the first business entity is not registered, reads the scale information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit, refers to the scale information storage unit, identifies a second business entity that corresponds to scale information that matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the identified second business entity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and presents the read-out emission coefficient. Item C1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C2]
An information processing system according to item C1, wherein the sales scale and the asset scale are numerical values, and the presentation unit identifies the second business entity corresponding to the scale information stored in the scale information storage unit whose difference from the read-out scale information is within a predetermined range.
[Item C3]
the scale information storage unit stores the scale information in association with the activity; the emission calculation unit acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the first business entity and the activity related to the activity amount; and the presentation unit refers to the scale information storage unit to identify a second business entity corresponding to the scale information that matches or is similar to the scale information of the first business entity and the activity, and reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the identified second business entity and the activity from the emission coefficient storage unit.
[Item C4 (P044)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities constituting an upstream or downstream of a supply chain, second information indicating at least attributes of the business entities, an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to the emissions of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity, and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Item C4 comprises a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a base location for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter, an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitter for each base, an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device, a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information, and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C5 (P045)]
an information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities constituting an upstream or downstream of a supply chain; second information indicating at least attributes of the business entities; a storage unit that stores the acquired first information and the second information; an input unit that inputs information corresponding to a first business entity; an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to the emissions of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Item C5 also comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a base location for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C6 (P047)]
an information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires emission information including at least information on types of greenhouse gas emissions by business entities constituting an upstream or downstream of a supply chain; a storage unit that stores the acquired emission information; an input unit that inputs information corresponding to a first business entity; an information generation unit that generates information on the type of emission corresponding to the first business entity based on information on the type of emission that matches or is similar to information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the information on the type corresponding to the first business entity. Item C6 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a position of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of position information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the position information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C7 (P054)]
An information processing system characterized in that the input unit of item C6 is an input unit for inputting information corresponding to the first business entity by voice.
[Item C8 (P052)]
an information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities constituting an upstream or downstream of a supply chain; second information indicating at least attributes of the business entities; an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to the emissions of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; an information conversion unit that converts unit information in the first information into unit information in the third information; and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Item C8 also comprises a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and the activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C9 (P063)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities constituting an upstream or downstream of a supply chain, second information indicating attributes of the business entities, an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to emissions by a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity, and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Item C9 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a base location for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and the activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C10]
An information processing system according to item C9, comprising: an input unit for inputting instruction information; and the information generation unit being capable of generating new information based on the instruction information.
[Item C11 (P064)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires emission information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities constituting an upstream or downstream of a supply chain, a storage unit that stores the acquired emission information, an input unit that inputs instruction information, and an information generation unit that generates new information based on the instruction information. Item C11 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item C12]
An information processing system according to item C11, comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes the discharge information stored in the memory unit based on the instruction information; and the information generation unit generates the new information based on the results of the analysis.
[Item C13]
An information processing system according to item C12, further comprising: an execution unit that executes a predetermined process based on the new information.
[Item C14 (P044)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be said for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information related to the X information of business entities that constitute an upstream or downstream of a supply chain and second information that indicates at least attributes of the business entities; an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to the X information of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the third information.
[Item C15 (P045)]
1. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information related to X information of business entities that are upstream or downstream of a supply chain; and second information that indicates at least attributes of the business entities; a storage unit that stores the acquired first information and second information; an input unit that inputs information corresponding to the first business entity; an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to X information of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the third information.
[Item C16 (P047)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information on the type of X information of business entities that are upstream or downstream of a supply chain; a storage unit that stores the acquired information on the type of X information; an input unit that inputs information corresponding to a first business entity; an information generation unit that generates information on the type of X information corresponding to the first business entity based on information on the type of X information that matches or is similar to information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the information on the type of information corresponding to the first business entity.
[Item C17 (P052)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information related to X information of business entities that are upstream or downstream of a supply chain; second information that indicates at least attributes of the business entities; an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to X information of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; an information conversion unit that converts unit information in the first information into unit information in the third information; and a presentation unit that presents the third information.
[Item C18 (P063)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including information related to X information of business entities that are upstream or downstream of a supply chain; second information that indicates attributes of the business entities; an information generation unit that generates third information based on information related to X information of a second business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit that presents the third information.
[Item C19 (P064)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires X information of business entities that are upstream or downstream in a supply chain; a storage unit that stores the acquired X information; an input unit that inputs instruction information; and an information generation unit that generates new information based on the instruction information.

<<Target-setting function of carbon tax (fourth function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first to third functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the fourth function.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the fourth function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (derivation unit, reduction amount calculation unit), an output unit 240 (information presentation unit), and an input unit 220 (information input unit).

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 is the same as the memory unit described in the second function embodiment. In this embodiment, the emission amount memory unit stores the results of calculating the company's carbon dioxide emissions as information specifying the emissions amount.

The information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires baseline scenario data. The baseline scenario data is composed of multiple scenario data. The multiple scenario data include first scenario data, second scenario data, third scenario data, etc. The first scenario data is, for example, scenario data assuming that greenhouse gas emissions continue as they are today, resulting in a temperature rise of approximately 4 degrees by 2100 (or 2050, etc.). The second scenario data is, for example, scenario data assuming that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to almost zero. The third scenario data is, for example, scenario data assuming that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by a predetermined amount, resulting in a temperature rise of no more than 2 degrees by 2100 (or 2050, etc.). Each scenario data indicates the carbon price (coefficient) for each year from the present to 2100. Note that the climate change scenario set out by WEO 2022 may be acquired as the baseline scenario data. When a climate change scenario is acquired, the first scenario data is created based on STEPS (The State Policies Scenario), the second scenario data is created based on NZE (Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario), and the third scenario data is created based on APS (The Announced Pledges Scenario).

The derivation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 derives (calculates) the first carbon tax based on the emissions and carbon price (coefficient) stored in the emissions storage unit. The first carbon tax is derived based on the amount of carbon contained in the emissions. The derivation method differs from country to country. For example, it is derived by multiplying the emissions by the carbon price per ton, such as N yen/ton in Japan or M dollars/ton in the United States. The derivation unit can also derive the second carbon tax for a predetermined period. The predetermined period can be short-term (approximately 2-3 years), medium-term (approximately 5-10 years), long-term (approximately 30 years), etc. The second carbon tax is derived (calculated) based on the emissions and scenario data stored in the emissions storage unit. For example, when deriving a long-term second carbon tax using first scenario data, the first carbon tax is used as the second carbon tax at the start of the scenario (current time). The second carbon tax at the end of the scenario (30 years later) is derived based on emissions and the data from the first scenario data 30 years later. Furthermore, the second carbon tax for each year from the start of the scenario to the end of the scenario is derived based on emissions and the data for each year in the first scenario data. In this way, in this example, a simulation of a long-term second carbon tax can be performed and presented to the user. The derivation unit can also derive the second carbon tax based on the amount of reduction. In this example, a carbon tax simulation can also be performed by multiplying the amount of reduction by the carbon price in the scenario data.

The reduction amount calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the reduction amount based on the emission amount and the target reduction rate of the emission amount by the business entity. The target reduction rate is the same as in the first function embodiment.

The information presentation unit presents information on the first carbon tax, the second carbon tax (simulation results), and the amount of reduction. For the second carbon tax, the results of a simulation based on one scenario data may be presented, or the results of multiple simulations based on multiple scenario data may be presented. The information presentation unit transmits the information to be presented to the user terminal 100, and displays the information on the user terminal 100. The information transmitted to the user terminal 100 can also be edited and processed on the user terminal 100. The information presentation unit may also present potential risks. There are two types of risks: acute risks and chronic risks. Acute risks are risks caused by sudden events. Sudden events include, for example, avalanches, cold waves, frost, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons, droughts, heat waves, floods (coastal, river, pluvial, and groundwater), glacial lake outbursts, heavy rainfall (rain, hail, snow, and ice), landslides, storms (including blizzards, dust, and sandstorms), subsidence, tornadoes, and wildfires. Chronic risks are risks resulting from long-term changes in climate patterns. Examples of chronic risks include changing precipitation patterns (rain, hail, snow, and ice), changing temperatures (air, freshwater, and saltwater), changing wind patterns, coastal erosion, heat stress, ocean acidification, permafrost thaw, heavy rainfall and/or hydrological fluctuations, saltwater intrusion, sea-level rise, soil degradation, soil erosion, solifluction, temperature fluctuations, and water shortages. These risks result in increased response costs, decreased asset values, asset impairments, and reduced sales due to reduced production capacity. By displaying the risks, users can understand what types of risks they are exposed to. The tax levied according to greenhouse gas emissions in the pricing function could also be a carbon tax.

The information input unit inputs information on the business entity's target percentage reduction of emissions, which is input from the user terminal 100, into the management server 200.

Figure 12 explains the process of calculating and presenting the carbon tax (operation 9).

The management server 200 stores the greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity (S1201). Next, the management server 200 calculates a first carbon tax based on the emissions (S1202). Next, the management server 200 selects scenario data (S1203). The selected scenario data may be one or more. Next, the management server 200 calculates a second carbon tax for a specified period using the selected scenario data (S1204). Next, the management server 200 accepts input of the business entity's emission reduction target percentage (S1205). Next, the management server 200 calculates the reduction amount based on the emissions and the reduction target percentage (S1206). Next, the management server 200 calculates the second carbon tax based on the reduction amount. The management server 200 outputs the first carbon tax and the second carbon tax showing each calculation result to the user. The second carbon tax may be presented on a graph with the X-axis representing the fiscal year.

Due to global warming in recent years, extreme weather events have been observed around the world. Weather-related disasters have also become more frequent. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that if global warming continues at its current rate, weather-related disasters could become more frequent and severe. To mitigate such extreme weather events and disasters, Western countries are leading the way in promoting a transition to a decarbonized society. Japan, too, is working toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. One example of this approach is the introduction of a carbon pricing system, which could predict the implementation of policies that place a price on carbon and change the behavior of carbon dioxide emitters (mainly businesses). The introduction of a carbon pricing system could lead to the creation of a "carbon tax" that imposes a tax based on carbon dioxide emissions. The creation of a carbon tax would have a significant financial impact on companies, which are the main emitters of carbon dioxide. For this reason, companies must estimate the carbon tax that will be levied on their own carbon dioxide emissions and consider the impact of the tax on their business activities. However, there is currently no information processing system that can simulate future carbon taxes that will be imposed on companies.

According to operation 9, an information processing system for calculating and visualizing carbon dioxide emissions can be provided that calculates a company's carbon dioxide emissions and simulates a carbon tax based on the calculation results and a carbon price corresponding to the reference scenario data. In particular, an information processing system can be provided that simulates a carbon tax by multiplying the carbon price (carbon pricing) calculated based on each of the first scenario data, second scenario data, and third scenario data by the company's carbon dioxide emissions.

This structure allows companies to recognize risk factors such as future carbon tax burdens, making it easier to formulate business plans linked to climate change-related targets. Furthermore, by considering risk factors such as future carbon tax burdens when formulating capital investment plans, companies can increase the priority of decarbonization investments, thereby promoting decarbonization investments within companies.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and input unit 220 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system with artificial intelligence (mechanical system) that can learn on its own. This type of machine learning can predict factors that will increase or decrease the carbon tax.

<Disclosures>
The fourth function also includes the following configuration.
[Item D1 (P051)]
An information processing system comprising: a storage unit (emissions storage unit) that stores greenhouse gas emissions by business entities and predetermined scenario data; and a derivation unit that derives a carbon tax (second carbon tax) based on the emissions and the predetermined scenario data, wherein the derivation unit is capable of deriving a carbon tax for a predetermined period. Item D1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of a mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item D2]
An information processing system according to item D1, comprising an input unit (information input unit) that accepts input of the target rate of reduction of the emissions by the business entity, and a reduction amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of reduction based on the emissions and the target rate of reduction, wherein the derivation unit is capable of deriving the carbon tax based on the amount of reduction.
[Item D3]
An information processing system according to item D2, characterized in that the input unit is capable of accepting input of a base point in time and a target point in time, and the reduction amount calculation unit is capable of acquiring the emissions at the base point in time from the emissions memory unit and calculating the reduction amount at the target point in time based on the acquired emissions and the reduction target rate.
[Item D4 (P051)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be done for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores first X information by a business entity and predetermined scenario data; and a derivation unit that derives second X information based on the first X information and the predetermined scenario data, wherein the derivation unit is capable of deriving the second X information for a predetermined period.

<<Blockchain function (5th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first to fourth functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the fifth function.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the fifth function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 comprises a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit, blockchain), an acquisition unit 250 (information acquisition unit), an analysis unit 280, and an output unit 240 (information presentation unit). In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the blockchain is provided within the management server 200, but the blockchain may also be provided external to the management server 200. Even if provided externally, the blockchain information can be acquired by the management server 200.

The emission amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 is the same as the memory unit described in the embodiment of the second function. In this embodiment, the emission amount memory unit stores the results of calculations of the carbon dioxide emissions of the company and other companies as information indicating emissions (first information). A blockchain manages data in units of blocks, which are linked together like a chain to store data. Each block of the blockchain stores first information. Each block also stores a hash value (second information) representing the contents of the previous block. For example, if a first block stores information indicating a first emission amount (first information A) and a first hash value (second information A), and a second block stores information indicating a second emission amount (first information B) and a second hash value (second information B), the first hash value used in the first block is used as a certificate required to generate the next block, the second block. In other words, the first hash value is information related to the second hash value. Here, if the data in the information indicating the second emission amount in the second block is tampered with, the derived second hash value will be a different value (an abnormal value), and the hash values of all blocks will need to be changed. This makes it difficult to tamper with information managed by the blockchain, making it possible to provide a highly reliable information processing system.

The information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires first information. The first information is information indicating the emission amount in the third function embodiment, etc. The information acquisition unit also acquires second information. The second information is, for example, a hash value representing the contents of the immediately preceding block, but it may be any information indicating information in the blockchain. The second information is information associated with the first information. In other words, the first information and the second information are related information. If the second information shown in the third function embodiment is stored in the blockchain, the second information in the third function embodiment can be used as the second information. In this case, it is preferable to use information in which a hash value is associated with the second information in the third function embodiment as the second information. The second information can also be information that does not require a hash value, but rather can confirm when, where, and from which business entity the information was acquired.

The analysis unit 280 analyzes information indicating the emissions of downstream business entities based on the acquired hash value. "Downstream" refers to a business entity downstream of the first business entity (supplier), namely another supplier that is a second business entity. The first business entity acquires information indicating emissions from the second business entity, which is a downstream business entity, and the analysis unit 280 can analyze whether this information indicating emissions has been tampered with. The information indicating emissions is information managed on the blockchain. Hash values are also information managed on the blockchain, and are information related to the information indicating emissions. Therefore, by analyzing the hash value corresponding to the information indicating emissions, the analysis unit 280 can analyze and confirm that the information indicating emissions acquired from downstream business entities is normal information that has not been tampered with. The analysis unit 280 can also analyze which business entity the information indicating emissions belongs to.

The information presentation unit presents information on the results of the analysis. For example, if the analysis results in abnormal information indicating the acquired emission amounts, information is output to the user terminal 100 to display, for example, "The acquired emission information is not normal." On the other hand, if the acquired emission information is normal, no indication is given that the information is normal. If the acquired emission information is normal, information may be output to the user terminal 100 to display, for example, "The acquired emission information is normal." Furthermore, if the analysis result shows that the emission information does not belong to a normal second business entity, information may be output to the user terminal 100 to display, for example, "The acquired emission information is not normal." If the information is normal, no indication is given that the information is normal, but information may be output to the user terminal 100 to display, for example, "The acquired emission information is normal."

If the analysis results indicate an abnormality but the acquired information indicating emissions has not been tampered with, for example, if the analysis results reveal that the second business entity output information indicating incorrect emissions to the first business entity, this will be presented. In this case, the second business entity may be notified that the information indicating emissions output to the first business entity was incorrect.

A generation unit 260 may also be provided to generate a blockchain. The blocks that make up the blockchain store first information about the second business entity and hash values corresponding to the first information. A blockchain can be constructed by obtaining first information about multiple second business entities and using first information that has been analyzed to determine if it is normal. Second information B can be information related to second information A, while first information B can be information that is not related to first information A. Here, "related information" refers to, for example, one piece of information having a relationship with the other piece of information via a function or the like, but is not limited to this. By storing information that is related at least between second pieces of information, it is possible to allow for flexibility in the first information to be stored.

Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the process of analyzing and outputting the first information (operation 10).

The management server 200 acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain for each activity for which emissions are to be calculated (e.g., each raw material procured by the company) (S1301). The management server 200 also acquires second information indicating information in the blockchain (S1302). The management server 200 then stores the acquired first information and second information in the storage unit 230 (S1303). The management server 200 then analyzes the first information of downstream business entities based on the second information (S1304). The management server 200 then determines whether the analysis results are abnormal (S1305). If the analysis results are abnormal (S1305: YES), the management server 200 indicates that an abnormality exists and terminates the processing of Operation 10 (S1306). On the other hand, if the analysis results are not abnormal (S1305: NO), the management server 200 terminates the processing of Operation 10.

Concerns have arisen about the reliability of first information from upstream or downstream business entities. For example, in the case of a first business entity that manufactures smartphone products, first information (emissions amounts and emissions intensity) for components that make up the smartphone, such as cameras and chips, is obtained from a second business entity. However, even if the obtained first information is tampered with, there is no way to confirm the tampering, and the tampered, fraudulent information is registered as information from the first business entity, which creates a problem in that accurate greenhouse gas emissions cannot be calculated. The embodiment of the fifth function has been proposed to resolve this problem.

According to operation 10, an information processing system can be provided that includes an acquisition unit that acquires first information including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream in the supply chain and second information that indicates information in the blockchain, an analysis unit that analyzes the first information of business entities that are downstream based on the second information, and a presentation unit that presents the results of the analysis.

This configuration makes it possible to track the calculation process for greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (which business entity calculated it, when and how) and the editing history of the greenhouse gas emissions data by those business entities, making it possible to confirm (guarantee reliability) the reliability of the information indicating the emissions obtained and provide information indicating emissions that consists only of valid information.

The output unit 240, acquisition unit 250, generation unit 260, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The fifth function also includes the following configuration.
[Item E1 (P065)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream in a supply chain; second information indicating information in a blockchain; an analysis unit that analyzes the first information of business entities that are downstream based on the second information; and a presentation unit that presents the results of the analysis. Item E1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item E2]
An information processing system according to item E1, characterized in that the first information includes at least first information A and first information B, which is the information following the first information A, and the second information includes at least second information A and second information B, which is the information following the second information A, and the second information A and the second information B are related information, while the first information A and the first information B are not related information.
[Item E3 (P065)]
When targeting X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours), the method is as follows. Note that the same can be applied to items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information including information related to X information of business entities that constitute the upstream or downstream of a supply chain and second information that indicates information in a blockchain; an analysis unit that analyzes the first information of business entities that constitute the downstream based on the second information; and a presentation unit that presents the results of the analysis.

<<Evidence function (6th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first to fifth functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the sixth function.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the sixth function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (evidence data storage unit, corresponding database), an acquisition unit 250 (evidence acquisition unit, basic data acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (evidence output unit).

The document acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires document data that displays basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The basic data can be, for example, at least one of activity data and emission coefficients.

Evidence data related to activity amounts is data that represents evidence such as invoices, receipts, and contracts. Evidence related to Scope 1 (direct emissions) of the GHG (GreenHouse Gas) Protocol could include, for example, a receipt for filling up at a gas station or an invoice for gas or coal. Evidence related to Scope 2 (indirect emissions) could include, for example, an electricity receipt or contract. Evidence related to Scope 3 (emissions by related companies) related to Category 1 (purchased goods and services) could include, for example, purchase orders, invoices, contracts, and receipts related to the procurement of raw materials and parts, or procurement system data and parts lists.

Furthermore, evidence data related to emissions could include, for example, primary data on the emissions intensity of raw materials obtained from suppliers (which may be calculated independently by the supplier or verified by a third party).

The evidence data may be, for example, image data. The image data may be, for example, data captured by a camera (not shown) provided on the user terminal 100. The evidence data may be, for example, a document such as a PDF file, or a structured file such as XML.

The evidence acquisition unit may, for example, accept uploads of evidence data from the user terminal 100, or may acquire evidence data attached to messages such as emails or chat messages sent from the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if the user can directly operate the management server 200, the management server 200 may be equipped with a camera or scanner, and the evidence may be photographed using the camera or scanner of the management server 200. The evidence acquisition unit may register the acquired evidence data in the evidence data storage unit.

The evidence data storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores evidence data. The evidence data storage unit can store evidence data, for example, in association with an evidence ID that identifies the evidence and a user ID that indicates the user who registered the evidence. The evidence data storage unit can be implemented as a relational database, an object database, or a file system (in this case, the evidence ID can be a path and file name).

The basic data acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 reads basic data from supporting data. The basic data acquisition unit can, for example, read basic data from image data using OCR processing. The basic data acquisition unit can also, for example, extract basic data from text included in a document.

The emissions calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on the basic data. For example, if the basic data is information indicating a company's activity amount, the management server 200 can be provided with an emissions coefficient memory unit that stores the emission coefficient for that company's activity, and emissions can be calculated by multiplying the read activity amount by the emission coefficient. Furthermore, if the basic data is a company's emission coefficient, the activity amount of the company (for example, for Scope 1 emissions, this could be the amount of fuel burned by the user; for Scope 2 emissions, it could be the amount of electricity used by the user; for Scope 3 emissions, it could be the amount of goods purchased by the user from the company, the amount of goods sold by the user, or the ton-kilometers delivered by the user) can be obtained, for example, by accessing an accounting system or accepting input from the user, and emissions can be calculated by multiplying the obtained activity amount by the read emission coefficient. Furthermore, if the basic data includes both an emission coefficient and an activity amount, emissions can be calculated by multiplying the read emission coefficient by the activity amount. Furthermore, if the basic data is emissions, the emissions read from the supporting data can be used as is.

The correspondence database constituting the storage unit 230 stores information identifying emissions and information identifying supporting data in association with each other. The correspondence database can also store information identifying basic data in association with each other. The correspondence database stores emission amount identification information, basic data IDs identifying the basic data, and supporting data IDs indicating supporting data in association with each other. The emission amount identification information can include time information such as the year, month, and day. The emission amount identification information can also include information (such as a user ID) identifying the entity (company, etc.) that produces the greenhouse gases related to the emissions. The emission amount identification information can also include the products and services that are the subject of the calculation.

The evidence output unit constituting the output unit 240 outputs evidence data. The evidence output unit can accept the designation of emission amount identification information. For example, the evidence output unit can accept the designation of time information such as the year, month, or day. The evidence output unit can also accept the designation of the subject of emissions in addition to or instead of the time information. The evidence output unit can also accept information that identifies the product or service to be calculated in addition to or instead of the time information and/or the subject of emissions. The evidence output unit can identify the evidence ID corresponding to the received emission amount identification information from the corresponding database, and read and output the evidence data corresponding to the identified evidence ID from the evidence data storage unit.

The evidence output unit can output evidence data in response to a request from a third-party certification body (auditing organization), for example. It can also identify, in response to a request from a user calculating emissions related to the GHG Protocol, evidence data related to the basic data that served as the basis for calculating the emissions from a corresponding database, and transmit the identified evidence data together with the emissions to the third-party certification body (its information processing device).

The evidence output unit can also accept the specification of basic data in addition to the emission amount specification information. In this case, the evidence output unit can identify the evidence ID corresponding to the emission amount specification information and the basic data ID indicating the specified basic data from the corresponding database, and read and output the evidence data corresponding to the identified evidence ID from the evidence data storage unit.

<Operation>
Next, the flow of the emission amount calculation process in the information processing system of the sixth function will be described.

The management server 200 accepts supporting data from the user terminal 100, reads basic data from the supporting data using OCR processing or the like, and calculates greenhouse gas emissions using the basic data.

The management server 200 stores the supporting document data in the supporting document data storage unit, and registers the emission amount identification information that identifies the emission amount, the basic data ID that indicates the basic data, and the supporting document ID that indicates the supporting document data in a correspondence database, associating them with each other.

Note that when receiving multiple types of basic data to calculate emissions, it is possible to receive basic data without receiving supporting data.

Next, we will explain the process flow for outputting supporting evidence data in the information processing system with the sixth function.

The management server 200 accepts the emission amount specification information and basic data ID from the user terminal 100. Note that the basic data ID may be omitted. The management server 200 identifies the supporting document ID corresponding to the accepted emission amount specification information and basic data ID from the corresponding database, reads the supporting document data corresponding to the identified supporting document ID from the supporting document data storage unit, and outputs (sends) the read supporting document data to the user terminal 100.

As described above, the information processing system with the sixth function can manage supporting data related to the basic data used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions, in association with the emissions and basic data. Therefore, in the case of audits, third-party certification, etc., supporting data corresponding to emissions and the basic data used to calculate them can be easily presented.

In the embodiment of the sixth function, a client-server system was used, but for example, the user terminal 100 could also have the functions of the management server 200.

In addition, in the embodiment of the sixth function, basic data is read from the supporting evidence data using processing such as OCR, but for example, if the basic data is modified by the user terminal 100, input of basic data may be accepted from the user terminal 100 and this may be learned. For example, the range of basic data described in the supporting evidence data and the content of the basic data may be received from the user terminal 100, and the learning model for performing OCR may be updated by machine learning using the supporting evidence data, the range, and the content as training data. This can improve the reading accuracy using so-called AIOCR.

In addition, in the embodiment of the sixth function, the basic data is read from the supporting data. However, for example, the basic data may be received from the user terminal 100, the emissions may be calculated using the basic data received from the user terminal 100, the supporting data related to this basic data may be received from the user terminal 100, and the management server 200 may associate the basic data with the supporting data. In this case, the management server 200 may be provided with a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model that has undergone machine learning using the basic data and supporting data as training data, and the learning model may be used to infer the type of basic data (basic data ID) from the supporting data received from the user terminal 100, and associate the supporting data with the basic data. The management server 200 may link the basic data ID indicating the inferred basic data with the supporting data ID indicating the supporting data in a correspondence database.

In addition, in the embodiment of the sixth function, the correspondence database associates emission amounts, basic data, and supporting documents, but it may also associate emission amounts (emission amount identification information) with supporting documents (support IDs), or it may associate basic data (basic data IDs) with supporting documents (support IDs).

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The sixth function also includes the following configuration.
[Item F1 (P015)]
an information processing system comprising: a voucher acquisition unit that acquires voucher data displaying basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, a basic data acquisition unit that reads the basic data from the voucher data, a voucher data storage unit that stores the voucher data, an emissions calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the basic data, a correspondence database that stores information identifying the emissions and information identifying the voucher data in association with each other, and a voucher output unit that accepts designation of the information identifying the emissions, identifies the voucher data corresponding to the designated emissions from the correspondence database, and reads and outputs the identified voucher data from the voucher data storage unit. Item F1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a base location for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores activity amounts of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amounts of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base. Item F1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that reads supporting data from the user's mobile device and accepts input of the mobile device's location information and activity amount; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item F2]
An information processing system according to item F1, characterized in that the evidence data is image data, and the basic data acquisition unit reads the basic data from the image data by OCR processing.
[Item F3]
An information processing system described in item F1, characterized in that the correspondence database stores information identifying the emission amount, information identifying the supporting data, and information identifying the basic data in linked relation to each other, and the supporting data output unit accepts specification of the emission amount and the basic data, identifies the supporting data corresponding to the emission amount and the basic data from the correspondence database, and reads out and outputs the identified supporting data from the supporting data storage unit.
[Item F4 (P015D1)]
an information processing system comprising: a supporting document acquisition unit that acquires supporting document data displaying basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; a basic data acquisition unit that accepts input of the basic data; a supporting document data storage unit that stores the supporting document data; an emissions calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the basic data; a correspondence database that stores information identifying the basic data or information identifying the emissions and information identifying the supporting document data in association with each other; and a supporting document output unit that accepts specification of the information identifying the basic data or the information identifying the emissions, identifies the supporting document data corresponding to the specified basic data or the emissions from the correspondence database, and reads out and outputs the identified supporting document data from the supporting document data storage unit.
[Item F5 (P015)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, emissions of hazardous substances E2 or working hours for human rights DD) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be said for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: a document acquisition unit that acquires document data displaying basic data for calculating X information, a basic data acquisition unit that reads out the basic data from the document data, a document data storage unit that stores the document data, a calculation unit that calculates X information based on the basic data, a correspondence database that associates and stores information that specifies the X information and information that specifies the document data, and a document output unit that accepts designation of information that specifies X information, identifies document data that corresponds to the designated X information from the correspondence database, and reads out and outputs the identified document data from the document data storage unit.

<<Accounting data evidence function (7th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first to sixth functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the seventh function.

<System Overview>
In an embodiment of the seventh function, data that serves as evidence is managed, particularly that included in accounting data. Although not shown, the information processing system of the seventh function is configured to include a management server 200, a user terminal 100, and an accounting system. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 and the accounting system via a communication network.

The management server 200 is a computer that calculates greenhouse gas emissions. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically implemented using cloud computing.

The user terminal 100 is a computer used by a user, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. The user operates the user terminal 100 to access the management server 200 and calculate greenhouse gas emissions.

An accounting system is a computer system that manages accounting data. An accounting system can be composed of one or more computers. Accounting data can include so-called financial statement data and accounting record data that forms the basis of the financial statements (such as voucher data, invoice data, contract data, general ledger data, and journal entry data). Accounting data can also include audit evidence data used in accounting audits. An accounting system stores at least financial statement data and can output financial statement data upon request.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the seventh function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 comprises a memory unit 230 (accounting data memory unit, audit data memory unit, correspondence database, emission coefficient memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (accounting data acquisition unit, basic data acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (emission amount output unit, accounting data output unit).

The accounting data acquisition unit acquires accounting data including basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The basic data can be, for example, at least one of activity data and emission coefficients.

Accounting data related to activity amounts includes accounting records such as invoices, receipts, and contracts. Examples of accounting records that serve as evidence for Scope 1 (direct emissions) of the GHG Protocol include gas station receipts and gas or coal invoices. Examples of accounting records that serve as evidence for Scope 2 (indirect emissions) include electricity receipts and contracts. Examples of accounting records that serve as evidence for Scope 3 (emissions by related companies) include Category 1 (purchased goods and services), such as purchase orders, invoices, contracts, and receipts for raw material and component procurement, as well as procurement system data and bills of materials. It is also possible to use items included in financial statement data such as balance sheets and income statements as basic data, rather than accounting records. In such cases, the financial statement data would be the accounting data corresponding to the basic data.

Furthermore, accounting data serving as supporting evidence for emission coefficients could include, for example, primary data on the emission intensity of raw materials obtained from suppliers (which may be calculated independently by the supplier or verified by a third party). For example, audit evidence data used in carbon accounting audits that is not included in accounting record data could be used as accounting data.

The accounting data may be, for example, a document such as a PDF file, or a structured file such as XML. The accounting data may also be image data.

The accounting data acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 can accept input of information identifying accounting data (e.g., accounting year and name of accounting data) from the user terminal 100, access the accounting system, send information identifying the accounting data to the accounting system, and receive accounting data in response from the accounting system. Furthermore, the accounting data acquisition unit can, for example, accept uploads of accounting data from the user terminal 100, or acquire accounting data attached to messages such as emails and chat messages sent from the user terminal 100.

The accounting data acquisition unit can register the acquired accounting data in the accounting data storage unit. Note that the accounting data acquisition unit may access the accounting system and acquire accounting data as needed, rather than registering it in the accounting data storage unit, for accounting data recorded in the accounting system. When accounting data specified from the user terminal 100 is not registered in the accounting system, the accounting data acquisition unit can register it in the accounting data storage unit received from the user terminal 100.

The accounting data storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores accounting data. The accounting data storage unit can store accounting data, for example, in association with accounting data identification information that identifies the accounting data and a user ID that indicates the user who registered the accounting data. The accounting data identification information can be, for example, the accounting year and the name of the accounting data. The accounting data storage unit can be implemented as a relational database, an object database, or a file system. If the specified accounting data is not registered in the accounting system and accounting data received from the user terminal 100 is stored, the accounting data storage unit will store accounting data that is not managed by the accounting system (external system data).

The audit data storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores audit data indicating that an accounting audit has been conducted on financial statements related to the accounting data. The audit data can be, for example, audit report data prepared by an auditing firm (such as an audit report in electronic data format or scanned data from a paper audit report). The audit data storage unit can store audit data in association with audit data identification information that identifies the audit data and a user ID that identifies the user. The audit data identification information can be, for example, the fiscal year. The audit data storage unit can be implemented as a relational database, an object database, or a file system.

The correspondence database constituting the storage unit 230 stores information identifying emissions and information identifying accounting data in association with each other. The correspondence database can also store information identifying audit data in association with each other. The correspondence database stores, in association with each other, emission amount identification information, basic data IDs identifying basic data (e.g., activity amount details), accounting data identification information indicating accounting data, and audit data identification information identifying audit data. The emission amount identification information can include time information such as the year, month, and day. The emission amount identification information can also include information (e.g., user ID) identifying the entity (company, etc.) that produces the greenhouse gases related to the emissions. The emission amount identification information can also include the products and services that are the subject of the calculation.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients in association with information that identifies an activity (basic data ID). The basic data ID can be, for example, the type of activity amount.

The basic data acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires data (basic data) necessary to calculate emissions. The basic data can be, for example, activity amounts and emission coefficients. Here, accounting data is acquired as the activity amounts (the accounting data acquired by the accounting data acquisition unit is read from the accounting data storage unit). The emission coefficient can be read from, for example, the emission coefficient storage unit. Alternatively, the emission coefficient may be received from the user terminal 100.

The emissions calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on basic data. Here, the emissions calculation unit can read the activity amount included in the accounting data, perform unit conversion, and calculate emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the corresponding emission coefficient. In the case of Scope 1 emissions, for example, the emissions calculation unit can extract the purchase price of the fuel from accounting data related to the purchased fuel and calculate emissions by multiplying the purchase price by the emission coefficient corresponding to the fuel. In the case of Scope 2 emissions, the emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions by extracting the electricity bill from accounting data related to electricity in utility bills and multiplying the electricity bill by the electricity emission coefficient. In the case of Scope 3 emissions, for example, the emissions calculation unit can extract the purchase price of a specific product from accounting data related to the purchase of the product and calculate emissions related to the product by multiplying the extracted purchase price by the emission coefficient corresponding to the product. If the unit of the emission coefficient differs from the unit of the accounting data, the emissions calculation unit can convert the unit of the activity amount in the accounting data before multiplying by the emission coefficient.

The emissions output unit that constitutes the output unit 240 outputs the calculated emissions. The emissions output unit may, for example, output the total amount of all emissions, the total amount of emissions for each scope according to the GHG Protocol, or the total amount of emissions for each Scope 3 category.

The accounting data output unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can output accounting data (or information that identifies accounting data). The accounting data output unit can accept the specification of emissions identification information. For example, the accounting data output unit can accept the specification of time information such as the year, month, or day. The accounting data output unit can also accept the specification of the subject of emissions in addition to or instead of the time information. The accounting data output unit can also accept information that identifies the product or service to be calculated in addition to or instead of the time information and/or the subject of emissions. The accounting data output unit can identify accounting data identification information that corresponds to the received emissions identification information from a corresponding database, and retrieve and output accounting data identified by the identified accounting data identification information from the accounting data storage unit or accounting system.

The accounting data output unit can also output audit data in addition to or instead of accounting data. The accounting data output unit can identify audit data identification information corresponding to the received emissions identification information from a corresponding database, and read and output audit data corresponding to the identified audit data identification information from the audit data storage unit.

The accounting data output unit can output accounting data and/or audit data in response to a request from a third-party certification body (audit body), for example. It can also identify accounting data related to the basic data that served as the basis for calculating emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol in response to a request from a corresponding database, and transmit the identified accounting data together with the emissions to the third-party certification body (its information processing device).

The accounting data output unit can also accept the specification of basic data in addition to the emissions specification information. In this case, the accounting data output unit can identify, from the corresponding database, accounting data specification information and/or audit data specification information that corresponds to the emissions specification information and the basic data ID that indicates the specified basic data, and obtain and output the accounting data and/or audit data that corresponds to the identified accounting data specification information and/or audit data specification information.

<Operation>
Next, the flow of the emission amount calculation process in the information processing system of the seventh function will be described.

The management server 200 acquires the accounting data specified by the user terminal 100. The management server 200 may, for example, accept the specification of accounting data from the user terminal 100 and access the accounting system to acquire the specified accounting data, or may receive the accounting data from the user terminal 100. The management server 200 acquires the emission coefficient for the activity related to the accounting data. The management server 200 can, for example, read out the emission coefficient corresponding to the basic data ID indicating the activity related to the accounting data from the emission coefficient storage unit.

The management server 200 calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount extracted from the accounting data by the emission coefficient. The management server 200 accepts input of audit data for financial statements related to the accounting data and registers it in the audit data storage unit. The management server 200 registers information correlating emissions, basic data, accounting data, and audit data in a correspondence database.

Next, we will explain the flow of accounting data output processing in the information processing system of the seventh function.

The management server 200 receives emissions identification information from the user terminal 100, reads accounting data identification information and audit data identification information corresponding to the received emissions identification information from the corresponding database, and acquires and outputs the accounting data and/or audit data identified by the read accounting data identification information and/or audit data identification information. Accounting data is obtained, for example, by accessing the accounting system, and accounting data that cannot be obtained from the accounting system can be obtained from the accounting data storage unit. Audit data can be obtained from the audit data storage unit.

As described above, the information processing system with the seventh function can manage accounting data and/or audit data related to the basic data used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions in association with the emissions. Therefore, in the case of audits, third-party certification, etc., accounting data and/or audit data corresponding to the emissions and the basic data used to calculate them can be easily presented.

In the embodiment of the seventh function, a client-server system was used, but for example, the user terminal 100 could also have the functions of the management server 200.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The seventh function also includes the following configuration.
[Item G1 (P016)]
an information processing system comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the basic data; a correspondence database that stores information identifying the basic data or the emission amounts and information identifying accounting data, which is at least one of accounting record data, financial statement data, and audit evidence data, indicating the basic data, in association with each other; and an accounting data output unit that accepts designation of the information identifying the basic data or the emission amounts, reads out from the correspondence database and outputs the information identifying the accounting data corresponding to the designated basic data or the emission amounts. Item G1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores activity amounts of the emitters for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amounts of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item G2]
An information processing system according to item G1, comprising a memory unit that stores out-of-system data, which is data from the accounting data that is not recorded in an external accounting system, and the accounting data output unit accesses the accounting system to obtain, from the specified basic data or the accounting data corresponding to the emissions, data that is recorded in the accounting system, and obtains from the memory unit data that is not recorded in the accounting system, and outputs the obtained accounting data.
[Item G3]
An information processing system according to Item G1, comprising an audit data storage unit that stores audit data indicating that an accounting audit has been conducted on financial statements related to the accounting data, wherein the correspondence database stores information that identifies the basic data or information that identifies the emissions, information that identifies the accounting data, and information that identifies the audit data in association with each other, and the accounting data output unit reads out and outputs the information that identifies the accounting data corresponding to the specified basic data or the specified emissions and the information that identifies the audit data from the correspondence database.
[Item G4 (P016)]
2. An information processing system comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires basic data for calculating X information; a calculation unit that calculates the X information based on the basic data; a correspondence database that stores information that identifies the basic data or information that identifies the X information in association with information that identifies accounting data, which is at least one of accounting record data, financial statement data, and audit evidence data that indicates the basic data; and an accounting data output unit that accepts designation of the information that identifies the basic data or information that identifies the X information, and reads out and outputs information that identifies accounting data that corresponds to the designated basic data or X information from the correspondence database.

<<Conversion function of basic unit (8th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first to seventh functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the eighth function.

<System Overview>
The management server 200 is communicably connected to other management servers 200 via a communication network 300. In the example of Fig. 1, one management server 200 is referred to as one management server 200, and although not shown, another management server 200 connected to the one management server 200 is referred to as another management server 200, and the two management servers 200 are communicably connected to each other.

The management server 200 is a computer (information processing device) that outputs greenhouse gas emission status (emission coefficient (emissions intensity), activity volume, emissions). The greenhouse gas emissions of a company can be calculated by multiplying the company's activity volume (for example, the number of products produced) by the company's emissions intensity. The management server 200 can also send its own emissions intensity (which may include activity volume and emissions) to other management servers 200 (information processing devices), and can obtain other companies' emissions intensity from those other management servers 200. This makes it possible to calculate emissions for the entire supply chain, including the company itself.

In this embodiment, each company exchanges the emissions intensity (primary data) calculated for its own company, allowing for the calculation of more realistic emissions.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the eighth function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emissions intensity unit memory unit, product information memory unit, product usage information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emissions intensity unit acquisition unit, activity amount acquisition unit, company information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emissions amount calculation unit, emissions intensity unit calculation unit, product-specific emissions calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (emissions amount output unit, emissions intensity unit transmission unit, data ratio output unit).

The emissions intensity memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores coefficients (called emissions intensity units) for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, corresponding to each company. The emissions intensity memory unit can store emissions intensity units and primary data ratios, corresponding to a company ID that identifies the company and a product ID that identifies the product (including services; the same applies below) provided by the company. Primary data is data collected by the company itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the original source. Data other than primary data is secondary data. For example, secondary data is data that has been standardized (statistically processed) from the emissions of multiple companies that offer the same type of product. The primary data ratio is the proportion of emissions calculated using primary data out of the total amount of calculated emissions.

The product information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about products (product information). The product information can include various information about the product, such as the product name, associated with a product ID that identifies the product. The product information storage unit is assumed to register product information for all products that the company provides to other companies.

The product usage information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (product usage information) about other products (hereinafter referred to as "product usage") that are used to provide the product. Product usage is, for example, raw materials used to produce the product. Product usage information can include a product ID that indicates the product, a product usage ID that indicates the product usage, a company ID that indicates the company that provides the product usage, and the amount of product usage (amount used) used for one product.

The emission intensity acquisition unit, which constitutes the acquisition unit 250, acquires emission intensity units calculated by companies (affiliated companies) that are located upstream or downstream in the supply chain. Affiliated companies are companies that provide products in categories defined in Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol. The emission intensity acquisition unit may accept emission intensity unit input from a user, but in this embodiment, it acquires emission intensity units from another management server 200. The management server 200 can provide a primary data ratio along with the emission intensity units. The emission intensity acquisition unit can update the emission intensity unit storage unit with the acquired emission intensity units and primary data ratio. The emission intensity unit acquisition unit can update the emission intensity units and primary data ratio corresponding to the company ID indicating the affiliated company related to the other management server 200 from which the emission intensity units were acquired and the product ID indicating the product purchased from the affiliated company to the acquired ones. When the emission intensity units of the secondary data are registered in the emission intensity unit storage unit, the emission intensity acquisition unit can set the primary data ratio to "0."

The activity amount acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires activity amounts related to products used by related companies. The activity amount can be, for example, the amount of products provided by related companies, such as the number of products, the amount of energy, or the distance traveled by logistics. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire activity amounts related to related companies from the related company management server 200. The activity amount acquisition unit may be configured to accept input of the activity amounts of related companies from the user. The activity amount acquisition unit may also access, for example, an accounting system, a sales management system, an inventory management system, etc., and acquire the number (quantity) of products purchased from related companies as the activity amount.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 reads out the emissions intensity units corresponding to the related company and product from the emissions intensity unit storage unit, and multiplies the activity amount of the related company (e.g., the amount of product used) by the read-out emissions intensity unit to calculate the emissions amount related to the product used by the related company. The amount of use used to calculate the emissions may be the activity amount of the related company (such as the number of products purchased) obtained by the activity amount acquisition unit by accessing, for example, an accounting system, sales management system, or inventory management system, or it may be received by the activity amount acquisition unit from the management server 200 of the related company.

The emissions output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output emissions for each associated company. The emissions output unit can output emissions for each associated company and product used. The emissions output unit can also output emissions intensity units for each associated company. The emissions output unit can output comparable emissions intensity units for multiple associated companies that provide the same product. The emissions output unit can output comparable emissions intensity units for an associated company that provides a certain product and an associated company that provides a substitute for that product. The emissions output unit may also output emissions intensity units for associated companies with which there is no transaction. In other words, it can also output comparable emissions intensity units for associated companies that are other providers of products used, or for associated companies that provide substitutes.

The company information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires the company's emissions and/or activity amounts. The company information acquisition unit can, for example, accept input of emissions and/or activity amounts. The company information acquisition unit may calculate emissions using well-known methods. The company information acquisition unit may acquire activity amounts (such as the number of company products sold) from, for example, an accounting system, sales management system, or inventory management system. The company information acquisition unit can acquire emissions and/or activity amounts for each product. The company information acquisition unit also acquires the amount of the company's emissions calculated based on primary data (referred to as company primary data emissions). Of the company's direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), for example, if Scope 2 emissions are calculated based on secondary data related to electricity charges, the company information acquisition unit can calculate the company's primary data emissions by excluding the emissions related to Scope 2 electricity use from the total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

If a product is used in multiple products, the company information acquisition unit acquires the amount of product used for each product (this can be acquired from an accounting system, sales management system, inventory management system, etc.), the activity amount acquisition unit calculates the activity amount of the product used for each product by apportioning the activity amount of the product used according to the usage amount for each product, and the emissions calculation unit multiplies the apportioned activity amount of the product used for each product by the emissions intensity of the product used to calculate the emissions related to the product used by the related company.

In addition, when the activity amount acquisition unit acquires activity amounts for multiple products used by an associated company collectively, the company information acquisition unit acquires the usage amount used for the multiple products procured from the associated company (this can be acquired from an accounting system, sales management system, inventory management system, etc.), and calculates the activity amount for the product and the products used corresponding to the products by apportioning the activity amount according to the usage amount for each of the acquired products, and the emissions calculation unit can calculate the emissions for the products used by the associated company by multiplying the activity amount for the product and the products used by the emissions intensity of the products used.

The emissions intensity calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, calculates the company's emissions intensity, based on the company's acquired emissions and activity data.

The emissions intensity transmission unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can transmit the company's emissions intensity to other management servers 200 (related company systems). The emissions intensity transmission unit may transmit the company's emissions intensity in response to a request from another management server 200, or may transmit the company's emissions intensity periodically or each time the company's emissions intensity is calculated.

The data ratio output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output primary data ratios related to emissions associated with the company's products. The data ratio output unit can calculate primary data ratios. For example, for each product used in a certain product, the data ratio output unit can calculate the emissions associated with the product used multiplied by the primary data ratio for that product (referred to as primary data emissions), add the company's emissions for that product (Scopes 1 and 2) to the total calculated primary data emissions for all products used to calculate the total emissions based on the primary data, and divide the calculated total by the emissions associated with that product (the total of Scopes 1 through 3) to calculate the primary data ratio for that product. For example, the data ratio output unit can obtain the product ID, usage amount, and company ID corresponding to the product ID identifying the company's product from the product usage information storage unit, obtain the primary data ratio corresponding to the company ID and product ID from the emissions intensity storage unit, and calculate the primary data emissions by multiplying the emissions of the product used (which may be the usage amount multiplied by the emissions intensity, or may be configured to accept input of emissions) by the primary data ratio. Additionally, if the data ratio output unit calculates the emissions emitted by a company using secondary data, it can add only the company's primary data emissions to the total primary data emissions of the products used.

The emission intensity acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 can also acquire, for products used in one or more products, the emissions emitted by related companies that provide the products from the management server 200 of those related companies. In this case, the emission intensity acquisition unit can calculate the emissions for each product by apportioning the emissions based on a predetermined standard. For multiple products that use the same product, the emission intensity acquisition unit can apportion the emissions for the products based on the production volume of the products, etc. The emission intensity acquisition unit can calculate the emission intensity for the products used by the related companies by dividing the emissions for each product by the usage amount of the product.

The product-specific emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions related to products (called PCF (Product Carbon Footprint)). If the emissions intensity acquisition unit is able to acquire the emissions intensity, the product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the first product-specific emissions related to the products used by multiplying the emissions intensity by the amount of product used. If the emissions intensity acquisition unit is unable to acquire the emissions intensity but is able to acquire the emissions related to all products used that have been provided to the company, the product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the second product-specific emissions by apportioning the emissions according to a specified standard. The product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the total value of the first product-specific emissions (emissions accumulated using the emissions intensity), the second product-specific emissions (emissions calculated by apportioning the emissions by organizational unit), and the company's direct or indirect emissions (emissions related to products acquired by the company information acquisition unit), and divide the calculated total value by the activity amount (e.g., the production volume of the product) to calculate the PCF.

<Operation>
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing for displaying the emission intensity for each associated company.

The management server 200 acquires the emissions intensity from the management server 200 of the affiliated company (S1401). If the management server 200 is unable to acquire the emissions intensity (S1402: NO), it acquires the emissions for all the products used provided to the company by the affiliated company (S1403). If the emissions are acquired (S1404: YES), the management server 200 calculates the emissions for each product used by dividing the emissions by a predetermined standard (e.g., the production volume of each of the company's products) (S1405), and calculates the emissions intensity by dividing the emissions for each product by the amount of the product used (S1406). On the other hand, if the management server 200 is unable to acquire the emissions intensity (S1404: NO), it acquires secondary data for the products used (S1407). The management server 200 displays the emissions intensity for each affiliated company in a comparable manner (S1408). This allows companies to understand the emissions intensity for each affiliated company upstream or downstream in the supply chain and identify affiliated companies that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Figure 15 is a diagram explaining the process flow for calculating PCF.

If the management server 200 obtains the emissions for all products used in the company's products provided by related companies for each of the products used in the company's products (S1501: YES), it calculates the emissions for each product by apportioning the emissions based on a predetermined standard (e.g., the production volume of each of the company's products) (S1502). If the management server 200 does not obtain the emissions (S1501: NO), it calculates the emissions for each product by multiplying the emissions intensity (primary data or secondary data) by the usage amount (S1503). The management server 200 then totals the emissions for each product (S1504) and divides the total emissions by the activity amount related to the product (production volume, sales volume, etc.) to calculate the PCF (S1505). This makes it possible to calculate the PCF using available data, whether it is emissions calculated using emissions intensity determined by LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) or the like (emissions calculated using the cumulative method) or emissions calculated by dividing the company's total emissions by the number of products, sales, etc. (emissions calculated using the apportionment method).

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The eighth function also includes the following configuration.
[Item H1 (P009)]
an emission intensity acquisition unit that acquires a first emission intensity and a primary data ratio related to the first emission intensity for calculating a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions calculated by an associated company that is a company that is at least one of an upstream and downstream company in a supply chain; an emission intensity memory unit that stores the first emission intensity and the primary data ratio for each associated company; a company information acquisition unit that acquires the company's second emission amounts; an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires the usage amount of products provided by the associated company that are used in the company's products; and a data ratio output unit that outputs the first and second emission amounts and the primary data ratio related to the products calculated based on the primary data ratio. Item H1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each affiliated company (hereinafter referred to as base) of a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item H2]
An information processing system according to item H1, wherein the data ratio output unit calculates the primary data ratio for the product by multiplying the first amount of emissions, which is the amount of usage multiplied by the first emission unit, by the primary data ratio, adding the result to the second amount of emissions, and dividing the result by the first and second amounts of emissions.
[Item H3]
An information processing system according to item H1, wherein the company information acquisition unit acquires the company's own primary data emissions calculated based on primary data within the company along with the second emissions, and the data ratio output unit calculates the primary data ratio for the product based on the first and second emissions and the primary data ratio, and the company's own primary data emissions.
[Item H4]
An information processing system according to item H1, comprising: an emissions intensity calculation unit that calculates the company's own emissions intensity, which is the company's emissions intensity, based on the company's acquired emissions and activity amount; and a transmission unit that transmits the company's own emissions intensity to the system of the associated company.
[Item H5]
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the activity amount acquisition unit acquires the activity amount of the related company from a system of the related company.
[Item H6]
an emission unit acquisition unit that acquires an emission unit for calculating a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions calculated by an associated company that is a company that is at least either upstream or downstream in a supply chain; an emission unit memory unit that stores the emission unit for each associated company; an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires a first activity amount of the associated company related to products used in the company's products; a company information acquisition unit that acquires the company's second emission amount and second activity amount related to the company's products; and an emission calculation unit that acquires the emission unit corresponding to the associated company from the emission unit memory unit, calculates the first emission amount by multiplying the acquired emission unit by the first activity amount of the associated company, and calculates the emission amount related to the product by apportioning the sum of the first and second emissions by the second activity amount.
[Item H7]
An information processing system according to item H6, wherein, when the used product is also used in another product, the emission calculation unit calculates third emissions, which are the emissions of the used product related to the product, by apportioning the first emissions in accordance with the proportion of the used product in the product, and calculates the emissions related to the product by apportioning the sum of the second and third emissions by the second activity amount.
[Item H8]
An information processing system according to item H7, wherein the emission calculation unit calculates the third emission amount when the used product is also used in other products, and calculates the first emission amount when the used product is not used in other products, and calculates the emission amount related to the product by dividing the total value of the first to third emissions by the second activity amount.
[Item H9]
An information processing system comprising: an emission unit acquisition unit that acquires emission units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions calculated by associated companies that are at least either upstream or downstream in a supply chain from the systems of the associated companies; an emission unit memory unit that stores the emission units for each associated company; and an output unit that outputs the emission units for each associated company, wherein when the emission unit acquisition unit acquires the greenhouse gas emissions related to products used for one or more of the company's own products from the systems of the associated companies that provide the products used, the emission unit acquisition unit calculates product-specific emissions by apportioning the emissions according to a predetermined standard, and divides the product-specific emissions by the usage amount of the products used to calculate the emission units corresponding to the associated companies and the products used.
[Item H10]
An information processing system according to item H9, comprising: a company information acquisition unit that acquires the company's emissions and activity volume; an emissions intensity calculation unit that calculates the company's emissions intensity, which is the company's emissions intensity, based on the company's acquired emissions and activity volume; and a transmission unit that transmits the company's emissions intensity to the system of the associated company.
[Item H11]
The information processing system according to item H9, further comprising an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires the activity amount of the related company from the system of the related company.

<<Activity estimation function (9th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of the first to eighth functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the ninth function.

<System Overview>
The following describes an information processing system related to the ninth function. The information processing system of the ninth function manages greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. This information processing system accepts input of activity data from the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying the data by an emission factor. This information processing system manages which emission factor should be used for which activity data, allowing users to calculate emissions simply by inputting the activity data. The information processing system of the ninth function also calculates greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry and visualizes the calculation results. Construction transactions in the construction industry generally proceed in the following order: (1) proposal/bidding → (2) order/contract → (3) design → (4) construction (work) → (5) completion/delivery → (6) completion. (1) At the proposal/bidding stage, the contractor for the construction work always presents an estimate (hereinafter simply referred to as "estimate") for the construction work costs to the client, who is the client, or the contractor who will be the prime contractor for the construction work. This estimate can also be used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions generated during construction work. Calculating greenhouse gas emissions using an estimate requires the work of categorizing the items listed on the estimate and assigning an emission intensity unit to each classified item. There are various formats for estimates, and different formats are used by different construction companies (or even by the same company's department). Furthermore, estimates contain many items. This creates the problem of requiring a significant amount of man-hours to categorize the items listed on the estimate and assign an emission intensity unit (CO2 emission coefficient) to each classified item. The information processing system in function 9 is designed to solve these problems.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the ninth function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, vector information memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission amount memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit, emission coefficient input unit), an estimation unit 270 (activity estimation unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), an analysis unit 280 (aggregation unit), and an output unit 240 (activity specific information presentation unit, emission coefficient presentation unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurements, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurements at the initial information source), or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies that offer the same type of product).

The emission coefficient storage unit can store emissions in association with activities. The emission coefficient storage unit can store information that identifies an activity (activity specification information), the scope of the activity, and an emission coefficient in association with each other. The emission coefficient storage unit can store activity specification information, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and an emission coefficient in association with each other. Note that the scope and category of the activity are assumed to be the scope and category of the GHG Protocol. Also, the category may be omitted.

The activity identification information can take any format as long as it is information for identifying an activity. For example, if an ID that uniquely identifies an activity (activity ID) is set in the data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data), the activity ID can be used as the activity identification information.

The vector information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for identifying activities. In this embodiment, the information for identifying activities is vector information obtained by vectorizing words. The vector information storage unit stores the vector information and activity identification information in association with each other.

The activity amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts. The activity amount memory unit can store, in association with each other, a company ID, information specifying the time when the activity took place (time information), activity specification information, attribute information, and activity amounts. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range. The attribute information can be any item related to the activity (for example, the supplier of a product, etc., the relevant department, the person in charge, etc.).

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emission amounts. The emission amount memory unit can store the company ID, time information, scope, category, and emission amount in association with each other. The scope and category can be the scope and category registered in the classification memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230.

The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts. Activity amounts include, for example, the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight transported by logistics multiplied by the distance (ton-kilometers), the amount of fuel consumed (liters), and the amount (yen). The amount includes material costs, transportation costs, labor costs, and the like. The activity amount input unit accepts input of time information and activity amounts from the user, along with various attribute information related to the activity. The activity amount input unit may receive import data from the user terminal 100. Import data can be, for example, data exported from an ERP system (export data), data converted from export data, or data such as receipts and estimates obtained from OCR. Import data can be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is known which item corresponds to which type of data, and the type of activity can be identified based on the value entered in which item of the CSV data in the activity identification information. Additionally, with JSON data, XML data, etc., the type of item the set data is may be tagged or set as an attribute.

After the estimate received from the construction contractor is input by the input unit 220 (e.g., after being read by OCR), the analysis unit 280 can analyze and classify the items (estimate items) (e.g., classifying them into items essential for construction work, such as material costs, transportation costs, and labor costs). The analysis unit 280 can also be an analysis unit that uses machine learning, and the items (estimate items) can be classified using machine learning. In addition, drawing data such as BIM/CIM at the design stage and estimates can be acquired by the acquisition unit 250 from the construction contractor, and this drawing data and estimate data can be input by the input unit 220. The items may be scopes and/or categories.

The activity estimation unit constituting the estimation unit 270 identifies activities based on items related to activity amounts. The activity estimation unit estimates activity specification information using machine learning based on the items. In this embodiment, the activity estimation unit vectorizes the received items to create vector information, references the vector information storage unit, selects vector information (first vector information) stored in the vector information storage unit based on the distance from the created vector information (second vector information), and reads out activity specification information corresponding to the selected first vector information from the vector information storage unit. The activity estimation unit can, for example, identify a predetermined number (which may be one) of items in order of smallest distance between the first and second vector information. When the estimation unit 270 (activity estimation unit) estimates activity specification information, it can also estimate an emission coefficient corresponding to the activity specification information.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission coefficients related to activities. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can read emission coefficients corresponding to the company ID and activity specification information from the emission coefficient storage unit. If emission coefficients are managed by an external system, the emission coefficient acquisition unit may access the external system to acquire the emission coefficients.

The emission coefficient input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts the input of emission coefficients. The emission coefficient input unit identifies the company ID indicating the emitter to which the user belongs (for example, it can accept input of a company ID. The management server 200 also has a user information storage unit that stores user information related to users, and the company ID can be set in the user information and acquired from the user information storage unit). It can accept input of activity-specific information and emission coefficients from the user and register the company ID, activity-specific information, and emission coefficient in the emission coefficient storage unit. If an emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity amount related to the import data is not stored in the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission coefficient input unit can, for example, notify the user terminal 100 of this and accept the emission coefficient from the user terminal 100.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the emission amount based on the emission coefficient and the activity amount. The emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount for each piece of information received from the user (for example, each record included in the import data). The emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient that corresponds to the activity-specific information identified based on the activity amount-related items.

If the units in which the activity amount is expressed match the units assumed for the emission factor (tCO2/unit), the emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission factor. If the above units do not match, the emission calculation unit can also calculate the emission amount after performing unit conversion.

The emissions calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit. The emissions calculation unit can register the company ID, time information such as the current date and time, the scope and category of the calculated emissions, and the calculated emissions in association with each other in the emissions storage unit.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 aggregates emissions. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by scope. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by category. The scope and category corresponding to the company ID and activity specification information can be read from the distribution memory. Note that aggregation may be performed by another functional unit, such as the calculation unit 210, rather than the analysis unit 280.

The activity specification information presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the estimated activity specification information to the user. Specifically, the management server 200 outputs the estimated activity specification information to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, the emission coefficient presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the estimated emission coefficient to the user. Specifically, the management server 200 outputs information on the estimated emission coefficient to the user terminal 100. One or more pieces of information may be presented. If there is only one piece of estimated information, one piece of information is presented. If there is multiple pieces of estimated information, all of the information may be presented, or the information for the top five (not limited to five) pieces of analysis score based on the results of analysis may be presented, or the information with the highest analysis score based on the results of analysis may be presented.

Figure 16 is a diagram explaining the process of identifying activities.

The management server 200 accepts activity amounts and items related to activity amounts from an external source (S1601). For example, it can accept CSV data uploads from the user terminal 100, accept form input, or accept data such as acquired receipts and estimates read using OCR. The management server 200 vectorizes the accepted items to create vector information (S1602), and identifies activity-specific information corresponding to one or more pieces of vector information stored in the vector information storage unit that are closest in distance to the vectorized vector information (S1603). If the management server 200 identifies multiple pieces of activity-specific information, it proposes (presents) the activity-specific information to the user via the output unit 240 (S1604). The management server 200 may allow the user to select one piece of activity-specific information from the multiple pieces of activity-specific information (or accept input of other activity-specific information). Furthermore, if management server 200 identifies multiple pieces of activity-specific information, it may propose (present) emission coefficients corresponding to the activity-specific information to the user via output unit 240 and allow the user to select one (or accept input of other emission coefficients). Management server 200 reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the selected activity-specific information from the emission coefficient storage unit (S1605) and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient (S1606). Management server 200 registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit (S1607). Management server 200 may also aggregate and output the emission amounts registered in the emission storage unit (S1608).

Figure 17 is a diagram explaining the process of classifying activities.

The management server 200 accepts activity amounts and items related to activity amounts from an external source (S1701). For example, it can accept CSV data uploads from the user terminal 100, accept form input, or accept data such as acquired receipts and estimates read using OCR. The management server 200 vectorizes the accepted items to create vector information (S1702), and identifies activity-specific information corresponding to one or more items of vector information stored in the vector information storage unit that are closest in distance to the vectorized vector information (S1703). The management server 200 also classifies items that are closest in distance to the vectorized vector information (S1704). For example, it can classify items into material costs, transportation costs, labor costs, etc. based on the contents of an estimate.

If the management server 200 identifies multiple pieces of activity-specific information, it proposes (presents) the activity-specific information corresponding to the classified item to the user via the output unit 240 (S1705). The user may be prompted to select one piece of activity-specific information from the multiple pieces of activity-specific information (or may accept input of other activity-specific information). Furthermore, if the management server 200 identifies multiple pieces of activity-specific information, it may propose (present) emission coefficients corresponding to the activity-specific information to the user via the output unit 240 and have the user select one (or may accept input of other emission coefficients). The management server 200 reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the selected activity-specific information from the emission coefficient storage unit (S1706) and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient (S1707). The management server 200 registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit (S1708). Furthermore, the management server 200 can aggregate and output the emission amounts registered in the emission storage unit (S1709). The management server 200 also analyzes and identifies recommended reduction items from the activity amount and presents solutions (S1710). The function of providing solutions will be explained in Functions 10 to 15.

Furthermore, after classifying the items listed on the estimate, the management server 200 presents candidate emission intensity units (CO2 emission coefficients) to be assigned. For example, when presenting candidate emission intensity units (CO2 emission coefficients) for typical building materials used in construction work, such as steel frames, reinforcing bars, concrete, glass, and aluminum, are presented as candidates for material costs. Note that the type of emission intensity units (CO2 emission coefficients) corresponding to building materials may be changed and presented depending on the type of building, and the priority of the presented emission intensity units (CO2 emission coefficients) may be changed.

In this way, activities can be estimated from data on activity levels and input easily. Furthermore, when calculating greenhouse gas emissions using estimates, the amount of work required to classify the items listed on the estimate and to assign emissions intensity units to each classified item can be reduced. This makes it easier to calculate greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry.

In this embodiment, activities are identified based on the distance of vector information. However, the vector information may be set as a prompt and provided to a large-scale language model (LLM) to estimate activities. Furthermore, a learning model can be created using machine learning, with items as input data and activity-specific information as training data. In this case, the activity estimation unit can provide the received items to the learning model to estimate activity-specific information. The output unit 240 can also visualize emissions. The analysis unit 280 can also analyze and identify items recommended for reduction based on activity amounts and propose reduction solutions. In this embodiment, the activity estimation unit of the management server 200 estimates activity-specific information for items related to the received activity amounts. However, by linking with an API provided by an external server, etc., the activity estimation unit of the management server 200 can estimate activity-specific information and emission coefficients (e.g., estimate and identify activities and emission coefficients for account items) based on information related to items related to activity amounts managed by the external server (e.g., account items for accounting data registered in CSV data, etc.). By doing this, it is possible to easily organize information by estimating activities and emission factors even for data related to activities (for example, account information) before it is entered into the information processing system.

The input unit 220, estimation unit 270, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, analysis unit 280, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The ninth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item I1 (P059)]
an activity amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the estimated activity amount, and an activity information storage unit that stores an emission coefficient associated with activity information that identifies an activity that emits greenhouse gases, the emission coefficient being used to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of an activity amount related to the activity and items related to the activity amount; an activity estimation unit that estimates the activity identification information using machine learning based on the items; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the estimated activity identification information. Item I1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount from a user's mobile device, a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information, and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item I2]
Item I1 is an information processing system comprising: a vector information storage unit that stores first vector information obtained by vectorizing the items and the activity specification information in association with each other; the activity estimation unit vectorizes the received items to create second vector information, selects the first vector information according to a distance from the created second vector information, and reads out the activity specification information corresponding to the selected first vector information from the vector information storage unit.
[Item I3]
The information processing system according to item I2, wherein the activity estimation unit estimates the activity specification information by providing a prompt including the first and second vector information to a large-scale language model.
[Item I4]
An information processing system according to Item I1, comprising a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model created by machine learning using the items and the activity specification information as training data, and the activity estimation unit provides the received items to the learning model to estimate the activity specification information.
[Item I5 (P066)]
An information processing system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; an activity amount input unit that receives input of an activity amount related to an activity that emits greenhouse gases (e.g., an amount in an estimate) and items related to the activity amount (e.g., items such as material costs and transportation costs in the estimate); an estimation unit that estimates the emission coefficient using machine learning based on the items; and an emission coefficient presentation unit that presents the estimated emission coefficient.
[Item I6]
The information processing system according to Item I5 includes a vector information storage unit that stores first vector information obtained by vectorizing the items and activity specification information that specifies the activities, in association with each other, and the estimation unit vectorizes the received items to create second vector information, selects the first vector information according to a distance from the created second vector information, and estimates the emission coefficient corresponding to the selected first vector information.

<<Solution matching function (10th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 9 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 10. As background technology, solutions for reducing carbon dioxide are being introduced. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what solutions are available. Function 10 aims to provide technology that can support the reduction of greenhouse gases.

<System Overview>
An example of an information processing system relating to the tenth function that provides solutions will be described below, using greenhouse gas emissions as an example. The information processing system of this example provides information (hereinafter referred to as solution information) on emission reduction measures (also called solutions) to users who are emitters of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.). Solution providers register the solution information, and users can view the solution information. Users can also contact the provider regarding the solution.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the tenth function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (solution storage unit, user information storage unit, emission amount information storage unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission amount information acquisition unit, performance acquisition unit), an analysis unit 280 (extraction unit), an output unit 240 (provision unit), an execution unit (solution unit), and a billing processing unit 290.

The solution storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores solution information. The solution storage unit can store solution information in association with provider identification information (provider ID) that identifies the provider offering the reduction means. The solution information can include cost information for determining the cost of the reduction means and reduction information for determining the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected when the reduction means is adopted. In this example, the solution information can include information for identifying the solution (solution ID), provider ID, solution name, solution description, price, reduction amount, and implementation conditions. The solution name is the name of the reduction means (solution). The solution description is a description of the solution and can include, for example, text data, image data, audio data, etc. The price can be information for determining the amount involved when a user adopts the solution. The price can be set as a unit price for each solution provided, or as an estimate of the standard implementation cost. The price can be specified within a range, such as a price band. The reduction amount can be information indicating the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected by implementing the solution. The reduction amount may be set as the standard amount of greenhouse gases reduced per company when the solution is introduced, or as a standard value for the reduction amount per unit when a device is introduced, or as a function that calculates the reduction amount according to various activity levels. The introduction conditions can be set as conditions for the emitter that introduces the solution. The introduction conditions can specify, for example, the business or activity content or activity level that is the target of the solution. The introduction conditions can also specify the scope and/or category of the reduction target. The solution storage unit stores not only solution information for environmental information, but also solution information for social information and solution information for governance information.

The user information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about users (dischargers) (hereinafter referred to as user information). User information can include information that identifies the user (or discharger) (user ID), the name of the user (or discharger) (user name), information about the business conducted by the discharger (business information), and information about the equipment used in that business (equipment information). The user information storage unit stores not only user information for environmental information, but also user information for social information and user information for governance information.

The emission information storage unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information regarding greenhouse gas emissions by emitters (hereinafter referred to as emission information). The emission information may include aggregated values of emissions by emitters. The emission information may include attributes of the emitter. The attributes of the emitter may include the emitter's business, number of employees, region, etc. The attributes of the emitter may also include accounting information such as sales, purchases, and labor costs. The emission information may include additional information related to the activity related to the emissions. The additional information may include, for example, activity amounts (actual values, aggregated actual values, predicted values, etc.). The additional information may also include information for estimating the activity amounts. The information for estimating the activity amounts may include, for example, floor area, roof area, and number of producible products. In this embodiment, the emission information includes information identifying the emitter (e.g., company ID), activity amounts, additional information, and emissions. The emission amounts and activity amounts may be aggregated values of emissions and activity amounts for a specified aggregation period (e.g., year and month) and for each scope and category related to the GHG Protocol. The additional information may have different setting items depending on the emission entity. The emission amount information storage unit is the same as the emission amount storage unit for other functions.

The emissions information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires emissions information. The emissions information acquisition unit can receive emissions information from the user terminal 100. The emissions information acquisition unit may also acquire emissions information by accessing another system. The management server 200 may also be equipped with an emissions calculation unit that, for example, acquires the activity amount and emission coefficient related to the emitter and calculates the emissions by multiplying the acquired activity amount and emission coefficient, and can also acquire various information used to calculate the emissions, such as the emissions and activity amount calculated by the emissions calculation unit, as emissions information. The acquisition unit 250 acquires not only emissions information, but also information related to society and governance.

The extraction unit constituting the analysis unit 280 acquires solution information that matches the emissions information. The extraction unit can match emissions and additional information with the solution information. The extraction unit can extract user information of the emitter and/or emissions information that satisfies the implementation conditions included in the solution information. The extraction unit can prioritize extraction of a predetermined number of scopes and categories in descending order of emissions from the scope- and category-specific emissions included in the emissions information, and can search for solution information in which the emissions and/or corresponding additional information related to the scope and category satisfy the implementation conditions. The extraction unit can calculate the unit cost per unit reduction amount, which is determined based on the reduction amount determined based on the reduction information and the cost determined based on the cost information, and extract a predetermined number of solution information that matches the emissions information in descending order of unit cost. The extraction unit also extracts solution information that matches information related to society and information related to governance.

The providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can provide the extracted solution information to the user.

The performance acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires information indicating the solution adopted by the emitter and information including the reduction amount achieved by the solution (hereinafter referred to as performance information). The management server 200 may also be equipped with a performance information storage unit that stores the performance information.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit (solution unit) 290 performs processing (billing) to charge providers for using the system. The billing processing unit can bill the provider that provided the solution according to the amount of reduction included in the performance information. The billing processing unit may also bill the emitter that adopted the solution according to the amount of reduction included in the performance information. The billing processing unit may, for example, determine the amount of billing so that it is higher when the amount of reduction is large. The billing processing unit may, for example, determine the amount of billing so that it is lower when the amount of reduction is large. The execution unit 290 also processes solution information for information related to society and solution information for information related to governance.

Figure 18 is a diagram explaining the process of providing solution information. The management server 200 acquires solution information from the provider and registers it in the solution storage unit (S1801), and acquires emission information from the emission entity and registers it in the emission information storage unit (S1802). For each emission information, the management server 200 extracts solution information that matches the emission amount (S1803), and provides the extracted solution information to the emission entity that provides the emission information (S1804). The management server 200 acquires performance information (S1805) and can charge according to the reduction amount included in the performance information (S1806).

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can match solution information with emitters (emission amount information).

By setting conditions for solution information in the emission amount information, the management server 200 can narrow down the solution information that matches the emission amount information to only those that meet the emission amount information conditions.

The management server 200 can display a list of solution information on the user terminal 100. The management server 200 can display the list in the order in which the solution information was registered.

The management server 200 can manage the solution information viewed by the user terminal 100 and provide the solution information with a priority according to the number of views. For example, the management server 200 can display the solution information sorted in order of the number of views. The management server 200 can also send only a predetermined number of solution information to the user terminal 100 in order of the number of views.

The management server 200 can display a list of only a portion of the solution information on the user terminal 100, accept selections (tap or click) of solution information from the user terminal 100, and manage the selection of solution information. The management server 200 can provide solution information with a priority according to the number of selections. For example, the management server 200 can display the solution information sorted in order of the number of selections. The management server 200 can also send only a predetermined number of solution information to the user terminal 100 in order of the number of selections.

The management server 200 can acquire and manage evaluations of solutions from users. For example, a list of evaluation values acquired from users and/or aggregated values (e.g., average values or total values) can be set in the solution information. The management server 200 can provide solution information with a priority according to the aggregated evaluation values. For example, the management server 200 can display solution information sorted in order of evaluation value. Furthermore, the management server 200 can send only a predetermined number of solution information to the user terminal 100 in order of evaluation value.

In addition, the management server 200 can provide solution information preferentially if an additional fee is paid by the provider.

The management server 200 may also include an application processing unit that accepts application for a solution. The management server 200 may provide a reward to the user for applying for a solution.

In addition, when a solution is concluded, the management server 200 can charge the provider a specified percentage of the contract fee. The management server 200 can also be equipped with a notification unit that notifies the user and/or provider when a contract is concluded.

The acquisition unit 250, analysis unit 280, output unit 240, and execution unit (solution unit) 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The tenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item J1 (P039)]
an information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user who is a greenhouse gas emitter, environmental information including emission information on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by the emitter, information on society, and information on governance; a solution storage unit that stores at least solution information on measures to reduce the greenhouse gas; an extraction unit that extracts the solution information that matches the emission information; and a provision unit that provides the extracted solution information to the user. Item J1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) of the greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item J2]
An information processing system according to item J1, characterized in that conditions for the releasing entity are set in the solution information, and the extraction unit extracts the releasing entity that satisfies the conditions included in the solution information.
[Item J3]
An information processing system according to item J2, characterized in that the emission information is accompanied by additional information relating to activities related to the emission amount, and the extraction unit matches the emission amount and the additional information with the solution information.
[Item J4]
An information processing system according to Item J1, wherein the emission information includes greenhouse gas emissions aggregated for each scope and category according to the GHG Protocol, and the extraction unit preferentially extracts the solution information corresponding to the scope and category with the highest emission amounts.
[Item J5]
An information processing system according to item J1, wherein the solution information includes cost information for determining the cost of the reduction means and reduction information for determining an expected reduction amount of the greenhouse gas if the reduction means is adopted, and the extraction unit calculates a unit cost per unit reduction amount determined based on the reduction amount determined based on the reduction information and the cost determined based on the cost information, and extracts a predetermined number of solution information that matches the emission information in order of unit cost.
[Item J6]
An information processing system according to item J1, characterized in that the solution information includes an expected reduction amount, and a predetermined number of the solution information is extracted according to the reduction amount.
[Item J7]
An information processing system according to item J1, characterized in that it comprises a performance acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the solution adopted by the waste generator and the amount of reduction achieved by the solution, and a billing processing unit that charges the provider according to the amount of reduction.
[Item J8]
an emission information acquisition unit that acquires emission information regarding the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from an emission entity that emits the greenhouse gas; a solution storage unit that stores solution information including cost information for determining the cost of measures to reduce the greenhouse gas and reduction information for determining an expected amount of reduction in the greenhouse gas if the reduction measures are adopted; an extraction unit that extracts a predetermined number of solution information from the solution information that matches the emission information in order of unit cost per unit reduction amount that is determined based on the reduction amount and the cost; and a provision unit that provides the extracted solution information to the emission entity.
[Item J9 (P039)]
When targeting X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours), the method is as follows. Note that the same can be applied to items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires X information from a user; a solution storage unit that stores at least solution information related to means of reducing the X information; an extraction unit that extracts solution information that matches the X information; and a provision unit that provides the extracted solution information to the user.

<<Solution matching function (11th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 10 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 11. As background technology, solutions for reducing carbon dioxide are being introduced. There is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what carbon dioxide reduction solutions are available. Function 11 aims to provide technology that can easily grasp solutions for reducing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, and support greenhouse gas reduction.

<System Overview>
An information processing system relating to the eleventh function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment provides information (hereinafter referred to as solution information) on emission reduction measures (also called solutions) to users who are emitters of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.). A provider registers solution information for a solution, and users can view the solution information. Users can also contact the provider regarding the solution.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the eleventh function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (solution storage unit, user information storage unit), an output unit 240 (provision unit, user information transmission unit), an input unit 220, an analysis unit 280 (search unit), an execution unit (solution unit), and a billing processing unit 290.

The solution storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores solution information. The solution storage unit can store solution information in association with provider identification information (provider ID) that identifies the provider offering the reduction means. In this embodiment, the solution information may include information for identifying the solution (solution ID), provider ID, solution name, solution description, price, reduction amount, and implementation conditions. The solution name is the name of the reduction means (solution). The solution description is a description of the solution and may include, for example, text data, image data, audio data, etc. The price may be information used to determine the amount involved when a user adopts the solution. The price may be set as a unit price for each solution provision unit, or as an estimate of the standard implementation cost. The price may be specified within a range, such as a price range. The reduction amount may be information indicating the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected by implementing the solution. The reduction amount may be set as a standard amount of greenhouse gas reduction per company when the solution is implemented, a standard value for the reduction amount per unit when a device is implemented, or a function that calculates the reduction amount according to various activity levels. The introduction conditions can be set for the waste-emitting entity that will introduce the solution. For example, the introduction conditions can specify the business or activity that will be targeted by the solution, as well as the amount of activity.

The user information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about users (disposers) (hereinafter referred to as user information). The user information can include information that identifies the user (or disposer) (user ID), the name of the user (or disposer) (user name), information about the business conducted by the disposer (business information), and information about the equipment used in the business (equipment information).

<Functional department>
The providing unit constituting the output unit 240 provides solution information to the user. The providing unit can provide the solution information in response to a request from the user terminal 100. For example, the providing unit can read all or part of the solution information stored in the solution storage unit and transmit it to the user terminal 100. For example, the providing unit can create screen information (which can be written in HTML, for example) for depicting the solution name, solution description, price, reduction amount, etc. of the solution information, and transmit the screen information to the user terminal 100. For example, when the management server 200 calculates and manages the emissions of an emitter, the providing unit may display the solution information together with the output of the emissions.

The input unit 220 can accept input of solution identification information (e.g., a solution ID) that identifies solution information from the user. The providing unit can read the solution information indicated by the accepted solution ID from the solution storage unit and transmit it to the user terminal 100. For example, the providing unit can display a list of solution names, the input unit 220 can accept the specification of a solution from the list, and the providing unit can provide solution information related to the specified solution. The input unit 220 can accept input of solution-related keywords from the user.

The search unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 searches for solution information. The search unit can search the solution storage unit for solution information that matches the keywords received by the input unit 220. The search unit can search for solution information in which the keywords are included in the solution name, solution description, implementation conditions, etc., for example. The search unit can provide the search results to the user (for example, send them to the user terminal 100).

The user information transmission unit constituting the output unit 240 provides user information to a provider. The user information transmission unit can provide user information of the user to the provider of a solution specified by the user. For example, when the user information transmission unit receives a solution ID from the user terminal 100, it can obtain solution information corresponding to the received solution ID from the solution storage unit and transmit the user information corresponding to the user to the provider indicated by the provider ID included in the obtained solution information. The destination of the user information can be determined, for example, by providing the management server 200 with a provider information storage unit, which can manage the provider's contact information (such as an email address or a message destination address) in association with the provider ID.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can perform processing to bill the provider that provided the user information for a referral fee. The billing processing unit can also perform processing to bill the provider identified by the provider identification information corresponding to the solution information stored in the solution storage unit for a listing fee.

<Operation>
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. The management server 200 reads all or part of the solution information from the solution storage unit and transmits a list of solutions based on the read solution information to the user terminal 100 (S1901). For example, the management server 200 can read only solution information for which the user information corresponding to the accessing user satisfies the introduction conditions included in the solution information. The list of solutions can include, for example, a list of solution IDs and solution names. The list of solutions can also include a portion of a solution description corresponding to the solution name. The list of solutions can also include a price corresponding to the solution name. The list of solutions can also include a reduction amount corresponding to the solution name. The list of solutions can be provided sorted, for example, by price (e.g., lowest to highest). The list of solutions can also be provided sorted, for example, by reduction amount (e.g., largest to smallest).

The management server 200 determines whether or not a keyword has been received from the user terminal 100 (S1902), and if so (S1902: YES), it can search the solution storage unit for solution information that matches the keyword and send a list of solutions based on the searched solution information to the user terminal 100 (S1903). On the other hand, if the management server 200 has not received a keyword from the user terminal 100 in S1902 (NO), it proceeds to S1904.

The management server 200 determines whether a solution designation (e.g., a solution ID) has been received from the user terminal 100 (S1904). If so (S1904: YES), the management server 200 reads solution information corresponding to the specified solution ID from the solution storage unit (S1905), reads user information corresponding to the user of the user terminal 100 from the user information storage unit, and can provide the read user information to the provider indicated by the provider ID included in the solution information (S1906). On the other hand, if the management server 200 has not received a solution designation from the user terminal 100 in S1904 (NO), the management server 200 terminates this processing.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to inform users of the solutions offered by providers.

The management server 200 can visualize emissions by emitter. For example, the management server 200 can acquire activity data and emission factors, and calculate emissions by multiplying the activity data by the emission factor. It can then aggregate the calculated emissions by scope and category as defined in the GHG Protocol, create screen information for displaying the aggregated results, and send this to the user terminal 100. The management server 200 can create screen information to display a list of solutions along with the aggregated results.

In addition, the operator can analyze the results of the emissions calculations described above, specify the solution(s) that they believe are appropriate for reducing these emissions, and input them into the management server 200. Information about the solution(s) selected by the operator can then be sent to the user terminal 100.

The solution information may include the publication date. The management server 200 can sort the list of solutions in order of publication date. The solution information may also include the last update date and time. The management server 200 can prioritize solutions whose last update date and time is within a specified period in the list of solutions.

The management server 200 can include in the solution information the number of views that the user has of the solution information. For example, when the management server 200 sends a list of solutions to the user terminal 100, it can increment the number of views included in the solution information related to the solution included in the list. For example, when a solution is specified by the user, the management server 200 can increment the number of views of the solution information corresponding to the specified solution. The management server 200 can create a solution list by reading out a predetermined number of solution information in order of most or least number of views. For example, it may display something like "Currently viewed by XX users." The management server 200 may include the number of views of solution information in the solution list.

The management server 200 may manage the number of applications for a solution. When the management server 200 accepts an application for a solution, it may send user information to the provider. The management server 200 may also be equipped with an application history storage unit that stores the application history of the solution (information that associates the solution ID, user ID, and application date and time). The management server 200 may count the number of application histories for the solution over a predetermined period (e.g., the past month), calculate the number of applications, and include the number of applications in the list of solutions.

The management server 200 may manage word-of-mouth reviews of solutions. The management server 200 receives word-of-mouth reviews (scores, likes, etc.) for solution information viewed from the user terminal 100 and stores the received word-of-mouth reviews. The management server 200 can prioritize solutions with good word-of-mouth reviews and present them to the user. For example, a list of solutions can be created in order of the aggregated word-of-mouth reviews. The management server 200 may also allow the user to specify multiple solution information (two is acceptable) and display the specified solution information for comparison.

The management server 200 may manage the user's past browsing history and output all solutions stored as browsing history or application history.

The conditions for introducing solution information can be set to specify industry and location. In this case, solutions that are appropriate for the user's industry and location can be presented to the user.

The management server 200 can manage multiple companies with capital ties. The management server 200 can identify providers with capital ties to the user, extract solution information related to the identified providers, and provide it to the user. Alternatively, solution information from providers with capital ties to the user may be displayed in a subordinated manner.

The solution information may include specifications for how the solution information is to be displayed. The management server 200 may preferentially display solution information related to providers who are willing to pay an additional fee. The management server 200 may provide a reward to a user who applies for a solution via the management server 200. When a solution contract is concluded between a user and a provider, the management server 200 may perform processing to charge the provider a predetermined percentage of the contract amount. When a solution contract is concluded between a user and a provider, the management server 200 may send a message to that effect to the operator of the information processing system.

The output unit 240, input unit 220, analysis unit 280, output unit 240, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The eleventh function also includes the following configuration.
[Item K1 (P037)]
An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores solution information related to greenhouse gas reduction measures; and a provision unit that provides the solution information to an emitter that emits the greenhouse gas. Item K1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) of a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and the activity amount of a mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item K2]
An information processing system according to item K1, characterized in that it comprises an input unit that accepts input of keywords from the issuing entity, and a search unit that searches the storage unit for solution information that matches the keywords and provides the search results to the issuing entity.
[Item K3]
An information processing system according to item K1, wherein the memory unit stores the solution information in association with provider identification information that identifies the provider that provides the reduction means, and comprises an input unit that accepts input of solution identification information that identifies the solution information from the emitter, and a user information sending unit that acquires from the memory unit the provider identification information corresponding to the solution information identified by the solution identification information, and sends information about the emitter to the provider identified by the acquired provider identification information.
[Item K4]
An information processing system according to item K3, characterized in that it comprises a billing processing unit that performs processing to bill the provider that transmitted the information about the waste generating entity for a referral fee.
[Item K5]
An information processing system according to item K1, characterized in that the memory unit stores the solution information in association with provider identification information that identifies the provider that provides the reduction means, and is equipped with a billing processing unit that performs processing to bill the provider identified by the provider identification information that corresponds to the solution information stored in the memory unit for a listing fee.
[Item K6 (P037)]
When targeting X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, emissions of hazardous substances E2 or working hours of human rights DD), the method is as follows. Note that the same can be applied to items subordinate to this item. An information processing system characterized by comprising: a storage unit that stores solution information related to means of reducing X information; and a providing unit that provides the solution information to a business entity of the X information.

<<Solution matching function (12th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 11 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 12. As background technology, solutions for reducing carbon dioxide are being introduced. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what solutions are available. Function 12 aims to provide technology that can support the reduction of greenhouse gases.

<System Overview>
The information processing system relating to the twelfth function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment provides information (hereinafter referred to as solution information) on emission reduction measures (also called solutions) to users who are emitters of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.). Users register information on the emissions of the emitters, and solution providers propose solution information suitable for the emitters and provide it to the users.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the twelfth function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount information memory unit, destination memory unit, performance information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission amount information acquisition unit, solution information acquisition unit, execution information acquisition unit, advice acquisition unit), an output unit 240 (emission amount information provision unit, solution information provision unit, execution information provision unit, advice provision unit), a calculation unit 210 (reduction amount calculation unit), and an execution unit (solution unit) 290 (billing processing unit).

The emission information storage unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information regarding greenhouse gas emissions by emitters (hereinafter referred to as emission information). The emission information may include aggregated values of emissions by emitters. The emission information may include attributes of the emitter. The attributes of the emitter may include the emitter's business, number of employees, region, etc. The attributes of the emitter may also include accounting information such as sales, purchases, and labor costs. The emission information may include additional information related to the activity related to the emissions. The additional information may include, for example, activity amounts (actual values, aggregated actual values, predicted values, etc.). The additional information may also include information for estimating the activity amounts. The information for estimating the activity amounts may include, for example, floor area, roof area, and number of producible products. In this embodiment, the emission information includes information identifying the emitter (e.g., company ID), activity amounts, additional information, and emissions. The emission amounts and activity amounts may be aggregated values of emissions and activity amounts for a specified aggregation period (e.g., year and month) and for each scope and category related to the GHG Protocol. The additional information may have different setting items depending on the emitter.

The destination storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores, for each emitter, information (hereinafter referred to as destination information) including information identifying a provider that can provide emissions information. The destination information can include information identifying the emitter (e.g., a company ID) and information identifying the provider (e.g., a provider ID). It is also possible to specify a different disclosure range for each destination information and destination. For example, the destination information can include a provider ID that identifies the destination provider and the disclosure range of emissions information for that provider ID, in association with each other.

The performance information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as performance information) including greenhouse gas emissions for each emitter. The performance information can include information that identifies the emitter (e.g., a company ID) and the performance values of greenhouse gas emissions. The performance values can be the aggregated values of emissions for a specified aggregation period (e.g., year and month) and for each scope related to the GHG Protocol (scope and category for Scope 3).

<Functional department>
The emission information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission information. The emission information acquisition unit can receive emission information from the user terminal 100. The emission information acquisition unit may access another system to acquire emission information. Furthermore, the management server 200 may include an emission calculation unit that, for example, acquires the activity amount and emission coefficient related to the emitter and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the acquired activity amount and emission coefficient, and may also acquire, as emission information, various information used to calculate the emission amount, such as the emission amount and activity amount calculated by the emission calculation unit.

The emission information acquisition unit can acquire emission information relating to emissions before the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction measures (hereinafter referred to as pre-implementation emissions) and register it in the emission memory unit, and can acquire emission information relating to emissions after the implementation of the reduction measures (hereinafter referred to as post-implementation emissions) and register performance information including the acquired emissions in the performance information memory unit.

The emission amount information providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 provides emission amount information to providers. The emission amount information providing unit may provide emission amount information to all providers, or may provide emission amount information according to the provider that sent the request. The emitter may also be able to control to whom the emission amount information is provided. If destination information corresponding to the company ID included in the emission amount information is registered in the destination storage unit, the emission amount information providing unit can provide the emission amount only to the provider specified in the destination information. Furthermore, if a disclosure range is specified in the emission amount information, the emission amount information providing unit can provide only the disclosure range of the emission amount information.

The solution information acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires information related to reduction measures (hereinafter referred to as solution information) from the provider. The solution information may include cost information for determining the cost of the reduction measures and reduction information for determining the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected when the reduction measures are adopted. The solution information may also include, for example, the name, description, and implementation method of the reduction measures, as well as information identifying the types of greenhouse gases that can be reduced.

The solution information providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can provide solution information to the user (transmit it to the user terminal 100). The solution information providing unit may transmit the acquired solution information to the user terminal 100 each time it acquires solution information, or the management server 200 may be provided with a solution information storage unit that stores solution information acquired over a predetermined period for each issuing entity (e.g., company ID), and one or more pieces of solution information stored in the solution information storage unit may be provided.

When providing multiple pieces of solution information for a single waste generator, the solution information providing unit can provide the solution information in order of priority according to the reduction information included in the solution information. For example, the solution information providing unit can provide a list of solution information sorted in order of the reduction amount determined based on the reduction information (e.g., largest to smallest). The solution information providing unit may also provide only a predetermined number of pieces of solution information in order of the determined reduction amount. The solution information providing unit can also provide a list of solution information sorted in order of cost determined by cost information (e.g., lowest to largest). The solution information providing unit can calculate the unit cost per unit reduction amount from the reduction amount based on the reduction information and the cost based on the cost information, and provide solution information with this unit cost attached, and provide solution information sorted in order of unit cost (e.g., lowest to largest), or provide only a predetermined number of pieces of solution information in order of unit cost.

The execution information acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires execution information that indicates the status of the emission entity's implementation of reduction measures. The execution information can include information for identifying the emission entity (e.g., a company ID) and information for identifying the reduction amount (actual value and/or predicted value). In this embodiment, the execution information is assumed to be actual information, and the reduction amount is calculated based on actual information from multiple points in time.

The execution information providing unit constituting the output unit 240 can provide execution information to the provider of the reduction means. The execution information providing unit can, for example, send the execution information to the provider's user terminal 100. In this embodiment, performance information before and after execution of the reduction means is provided as the execution information. If destination information is registered in the destination storage unit, the execution information providing unit can send the execution information (performance information) only to the provider specified in the destination information.

The advice acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 can acquire advice corresponding to the execution information from the provider. The advice acquisition unit can, for example, receive advice information for the execution information from the provider's user terminal 100. The advice information can include, for example, text data, image data, etc.

The advice providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can send advice information to the user who is the emitter.

The reduction amount calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, estimates the amount of greenhouse gas reduction resulting from the adoption of the solution based on the pre-implementation emissions and post-implementation emissions stored in the performance information storage unit. The reduction amount calculation unit can calculate an estimated reduction amount by subtracting the pre-implementation emissions from the post-implementation emissions. The reduction amount calculation unit can also provide the estimated reduction amount to the provider and/or user. The advice acquisition unit can obtain advice information about this reduction amount from the provider's user terminal 100 and transmit it to the user terminal 100 of the user who is the emitter.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can perform processing (billing) to charge the provider for using the system. The billing processing unit can charge the provider according to the amount of reduction. For example, the billing processing unit may periodically charge a registration fee to providers that can receive emission information.

<Operation>
20 is a diagram illustrating the process of providing solution information. The management server 200 receives destination information from the user terminal 100 and registers the destination information in the destination storage unit (S2001). The management server 200 receives emission amount information from the user terminal 100 (S2002). The management server 200 can store the emission amount information in the memory 202 or the storage device 203 for a predetermined period of time.

The management server 200 determines whether destination information corresponding to the company ID indicating the user's waste generator is registered in the destination storage unit (S2003). If it is registered (S2003: YES), the management server 200 transmits the waste information only to the providers specified in the destination information (S2004). If a disclosure range is set in the destination information, the management server 200 can only provide the waste that falls within the disclosure range. On the other hand, if the destination information is not registered in the destination storage unit in S2003 (NO), the management server 200 transmits the waste information to all or some of the providers (S2005). Next, the management server 200 accepts input of solution information from the provider that provided the waste information (S2006) and transmits the accepted solution information to the user terminal 100 (S2007).

In this way, the greenhouse gas emissions status of emitters can be provided to the provider, and the provider can then provide solution information regarding reduction measures to the emitter users.

Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating the process of managing the execution status of the reduction measures. The management server 200 acquires performance information before and after the execution of the reduction measures from the user terminal 100 and registers it in the performance information storage unit (S2101). Performance information during execution of the reduction measures can also be acquired from the user terminal 100. The management server 200 provides the performance information before and after execution to the provider specified in the destination information (S2102). The management server 200 receives advice information from the user terminal 100 of the provider that provided the execution information (S2103) and transmits the received advice information to the user terminal 100 of the user who is the emitter (S2104). The management server 200 can also estimate the destination of reductions resulting from the solution based on the performance information before and after the execution of the reduction measures, for example, by subtracting the emissions after execution from the emissions before execution (S2105). The management server 200 can transmit the estimated reduction amount to the user and/or the provider specified in the destination information (S2106).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment can provide emission information regarding the emission amount of the emitter to the provider, and can also obtain information from the provider regarding reduction methods (solutions) for reducing those emissions and send it to the user terminal 100.

In the above embodiment, the destination storage unit managed providers that can provide emission amount information, but it may also manage providers that are prohibited from providing emission amounts. In this case, the emission amount information providing unit and the execution information providing unit can prevent emission amount information and performance information from being provided to providers identified by the destination information.

<User visualization data display method>
The management server 200 can also prioritize displaying new solution information on the user terminal 100. The management server 200 can also prioritize displaying updated solution information. The management server 200 can also change the priority of emission information and/or solution information depending on the industry, location, capital structure, listing classification, etc., of the emitter and/or provider. The management server 200 can also prioritize displaying solution information of providers that have a capital relationship with the emitter. The management server 200 can also have providers register solution information, match the solution information with the emission information, and prioritize providing the provider with emission information that matches the solution. The management server 200 can also display the emitter's reduction target and its actual results. The management server 200 can also accept a designation of the scope and/or category that the emitter desires to reduce from the emission information, and highlight items related to the emitter's desired scope and/or category to the provider. The management server 200 can also highlight categories that the user wishes to reduce on the provider's user terminal 100. The management server 200 can also include a provision history storage unit that stores a provision history of emission amount information, allowing the user to view the provision history. The management server 200 can also manage whether providers have given "likes" to emission entities, and provide emission amount information only to providers that have given "likes." The management server 200 can also include, in the provider information, specifications such as the type of provider's industry or type of solution that the user desires, so that only solution information related to providers and solutions that match the user's preferences can be provided to the user.

<Screening of visualized data by providers>
Furthermore, the management server 200 can narrow down the emission information to those that match conditions such as the industry, location, capital structure, listing classification, and financial information of the emitter, in accordance with specifications from the provider. Furthermore, the management server 200 can include a type in the emission information, accept a type specification from the provider, and provide emission information corresponding to the accepted type. Furthermore, the management server 200 can narrow down the emission information according to the user registration date or the registration or update date of the emission information, in accordance with specifications from the provider. Furthermore, the management server 200 can accept a keyword specification from the provider, and search for emission information that matches the accepted keyword.

<Solution proposals by providers>
Furthermore, when the management server 200 receives a request from the user terminal 100 requesting a solution proposal, the management server 200 can set a tag indicating that a solution proposal is desired in the emission amount information. The management server 200 can display emission amount information corresponding to the tag to the provider. The management server 200 may also be provided with a function for sending and receiving messages between users, allowing direct messages to be sent and received between the provider and the user. In this case, the management server 200 can set an upper limit on the number of direct message transmissions, and the upper limit may be increased if a fee is charged. The management server 200 may also prevent the provider from viewing all of the emission amount information, and an operator of the management server 200 may act as an intermediary in communication with the provider and/or the user. The management server 200 may also be provided with a function for adding proposals such as discounts or additional services to the solution information and transmitting the proposals to the user terminal 100. In this case, the proposals can be specified and accepted from the user terminal 100 of the provider. The management server 200 may also include an evaluation value storage unit that receives input of evaluation values of solutions and/or providers from users and stores the evaluation values for each solution and/or provider. The management server 200 may aggregate the evaluation values and attach the aggregated evaluation values to the solution information. The management server 200 may also include an evaluation value storage unit that receives input of user evaluation values from providers and stores the evaluation values for each user. The management server 200 may also aggregate evaluation values of solutions and/or providers and attach the aggregated evaluation values to the solution information.

<Display the number of viewers of the visualized data to the user.>
Furthermore, the management server 200 can provide the user with information on the number of emission amount information provided to the provider, along with information on the viewing status, such as "Provider X has viewed your company's data."

The output unit 240, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The twelfth function also includes the following configuration.
[Item L1 (P038)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission information acquisition unit that acquires, from a user of an emission entity that emits greenhouse gases, emission information regarding the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by the emission entity; an emission information provision unit that provides the emission information to a provider that offers means for reducing the greenhouse gases; a solution information acquisition unit that acquires solution information regarding the reduction means from the provider; and a solution information provision unit that provides the solution information to the user. Item L1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a position of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) of the greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emission entity for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of position information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the position information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item L2]
An information processing system according to item L1, comprising a destination memory unit that manages information identifying the provider that provides the emission information in correspondence with the emission entity, and the emission information providing unit refers to the destination memory unit to acquire the provider that corresponds to the emission entity that is the source of the emission information, and provides the emission information to the acquired provider.
[Item L3]
The information processing system according to item L1, wherein the emission amount information includes additional information relating to activities related to the emission amount.
[Item L4]
An information processing system according to item L3, comprising a destination memory unit that manages information identifying the provider that provides the emission information in correspondence with the emission entity, and the emission information providing unit provides the emission amount to the provider identified by referring to the destination memory unit.
[Item L5]
An information processing system according to item L1, characterized in that it comprises an execution information acquisition unit that acquires execution information indicating the execution status of the reduction means by the emission entity, and an execution information provision unit that provides the execution information to the provider of the reduction means.
[Item L6]
An information processing system according to item L5, comprising: an advice acquisition unit that receives advice information for the execution information from the provider; and an advice provision unit that transmits the advice information to the user of the emission entity.
[Item L7]
The information processing system described in item L1 includes an actual information storage unit that stores the emissions, wherein the emissions information acquisition unit acquires emissions information regarding a first amount of emissions before the reduction means is implemented, and the emissions information acquisition unit acquires emissions information regarding a second amount of emissions after the reduction means is implemented, and the information processing system is characterized by including a reduction amount calculation unit that calculates a reduction amount of the greenhouse gas based on the first and second amounts of emissions, and a billing processing unit that charges the provider according to the reduction amount.
[Item L7-2]
an emission information acquisition unit that acquires emission information regarding the emission amount of the greenhouse gas from an emission entity that emits the greenhouse gas; an emission information provision unit that provides the emission information to a provider that provides a means of reducing the greenhouse gas; a solution information acquisition unit that acquires solution information regarding the reduction means from the provider; a solution information provision unit that provides the solution information to the emission entity; a reduction amount calculation unit that calculates a reduction amount of the greenhouse gas based on a first emission amount before implementing the reduction means and a second emission amount after implementing the reduction means; and a billing processing unit that charges the provider according to the reduction amount.
[Item L8]
An information processing system according to item L1, characterized in that the solution information includes cost information for determining the cost of the reduction means and reduction information for determining the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected when the reduction means is adopted, and the solution information providing unit calculates a unit cost per unit reduction amount determined based on the reduction amount determined based on the reduction information and the cost determined based on the cost information, and proposes the solution information in order of the unit cost.
[Item L9 (P038)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be done for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires X information from a user; an information provision unit that provides the X information to a provider that provides a means of reducing the X information; a solution information acquisition unit that acquires solution information related to the reduction means from the provider; and a solution information provision unit that provides the solution information to the user.

<<Solution matching function (13th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 12 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 13. As background technology, waste disposal evaluation is being conducted. There is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what recycled materials can be procured from waste. Function 13 aims to provide information on recycled materials.

<System Overview>
An information processing system relating to the thirteenth function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment attempts to match entities (hereinafter referred to as providers) that provide recycled materials (materials that are collected from used products or waste from manufacturing processes and processed so that they can be used as materials or raw materials for new products) with entities seeking to procure recycled materials (for example, manufacturers of products, parts, materials, raw materials, etc., and material retailers; hereinafter referred to as procurement entities). In the information processing system of this embodiment, providers register information about recycled materials (hereinafter referred to as recycled material information), and users of procurement entities can obtain the registered recycled material information and consider procuring them.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the thirteenth function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (recycled material information memory unit, user information memory unit), an output unit 240 (provision unit, user information transmission unit), an input unit 220, an analysis unit 280 (search unit), an execution unit (solution unit), and a billing processing unit 290.

The recycled material information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores recycled material information. The recycled material information storage unit can store recycled material information in association with provider identification information (provider ID) that identifies the provider that provides the recycled material. In this embodiment, recycled material information may include the type of recycled material, information indicating the specific recycled material provided by the provider indicated by the provider ID (recycled material ID), provider ID, recycled material name), description of the recycled material, quality, process, price, implementation history, environmental index, supplyability, circularity index, etc.

The type of recycled material can be, for example, plastic, glass, or iron. The recycled material name is the name of the recycled material. The description is an explanation of the recycled material and can include, for example, text data, image data, or audio data. The quality can include, for example, information indicating the composition and durability of the recycled material. The process can be information indicating the regeneration and processing steps of the recycled material. The price can be information used by users to determine the amount involved when adopting the recycled material. The price can be set as a unit price for the provided unit of recycled material, or as an estimate of the standard implementation cost. The price can be specified within a range, such as a price band. The implementation history is information regarding the recipients of the recycled material and can be free-form text using, for example, text information or images.

Environmental indicators are values that express the burden related to various environmental issues. Environmental indicators include, for example, (1) greenhouse gas emission indicators related to climate change (CO2 emissions, CH4 emissions, N2O emissions, CFC emissions, etc.), (2) ozone-depleting substance (ODP) consumption indexes related to ozone layer destruction (CFC and halon consumption, etc.), (3) nitrogen and phosphorus emissions into the hydrosphere and soil, and nutrient balance (fertilizer consumption and nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock, etc.) related to eutrophication, (4) acidifying substance emission indicators related to acidification (NOx, SOx emissions, etc.), (5) heavy metal emissions and organic compound emissions (pesticides consumption, etc.) related to toxic substance status, (6) SOx, NOx, and VOC emissions in urban areas related to urban environmental quality (urban traffic density, urban vehicle ownership, urbanization level (urban population growth rate, urban land use), etc.), (7) alteration of biological habitats from their natural state and land conversion related to biodiversity (road network density, soil cover change, etc.), and (8) landscape indicators related to environmental quality. (9) waste generation (municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, nuclear waste) (transportation of hazardous waste, etc.) for waste resources; (10) water resource utilization intensity (extraction rate/available resource volume) for water resources; (11) forest resource utilization intensity (actual harvest volume/production capacity) for forest resources; (12) fish catch volume for fisheries resources; (13) soil degradation (erosion/desertification) erosion risk: potential and actual land use for agriculture (land use change, etc.) for soil degradation; (14) material resource utilization intensity for specific material resources; and (15) socioeconomic sectoral and general indicators (not limited to specific environmental issues) such as population growth rate/density, GDP growth rate and composition, private and government final consumption expenditure, industrial production, energy supply composition, road traffic volume, vehicle ownership, agricultural production, etc. Supply capacity can be the amount of recycled material available from the provider (annual or monthly supply volume). Supplyability can also include information indicating the availability of the supply quantity (this can be an explanation in text, etc.), as well as information indicating alternative materials for the recycled material.

Circularity indicators are indicators that show a company's circularity, and can be, for example, CTIs (Circular Transition Indicators).

The user information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about users (hereinafter referred to as user information). User information can include information that identifies the user (or procurement entity or provider) (user ID), the user's name (user name), information about products made by the procurement entity or provider (product information), and information about the materials used in manufacturing the products (material information).

<Functional department>
The providing unit constituting the output unit 240 provides recycled material information to the user. The providing unit can provide recycled material information in response to a request from the user terminal 100. The providing unit can, for example, read all or part of the recycled material information stored in the recycled material information storage unit and send it to the user terminal 100. The providing unit can, for example, create screen information (which can be written in HTML, for example) for depicting the recycled material information's recycled material name, description, price, quality, process, implementation record, environmental index, supplyability, circularity index, etc., and send the screen information to the user terminal 100.

The input unit 220 can accept input of recycled material identification information (for example, a recycled material ID or a recycled material name) that identifies recycled material information from the user. The providing unit can read recycled material information identified by the accepted recycled material identification information from the recycled material information storage unit and transmit it to the user terminal 100. For example, the providing unit can display a list of recycled material names, the input unit 220 can accept the specification of a recycled material from the list, and the providing unit can provide recycled material information related to the specified recycled material. The input unit 220 can accept input of keywords related to recycled materials from the user. The input unit 220 can also accept input of numerical values or numerical ranges. The input unit 220 can also accept combinations of keywords, numerical values, numerical ranges, etc.

The search unit constituting the analysis unit 280 can search for recycled material information. The search unit can search the recycled material information storage unit for recycled material information that matches the keywords received by the input unit 220. The search unit can, for example, search for recycled material information where the keywords include recycled material name, description, quality, process, implementation history, etc. The search unit can also search for recycled material information that matches a numerical value. For example, the search unit can search for recycled material information where the supply amount included in the supply characteristic matches the input numerical value, is within a specified range of the input numerical value, or is within the input numerical range. The search unit can also search for recycled material information that matches both the keywords and the numerical value. The search unit can provide the search results to the user (for example, send them to the user terminal 100).

The user information transmission unit, which constitutes the output unit 240, provides user information to providers. The user information transmission unit can provide user information of the user to a recycled material provider specified by the user. For example, when the user information transmission unit receives a recycled material ID from the user terminal 100, it can obtain recycled material information corresponding to the received recycled material ID from the recycled material information storage unit and transmit the user information corresponding to the user to the provider indicated by the provider ID included in the obtained recycled material information. The destination of the user information can be, for example, provided that the management server 200 has a provider information storage unit, and the provider's contact information (such as an email address or a message destination address) can be managed in association with the provider ID.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can perform processing to bill the provider that provided the user information for a referral fee. The billing processing unit can also perform processing to bill the provider identified by the provider identification information corresponding to the recycled material information stored in the recycled material information storage unit for a listing fee.

<Operation>
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing solution information. The management server 200 reads all or part of the recycled material information from the recycled material information storage unit and transmits a list of recycled materials based on the read recycled material information to the user terminal 100 (S2201). For example, the management server 200 may provide only recycled material information in which the material type included in the material information included in the user information corresponding to the user matches or is similar to the type included in the recycled material information. The list of recycled materials may include, for example, a list of recycled material IDs and recycled material names. The list of recycled materials may also include a description of the recycled material, its quality, and part of the process. The list of recycled materials may also include the price of the recycled material. The list of recycled materials may also include an environmental index and a circularity index. The list of recycled materials may be provided sorted, for example, by price (e.g., lowest to highest).

The management server 200 determines whether or not it has received a keyword and/or a numerical value (numerical range) from the user terminal 100 (S2202). If it has received the keyword and/or numerical value (numerical range), it can search the recycled material storage unit for recycled material information that matches the keyword and/or numerical value (numerical range), and send a list of recycled materials based on the searched recycled material information to the user terminal 100 (S2203). On the other hand, if it has not received the keyword and/or numerical value (numerical range) in S2202 (NO), the management server 200 proceeds to S2204.

The management server 200 determines whether it has received a recycled material designation (recycled material identification information) from the user terminal 100 (S2204). If it has received it (YES), it reads the recycled material information identified by the specified recycled material identification information from the recycled material storage unit (S2205), reads user information corresponding to the user of the user terminal 100 from the user information storage unit, and can provide the read user information to the provider indicated by the provider ID included in the recycled material information (S2206). On the other hand, if the management server 200 has not received a recycled material designation (recycled material identification information) from the user terminal 100 in S2204 (NO), it terminates this processing.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can inform users of recycled materials offered by providers.

For example, a consultant can understand the manufacturing of a user's product, identify recycled materials that can be used in the manufacturing of the product, input the specifications of the identified recycled material(s) into the management server 200, and transmit the recycled material information selected by the consultant to the user terminal 100.

The recycled material information may include the posting date. The management server 200 can sort the list of recycled materials in order of posting date.

The recycled material information may include the last updated date and time. The management server 200 can prioritize items whose last updated date and time is within a specified period in the recycled material list.

The management server 200 can include in the recycled material information the number of views the user has of that recycled material information. For example, when the management server 200 sends a list of recycled materials to the user terminal 100, it can increment the number of views included in the recycled material information for the recycled materials included in the list. For example, when a recycled material is specified by a user, the management server 200 can increment the number of views of the recycled material information corresponding to the specified recycled material. The management server 200 can read out a predetermined number of recycled material information items in order of most or least number of views and create a list of recycled materials. For example, it may display something like "Currently viewed by XX users." The management server 200 may include the number of views of the recycled material information in the list of recycled materials.

The management server 200 may manage the number of procurement applications for recycled materials. When a procurement application for recycled materials is received, the management server 200 may transmit user information to the provider. The management server 200 may also be equipped with an application history storage unit that stores the procurement application history for recycled materials (information that associates the recycled material ID, user ID, and application date and time). The management server 200 may count the number of application histories for the recycled material corresponding to the recycled material over a predetermined period (e.g., the past month), calculate the number of applications, and include the number of applications in the list of recycled materials.

The management server 200 may also manage word-of-mouth reviews about recycled materials. The management server 200 receives word-of-mouth reviews (scores, likes, etc.) about recycled material information viewed from the user terminal 100 and stores the received word-of-mouth reviews. The management server 200 can prioritize and present recycled materials with good word-of-mouth reviews to the user. For example, it can create a list of recycled materials in order of aggregated word-of-mouth reviews. The management server 200 may also allow the user to specify multiple (or even two) pieces of recycled material information and display the specified pieces of recycled material information for comparison.

The management server 200 may manage the user's past browsing history and output all recycled materials stored as browsing history or application history.

Recycled material information can include introduction conditions, which can be set to specify industry and location. In this case, recycled materials that are appropriate for the user's industry and location can be presented to the user.

The management server 200 can manage multiple companies with capital ties. The management server 200 can identify providers with capital ties to the user, extract recycled material information related to the identified providers, and provide it to the user. Alternatively, recycled material information from providers with capital ties to the user may be displayed in a subordinated manner.

Recycled material information may also include specifications for how the recycled material information is to be displayed.

The management server 200 may prioritize displaying recycled material information related to providers for which an additional fee is paid.

The management server 200 may also provide rewards to users who apply for recycled materials via the management server 200.

The management server 200 may perform a process to charge the provider a specified percentage of the contract amount when a contract for procurement of recycled materials is concluded between the user and the provider.

When a contract for procurement of recycled materials is concluded between a user and a provider, the management server 200 may send a message to that effect to the operator of the information processing system.

The output unit 240, input unit 220, analysis unit 280, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The thirteenth function also includes the following configuration.
[Item M1 (P040)]
An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores recycled material information relating to recycled materials; and a providing unit that provides the recycled material information to a procurement entity that procures the recycled materials.
[Item M2]
An information processing system as described in item M1, characterized in that it comprises an input unit that accepts keyword input from the procurement entity, and a search unit that searches the memory unit for recycled material information that matches the keyword and provides the search results to the procurement entity.
[Item M3]
An information processing system described in item M1, characterized in that the memory unit stores the recycled material information in association with provider identification information that identifies the provider that provides the recycled material, and is equipped with an input unit that accepts input of recycled material identification information that identifies the recycled material information from the procurement entity, and a procurement entity information transmission unit that acquires from the memory unit the provider identification information corresponding to the recycled material information identified by the recycled material identification information, and transmits information about the procurement entity to the provider identified by the acquired provider identification information.
[Item M4]
An information processing system according to item M3, characterized in that it comprises a billing processing unit that performs processing to bill the provider that sent the information about the procurement entity for a referral fee.
[Item M5]
An information processing system according to item M1, characterized in that the memory unit stores the recycled material information in association with provider identification information that identifies the provider that provides the recycled material, and is equipped with a billing processing unit that performs processing to bill the provider identified by the provider identification information that corresponds to the recycled material information stored in the memory unit for a listing fee.

<<Solution matching function (14th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 13 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 14. As background technology, waste disposal evaluation is being conducted. There is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what kind of recycled materials can be procured from waste. Function 14 aims to provide information on recycled materials.

<System Overview>
An information processing system relating to the fourteenth function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment attempts to match entities (hereinafter referred to as providers) that provide recycled materials (materials collected from used products or waste from manufacturing processes and processed so that they can be used as materials or raw materials for new products) with entities seeking to procure recycled materials (for example, manufacturers of products, parts, materials, raw materials, etc., and material retailers; hereinafter referred to as procurement entities). In the information processing system of this embodiment, procurement entities that use recycled materials register procurement information including the conditions for the recycled materials they procure, and providers can view the registered procurement information and propose information about recycled materials that the providers can provide (hereinafter referred to as recycled material information).

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 14th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (procurement information memory unit, destination memory unit, performance information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (procurement information acquisition unit, recycled material information acquisition unit, performance information acquisition unit, advice acquisition unit), an output unit 240 (procurement information provision unit, recycled material information provision unit, performance information provision unit, advice provision unit), and an execution unit (solution unit) 290 (billing processing unit).

The procurement information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as procurement information) regarding recycled materials procured by the procurement entity. The procurement information can include the type of recycled material to be procured, the procurement quantity per specified unit period (e.g., month or year), and quality requirements. Quality can include, for example, the composition and durability of the recycled material. Quality can also include the number of times the recycled material has been recycled. The procurement information can include attributes of the procurement entity. The attributes of the procurement entity can include the procurement entity's business, number of employees, region, etc. The attributes of the procurement entity can also include accounting information such as sales, purchases, and labor costs. The procurement information can include the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the recycled material or information for calculating emissions.

The destination memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores, for each procurement entity, information (hereinafter referred to as destination information) including information identifying a provider that can provide recycled material information. The destination information can include information identifying the procurement entity (e.g., a company ID) and information identifying the provider (e.g., a provider ID). The destination information can also specify a different disclosure scope for each destination. For example, the destination information can include a provider ID that identifies the destination provider and the disclosure scope of the procurement information for that provider ID, in association with each other.

The performance information storage unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as performance information) regarding the procurement of recycled materials for each procurement entity. The performance information can include information identifying the procurement entity (e.g., company ID), the type of recycled material, information identifying the recycled material (e.g., recycled material ID), and the amount of recycled material procured. The performance information can include the actual greenhouse gas emissions related to the production of the procured recycled material. The actual emissions can be, for example, the aggregated emissions for a specified aggregation period (e.g., year and month) and for each scope related to the GHG Protocol (scope and category for Scope 3). The performance information can include the product quality of the recycled material before it was procured (e.g., strength and durability test results).

<Functional department>
The procurement information acquisition unit constituting acquisition unit 250 acquires procurement information. The procurement information acquisition unit can receive procurement information from user terminal 100. The procurement information acquisition unit may also acquire procurement information by accessing another system. The procurement information acquisition unit can register the acquired procurement information in the procurement information storage unit.

The procurement information providing unit, which constitutes the output unit 240, provides procurement information to providers. The procurement information providing unit may provide procurement information to all providers, or may provide procurement information depending on the provider that sent the request. The procurement entity may also be able to control to whom the procurement information is provided. If destination information corresponding to the company ID included in the procurement information is registered in the destination storage unit, the procurement information providing unit can provide the procurement information only to the providers specified in the destination information. Furthermore, if a disclosure scope is specified in the procurement information, the procurement information providing unit can provide only the disclosure scope of the procurement information.

The recycled material information acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires information about recycled materials provided by the provider (hereinafter referred to as recycled material information) from the provider. The recycled material information may include the type of recycled material, information indicating the specific recycled material provided by the provider indicated by the provider ID (recycled material ID), provider ID, recycled material name), description of the recycled material, quality, process, price, implementation history, environmental index, supplyability, circularity index, etc.

The type of recycled material can be, for example, plastic, glass, or iron. The recycled material name is the name of the recycled material. The description is an explanation of the recycled material and can include, for example, text data, image data, or audio data. The quality can include, for example, information indicating the composition and durability of the recycled material. The process can be information indicating the process of recycling the recycled material. The price can be set as a unit price for the unit of recycled material provided, or as an estimate of the standard implementation cost. The price can be specified by a range, such as a price band. The implementation history is information about the recipients of the recycled material and can be free-form text using, for example, text information or images.

Environmental indicators are values that express the burden related to various environmental issues. Environmental indicators include, for example, (1) greenhouse gas emission indicators related to climate change (CO2 emissions, CH4 emissions, N2O emissions, CFC emissions, etc.), (2) ozone-depleting substance (ODP) consumption indexes related to ozone layer destruction (CFC and halon consumption, etc.), (3) nitrogen and phosphorus emissions into the hydrosphere and soil, and nutrient balance (fertilizer consumption and nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock, etc.) related to eutrophication, (4) acidifying substance emission indicators related to acidification (NOx, SOx emissions, etc.), (5) heavy metal emissions and organic compound emissions (pesticides consumption, etc.) related to toxic substance status, (6) SOx, NOx, and VOC emissions in urban areas related to urban environmental quality (urban traffic density, urban vehicle ownership, urbanization level (urban population growth rate, urban land use), etc.), (7) alteration of biological habitats from their natural state and land conversion related to biodiversity (road network density, soil cover change, etc.), and (8) landscape indicators related to environmental quality. (9) waste generation (municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, nuclear waste) (transportation of hazardous waste, etc.) for waste resources; (10) water resource utilization intensity (extraction rate/available resource volume) for water resources; (11) forest resource utilization intensity (actual harvest volume/production capacity) for forest resources; (12) fish catch volume for fisheries resources; (13) soil degradation (erosion/desertification) erosion risk: potential and actual land use for agriculture (land use change, etc.) for soil degradation; (14) material resource utilization intensity for specific material resources; and (15) socioeconomic sectoral and general indicators (not limited to specific environmental issues) such as population growth rate/density, GDP growth rate and composition, private and government final consumption expenditure, industrial production, energy supply composition, road traffic volume, vehicle ownership, agricultural production, etc. Supply capacity can be the amount of recycled material available from the provider (annual or monthly supply volume). Supplyability can also include information indicating the availability of the supply quantity (this can be an explanation in text, etc.), as well as information indicating alternative materials for the recycled material.

A circularity index is an index that shows a company's circularity, and can be, for example, the CTI.

The recycled material information providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can provide recycled material information to the user (transmit it to the user terminal 100). The recycled material information providing unit may transmit the acquired recycled material information to the user terminal 100 each time the recycled material information acquisition unit acquires recycled material information, or the management server 200 may be provided with a recycled material information storage unit that stores recycled material information acquired over a predetermined period for each procurement entity (e.g., company ID), and the recycled material information providing unit may provide one or more pieces of recycled material information stored in the recycled material information storage unit.

Furthermore, when providing multiple pieces of recycled material information for a single procurement entity, the recycled material information can provide the recycled material information in a priority order determined for the recycled material. For example, the recycled material information providing unit can determine the priority according to the quality included in the recycled material information. Furthermore, the recycled material information providing unit can determine the priority according to the price included in the recycled material information. For example, the recycled material information providing unit can provide a list of recycled material information sorted in order of priority (e.g., highest to lowest). Furthermore, the recycled material information providing unit can provide only a predetermined number of pieces of recycled material information sorted in order of priority (e.g., highest to lowest). Furthermore, the recycled material information providing unit can provide a list of recycled material information sorted in order of price (e.g., lowest to highest).

The performance information acquisition unit, which is part of the acquisition unit 250, acquires performance information indicating the procurement entity's procurement performance of recycled materials. The performance information acquisition unit can register the acquired performance information in the performance information storage unit.

The performance information providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can provide performance information to the provider of the recycled material. The performance information providing unit can, for example, send the performance information to the provider's user terminal 100. If destination information is registered in the destination storage unit, the performance information providing unit can send the performance information only to the providers specified in the destination information.

The advice acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 can acquire advice based on performance information from the provider. The advice acquisition unit can, for example, receive advice information in response to performance information from the provider's user terminal 100. The advice information can include, for example, text data, image data, etc.

The advice providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can send advice information to the procurement entity user.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can perform processing (billing) to charge providers for using the system. The billing processing unit may, for example, periodically charge providers that can receive procurement information a registration fee.

<Operation>
23 is a diagram illustrating the process of providing procurement information. The management server 200 receives destination information from the user terminal 100 and registers it in the destination storage unit (S2301). The management server 200 receives the procurement information from the user terminal 100 (S2302). The management server 200 can store the procurement information in the memory 202 or the storage device 203 for a predetermined period of time.

The management server 200 determines whether the provider information corresponding to the company ID indicating the user's procurement entity is registered in the provider storage unit (S2303). If it is registered (YES), the management server 200 transmits the procurement information only to the providers specified in the provider information (S2304). If a disclosure range is set in the provider information, the management server 200 can only provide items included in the disclosure range in the procurement information. On the other hand, if the provider information is not registered in the provider storage unit in S2303 (NO), the management server 200 transmits the procurement information to all or some of the providers (S2305). Next, the management server 200 accepts input of recycled material information from the provider that provided the procurement information (S2306) and transmits the accepted recycled material information to the user terminal 100 (S2307).

In this way, procurement information can be provided by the procurement entity to the provider, and in response, recycled material information regarding recycled materials can be received from the provider and provided to the procurement entity's users.

In the above embodiment, the destination storage unit managed providers that can provide procurement information, but it may also manage providers that are prohibited from providing procurement information. In this case, the procurement information providing unit and performance information providing unit can prevent procurement information and performance information from being provided to providers identified by the destination information.

<How data is displayed to users>
The management server 200 can also prioritize displaying new recycled material information on the user terminal 100. The management server 200 may also prioritize displaying updated recycled material information. The management server 200 can also change the priority of procurement information and/or recycled material information depending on the industry, location, capital structure, listing classification, etc., of the procurement entity and/or provider. The management server 200 can also prioritize displaying recycled material information of providers that have a capital relationship with the procurement entity. The management server 200 can also register recycled material information from providers, match the recycled material information with the procurement information, and prioritize providing procurement information that is most closely matched to the recycled material to the provider. The management server 200 can also include a provision history storage unit that stores the provision history of procurement information, allowing users to view the provision history. The management server 200 can also manage providers'"likes" of procurement entities and provide procurement information only to providers that have "liked" the information. In addition, the management server 200 can include in the destination information the user's desired provider's industry and conditions for recycled materials, so that the user is provided with only recycled material information relating to providers and recycled materials that match the user's preferences.

<Screening by Provider>
Furthermore, the management server 200 can narrow down the procurement information to those that match the conditions of the procurement entity's industry, location, capital structure, listing classification, financial information, etc., in response to specifications from the provider. The management server 200 can also receive specifications of the type of recycled material from the provider and provide procurement information corresponding to the received type. The management server 200 can also narrow down the procurement information based on the user's registration date or the registration or update date of the procurement information in response to specifications from the provider. The management server 200 can also receive specifications of keywords from the provider and search for procurement information that matches the received keywords.

<Recycled material proposals by providers>
Furthermore, when the management server 200 receives a request from the user terminal 100 requesting a recycled material proposal, it can set a tag indicating that a recycled material proposal is desired in the procurement information. The management server 200 can display the procurement information to the provider according to the tag. The management server 200 may also have a function for sending and receiving messages between users, allowing direct messages to be sent and received between the provider and the user. In this case, the management server 200 can set a limit on the number of direct messages that can be sent, and the limit can be increased if a fee is charged. The management server 200 may also prevent the provider from viewing all of the procurement information, and an operator of the management server 200 may act as an intermediary in communication with the provider and/or the user. The management server 200 may also have a function for adding proposals such as discounts or additional services to the recycled material information and transmitting the proposals to the user terminal 100. In this case, the proposals can be specified and accepted from the user terminal 100 of the provider. The management server 200 may also include an evaluation value storage unit that receives input of evaluation values of recycled materials and/or providers from users and stores the evaluation values for each recycled material and/or provider. The management server 200 may also aggregate the evaluation values and attach the aggregated evaluation values to the recycled material information. The management server 200 may also include an evaluation value storage unit that receives input of user evaluation values from providers and stores the evaluation values for each user. The management server 200 may also aggregate evaluation values of recycled materials and/or providers and attach the aggregated evaluation values to the recycled material information.

<Display the number of viewers to the user.>
In addition, the management server 200 can provide the user with the number of pieces of procurement information provided to the provider as information on the viewing status, such as, for example, "Provider X has viewed your company's data."

The output unit 240, acquisition unit 250, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The fourteenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item N1 (P041)]
An information processing system comprising: a procurement information acquisition unit that acquires procurement information regarding the recycled materials to be procured from a user who is a procurement entity procuring the recycled materials; a procurement information provision unit that provides the procurement information to a provider that provides the recycled materials; a recycled material information acquisition unit that acquires recycled material information regarding the recycled materials provided by the provider from the provider; and a recycled material information provision unit that provides the recycled material information to the user.
[Item N2]
An information processing system according to item N1, characterized in that it comprises a destination memory unit that manages information identifying the provider that provides the procurement information in correspondence with the procurement entity, and the procurement information providing unit refers to the destination memory unit to obtain the provider that corresponds to the procurement entity that is the source of the procurement information, and provides the procurement information to the obtained provider.
[Item N3]
An information processing system according to item N1, characterized in that the procurement information includes conditions regarding the quality of the recycled material.
[Item N4]
An information processing system as described in item N3, characterized in that it includes a destination memory unit that manages information identifying the provider that provides the procurement information in correspondence with the procurement entity, and the procurement information providing unit provides the procurement information to the provider identified by referring to the destination memory unit.
[Item N5]
An information processing system according to item N1, characterized in that it comprises a performance information acquisition unit that acquires performance information indicating the procurement history of the recycled material by the procurement entity, and a performance information provision unit that provides the performance information to the provider.
[Item N6]
An information processing system according to item N5, characterized in that it comprises an advice acquisition unit that receives advice information regarding the execution information from the provider, and an advice provision unit that transmits the advice information to the user of the emission entity.

<<Solution matching function (15th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 14 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 15. As background technology, waste disposal evaluation is being conducted. There is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what kind of recycled materials can be procured from waste. Function 15 aims to provide information about recycled materials.

<System Overview>
An information processing system relating to the fifteenth function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment attempts to match entities (hereinafter referred to as providers) that provide recycled materials (materials collected from used products or waste from manufacturing processes and processed so that they can be used as materials or raw materials for new products) with entities seeking to procure recycled materials (for example, manufacturers of products, parts, materials, raw materials, etc., and retailers of materials; hereinafter referred to as procurement entities). In the information processing system of this embodiment, procurement entities that use recycled materials register procurement information including the conditions for the recycled materials they procure, and recycled material providers register recycled material information about the recycled materials they provide, and the procurement information and recycled material information are matched.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 15th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (recycled material information memory unit, user information memory unit, procurement information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emissions information acquisition unit, extraction unit, performance acquisition unit), an output unit 240 (provision unit), an execution unit (solution unit) 290 (billing processing unit).

The recycled material information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores recycled material information. The recycled material information storage unit can store recycled material information in association with provider identification information (provider ID) that identifies the provider that provides the recycled material. In this embodiment, recycled material information may include the type of recycled material, information indicating the specific recycled material provided by the provider indicated by the provider ID (recycled material ID), provider ID, recycled material name), description of the recycled material, quality, process, price, implementation history, environmental index, supplyability, circularity index, etc.

The type of recycled material can be, for example, plastic, glass, or iron. The recycled material name is the name of the recycled material. The description is an explanation of the recycled material and can include, for example, text data, image data, or audio data. The quality can include, for example, information indicating the composition and durability of the recycled material. The process can be information indicating the process of recycling the recycled material. The price can be set as a unit price for the unit of recycled material provided, or as an estimate of the standard implementation cost. The price can be specified by a range, such as a price band. The implementation history is information about the recipients of the recycled material and can be free-form text using, for example, text information or images.

Environmental indicators are values that express the burden related to various environmental issues. Environmental indicators include, for example, (1) greenhouse gas emission indicators related to climate change (CO2 emissions, CH4 emissions, N2O emissions, CFC emissions, etc.), (2) ozone-depleting substance (ODP) consumption indexes related to ozone layer destruction (CFC and halon consumption, etc.), (3) nitrogen and phosphorus emissions into the hydrosphere and soil, and nutrient balance (fertilizer consumption and nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock, etc.) related to eutrophication, (4) acidifying substance emission indicators related to acidification (NOx, SOx emissions, etc.), (5) heavy metal emissions and organic compound emissions (pesticides consumption, etc.) related to toxic substance status, (6) SOx, NOx, and VOC emissions in urban areas related to urban environmental quality (urban traffic density, urban vehicle ownership, urbanization level (urban population growth rate, urban land use), etc.), (7) alteration of biological habitats from their natural state and land conversion related to biodiversity (road network density, soil cover change, etc.), and (8) landscape indicators related to environmental quality. (9) waste generation (municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, nuclear waste) (transportation of hazardous waste, etc.) for waste resources; (10) water resource utilization intensity (extraction rate/available resource volume) for water resources; (11) forest resource utilization intensity (actual harvest volume/production capacity) for forest resources; (12) fish catch volume for fisheries resources; (13) soil degradation (erosion/desertification) erosion risk: potential and actual land use for agriculture (land use change, etc.) for soil degradation; (14) material resource utilization intensity for specific material resources; and (15) socioeconomic sectoral and general indicators (not limited to specific environmental issues) such as population growth rate/density, GDP growth rate and composition, private and government final consumption expenditure, industrial production, energy supply composition, road traffic volume, vehicle ownership, agricultural production, etc. Supply capacity can be the amount of recycled material available from the provider (annual or monthly supply volume). Supplyability can also include information indicating the availability of the supply quantity (this can be an explanation in text, etc.), as well as information indicating alternative materials for the recycled material.

A circularity index is an index that shows a company's circularity, and can be, for example, the CTI.

The user information storage unit that constitutes storage unit 230 stores information about users (procurement entities or providers) (hereinafter referred to as user information). User information can include information that identifies the user (or procurement entity or provider) (user ID), the name of the user (or procurement entity or provider) (user name), information about the business conducted by the procurement entity or provider (business information), and information about the equipment used in connection with that business (equipment information).

The procurement information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as procurement information) regarding recycled materials procured by the procurement entity. The procurement information can include the type of recycled material to be procured, the procurement quantity per specified unit period (e.g., month or year), and quality requirements. Quality can include, for example, the composition and durability of the recycled material. Quality can also include the number of times the recycled material has been recycled. The procurement information can include attributes of the procurement entity. The attributes of the procurement entity can include the procurement entity's business, number of employees, region, etc. The attributes of the procurement entity can also include accounting information such as sales, purchases, and labor costs. The procurement information can include the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of the recycled material or information for calculating emissions.

<Functional department>
The procurement information acquisition unit constituting acquisition unit 250 acquires procurement information. The procurement information acquisition unit can receive procurement information from user terminal 100. The procurement information acquisition unit may also acquire procurement information by accessing another system. The procurement information acquisition unit can register the acquired procurement information in the procurement information storage unit.

The extraction unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires recycled material information that matches the procurement information. For example, the extraction unit can match the type of recycled material included in the procurement information with the type of recycled material included in the recycled material information. The extraction unit can also match recycled material information that includes quality information that satisfies the quality conditions included in the procurement information, using the procurement information as a criterion. The extraction unit can determine the priority based on the quality included in the recycled material information. The extraction unit can also determine the priority based on the price included in the recycled material information. For example, the extraction unit can sort the recycled material information in order of priority (e.g., highest to lowest). The extraction unit can use the recycled material information as a criterion to extract procurement information that matches the type of recycled material information and whose quality satisfies the quality conditions. If a procurement price is set in the procurement information, the procurement information can also be sorted in order of procurement price (e.g., highest to lowest).

The provision unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can provide the extracted recycled material information to the user of the procurement entity. The provision unit can also provide procurement information that matches the recycled material information to the user of the provider indicated by the provider ID of the recycled material information.

The performance acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as performance information) including information indicating recycled materials adopted by the procurement entity. The management server 200 may also be equipped with a performance information storage unit that stores performance information.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing (billing) to charge the provider a system usage fee. The billing processing unit may also perform processing (billing) to charge the procurement entity that actually procured the recycled material a system usage fee based on performance information.

<Operation>
24 is a diagram illustrating the process of providing solution information. Management server 200 acquires recycled material information from providers and registers it in the recycled material information storage unit (S2401), and acquires procurement information from procurement entities and registers it in the procurement information storage unit (S2402). Management server 200 extracts recycled material information that matches each piece of procurement information (S2403), and provides the extracted recycled material information to the procurement entities that provide the procurement information (S2404). Management server 200 acquires performance information (S2405) and can charge according to the performance information (S2406).

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can match recycled material information with procurement entities (procurement information).

In addition, conditions other than quality for recycled material information can be set in the procurement information, and the management server 200 can narrow down the recycled material information that matches the procurement information to only that which meets the conditions of the procurement information.

The management server 200 can display a list of recycled material information on the user terminal 100. The management server 200 can display the list in the order in which the recycled material information was registered.

The management server 200 can manage the recycled material information viewed by the user terminal 100 and provide the recycled material information with a priority based on the number of views. For example, the management server 200 can display the recycled material information sorted in order of the number of views. The management server 200 can also send only a predetermined number of pieces of recycled material information to the user terminal 100 in order of the number of views.

The management server 200 can display a list of only a portion of the recycled material information on the user terminal 100, accept selections (tap or click) of recycled material information from the user terminal 100, and manage the selection of recycled material information. The management server 200 can provide recycled material information with a priority according to the number of selections. For example, the management server 200 can display recycled material information sorted in order of the number of selections. The management server 200 can also send only a predetermined number of pieces of recycled material information to the user terminal 100 in order of the number of selections.

The management server 200 can obtain and manage evaluations of recycled materials from users. For example, a list of evaluation values obtained from users and/or aggregated values (e.g., average values or total values) can be set in the recycled material information. The management server 200 can provide recycled material information with a priority based on the aggregated evaluation values. For example, the management server 200 can display recycled material information sorted in order of evaluation value. The management server 200 can also send only a predetermined number of pieces of recycled material information to the user terminal 100 in order of evaluation value.

In addition, the management server 200 can provide recycled material information preferentially if an additional fee is paid by the provider.

The management server 200 may also include an application processing unit that accepts applications for recycled materials. The management server 200 may provide users with rewards for applying for recycled materials.

In addition, when a contract for recycled materials is concluded, the management server 200 can charge the provider a specified percentage of the contract fee. The management server 200 can also be equipped with a notification unit that notifies the user and/or provider when a contract is concluded.

The output unit 240, acquisition unit 250, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The fifteenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item O1 (P042)]
An information processing system comprising: a procurement information acquisition unit that acquires procurement information regarding the recycled materials to be procured from a user who is a procurement entity procuring the recycled materials; a recycled material information storage unit that stores recycled material information regarding the recycled materials; an extraction unit that extracts recycled material information that matches the procurement information; and a provision unit that provides the extracted recycled material information to the user.
[Item O2]
An information processing system as described in item O1, characterized in that conditions for the procurement entity are set in the recycled material information, and the extraction unit extracts the procurement entity that satisfies the conditions included in the recycled material information.
[Item O3]
An information processing system as described in item O2, characterized in that the procurement information includes conditions for the quality of the recycled material, the recycled material information includes quality information about the quality of the recycled material, and the extraction unit matches the recycled material information with the procurement information based on whether the quality information included in the recycled material information satisfies the conditions of the procurement information.

<<OCR function (16th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 15 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 16.

<System Overview>
An information processing system relating to the sixteenth function will be described below. This information processing system extracts activity amounts related to activities that emit greenhouse gases from form data (which broadly includes data on various documents related to a company's economic activities, such as invoices, receipts, and delivery notes. The form data can be text data, document data, image data, etc.), and identifies the type of the activity (scope and/or category in the GHG Protocol). In this embodiment, an LLM (Large Language Model) such as a GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) is used to extract the activity amounts from the form data and identify the type of activity amount.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 16th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a generation unit 260 (generator, generation processing unit) and an acquisition unit 250 (character string extraction unit).

The generator constituting the generation unit 260 generates a response based on a trained language model. The generator may be a trained language model trained by machine learning and a function that generates a string of characters using that model. In this embodiment, the trained language model is assumed to be GPT. Note that the trained language model may not be managed by the management server 200, but an external server may be provided with the trained model, and an API provided by the external server may be called to generate a response to an instruction using the trained language model.

The character string extraction unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 extracts character strings from the form data. It is assumed that the form data includes the amount of activity that emits greenhouse gases. If the form data is text data, the character string extraction unit can read the contents of the text data. If the form data is image data, the character string extraction unit can extract character strings drawn in the image data using known OCR processing. If the form data is binary data such as a word processor document or spreadsheet document, the character string extraction unit can extract character string data from this binary data using known methods.

The generation processing unit constituting the generation unit 260 causes the generator to generate an activity amount and a scope (and/or category). The generation processing unit causes the generator to generate an activity amount and a scope (and/or category) by providing the generator with the character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, an instruction to generate a specified activity amount, and an instruction to generate a scope (and/or category) corresponding to the activity amount.

The generation processing unit can cause the generator to learn information that associates activity-specific information that identifies an activity with a scope (and/or category). The generation processing unit may perform fine-tuning by having a pre-trained language model learn data that associates activity-specific information with a scope and/or category, or may include data that associates activity-specific information with a scope and/or category in instructions (prompts) given to the generator. The generation processing unit can cause the generator to generate activity amounts, scopes, and activity-specific information related to the instructed activity by providing the generator with character strings extracted from the report data and instructions to generate scope and activity-specific information.

Furthermore, when multiple activities form a tree structure (when major categories, minor categories, details, etc. of activities are defined), the tree structure may be trained. In this case, the generation processing unit may, for example, cause the generator to learn first activity specification information, a scope, and second activity specification information that specifies a second activity that is a parent or child in the tree structure of the first activity specified by the first activity specification information. This learning may also be performed by updating the trained language model in advance through fine tuning, or by including information that specifies the tree structure (information indicating the parent-child relationship between the first and second activity specification information) in the prompt. This allows the generation processing unit to generate multiple levels of activity specification information from character strings included in the form data.

The management server 200 may also be provided with a vector information storage unit that records information indicating activity and vectorized information indicating activity, and the generation processing unit may vectorize the character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, read information indicating activity corresponding to a vector close to the vector of the character string from the vector information storage unit, and include it in the prompt provided to the generator. The specialized information (information indicating activity) stored in the vector information storage unit may be provided to the generator as learning data to generate the amount of activity and scope (and/or category).

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the sixteenth function will be described. The management server 200 receives form data from the user terminal 100, extracts character strings from the received form data, provides the generator with learning data including combinations of activity identification information and scopes, the character strings extracted from the form data, and instructions to generate activity amounts, scopes, and activity identification information, and obtains and outputs the activity amounts, scopes, and activity identification information generated by the generator.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can efficiently generate activity amounts related to activities that emit greenhouse gases, as well as the scope and/or category of those activities, from report data.

<Disclosures>
The sixteenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item P1 (P050)]
an information processing system comprising: a character string extraction unit that extracts character strings from form data including activity amounts of activities that emit greenhouse gases; and a generation processing unit that instructs a generator that generates answers based on a trained language model to generate the character strings, the activity amounts, and scopes corresponding to the activity amounts, thereby causing the generator to generate the activity amounts and the scopes. Item P1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amounts of the emitters for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amounts from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amounts in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item P2]
The information processing system according to item P1, wherein the generation processing unit causes the generator to learn information that associates activity identification information that identifies the activity with the scope, and gives the generator instructions to generate the character string, as well as the activity amount, the scope, and the activity identification information, thereby causing the generator to generate the activity amount, the scope, and the activity identification information.
[Item P3]
An information processing system according to item P2, wherein a plurality of the activities form a tree structure, and the generation processing unit causes the generator to learn first activity identification information, the scope, and second activity identification information that identifies a second activity that is a parent or child of the first activity identified by the first activity identification information in the tree structure.

The acquisition unit 250 and generation unit 260 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system with artificial intelligence (mechanical system) that can learn on its own.

<<Template function (17th function)>>
While some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration further applicable to the embodiments of the first to sixteenth functions will be described in detail below as an embodiment of the seventeenth function. In the background art, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. There is a need to understand the greenhouse gas emission status throughout the entire supply chain. The seventeenth function aims to provide technology that can understand the greenhouse gas emission status. Furthermore, when calculating greenhouse gas emissions at multiple locations within a single company, each location determines whether or not to input activity items, resulting in different activity items being input for each location. Furthermore, required activity items were sometimes omitted at some locations. As a result, companies with multiple locations were unable to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions. To calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of a corporate group (the entire group), a holding company must request its affiliated group companies to calculate greenhouse gas emissions and have the affiliated group companies report the results of their greenhouse gas emission calculations. In such cases, if the activity items entered for each group company differ, or if required activity items are omitted, it will be impossible to accurately calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of the corporate group (the entire group).The purpose of Function 17 is to provide technology that can grasp the greenhouse gas emissions status of a company or corporate group (the entire group) with multiple bases.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 17th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (base information memory unit, reduction standard memory unit, reduction target memory unit), an execution unit 290 (reduction target registration unit), an input unit 220 (base information input unit, industry type input unit), an output unit 240 (proposal unit), and an analysis unit 280.

The base information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores, for each business entity related to a certain business entity, base information indicating the base of the other business entity. In this example, the base information indicates the names of branches of the same company, such as the head office (first business entity), Tokyo branch (second business entity), or Osaka branch (second business entity), but also includes the locations of factories of the same company. The base information may also be the locations or names of group companies consisting of a parent company (first business entity), a subsidiary (second business entity), a sub-subsidiary (second business entity), etc. The base information is configured to include related information indicating that these multiple business entities are related. The base information may also be the size information described in the third function.

The reduction standard memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information (reduction standard information) related to standard reduction rates for greenhouse gas emissions (reduction targets set by many companies). The reduction standard information can include reduction rates associated with industry, base, company size, company attributes, and scopes related to the GHG Protocol. For Scope 3, categories can also be included.

In this embodiment, the reduction standard information also includes a base year and a target year. Scale can be, for example, sales revenue or asset value. Scale can also be sales revenue for a business corresponding to a specific scope (and category). Attributes can be various attributes related to the company.

The reduction target memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores information (reduction target information) related to emissions reduction targets set by companies. The reduction target information stores the reduction targets set by the company (base point, target point, and reduction rate from emissions at the base point) in association with information identifying the company (company name and base name in this embodiment), the size and attributes of the company, and the scope related to the GHG Protocol (and category for Scope 3). In this embodiment, the base point and target point are assumed to be years or fiscal years, but may also be years and months or dates.

The template registration unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 registers and stores templates into which information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities is input. The information related to emissions is information included in the first information, such as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The first information is, for example, an emissions report that contains information related to emissions, and details will be explained in the third function. The emissions report is also a template used by each business entity when registering its emissions.

The base information input unit, which constitutes the input unit 220, accepts the input of base information. The base information input unit can be used to input information using a specific user terminal 100. An example of a specific user terminal 100 is a user terminal 100 used by an administrator of multiple user terminals 100 (e.g., a head office or parent company). The base information input unit inputs the names of branches of the same company or group companies. In the case of the same company, the names of the Tokyo branch and Osaka branch can be input. In the case of group companies, the names of the parent company, subsidiary, or sub-subsidiary can be input. By inputting base information, related information is set indicating that these multiple business entities are related bases or companies. In other words, the multiple business entities are set as related bases (related companies), or in other words, bases belonging to a group. Bases for which related information has been set (related bases) can refer to and use templates used by other bases to register emissions when registering emissions. If the base information is set as size information, the size information can also be input in the base information input unit.

The template input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of information related to ejection into a template. The template input unit can input information related to ejection using a specific user terminal 100 or a user terminal 100 other than the specific user terminal 100. Note that, during processing in the template registration unit, input is possible at user terminals 100 at locations registered by the specific user terminal 100, but input is not possible at user terminals 100 at locations not registered by the specific user terminal 100. Rather than making input impossible, it is also possible to make it impossible to select and use the template itself. If a specific user terminal 100 has not registered a location, input is not possible, even if the location belongs to the group (each branch, subsidiary, or sub-subsidiary).

The industry input section that constitutes the input unit 220 accepts input of industry. The industry input section is intended to accept the industry of the company that is seeking to set a reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposal unit constituting the output unit 240 proposes reduction targets. The proposal unit can propose standard reduction targets for the industry and base to the user by reading the reduction rate corresponding to the accepted industry and base from the reduction standard storage unit and sending it to the user terminal 100. The proposal unit can read the reduction rate by scope corresponding to the industry and base from the reduction standard storage unit, and propose and present the read standard reduction rate by scope as the user's target reduction rate.

Furthermore, if multiple reduction rates apply, the suggestion unit may suggest a statistical value (e.g., an average value) of the applicable reduction rates.

The proposal unit can also calculate the amount of emissions reduction for each unit period (e.g., year or fiscal year) from the base point to the target point so that the amount of emissions at the target point is equal to the amount of emissions at the base point multiplied by the reduction rate, subtract the result from the amount of emissions at the base point, calculate the ratio of the reduction amount to the amount of emissions at the base point as a time-specific reduction rate, and propose the time-specific reduction rate (e.g., annual reduction rate) to the user.

The reduction target registration unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, registers the reduction targets of companies and bases in the reduction target memory unit. The reduction target registration unit may accept input of reduction targets from the user terminal 100 of each company or base, or may extract greenhouse gas reduction targets publicly disclosed by companies from, for example, a website. Reduction targets may include a reduction rate for each scope (and category in the case of Scope 3), a base year (fiscal year), and a target year (fiscal year). The reduction target registration unit can register the base year, target year, and reduction rate in the reduction target memory unit, correlating them with information indicating the company that obtained the reduction target (company name), the size and attributes of the company, and the scope to be reduced.

The analysis unit 280 can analyze the reduction targets stored in the reduction target storage unit to create standard reduction targets. The analysis unit 280 can, for example, select the most common base point (year) as the standard base point (year). The analysis unit 280 can calculate statistical values such as the mode, average, and median for the number of years from the base year to the target year, and add these statistical values to the base year to create a standard value for the target year. The analysis unit 280 can determine statistical values such as the mode and average of the reduction rate as the standard reduction rate. The analysis unit 280 can perform analysis by industry, size, attribute, scope, and category, and add or update the industry, base, size, attribute, scope, category, base year, target year, and reduction rate resulting from the analysis to the reduction standard storage unit.

Figure 25 is a diagram illustrating the process of registering a template (processing in the template registration unit). The management server 200 receives an instruction to create a new template from the user terminal 100 (S2501). For example, a button to start new creation is pressed using the user terminal 100 of the head office or parent company, and the management server 200 accepts the button operation. Next, the management server 200 accepts input of the template name from the user terminal 100 (S2502). For example, the name of the new template is entered using the user terminal 100 of the head office or parent company, and the management server 200 accepts the input result. Next, the management server 200 accepts the location to which the template will be assigned from the user terminal 100 (S2503). For example, the user terminal 100 of the head office or parent company is used to enter the locations to be related, such as branches, subsidiaries, or sub-subsidiaries, and the management server 200 accepts the input result. The multiple assigned locations are referred to as a specific group. Next, the management server 200 accepts input items from the user terminal 100 (S2504). For example, the user terminal 100 of the head office or parent company acting as an administrator is used to set the input items to be displayed in the new template, and the management server 200 accepts the setting results. Examples of input items include material costs, transportation costs, and labor costs, as explained in the third and ninth functions. Next, the management server 200 accepts an instruction to complete template registration from the user terminal 100 (S2505). For example, a registration completion button is pressed using the user terminal 100 of the head office or parent company, and the management server 200 accepts the button operation.

At the base (business entity) accepted by the management server 200 in S2504, for example, a base belonging to a specific group of branches, subsidiaries, or second-tier subsidiaries, the template registered in FIG. 25 can be used to input the required items in the template and register them, without having to register a new template themselves using the user terminal 100. Furthermore, at bases belonging to a specific group, the registered template is used to input activity items for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, but this input can be limited to inputting only the necessary activity items. Furthermore, if there is an approver who will check the input content, using the template makes the approval process easier, as they only need to check the minimum amount of information that has been entered.

An administrator can also register a new template by copying an existing template. When registering a new template by copying, the management server 200 restricts the registration of a new template with the same name as the original template. This configuration prevents the original template from being overwritten. When copying, the management server 200 sets the base registered in the original template as the new template. This configuration eliminates the need to register a new base. An administrator can also assign a specific template to a specific base. This assignment can also be canceled. Administrators and users other than the administrator (such as branches and subsidiaries) can add items using the assigned template when registering greenhouse gas emissions for their bases. When administrators and users other than the administrator (such as branches and subsidiaries) register greenhouse gas emissions for their bases, a distinction is made between activity items reflected from the assigned template and activity items entered individually. For example, the background colors of activity items are different. Administrators can automatically apply templates to specific bases. Multiple templates are available; users are not limited to one.

An example of using templates within the same company is explained below.
(1) Group the activities of the business (greenhouse gas emission activities) (e.g., ●● for Scope 1, ▲▲ for Scope 2, and ■■ for Scope 3) and use this as an activity item template for greenhouse gas emission data. The administrator user creates the template.
(2) Templates are registered in the calculation system and assigned to each base. The administrator user edits the template name and assigned base.
(3) When calculating greenhouse gas emissions at each location, use the assigned template. For example, to calculate greenhouse gas emissions for July 2023, select Template A at the Tokyo branch and enter activity data, and also select Template A at the Osaka branch and enter activity data.

An example (part 1) of using a template across companies is explained below.
(1) A holding company creates an activity item template for greenhouse gas emission data and assigns this template to its affiliated operating companies (group companies). If four operating companies (Company A, Company B, Company C, and Company D) that make up the group each have their own accounts, the administrator user of the holding company assigns the template to the operating companies (Company A, Company B, and Company C) that are registered as group companies in the system. The template is not assigned to the operating company (Company D) that is not registered as a group company.
(2) When calculating greenhouse gas emissions at a business company (group company), use the assigned template. If the business companies in a group are in different industries, use only the common activity items as templates.
(3) Different templates may be prepared for each business company. Templates may be used not only by subsidiaries but also by sub-subsidiaries.

In addition, the following settings may be made available regarding the access rights to view the content of templates (e.g., activity levels) entered by business companies registered as group companies and the greenhouse gas emissions data calculated by the business companies using the templates.
(1) A holding company can view all data entered and calculated by its subsidiary operating companies (group companies) regardless of its controlling interest (shareholding ratio).
(2) Subsidiary business companies (group companies) can view data within the scope of their control (shareholding ratio) (for example, if business company A has three subsidiaries, all data for A-a and A-b, which are 100% subsidiaries, can be viewed, but only part of data for subsidiary A-c, which has a 50% shareholding ratio, can be viewed).
(3) The data entered/calculated cannot be viewed (shared) between subsidiary business companies A and B.
(4) It is possible for a parent company to view data from its subsidiary, but it is not possible for a subsidiary to view data from its parent company.

An example (part 2) of using a template across companies is explained below.
(1) The bank distributes templates to the companies it invests in and lends to, and the companies use the templates to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions and report the results to the bank.
(2) The insurance company distributes templates to its agents, who then use the templates to calculate greenhouse gas emissions and report the results to the insurance company.

This example allows companies with multiple bases to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions. It also allows for accurate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions for a corporate group.

The management server 200 can also accept input of the user's industry from the user terminal 100, read the standard reduction target corresponding to the accepted industry from the reduction standard memory unit, and propose the read reduction target to the user.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can propose standard reduction targets according to industry to users who are trying to set reduction targets.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the trend of target reduction rates disclosed by companies and the like is constant, but changes in trend may also be taken into consideration. For example, the analysis unit 280 may analyze the trend of increases or decreases in the target reduction rate for each company (business entity). In this case, the reduction target storage unit stores information indicating the time when the company disclosed its reduction target (e.g., year, month, or date) in association with the reduction target.

In this case, the suggestion unit can correct the proposed reduction rate (or the statistical value if multiple reduction rates match) according to the trend and propose the corrected statistical value. For example, if the reduction rate is on the rise, the proposed reduction rate can be increased according to the degree of that increase.

The input unit 220, output unit 240, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The seventeenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item Q1 (P031)]
an information processing system comprising: a standard storage unit that stores standard reduction rates that are standard reduction rates of greenhouse gas emissions by industry and scope; an input unit that accepts input of a user's industry; and a proposal unit that reads out the standard reduction rate by scope that corresponds to the accepted industry from the standard storage unit and proposes the read standard reduction rate by scope as a target reduction rate for the user. Item Q1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item Q2]
The information processing system described in item Q1, wherein the standard storage unit stores a standard base point and a target point for the reduction rate, and the proposal unit calculates a reduction amount of the emissions for each unit period from the base point to the target point so that the emissions at the target point are equal to the amount obtained by subtracting the amount obtained by multiplying the emissions at the base point by the reduction rate from the amount of emissions at the base point, calculates a ratio of the reduction amount to the amount of emissions at the base point as a time-point reduction rate, and proposes the time-point reduction rate to the user.
[Item Q3]
An information processing system comprising: a target memory unit that stores, for each business entity and point in time, a target reduction rate, which is a reduction rate by scope that the business entity has disclosed as a target at the point in time; an input unit that accepts input of a user's industry; and a proposal unit that reads out from the target memory unit the target reduction rate for the business entity that corresponds to the accepted industry, and proposes a statistical value of the read target reduction rate as the user's target reduction rate.
[Item Q4]
An information processing system according to item Q3, comprising an analysis unit that analyzes the trend of an increase or decrease in the target reduction rate for each business entity, and the proposal unit corrects the statistical value in accordance with the trend and proposes the corrected statistical value.
[Item Q5 (P069)]
An information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores at least base information of a first business entity and a second business entity that constitute a supply chain; a template registration unit that registers a template into which information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the first business entity can be input; and an input unit that enables the second business entity to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template.
[Item Q6]
The information processing system according to item Q5, wherein the template registration unit is capable of registering the second business entity as a business entity related to the first business entity, and when the second business entity is registered as a business entity related to the first business entity, the second business entity is enabled to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template, whereas when the second business entity is not registered as a business entity related to the first business entity, the second business entity is disabled to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template.
[Item Q7 (P031)]
When targeting X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, emissions of E2 hazardous substances or working hours for human rights DD), the method is as follows: The same can be applied to items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: a standard storage unit that stores a standard reduction rate that is a standard reduction rate for X information; an input unit that accepts input of a user's industry; and a proposal unit that reads out, from the standard storage unit, a standard reduction rate by classification that corresponds to the accepted industry, and proposes the read standard reduction rate by classification as the user's target reduction rate.
[Item Q8 (P069)]
An information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores at least base information of a first business entity and a second business entity that constitute a supply chain; a template registration unit that registers a template into which X information of the first business entity can be input; and an input unit that allows the second business entity to input the X information of the second business entity using the template.
[Item Q9]
The information processing system according to item Q1 includes: a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that receives input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.

<<GPS function (18th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 17 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 18. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is an issue that it is time-consuming to register the data necessary for calculating emissions into the system. Function 18 aims to make it easier to register greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
The following describes the emissions management system related to the 18th function. The emissions management system of this embodiment is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. The emissions management system of this embodiment accepts input of the activity volume (referring to the volume related to the scale of a business's activities, hereinafter the same) of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying this by an emission coefficient. Emissions are tallied for each emitter's base. A base is, for example, a place where activities that emit greenhouse gases are carried out, such as a business office or factory, and total emissions are required to be reported for each base, but this also includes countries, prefectures, cities, towns, and villages.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 18th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (base information memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit, user base memory unit), an execution unit 290 (registration unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit), an analysis unit 280 (base identification unit, distance identification unit, time identification unit), and a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit).

The base information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores information relating to the bases of greenhouse gas emitters (hereinafter referred to as base information). The base information can include information (company ID) identifying the emitter (e.g., a company), information (base ID) identifying the base associated with the emitter, and location information for the base. The location information can be expressed, for example, in latitude and longitude. The location information may also be expressed, for example, by a geofence.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information relating to the amount of activity by the waste generator (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). In this embodiment, the activity amount memory unit stores the amount of activity for each base. The activity amount information can include a company ID that identifies the waste generator, a base ID that identifies the base, information indicating the time when the activity was performed (time information), information that identifies the type of activity (type identification information), and the amount of activity by the waste generator at the base. The time of the activity may be, for example, in units of hours, days, or months. The unit of activity amount is not important. For example, the activity amount may be expressed in monetary value (yen) or physical quantity (tons, kilograms, kiloliters, etc.).

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). The emission coefficient information can include emission coefficients associated with a company ID that identifies the emitter and type-specific information that identifies the type of activity. The emission coefficient information may also include emission coefficients associated with type-specific information that indicates the type of activity. Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the initial source), or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies that offer the same type of product).

The emission amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores greenhouse gas emissions. The emission amount memory unit can store emissions for each base. The emission amount memory unit can store a company ID indicating the emitter, a base ID indicating the base, information specifying when the activity took place (time information), a scope, a category, and an emission amount, all in association with each other. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range. The scope and category can be, for example, those specified in the GHG Protocol.

The user location storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information indicating locations related to a user (hereinafter referred to as user location information). The user location information can include, in association with information that identifies a user (user ID), a company ID that identifies the waste generator to which the user belongs, and information that identifies a location (location ID) where the user may enter data. Multiple company IDs and/or location IDs may be included.

<Functional department>
The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of the activity amount along with the user's location (acquires the user's location information and activity amount). The activity amount input unit can receive, from the user terminal 100, location information determined by the user terminal 100, for example, by processing a signal from a GPS satellite, and the type of activity amount (type identification information) and activity amount accepted from the user. The input unit 220 (which may also be an acquisition unit) accepts input of the emission amount when the user calculates the emission amount (acquires the emission amount). Furthermore, the input unit (acquisition unit) accepts input of time information from the user's mobile device (acquires the time information). The input unit (acquisition unit) accepts input of information related to the activity amount. The information related to the activity amount is sufficient as long as it includes at least the activity amount, and may also include time information, an activity ID, an activity amount ID indicating an emission intensity, an intensity ID, etc. The input unit (acquisition unit) accepts input of information related to the emission amount. The information regarding emissions needs to include at least the emissions, and may also include time information, company ID, scope, category, activity amount used to calculate the emissions, activity amount ID indicating the emissions intensity, intensity ID, etc.

The base identification unit constituting the analysis unit 280 (which may also be referred to as the identification unit) references the base information storage unit to identify the base to be input based on the user's location. For example, the base identification unit can identify, from the base information stored in the base information storage unit, base information that includes location information closest to the location information received from the user terminal 100 as the base information related to the base to be input. When the location information received from the user terminal 100 consists of multiple pieces of information, namely first information and second information, the base can be identified based on both or one of the pieces of information. The base identification unit can also reference the user base storage unit and the base information storage unit to identify the base to be input corresponding to the user. For example, the base identification unit can read from the user base storage unit the company ID and base ID corresponding to the user ID that identifies the user of the user terminal 100, and identify, from the base information stored in the base information storage unit that corresponds to the read company ID and base ID, the base that includes location information closest to the location information acquired from the user terminal 100 as the base information related to the base to be input. The base identification unit can acquire the company ID and base ID included in the identified base information.

The distance determination unit constituting the analysis unit 280 determines the user's travel distance based on location information. For example, it determines the travel distance from the user's home to their workplace based on location information derived from signals from GPS satellites. The distance determination unit can identify the mode of transportation used based on the travel distance from their home to their workplace. Furthermore, if an employee (user) is on a business trip or the like and location information is obtained that is outside a specified range from the employee's own base, it determines the user's travel distance based on the location information of the business trip destination. For example, if an employee is on a business trip or the like and location information is obtained that indicates that another base is closer than the employee's own base, it determines the travel distance from their home to the business trip location based on the location information of the business trip destination derived from signals from GPS satellites. A route determination unit can also be provided as the determination unit. The route determination unit determines the user's travel route based on location information. For example, the route determination unit determines the user's travel route from their home to their workplace based on location information derived from signals from GPS satellites.

The time determination unit constituting the analysis unit 280 can determine a user's travel time based on time information, but can also determine the user's travel time based on location information. For example, it determines the travel time from the user's home to their workplace based on location information derived from signals from GPS satellites. The time determination unit can identify the mode of transportation used based on the travel time from home to their workplace. The determination unit may also be configured to identify the mode of transportation used from the travel distance and/or travel time from home to their workplace. Furthermore, if an employee (user) is on a business trip or the like and location information is obtained that is outside a specified range from the employee's own base, the user's travel time is determined based on location information to the business trip destination. For example, if an employee is on a business trip or the like and location information is obtained that indicates that another base is closer than the employee's base, the travel distance from the user's home to the business trip location is determined based on location information to the business trip destination derived from signals from GPS satellites.

The registration unit constituting the execution unit 290 can register the input activity amount in association with the identified location. The registration unit can create activity amount information including the acquired company ID and location ID, time information including the current time, and the received type-specific information and activity amount, and register this in the activity amount storage unit.

The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 can calculate greenhouse gas emissions based on the activity amounts stored in the activity amount storage unit. The emission calculation unit accepts the specification of the company ID and base ID to be calculated, reads activity amount information corresponding to the received company ID and base ID from the activity amount storage unit, reads, for each piece of read activity amount information, an emission coefficient corresponding to the received company ID and the type-specific information included in the activity amount information from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiplies the activity amount included in the activity amount information by the read emission coefficient to calculate the emission amount. The emission calculation unit may calculate the emission amount by adding up all of the calculated emission amounts, or may sum up the emission amounts by scope and category. The emission calculation unit may also sum up the emission amounts for each base, or may sum up the emission amounts for each base, scope, and category. The emission calculation unit can output the calculated emission amounts (e.g., send it to the user terminal 100).

The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions based on travel distance. The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions based on travel time. The emissions calculation unit calculates emissions based on the amount of carbon dioxide per kilometer traveled per person on the means of transportation used (train, bus, or fuel in the case of a private car). Emissions may also be calculated based on fuel consumption or electricity consumption.

In addition, when the mobile object is a car (including trucks), ship, train, airplane, etc., emissions can be calculated using various methods, such as the fuel method, which calculates emissions (energy consumption), which is energy consumption, from fuel consumption (energy consumption = fuel consumption x unit calorific value); the fuel consumption method, which calculates emissions (energy consumption) from fuel efficiency and transport distance (energy consumption = transport distance / fuel efficiency x unit calorific value); the improved ton-kilometer method, which calculates emissions (energy consumption) from load factor, vehicle fuel type, and transport ton-kilometers by maximum load capacity (energy consumption = transport ton-kilometers x improved ton-kilometer method fuel consumption unit x 1/1000 x unit calorific value. Transport ton-kilometers are calculated as transport weight x transport distance); and the conventional ton-kilometer method, which calculates emissions (energy consumption) from transport ton-kilometers by transport method (energy consumption = transport ton-kilometers x energy consumption unit x 1/1000. Transport ton-kilometers are calculated as transport weight x transport distance).

<Operation>
26 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the eighteenth function. The user terminal 100 identifies the location of the user terminal 100 using a GPS signal or the like and accepts input of an activity amount (and type-specific information) from the user. The management server 200 receives the location information and the activity amount (and type-specific information) from the user terminal 100 (S2601). The management server 200 identifies base information (base information including location information closest to the received location information, or base information corresponding to the user that includes location information closest to the received location information) based on the received location information (S2602), and registers activity amount information including the base ID and company ID included in the identified base information and the received activity amount and type-specific information in the activity amount storage unit (S2603). Note that time information is also stored here, but the time information may be time information in a predetermined unit including the current time (for example, it can be expressed in any unit of time such as one hour, one day, one week, one month, or one year), or the user terminal 100 may accept input of time information together with the activity amount from the user and transmit it to the management server 200. The management server 200 identifies an emission coefficient corresponding to the activity amount information for each registered activity amount information, and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the identified emission coefficient (S2604). The management server 200 can aggregate the calculated emissions for each base and output (for example, transmit to the user terminal 100) (S2605).

In this way, the base to be input can be identified based on the user's location, and activity levels can be easily input for that base.

In addition, emissions can be registered using the "activity amount" in Figure 26 as the "emission amount." The user terminal 100 identifies the location of the user terminal 100 using GPS signals or the like and accepts input of the emission amount (and type-specific information indicating the type of emission amount) from the user, and the management server 200 receives the location information and emission amount (and type-specific information) from the user terminal 100 (S2601). Note that the type-specific information for emission amount may be the same information as the type-specific information for activity amount. The management server 200 identifies base information (base information containing location information closest to the received location information, or base information corresponding to the user that contains location information closest to the received location information) based on the received location information (S2602), and registers emission information including the base ID and company ID contained in the identified base information and the received emission amount and type-specific information in the emission memory unit 234 (S2603). Note that time information is also stored here, but this time information may be time information in a predetermined unit including the current time (for example, it can be expressed in any unit of time such as one hour, one day, one week, one month, or one year), or the user terminal 100 may accept input of time information along with the emission amount from the user and send it to the management server 200. The management server 200 can aggregate the emission amount for each base and output it (for example, send it to the user terminal 100) (S2605). Note that when registering emission amounts, S2604 is not executed.

In this way, the base to be input can be identified based on the user's location, and emissions can be easily input specifying that base.

In addition, satellite data can be used to analyze past and future ground surface conditions at each location over time. In this example, the location may be, for example, a place where greenhouse gas-emitting activities are carried out, such as a business office or factory, or a predetermined area where greenhouse gas-emitting activities are carried out, including one or more business offices or factories. The predetermined area is preferably an area of a predetermined size. The satellite data is image data taken from a GPS satellite. The satellite data is image data of the location of the greenhouse gas emitting entity and is image data showing an area of a predetermined size. The satellite data is acquired by an acquisition unit. The image data to be analyzed is first satellite data acquired at a first point in time (e.g., one year ago) and second satellite data acquired at a second point in time (e.g., the present), and these are compared for analysis. The first satellite data and second satellite data are image data showing an area of the same size (the same location). The analysis is performed by an analysis unit. The analysis involves comparing the green space area and forest area in the image data. Analyzing satellite data in this way makes it possible to analyze changes in land use over time, such as the reduction of green spaces and forests. Analyzing satellite data also makes it possible to estimate and register activity levels at base locations. This type of analysis makes it easy to register activity levels at base locations. Registration is carried out in the registration department. This analysis also makes it possible to analyze biodiversity risks, etc., which is particularly effective when identifying materiality.

Figure 27 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the 18th function. The management server 200 acquires satellite data for the base of a greenhouse gas emitter (S2701). Next, the management server 200 analyzes the satellite data in chronological order (S2702). Next, the management server 200 registers the activity amount at the base in the registration unit based on the analysis results (S2703). Subsequently, operation 1 may be executed, or the following configuration may be performed. The management server 200 identifies the location of the base from the satellite data and stores the location information of the identified base in the base information storage unit. The management server 200 accepts input of the location information of the base and the activity amount by the emitter in the activity amount input unit. The management server 200 references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information using the base identification unit. The management server 200 registers the activity amount at the base in the activity amount storage unit based on the analysis results. Furthermore, the management server 200 registers the input activity amount in association with the identified base in the activity amount storage unit.

In this embodiment, the user is asked to input the amount of activity. However, if, for example, the emission coefficient can vary for each location, the emission coefficient can be input, the location to be input can be identified based on the location information of the user terminal 100, and the emission coefficient for the identified location can be registered.

The calculation unit 210, input unit 220, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

Function 18 also includes the configuration shown in the example below.

(Example 1: Registering sales activities)
A salesperson from the Kyushu branch uses a company vehicle to conduct sales activities in Miyazaki Prefecture. He uploads the receipt from the place where he filled up with gasoline using his smartphone. The GPS location information is used to register the activity level of the Kyushu branch, which is the nearest registered base. an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity by the emitters for each of the greenhouse gas emitters; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount) that acquires from a user's mobile device location information of the mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu branch uses a sales vehicle to conduct sales activities in Miyazaki Prefecture) and the amount of activity (e.g., activity amount when a salesperson at the Kyushu branch uses a sales vehicle to conduct sales activities in Miyazaki Prefecture) (e.g., uploading a receipt with a smartphone at a location where gas was filled up); a location identification unit that refers to the location information storage unit and identifies the location (e.g., identifies the Kyushu branch) based on the location information (e.g., location information for Miyazaki Prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified location (e.g., registering it as the activity amount of the Kyushu branch). This makes it easy to register greenhouse gas activity data. Note that emissions can also be used instead of activity data. In this case, an emissions storage unit is provided that stores emissions by emitters for each base, and a registration unit is provided that registers the acquired emissions in the emissions storage unit in association with the identified base (for example, registers them as emissions for the Kyushu branch). This makes it easy to register greenhouse gas emissions.

In Example 1, the following configuration allows target emissions to be set with reference to registered emissions. It includes an emissions storage unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions by the emitting entity; an input unit that accepts input of the target rate of reduction of emissions by the emitting entity, a base point in time, and a target point in time; a unit reduction amount calculation unit that obtains the emissions corresponding to the base point in time from the emissions storage unit, calculates the reduction amount by multiplying the obtained emissions by the target rate of reduction, and calculates the unit reduction amount by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time; a target emissions calculation unit that calculates the target emissions for each unit time by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emissions corresponding to the base point in time; and an output unit that outputs the target emissions for each unit time.

(Example 2: Presenting and registering sales activities)
Using the location information (identified from GPS or Wi-Fi) of the device (assuming it is a smartphone), the GHG information (for example, activity amount, emissions) recorded by the device is identified as the location closest to a pre-registered base. When a convenience store manager uses a smartphone to register activity amount as GHG information, the system suggests the location closest to pre-registered store data. It is also possible to replace "GHG registration" with photographing and uploading supporting data. The information processing system includes: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, and Hokkaido Branch); an activity amount storage unit that stores activity amounts of the emitters for each base; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount) that acquires location information of the mobile device from a user's mobile device (e.g., location information for a store under the jurisdiction of the Kyushu Branch that conducts business activities in Miyazaki Prefecture; this location information is store location information) and the activity amount (e.g., activity amount at the store); a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu Branch) based on the location information (e.g., store location information based on signals from GPS satellites); a presentation unit that can present the identified base to the user; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the activity amount of the Kyushu Branch). This facilitates registration of greenhouse gas activity amounts. Furthermore, by presenting the identified base, it is possible to easily register the base. Note that emissions can also be used instead of activity amounts. In this case, an emissions storage unit is provided that stores the emissions by the emitter for each base, and a registration unit is provided that registers the acquired emissions in the emissions storage unit in association with the identified base (for example, registering as the emissions of the Kyushu branch). In this way, it is possible to easily register greenhouse gas emissions.

(Example 3: Registration of business activities and emission factors)
A salesperson from the Kyushu branch uses a sales vehicle to conduct sales activities in Miyazaki Prefecture. A receipt is uploaded using a smartphone at the location where gas was filled up. The GPS location information is used to register the activity amount for the Kyushu branch, which is the nearest registered location. When the activity amount and location information are obtained, a location-based emission coefficient used specifically for the area of that location is set. A location information storage unit stores information identifying the location of each location of a greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch), an activity amount storage unit stores the activity amount of the emitter for each location, and the location information of the mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson from the Kyushu branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture) and the activity amount (e.g., activity amount when a salesperson from the Kyushu branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture) are obtained from the user's mobile device (e.g., location information when gas was filled up, etc.). The information processing system includes: an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount) that uploads receipts via a smartphone via a GPS satellite; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on the location information (e.g., location information for Miyazaki Prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the activity amount of the Kyushu branch office). The registration unit registers an emission factor corresponding to the activity amount and location information. This facilitates the registration of greenhouse gas activity amounts. Furthermore, by automatically registering a location-based emission factor used in the base's region based on the location information, it is possible to eliminate the need to select and register different emission factors for each country or region. Emission amounts can also be used instead of activity amounts. In this case, the system includes an emission amount storage unit that stores emissions by emitters for each base, and a registration unit that registers the acquired emissions in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the emission amount of the Kyushu branch office). This will make it easier to register greenhouse gas emissions.

(Example 4: Registering sales activities and daily reports/operation status)
A salesperson from the Kyushu branch uses a sales vehicle to conduct sales activities in Miyazaki prefecture. A receipt is uploaded using a smartphone at the location where gasoline was filled up. The GPS location information is used to register the activity amount for the Kyushu branch, which is the nearest registered location. The activity amount is stored as time-series information and registered as a daily report or operating status. A location information storage unit stores information specifying the location of each location of a greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., Kanto branch, Tokai branch, Kansai branch, Kyushu branch, Tohoku branch, Hokkaido branch), an activity amount storage unit stores the activity amount of the emitter for each location, and obtains from the user's mobile device location information of the mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson from the Kyushu branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki prefecture) and the activity amount (e.g., activity amount when a salesperson from the Kyushu branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki prefecture) (e.g., when gasoline was filled up, The information processing system includes: an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount) that uploads receipts from the locations where the user has visited the facility using a smartphone; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on the location information (e.g., location information for Miyazaki Prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the activity amount of the Kyushu branch office), wherein the registration unit registers the activity amount as time-series information. This facilitates the registration of greenhouse gas activity amount. Emission amounts can also be used instead of activity amounts. In this case, the system includes an emission amount storage unit that stores emissions by emitters for each base office, and a registration unit that registers the acquired emissions in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base office (e.g., registers it as the emission amount of the Kyushu branch office). This facilitates the registration of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, by registering and managing activity amounts and emissions in chronological order as time-series information, it is possible to create daily reports and grasp operational status. The system includes a daily report creation unit that creates a daily report and an output unit that outputs the created daily report, a management unit that manages the amount of activity as time-series information, and an output unit that outputs information (such as a graph) showing the operating status.

(Example 5: Registering supporting data)
The system automatically determines which branch, store, or store the information belongs to based on pre-registered location information such as branch offices, branches, and stores, and location information from the smartphone's GPS function, and automatically links uploaded invoice and other data to that location. an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and voucher data) that acquires location information of the mobile device from the user's mobile device (for example, location information when a store under the jurisdiction of the Kyushu branch conducts business activities in Miyazaki prefecture; this location information is location information of the store) and the supporting data; a location identification unit that refers to the location information storage unit and identifies the location (for example, identifies the Kyushu branch) based on the location information (for example, location information of Miyazaki prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); and a registration unit that registers the acquired supporting data in the supporting data storage unit in association with the identified location (for example, registering as supporting data for the Kyushu branch). In this way, by registering supporting data such as invoices for calculating greenhouse gas emissions together with location information, it is possible to easily register emissions.

The information processing system in Example 5 may also include a voucher acquisition unit that acquires supporting data displaying basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; a basic data acquisition unit that reads the basic data from the supporting data; a supporting data storage unit that stores the supporting data; an emissions calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the basic data; a correspondence database that stores information identifying the emissions and information identifying the supporting data in association with each other; and a voucher output unit that accepts designation of the information identifying the emissions, identifies the supporting data corresponding to the designated emissions from the correspondence database, and reads and outputs the identified supporting data from the supporting data storage unit.

(Example 6: Employee's commute: distance traveled Ver.)
an emission amount storage unit that stores information for identifying the location of each greenhouse gas emitter's base (e.g., Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information) that acquires location information of the mobile device from a user's mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu Branch travels from their home to their workplace, the Kyushu Branch); a location identification unit that references the location information storage unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu Branch) based on the location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites); a distance identification unit that identifies a travel distance of the user based on the location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites) (e.g., identifies the travel distance from their home to their workplace); an emission amount calculation unit that calculates emission amounts based on the travel distance; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the emission amount of the Kyushu Branch). This will make it easier to register greenhouse gas emissions related to employee commuting.

(Example 7: Employee's commute: travel time Ver.)
an emission amount storage unit that stores information for identifying the location of each greenhouse gas emitter's base (e.g., Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information) that acquires location information of a user's mobile device from the mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu Branch travels from their home to their workplace, the Kyushu Branch); a location identification unit that refers to the location information storage unit and identifies the user's base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu Branch) based on the location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites); a time identification unit that identifies the user's travel time (e.g., identifies the travel time from their home to their workplace) based on the location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites); an emission amount calculation unit that calculates emission amounts based on the travel time; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amounts in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the emission amount of the Kyushu Branch). This will make it easier to register greenhouse gas emissions related to employee commuting.

(Example 8: Employee business trip: Travel distance Ver.)
a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (for example, Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emission by each emitter; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information) that acquires location information of the mobile terminal from a user's mobile terminal (for example, location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu branch moves from his/her home to the Kyushu branch where he/she works, or location information when he/she goes on a business trip to Hokkaido); and a base information storage unit that references the base information storage unit and acquires the location information from the past (for example, location information based on a signal from a GPS satellite). an information processing system comprising: a base identification unit that identifies the base (for example, identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites) (if the acquired location information is outside a predetermined range from the base), a distance identification unit that identifies the user's travel distance (for example, identifies the travel distance from home to the location of the business trip) based on the location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites), an emission calculation unit that calculates emissions based on the travel distance, and a registration unit that registers the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base (for example, registers them as emissions of the Kyushu branch office). This makes it easy to register greenhouse gas emissions related to employee business trips.

(Example 9: Employee business trip: travel time version)
a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (for example, Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emission by each emitter; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information) that acquires location information of the mobile terminal from a user's mobile terminal (for example, location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu branch moves from his/her home to the Kyushu branch where he/she works, or location information when he/she goes on a business trip to Hokkaido); and a base information storage unit that references the base information storage unit and acquires the location information from the past (for example, location information based on a signal from a GPS satellite). an information processing system comprising: a base identification unit that identifies the base (for example, identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites) (if the acquired location information is outside a predetermined range from the base), a time identification unit that identifies the user's travel time (for example, identifies the travel time from home to the location of the business trip) based on the location information (e.g., location information based on signals from GPS satellites), an emission calculation unit that calculates emissions based on the travel time, and a registration unit that registers the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base (for example, registers them as emissions of the Kyushu branch office). This makes it easy to register greenhouse gas emissions related to employee business trips.

(Example 10: Transportation, delivery)
a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (for example, Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an emission amount storage unit that stores the amount of emission by each emitter; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information) that acquires location information of a mobile terminal (of a user) provided on a mobile object from the mobile terminal (for example, location information when a delivery truck of the Kyushu Branch moves from the Kyushu Branch to Miyazaki Prefecture); and a base information storage unit that references the base information storage unit and acquires the location information (for example, location information obtained by a GPS satellite signal). an information processing system comprising: a base identification unit that identifies the base (for example, identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on the position information (for example, position information based on signals from GPS satellites), a distance identification unit that identifies the travel distance of the mobile object (for example, identifies the travel distance from the Kyushu branch office to a delivery point in Miyazaki Prefecture) based on the position information (for example, position information based on signals from GPS satellites), an emission calculation unit that calculates emissions based on the travel distance, and a registration unit that registers the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base (for example, registers them as emissions of the Kyushu branch office). This makes it easy to register greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation and delivery.

(Example 11: Variations in transportation and delivery)
a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (for example, Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an emission amount storage unit that stores the amount of emission by each of the emitters; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information) that acquires location information of a mobile terminal (of a user) provided on a mobile object from the mobile terminal (for example, location information when a delivery truck of the Kyushu Branch moves from the Kyushu Branch to Miyazaki Prefecture); and a base information storage unit that references the base information storage unit and acquires location information based on past location information (for example, location information based on signals from GPS satellites). an information processing system comprising: a base identification unit that identifies the base (for example, identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on the location information (for example, location information based on a signal from a GPS satellite) (if the location information obtained is outside a predetermined range from the base), a distance identification unit that identifies the travel distance of the mobile object (for example, identifies the travel distance from the Kyushu branch office to a delivery point in Miyazaki Prefecture) based on the location information (for example, location information based on a signal from a GPS satellite), an emission calculation unit that calculates emissions based on the travel distance, and a registration unit that registers the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base (for example, registers them as emissions of the Kyushu branch office). This makes it easy to register greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation and delivery.

(Example 12: Registering sales activities and travel routes)
A salesperson from the Kyushu branch uses a sales vehicle to conduct sales activities in Miyazaki Prefecture. A receipt is uploaded using a smartphone at the location where gas was filled up. The GPS location information is used to register the activity amount for the Kyushu branch, which is the nearest registered location. The route traveled by the salesperson is identified. A location information storage unit stores information identifying the location of each location of a greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., Kanto branch, Tokai branch, Kansai branch, Kyushu branch, Tohoku branch, Hokkaido branch), an activity amount storage unit stores the activity amount of the emitter for each location, and location information of the mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson from the Kyushu branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture) and the activity amount (e.g., activity amount when a salesperson from the Kyushu branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture) are obtained from the user's ...). The information processing system includes: an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount) that uploads receipts via a smartphone; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu branch office) based on the location information (e.g., location information for Miyazaki Prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); a route identification unit that identifies the user's travel route based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the activity amount of the Kyushu branch office). This facilitates the registration of greenhouse gas activity amount. Emission amounts can also be used instead of activity amounts. In this case, the system includes an emission amount storage unit that stores emissions by emitters for each base office, and a registration unit that registers the acquired emissions in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registers it as the emission amount of the Kyushu branch office). This facilitates the registration of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, by identifying the traveled route, it is possible to determine whether a salesperson is using an efficient route for sales activities. Calculating the travel distance from the traveled route also allows the emission amount based on the traveled route to be calculated.

(Example 13: Registering the amount of activity and emissions of a mobile object)
Sales activities are conducted using mobile objects such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, airplanes, ships, and heavy machinery. A mobile device (information terminal) is attached to the mobile object. The mobile device may be attached directly or indirectly to the mobile object, or a user may board the mobile object and operate it while holding the mobile device. Information on location, activity level, and emissions is automatically acquired (automatically received) from the mobile object. The mobile device can output the activity level based on the distance traveled and operating time of the mobile object. It can also calculate and output the emissions. The operating time can be calculated from information indicating when the activity was performed (time information). The time information can be output from the mobile device to an information processing system at predetermined intervals, and the information processing system can calculate the activity level and emissions based on this time information. The time information may be information indicating the power-on state of the mobile object. The mobile device recognizes (confirms and receives time information) the time the mobile object's power is on (on time), and can calculate the activity level and emissions based on this on time. The information processing system acquires location information and activity amount (emission amount) from the mobile terminal, and registers the activity amount (emission amount) of the Kyushu branch, which is the registration base, based on the location information.

According to Example 13, the information processing system includes: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); an activity amount storage unit that stores the amount of activity by the emitter for each base; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount) that acquires, from a user's mobile device installed in a mobile object, location information of the mobile device (e.g., location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu Branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture) and the activity amount (e.g., activity amount when a salesperson at the Kyushu Branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture); a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu Branch) based on the location information (e.g., location information for Miyazaki Prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registering it as the activity amount of the Kyushu Branch). This makes it easier to register greenhouse gas activity data. Emissions data can also be used instead of activity data. In this case, an emissions storage unit is provided that stores emissions by emitters for each base, and a registration unit is provided that associates the acquired emissions data with the identified base and registers them in the emissions storage unit (for example, registering them as emissions for the Kyushu branch). This makes it easier to register greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, according to Example 13, an information processing system is provided with: a base information memory unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., Kanto Branch, Tokai Branch, Kansai Branch, Kyushu Branch, Tohoku Branch, Hokkaido Branch); a memory unit that stores the input time of a mobile body by the emitter for each base; an acquisition unit (an input unit that accepts input of location information and input time) that acquires, from a user's mobile terminal attached to the mobile body, location information of the mobile terminal (e.g., location information when a salesperson at the Kyushu Branch conducts sales activities using a sales vehicle in Miyazaki Prefecture) and the power-on time of the mobile body (e.g., the time the sales vehicle is powered on); a base identification unit that references the base information memory unit and identifies the base (e.g., identifies the Kyushu Branch) based on the location information (e.g., location information for Miyazaki Prefecture based on signals from GPS satellites); and a registration unit that registers the acquired input time in the memory unit in association with the identified base (e.g., registering it as the input time related to the activity level and emissions of the Kyushu Branch). By doing this, the input time required to calculate activity level and discharge amount can be obtained, making it easier to register activity level and discharge amount.

Function 18 can also address the issue of the lack of a system for users to communicate information regarding offsetting emissions. Function 18 also aims to provide technology that can communicate information regarding offsetting emissions of environmentally hazardous substances.

<System overview for example of adding 18th function>
An information processing system (also referred to as an offset support system) according to an example of adding the eighteenth function will be described below. This information processing system supports users in offsetting environmentally harmful substances. The environmentally harmful substances are assumed to be greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). This information processing system calculates CO2 emissions associated with a user's actions that result in CO2 emissions. Examples of actions that result in CO2 emissions include using public transportation, purchasing goods at e-commerce sites, convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, etc., and exhibiting goods and services. When using public transportation, CO2 is emitted, for example, through combustion in an internal combustion engine. When purchasing goods at e-commerce sites, CO2 is emitted from trucks and other devices during delivery. When exhibiting target items (goods and services), CO2 is indirectly emitted, for example, through lighting used to display the goods. The information processing system of this embodiment can also offset CO2 emissions. Offsetting environmentally harmful substances can be achieved, for example, by purchasing offset rights (environmental value) such as J-Credits.

This information processing system generates an image (second image, hereafter referred to as a frame image) to be composited onto an image (first image), such as a photograph, of an action involving CO2 emissions as described above. The frame image can be an image with a transparent background onto which information related to the offset performed by the user is depicted. By compositely combining the frame image with an image, such as a photograph of the user, the information processing system can create an image (third image, hereafter referred to as a composite image) that indicates that the CO2 emissions associated with the action have been offset. This information processing system can also post the composite image to a social networking service.

The user terminal 100 is a computer such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer that is operated as a mobile terminal by the user. The user can operate the user terminal 100 to access the management server 200 in order to offset CO2 emissions. The user terminal 100 may also have a camera function, for example, and can take photographs.

The management server 200 is a computer that calculates CO2 emissions related to user behavior and offsets the CO2. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing.

An SNS server is a computer that provides social network services. The user terminal 100 and management server 200 can post messages to the social network service by using the API provided by the SNS server.

The management server 200 has functional units: an emission calculation unit, an offset processing unit, an image input unit, an image generation unit, an image synthesis unit, and a posting unit, as well as memory units: a behavioral information memory unit and an environmental value information memory unit.

The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted related to the user's behavior. The emission calculation unit can perform calculations using, for example, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. The emission calculation unit acquires information (behavioral information) related to the user's behavior that results in CO2 emissions. The behavioral information includes the date and time of the behavior, the type of behavior, and the amount of activity related to the behavior. The behavioral information is registered in the behavioral information storage unit. The behavioral information storage unit stores the behavioral information (date and time, type of behavior, amount of activity) in association with an behavior ID that uniquely identifies the behavior and a user ID that identifies the user. The emission calculation unit may, for example, receive the behavioral information from the user terminal 100, or may acquire the behavioral information from a business that sells products or provides services to the user (e.g., a transportation server or an e-commerce site). The emission calculation unit can calculate the amount of emissions by multiplying the acquired activity amount by an emission coefficient specified in the GHG Protocol.

The offset processing unit, which constitutes the execution unit 290, performs processing related to offsetting CO2 emissions. Emissions can be offset, for example, by purchasing environmental value such as J-Credits on behalf of the user or the business that provided the product or service. The offset processing unit can, for example, access an external server (not shown) that handles environmental value transactions and purchase environmental value using an API provided by the external server. The offset processing unit may purchase an amount of environmental value corresponding to the amount of emissions each time, or the management server 200 (the system operator or the entity that performs proxy invalidation, such as the system operator) may purchase the environmental value in advance and perform proxy invalidation. When proxy invalidation is performed, the environmental value information storage unit stores the amount of environmental value held by the entity that performed proxy invalidation. Each time proxy invalidation is performed, the offset processing unit reduces the amount of environmental value held by the entity and registers the amount of environmental value (emissions) related to the proxy invalidation in the environmental value information storage unit, corresponding to the transfer destination.

Information about the purchased environmental value is registered in the environmental value information storage unit. The environmental value information storage unit can store, in association with the user ID and an action ID that identifies the action, the date and time the environmental value was purchased, the amount of CO2 emissions to be offset, the type (brand) of the purchased environmental value, the provider (or seller) of the environmental value, the amount of the purchased environmental value, the price of the purchased environmental value, and so on.

The image input unit that constitutes the input unit 220 accepts input of a user image (first image) relating to an action involving CO2 emissions. The user image may be, for example, an image captured by a camera (not shown) provided in the user terminal 100, an image acquired by the user terminal 100 from another computer, a screenshot of the screen of the user terminal 100, or an image of the purchased item provided by the EC site. In other words, the user image can be any image prepared by the user. The user image may also be a moving image.

The image generation unit constituting the generation unit 260 generates a frame image (second image) indicating that CO2 emissions have been offset. As described above, in this embodiment, the frame image is a background-transparent image. The image generation unit can, for example, draw the following text on the transparent image: behavioral information, the calculated emissions of the target item, information on the purchased environmental value, the offset value of the target item's emissions, the reduction rate of the amount of CO2 equivalent to the target item's emissions, and the CFP value. Note that the behavioral information, the calculated emissions of the target item, information on the purchased environmental value, the offset value of the target item's emissions, the reduction rate of the amount of CO2 equivalent to the target item's emissions, and the CFP value are emissions-related information. The image generation unit may also draw an image such as an arbitrary logo or icon on the frame image. In this embodiment, the image generation unit creates a background-transparent image that displays at least one of the amount of environmentally harmful substances (CO2) offset, the entity that performed the offset (provider, seller), and the details of the environmental value related to the offset (type, purchase amount, price, date and time, etc.). When the emission-related information is displayed as a text image, and the text image includes the name of the target item, the provider, the seller, and/or the details of the environmental value related to the target item (type, purchase amount, price, date and time, etc.), it is preferable for the emission-related information text image to be the largest image size. This allows you to make a great appeal on social media about your efforts to reduce environmental impact.

The image synthesis unit constituting the generation unit 260 synthesizes a user image (first image) with a frame image (second image) to generate a synthesized image (third image). The generation unit 260 also generates emission-related information relating to greenhouse gas emissions from information relating to the amount of activity. The emission-related information includes emission values, emission offset values, and reduction rates for the amount of CO2 equivalent to the target item's emissions. The emission-related information may be a QR code (registered trademark) or barcode containing information on these values.

The posting unit constituting the output unit 240 can send the composite image to an SNS server and post the composite image to a social networking service. The posting unit can accept a text message about the user image from the user terminal 100 and post the composite image along with the accepted message to the social networking service. The output unit 240 also outputs emission-related information to the mobile terminal. For example, it outputs a QR code (registered trademark) containing information on the value of the reduction rate of the amount of CO2 equivalent to the target item's CO2 emissions to the user terminal 100. The user terminal 100 can check the value of the target item's emission amount, the value of the emission offset for the target item, and the value of the amount of CO2 equivalent to the target item's CO2 emissions.

Next, the operation of the management server 200 of this embodiment will be described. The emission calculation unit of the management server 200 receives behavioral information from the user terminal 100. Next, the emission calculation unit of the management server 200 calculates the amount of CO2 emissions by multiplying the amount of activity by the emission coefficient. Next, the offset processing unit of the management server 200 purchases environmental value according to the calculated amount of CO2 emissions, and offsets the CO2 emissions. Note that the offset processing unit may also perform proxy invalidation as described above.

Next, the image input unit of the management server 200 receives a user image from the user terminal 100. An example is shown in which an image of a newest PET bottled beverage product is received as the user image. Next, the image generation unit of the management server 200 generates a frame image that depicts information related to the offset. In this example, an example is shown in which the frame image depicts a message indicating that 10g of CO2 emissions have been offset, along with the date and time the offset was performed. It is also possible to display an image showing the percentage by which the newest PET bottled beverage has reduced the amount of CO2 emissions equivalent to that of a conventional PET bottled beverage. Next, the image synthesis unit of the management server 200 creates a composite image by superimposing the frame image on the user image. The composite image depicts information indicating that 10g of CO2 has been offset on an image of the newest PET bottled beverage product.

The posting unit of the management server 200 sends the composite image to the SNS server and posts the composite image to the social networking service. As described above, the posting unit may also receive a text message from the user terminal 100 and post the composite image together with the text message to the social networking service.

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment accepts behavioral information from a user regarding behaviors that result in CO2 emissions, automatically calculates the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted in accordance with the behavioral information (activity level), and automatically offsets the amount by purchasing environmental value corresponding to the calculated amount of emissions or performing proxy invalidation processing. Furthermore, the information processing system of this embodiment can notify people connected to the user that the environmentally hazardous substances associated with the user's behavior have been offset by superimposing a frame image indicating that the offset has been made onto the user's image and posting the image on a social networking service. By superimposing a frame image onto the user's image and posting the image on a social networking service, the user's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their behavior can be made widely known on social media.

In this embodiment, the management server 200 posts the composite image to a social networking service, but this is not limited to this. Alternatively, the management server 200 may send a frame image to the user terminal 100, and the user image and frame image may be composited on the user terminal 100 side and posted to the SNS server.

In addition, in this embodiment, behavioral information is acquired from the user terminal 100, but this is not limited to this. Behavioral information (activity amount) may also be acquired from a server of a service provider such as an e-commerce site or travel site. Furthermore, the emission amount may be calculated on the user terminal 100 side, and the management server 200 may receive the calculation results.

The management server 200 can also operate as follows: The input unit of the management server 200 accepts input of the mobile device's location information and information related to activity amount from the user's mobile device. Next, the identification unit of the management server 200 references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information. Next, the registration unit of the management server 200 registers the activity amount in the activity amount storage unit from the input information related to the activity amount, in association with the identified base. Next, the generation unit of the management server 200 generates emission-related information related to greenhouse gas emissions (emission value, emission offset value, reduction rate value of the amount equivalent to CO2 emissions of the target item; QR code (registered trademark), barcode, etc. containing information on these values) from the information related to the activity amount. Next, the output unit of the management server 200 outputs the emission-related information to the mobile device.

According to this embodiment, an information processing system can be provided that includes: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base (country, prefecture, city, town, or village) of a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of each emitter for each base; an input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount information from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies a base based on the location information; a registration unit that registers the activity amount in the activity amount storage unit from the input information on activity amount, in association with the identified base; a generation unit that generates emission-related information regarding greenhouse gas emissions from the information on activity amount (emission amount value, emission offset value, reduction rate value of the amount equivalent to CO2 emissions of the target item; QR code (registered trademark), barcode, etc. containing information on these values); and an output unit that outputs the emission-related information to the mobile device.

According to this embodiment, an information processing system can be provided that includes: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base (country, prefecture, city, town, or village) of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emissions storage unit that stores the emissions amount by each emitter; an input unit that accepts input of location information and emissions information from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies a base based on the location information; a registration unit that associates the identified base with the emissions information and registers the emissions amount in the emissions storage unit from the input emissions information; a generation unit that generates emissions-related information regarding greenhouse gas emissions from the emissions information (emissions value, emissions offset value, value of reduction rate of amount equivalent to CO2 emissions of the target item; QR code (registered trademark), barcode, etc. containing information on these values); and an output unit that outputs the emissions-related information to the mobile device.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an information processing system (information processing device) that is characterized by comprising an image input unit that accepts input of a first image related to a target item, an image generation unit that generates a second image showing information related to the greenhouse gas emissions of the target item, an image synthesis unit that synthesizes the first image and the second image, and a posting unit that posts a third image, which is a synthesis of the first image and the second image, to a social network.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, an information processing system (information processing device) can be provided that includes a calculation unit that calculates the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted related to the user's behavior, an offset processing unit that performs processing related to offsetting the emissions, an image input unit that accepts input of a first image related to the behavior, an image generation unit that generates a second image indicating that the offset has been performed, and an image synthesis unit that synthesizes the first and second images. The system can also include a posting unit that posts a third image, which is a synthesis of the first and second images, to a social network. Furthermore, the image generation unit can be characterized by creating a background-transparent image that displays at least one of the amount of environmentally hazardous substances offset, the entity that performed the offset, and the details of the environmental value related to the offset.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, an information processing method can be provided in which a computer executes the steps of calculating the amount of emissions of environmentally hazardous substances related to the user's behavior, performing processing related to offsetting the emissions, accepting input of a first image related to the behavior, generating a second image indicating that the offset has been performed, and combining the first and second images.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a program that causes a computer to execute the steps of calculating the amount of emissions of environmentally hazardous substances related to the user's behavior, performing processing related to offsetting the emissions, accepting input of a first image related to the behavior, generating a second image indicating that the offset has been performed, and combining the first and second images.

<Disclosures>
The eighteenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item R1 (P043)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores, from a user's mobile device, input of location information of the mobile device and the activity amount; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R2]
An information processing system according to item R1, comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating the greenhouse gas emission amount; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount stored in the activity amount storage unit by the emission coefficient; and an emission storage unit that stores the emission amount for each of the bases.
[Item R3]
An information processing system according to item R1, comprising a user base storage unit that stores information indicating the base in association with the user, and the base identification unit refers to the user base storage unit and the base information storage unit to identify the base corresponding to the user.
[Item R4 (P048)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires satellite data of a base of a greenhouse gas emitter, an analysis unit that analyzes the satellite data in time series, and a registration unit that registers an amount of activity at the base based on the analysis results. Item R4 may also be as follows: An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires satellite data of a base of a greenhouse gas emitter, an analysis unit that analyzes the satellite data in time series, a base information storage unit that stores location information that identifies the base, an activity amount input unit that accepts input of the location information of the base and the activity amount of the emitter, a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information, and a registration unit that registers the activity amount at the base based on the analysis results, and registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R5 (P043)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be done for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a business entity; a storage unit that stores the business entity's X information for each base; an input unit that accepts input of the mobile terminal location information and the X information from a user's mobile terminal; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input X information in the storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R6 (P048)]
An information processing system comprising an acquisition unit that acquires satellite data of a business entity's base, an analysis unit that analyzes the satellite data in time series, and a registration unit that registers X information at the base based on the analysis results.
[Item R7]
An information processing system according to item R4, comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information for identifying a base location for each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount by the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that receives input of location information and activity amount of a mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies a base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.

[Item R11 (P086, Example 1-1)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores information for identifying the location of each greenhouse gas emitter's base; an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user's mobile device, location information of the mobile device and the activity amount; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R11 (Example 1, Part 2)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the emission amount by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a mobile terminal and the emission amount from a user's mobile terminal; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired emission amount in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R11-2]
an input unit that receives input of a target rate of reduction of emissions by the emitting entity, a base point in time, and a target point in time; a unit reduction amount calculation unit that obtains the emission amount corresponding to the base point in time from the emission amount memory unit, calculates a reduction amount by multiplying the obtained emission amount by the reduction target rate, and calculates a unit reduction amount by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time; a target emission amount calculation unit that calculates a target emission amount for each unit time by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emission amount corresponding to the base point in time; and an output unit that outputs the target emission amount for each unit time.
[Item R12 (Example 2, Part 1)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores information for identifying a location of each greenhouse gas emitter's location; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device and the activity amount from the user's mobile device; a location identification unit that references the location information storage unit and identifies the user's location based on the location information; a presentation unit that can present the identified location to the user; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified location.
[Item R12 (Example 2, Part 1)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the emission amounts by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a mobile device and the emission amounts from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; a presentation unit that can present the identified base to a user; and a registration unit that registers the acquired emission amounts in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R13 (Example 3, part 1)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores information for identifying a location of each of the greenhouse gas emitters'locations; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device and the activity amount from the user's mobile device; a location identification unit that references the location information storage unit and identifies the location based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified location, wherein the registration unit registers an emission coefficient corresponding to the activity amount and the location information.
[Item R13 (Example 3, Part 2)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of the mobile terminal and the emission amount from the user's mobile terminal; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired emission amount in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base, wherein the registration unit registers an emission coefficient corresponding to the emission amount and location information.
[Item R14 (Example 4, Part 1)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores information for identifying a location of each greenhouse gas emitter's location; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device and the activity amount from the user's mobile device; a location identification unit that references the location information storage unit and identifies the user's location based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified user's location, wherein the registration unit registers the activity amount as time-series information.
[Item R14 (Example 4, Part 2)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the emission amounts by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of the mobile terminal and the emission amounts from the user's mobile terminal; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired emission amounts in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base, wherein the registration unit registers the emission amounts as time-series information.
[Item R15 (Example 5)]
An information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; a supporting document data storage unit that stores supporting document data for each base; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of the mobile terminal and the supporting document data from the user's mobile terminal; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired supporting document data in the supporting document data storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R15-2 (Example 5)]
An information processing system according to item R15, comprising: a supporting document acquisition unit that acquires supporting document data that displays basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; a basic data acquisition unit that reads out the basic data from the supporting document data; a supporting document data storage unit that stores the supporting document data; an emissions calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the basic data; a correspondence database that stores information that identifies the emissions and information that identifies the supporting document data in association with each other; and a supporting document output unit that accepts designation of the information that identifies the emissions, identifies the supporting document data that corresponds to the designated emissions from the correspondence database, and reads out and outputs the identified supporting document data from the supporting document data storage unit.
[Item R16 (Example 6)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device from the mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; a distance identification unit that identifies a travel distance of the user based on the location information; an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions based on the travel distance; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R17 (Example 7)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by the emitter for each base; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device from the mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; a time identification unit that identifies the user's travel time based on the location information; an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions based on the travel time; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R18 (Example 8)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device from the mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the past location information; a distance identification unit that identifies the distance traveled by the user based on the location information (if the acquired location information is outside a predetermined range from the base); an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions based on the distance traveled; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R19 (Example 9)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device from the mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the past location information; a time identification unit that identifies the user's travel time based on the location information (if the acquired location information is outside a predetermined range from the base); an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions based on the travel time; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R20 (Example 10)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission amount storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile terminal from the mobile terminal installed in a mobile object; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; a distance identification unit that identifies a travel distance of the mobile object based on the location information; an emission amount calculation unit that calculates the emission amount based on the travel distance; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R21 (Example 11)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an emission amount storage unit that stores the amount of emissions by each emitter; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device from the mobile device installed in a mobile body; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the past location information; a distance identification unit that identifies the distance traveled by the mobile body based on the location information (if the acquired location information is outside a specified range from the base); an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions based on the distance traveled; and a registration unit that registers the calculated emission amount in the emission amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R22 (Example 12)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores information for identifying a location of each of the greenhouse gas emitters'locations; an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user's mobile device and the activity amount from the user's mobile device; a location identification unit that refers to the location information storage unit and identifies the user's location based on the location information; a route identification unit that identifies a user's travel route based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified location.
[Item R23 (Example 13)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each greenhouse gas emitter's base; an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user's mobile device provided in a mobile object, location information of the mobile device and the activity amount; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R24 (Example 13)]
an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user's mobile terminal provided on the mobile terminal, location information of the mobile terminal and the power-on time of the mobile terminal; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the acquired power-on time in the storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item R25 (Example 13)]
an input unit that receives input of location information of a mobile terminal and the amount of emission from the mobile terminal of a user; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input amount of emission in the emission storage unit in association with the identified base.

<<Credit function (19th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 18 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 19. As background technology, carbon dioxide emission rights are traded. There is an issue that registering offsettable greenhouse gas emissions is time-consuming. Function 19 aims to make it easier to register offsettable greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
The information processing system relating to the 19th function will be described below. The information processing system according to this embodiment aims to support the trading of greenhouse gas emission credits (J-Credits are assumed in this embodiment, but other emission credits besides J-Credits can also be applied). It matches emission credits created through greenhouse gas emission reductions and absorption with the greenhouse gas emissions to be offset. The number of J-Credits available varies depending on the greenhouse gas emission activity. Furthermore, the number of J-Credits available for reporting differs depending on the rules, such as the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, the Energy Conservation Act, SBT, CDP, and RE100. The information processing system according to this embodiment provides available emission credits to users (hereinafter referred to as users) who wish to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

The information processing system of the 19th function includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to each of the owner terminals (user terminals 100), user terminals (user terminals 100), and invalidation servers via a communication network 300.

The holder terminal is a computer operated by a user (hereinafter referred to as the "emission credit holder") who has created an emission credit by reducing or absorbing greenhouse gas emissions. The holder terminal may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. The holder terminal is connected to the user terminal, management server 200, and invalidation server via communication network 300 so that they can communicate with each other.

A user terminal is a computer operated by a user. The user terminal may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. The user terminal is connected to the owner terminal, management server 200, and invalidation server via the communication network 300 so that they can communicate with each other.

The management server 200 is a computer that manages information related to emission credits and proposes emission credits to users. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing.

The invalidation server is a computer of the organization that issues emission credits and invalidates greenhouse gas emissions based on the emission credits (the organization that operates the J-Credit Scheme). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the invalidation process is performed by sending a request to invalidate the emission credits to the invalidation server (including, for example, sending a request for invalidation by email). The invalidation server is connected to be able to communicate with user terminals, holder terminals, and management server 200 via communication network 300.

The hardware configuration of the owner terminal, user terminal, and invalidation server can also be the same as that of the management server 200.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 19th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission credit memory unit, offset attribute memory unit, invalidation information memory unit), an input unit 220 (request reception unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission credit acquisition unit), and an execution unit 290 (invalidation processing unit).

The emission credit storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores information about emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission credit information). The emission credit information may include, in association with emission credit identification information (emission credit ID) that identifies the emission credit, the name of the emission meter (emission credit name), emission credit attributes, and the maximum and minimum amounts of greenhouse gases that can be offset using the emission credits (maximum offset amount and minimum offset amount). The minimum offset amount determines the sales unit of the emission credits and can be set arbitrarily by the holder of the emission credits. For example, it may be in units of 1 ton, 50 ton, or 100 ton. The attributes may include the methodology related to the emission credits (which specifies the scope of application, calculation methods and monitoring methods for emission reductions and removals for each technology that contributes to emission reductions and removals). The attributes may also include the type of emission credit. The emission credit information also includes information on emission credit trading and credits.

The offset attribute memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, in association with activity-specific information that identifies the activity. In this embodiment, the offset attribute memory unit stores rule-specific information that identifies rules related to reporting emissions, activity-specific information, and attributes in association with each other. Rule-specific information can be, for example, "Global Warming Act," "Energy Conservation Act," "Carbon Offset," "CDP Questionnaire," "SBT," or "RE100." Activity-specific information can be, for example, "fuel combustion" or "electricity use."

The invalidation information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information regarding the emission amount that the user wishes to offset (hereinafter referred to as invalidation information). The invalidation information can include an invalidation ID that identifies the invalidation information, rule-specific information, activity-specific information, and the emission amount that the user wishes to offset. The invalidation information can also include information indicating whether or not the management server 200 will automatically perform the invalidation process (automatic invalidation).

<Functional department>
The input unit 220 can accept input of activity specification information that specifies the activity for which the user wishes to offset, and the amount of emissions related to the activity. In this embodiment, the input unit 220 accepts input of invalidation information. The input unit 220 can transmit screen information that displays an input form for invalidation information to the user terminal, and can accept the invalidation information by receiving data for each item of the invalidation information from the user terminal. The input unit 220 can register the accepted invalidation information in the invalidation information storage unit.

The emission credit acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 identifies emission credits that can be presented in response to the invalidation information. The emission credit acquisition unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity-specific information included in the invalidation information, and can acquire emission credit specific information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the maximum offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions included in the invalidation information. Furthermore, if rule-specific information is set in the invalidation information, the emission credit acquisition unit can identify attributes that correspond to the rule-specific information and activity-specific information included in the invalidation information from the offset attribute storage unit.

The emission rights acquisition unit can present the identified emission rights to the user. The emission rights acquisition unit can, for example, send emission rights information to the user terminal.

The emission rights acquisition unit may search for invalidation information for which emission rights can be presented, for the emission rights information. For example, the emission rights acquisition unit may select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (if there is one invalidation information) or the total emission amount (if there are multiple invalidation information) included in the invalidation information is less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount for the emission rights information. The emission rights acquisition unit may also select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (if there is one invalidation information) or the total emission amount (if there are multiple invalidation information) included in the invalidation information is greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount. For example, for one emission rights information, the emission rights acquisition unit may select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (or the total amount) included in the invalidation information is less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount for the emission rights information and greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount, such that the total emission amount included in the invalidation information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or is at its maximum.

The request reception unit that constitutes the input unit 220 can receive invalidation requests from user terminals. The request can include information that identifies the invalidation information (e.g., an invalidation ID) and information that identifies the emission credits (e.g., an emission credit ID).

The invalidation processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing related to invalidating emissions using emission credits (hereinafter referred to as invalidation processing). As part of the invalidation processing, the invalidation processing unit can, for example, send an invalidation request containing information identifying the emission credits and invalidation information to the invalidation server. In this case, the operator of the management server 200 will perform the invalidation on behalf of the user. Note that the user may also perform the invalidation themselves.

For invalidation information where automatic invalidation is "false," the invalidation processing unit can perform the invalidation process in response to an invalidation request from the user terminal. For invalidation information where automatic invalidation is "true," the invalidation processing unit can perform the invalidation process without receiving a request from the user terminal. In this case, the invalidation processing unit can perform the sale process of the emission credits from the holder to the user prior to the invalidation process. Note that the sale process uses the processing used in a general trading system, so a description of it will be omitted here.

Furthermore, when invalidating multiple pieces of invalidation information using one emission credit, the invalidation processing unit can perform invalidation processing (for example, sending an invalidation request to the invalidation server) so that the activity-specific information and emissions contained in each piece of invalidation information are included in the invalidation notice.

<Operation>
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the 19th function (a diagram illustrating processing for invalidation information for which automatic invalidation is "false"). The management server 200 accepts input of invalidation information from a user terminal and registers it in the invalidation information storage unit (S2801). The management server 200 acquires attributes corresponding to the rule-specific information and activity-specific information included in the invalidation information from the offset attribute storage unit (S2802), and searches the emission credit storage unit for emission credit information that corresponds to the acquired attributes and for which the emission amount of the invalidation information is greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount and less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount (S2803). The management server 200 can transmit the searched emission credit information to the user terminal and present the emission credits to the user (S2804). Here, the management server 200 may perform processing to sell the emission credits to the user. When the management server 200 receives an invalidation request from the user terminal (S2805), it performs invalidation processing using the emission credits related to the emission credit information based on the emission credit information and invalidation information specified in the request (S2806).

In this way, the management server 200 can present users with emission credits that can be used to offset emissions. The management server 200 can also invalidate emissions on behalf of users upon request.

Figure 29 is a diagram explaining operation 2 of the 19th function (a diagram explaining the processing for invalidation information for which automatic invalidation is "true"). The management server 200 accepts input of invalidation information from the user terminal and registers it in the invalidation information storage unit (S2901). The management server 200 acquires rules and activities corresponding to the attributes of the emission credit information from the offset attribute storage unit (S2902). The management server 200 reads invalidation information corresponding to the acquired rules and activities from the invalidation information storage unit, and selects a combination of invalidation information from the read invalidation information such that the total emission amount is equal to or greater than the minimum offsettable amount and equal to or less than the maximum offsettable amount (S2903). Here, the management server 200 can select a combination such that the total emission amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The management server 200 may also select a combination such that the total emission amount is maximized. The management server 200 can perform invalidation processing so that the activity-specific information and emission amounts included in each of the invalidation information included in the selected combination are included in the invalidation notice (S2904).

In this way, the management server 200 can automatically execute invalidation processing for emission amounts that users have requested be offset. Therefore, for example, invalidation information relating to emission amounts that are less than the minimum offsettable amount can be invalidated all at once. Furthermore, when offsetting emission amounts that are less than the maximum offsettable amount, invalidation can also be performed together with other invalidation information.

In addition, satellite data can be used to analyze past and future ground surface conditions at each location over time. In this example, the location may be, for example, a place where greenhouse gas-emitting activities are carried out, such as a business office or factory, or a predetermined area where greenhouse gas-emitting activities are carried out, including one or more business offices or factories. The predetermined area is preferably an area of a predetermined size. The satellite data is image data taken from a GPS satellite. The satellite data is image data of the location of the greenhouse gas emitting entity and is image data showing an area of a predetermined size. The satellite data is acquired by an acquisition unit. The image data to be analyzed is first satellite data acquired at a first point in time (e.g., one year ago) and second satellite data acquired at a second point in time (e.g., the present), and these are compared for analysis. The first satellite data and second satellite data are image data showing an area of the same size (the same location). The analysis is performed by an analysis unit. The analysis involves comparing the green space area and forest area in the image data. Analyzing satellite data in this way makes it possible to analyze changes in land use over time, such as the reduction of green spaces and forests. Analyzing satellite data also makes it possible to estimate and register activity levels at base locations. Analyzing satellite data also makes it possible to estimate and register offsettable greenhouse gas emissions. This type of analysis makes it easy to register activity levels and offsettable greenhouse gas emissions at base locations. Registration is carried out in the registration department. This analysis also makes it possible to analyze biodiversity risks, etc. This is particularly effective when identifying materiality. It can also lead to greenwashing. While offsetting may not be possible depending on the analysis results, in these cases, it is possible to estimate and register non-offsettable greenhouse gas emissions.

Figure 30 is a diagram explaining operation 3 of the 19th function. The management server 200 acquires satellite data for the base of a greenhouse gas emitter (S3001). Next, the management server 200 analyzes the satellite data in chronological order (S3002). Next, the management server 200 estimates the offsettable greenhouse gas emissions at the base based on the analysis results and registers this in the registration unit (S3003). Next, the system may be configured as follows: The management server 200 registers the activity amount at the base in the registration unit based on the analysis results. The management server 200 identifies the location of the base from the satellite data and stores the location information of the identified base in the base information storage unit. The management server 200 accepts input of the location information of the base and the activity amount by the emitter in the activity amount input unit. The management server 200 references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information using the base identification unit. The management server 200 registers the activity amount at the base in the activity amount storage unit based on the analysis results. The input activity amount is then associated with the identified location and registered in the activity amount storage unit. Action 3 may also be combined with Action 1 or Action 2.

In this embodiment, one or more pieces of invalidation information are matched to one piece of emission rights information, but one or more pieces of invalidation information may also be matched to multiple pieces of emission rights information. In this case, for example, if there is a remainder (fraction) in the emissions of the invalidation information in units of the minimum offsettable amount, that fraction may be matched with other emission rights information.

For example, in this embodiment, the management server 200 automatically performs the invalidation process (acts as an agent for invalidation), but it may also be configured to simply present the user with the emission credits that can be used for invalidation.

The input unit 220, acquisition unit 250, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The nineteenth function also includes the following configuration:
[Item S1 (P046)]
an emission credit storage unit that stores, in association with each other, emission credit specification information that specifies emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions, an offsettable amount that is the amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credits, and attributes of the emission credits; an offset attribute storage unit that stores, in association with activity specification information that specifies an activity, the attributes of the emission credits that can offset the emissions related to the activity; an input unit that accepts input of the activity specification information that specifies the activity for which a user wishes to offset and the emissions related to the activity; and an emission credit acquisition unit that refers to the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to specify the attribute that corresponds to the input activity specification information, and acquires the emission credit specification information that corresponds to the specified attribute and the offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the input emissions.
[Item S2]
Item S1 is an information processing system according to the present invention, characterized in that the attributes include a methodology relating to the emission credits.
[Item S3]
An information processing system according to item S1, wherein the offset attribute storage unit stores rule-specific information that specifies a rule related to the reporting of the emission amounts, the activity-specific information, and the attributes in association with each other; the input unit accepts input of the emission amounts, the activity-specific information, and the rule-specific information; and the emission credit acquisition unit identifies the attributes that correspond to the input rule-specific information and activity-specific information.
[Item S4]
An information processing system according to item S1, comprising: a request receiving unit that receives an invalidation request from the user; and an invalidation processing unit that, in response to the request, executes processing related to invalidating the emissions related to the activity indicated by the input activity specification information, using the emission credits specified by the acquired emission credit specification information.
[Item S5]
an invalidation information storage unit that stores the emission credit specifying information, the offsettable amount, and the attributes, in association with a minimum amount of the emission credits that can be offset; and an invalidation processing unit that performs processing related to the invalidation of the emission amounts using the emission credits, wherein the emission credit acquisition unit selects a plurality of pieces of invalidation information so that the total of the emission amounts is equal to or greater than the minimum amount and equal to or less than the offsettable amount, and identifies, for each piece of selected invalidation information, the emission credit specifying information that corresponds to the invalidation information, and the invalidation processing unit performs processing related to the invalidation of the emission amounts of the selected invalidation information using the emission credits specified by the emission credit specifying information.
[Item S6]
An information processing system according to item S5, characterized in that the invalidation processing unit performs processing related to the invalidation so that the activity specification information and the emission amount contained in each of the invalidation information are included in the invalidation notice.
[Item S7 (P049)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires satellite data of greenhouse gas emission sites; an analysis unit that analyzes the satellite data in chronological order; and a registration unit that registers offsettable greenhouse gas emissions at the sites based on the analysis results.
[Item S8]
The information processing system according to item S7 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base of a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that receives input of location information and activity amount of a mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies a base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.

<<Comparison function (20th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 19 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 20. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are calculated. There is a need to grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain. Function 20 aims to provide technology that can grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the twentieth function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, scale information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (activity amount acquisition unit, information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (information presentation unit, emission coefficient presentation unit). Note that the emission coefficient memory unit, scale information memory unit, acquisition unit (activity amount acquisition unit, information acquisition unit), emission amount calculation unit, and presentation unit (information presentation unit, emission coefficient presentation unit) are the same as those for the third function, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

<Operation 1>
Next, operation 1 of the twentieth function as a comparison function will be described using FIG. 31 . The management server 200 stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each calculation target in the emission coefficient storage unit (S3101). Next, the management server 200 acquires the activity amount related to the calculation target using the acquisition unit (S3102). Next, the management server 200 calculates the first emission amount corresponding to the first calculation target by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient using the emission amount calculation unit (S3103). The first calculation target is a reference calculation target. While product A is illustrated as an example of the first calculation target, it is not limited to this and may be any target for which emissions can be calculated. The first calculation target may also be a business entity such as a first business entity.

The management server 200 then uses the emission calculation unit to multiply the emission coefficient by the activity amount to calculate the second emission amount corresponding to the second calculation target (S3104). The second calculation target is a calculation target to be compared. While the second calculation target is exemplified as a product with modified specifications of product A, it is not limited to this and can be any target for which emissions can be calculated. The second calculation target may also be a business entity such as a second business entity. The second calculation target may also be product A or the first business entity, in which case it is product A or the first business entity after a predetermined period of time (e.g., one month) has passed since the emissions were calculated for the first calculation target.

Next, the management server 200 presents the first and second emissions in a comparable manner using the presentation unit (S3105). An example of a comparable manner is one in which the first and second emissions are displayed side by side in a bar graph for comparison, but it is not limited to these and may also be a pie chart or line graph. Furthermore, comparable manners include various comparison manners, such as a manner in which emissions are displayed numerically for comparison.

While an example of comparing two products, product A and a product with specifications changed from product A, is shown, it is not limited to two products; multiple products, such as three products, can be compared and displayed. This can also be combined with the aging comparison function described below. That is, it is possible to display aging changes when comparing multiple products. When comparing aging changes, an analysis function using the analysis unit 280 can be used. For example, a report can be output stating that emissions have decreased due to this reason. This can also be combined with other functions (e.g., function 3). Furthermore, if product A is composed of parts a and b, and the product with specifications changed from product A is composed of changes to parts a and b, that is, if the product is composed of multiple parts, part a is displayed with first priority, followed by part b with second priority. However, parts with higher emissions can also be displayed with higher priority. Displaying in this manner allows attention to be drawn to parts that are important in terms of emissions.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can compare the first emission amount and the second emission amount and present them to the user.

<Operation 2>
Next, operation 2 of the 20th function as a secular change comparison function will be described using FIG. 32 . The management server 200 stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each calculation target in the emission coefficient storage unit (S3201). Next, the management server 200 acquires the activity amount related to the calculation target using the acquisition unit (S3202). Next, the management server 200 calculates the first emission amount corresponding to the calculation target by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount using the emission calculation unit (S3203). The calculation target is a reference calculation target. While the calculation target is illustrated as product A in May 2023, this is not limited thereto and may be any target for which emissions can be calculated. The calculation target may also be a business entity in May 2023. The first emission amount is illustrated as the emission amount calculated for product A in May 2023.

Next, the management server 200 calculates the second emission amount corresponding to the calculation target by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount after a predetermined period has elapsed since the emission amount calculation unit calculated the first emission amount (S3204). The second emission amount is exemplified as the emission amount calculated for product A in June 2023. Note that the predetermined period after the elapse of one month is exemplified, but is not limited to this period.

Next, the management server 200 uses the presentation unit to present the first and second emissions in a comparable manner (S3205). An example of a comparable manner is one in which the first and second emissions are displayed side by side in bar graphs for comparison, but it is not limited to these and may also be a pie chart or line graph. Various comparison manners are also included, such as a manner in which emissions are displayed numerically for comparison. Alternatively, a comparable manner may be displayed by displaying 13 bar graphs to represent the change over time. It is preferable that the number of bar graphs displayed is greater than 12 months so that the change over time over at least one year can be confirmed. This may also be combined with the comparison function of operation 1, or with another function (e.g., function 3).

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can compare the first emission amount with the second emission amount and present the change over time to the user.

<Disclosures>
The 20th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item T1 (P070)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each calculation target; an acquisition unit that acquires an activity amount related to the calculation target; an emission calculation unit that is capable of calculating a first emission amount corresponding to a first calculation target by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount and a second emission amount corresponding to a second calculation target by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount; and a presentation unit that presents the first emission amount and the second emission amount in a comparable manner. Item T1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and the activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item T2]
An information processing system according to item T1, characterized in that the calculation target is a business entity.
[Item T3]
An information processing system according to Item T2, comprising: a scale information storage unit that stores, for each of the business entities, scale information indicating at least one of sales scale and asset scale; and when the emission coefficient corresponding to a first business entity is not registered, the presentation unit reads out the scale information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit, refers to the scale information storage unit, and identifies a second business entity corresponding to scale information that matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the identified second business entity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and presents the read-out emission coefficient.
[Item T4 (P071)]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each calculation object; an acquisition unit that can acquire an activity amount related to the calculation object; an emission calculation unit that can calculate a first emission amount corresponding to the calculation object by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount, and that can calculate a second emission amount corresponding to the calculation object by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount after a predetermined period has elapsed since the first emission amount was calculated; and a presentation unit that presents the first emission amount and the second emission amount in a manner that allows them to be compared.
[Item T5]
An information processing system according to item T4, characterized in that the calculation target is a business entity.
[Item T6]
An information processing system according to Item T5, comprising: a scale information storage unit that stores, for each of the business entities, scale information indicating at least one of sales scale and asset scale; and when the emission coefficient corresponding to a first business entity is not registered, the presentation unit reads out the scale information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit, refers to the scale information storage unit, and identifies a second business entity corresponding to scale information that matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the identified second business entity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and presents the read-out emission coefficient.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system with artificial intelligence (mechanical system) that can learn on its own.

<<Emissions intensity display restriction function (21st function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 20 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 21. Function 21 is a function that switches between displaying and hiding an emission intensity unit (emission coefficient) whose use is restricted for each user. In background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is an issue that use restrictions may be placed on emission intensity units. Function 21 aims to provide technology that can appropriately use emission intensity units.

In addition, as companies have made progress in calculating and reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of fuel, electricity, etc., attention has been focused on "Scope 3 emissions," which are emissions other than Scope 1 and 2, with the aim of further reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to a company. By calculating Scope 3 emissions in addition to Scope 1 and 2 emissions, the aim is to provide an information processing system that can grasp greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain.

The emissions intensity (emissions coefficient) used to calculate Scope 3 emissions is specified in detail in the emissions intensity database (hereinafter referred to as "DB") used for each category. For example, when calculating greenhouse gas emissions for Category 1 "Purchased products and services," greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using either an accumulated emissions intensity, an input-output table-based emissions intensity, a domestic emissions intensity DB, or an overseas emissions intensity DB.

Among these emissions intensity databases, there are those provided free of charge (hereinafter referred to as "primary data databases") and those provided for a fee (hereinafter referred to as "secondary data databases"). Secondary data databases are sold by providers, and when a business uses a secondary data database to calculate greenhouse gas emissions (particularly Scope 3 emissions), it must purchase the secondary data database from the provider and obtain permission to use it. To calculate greenhouse gas emissions throughout their entire supply chain, the business then uses an information processing system to calculate Scope 1, 2, and Scope 3 emissions. It is desirable for this information processing system to register as master data not only the primary data database used to calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions, but also the secondary data database sold by the provider. Registering the secondary data database as master data in the information processing system creates the problem of displaying the calculated greenhouse gas emissions to all users of the information processing system, but also properly managing users who have permission to use the secondary data database and those who do not.

In addition, the emission intensity units registered in secondary data databases are broken down to a level of granularity that businesses calculating greenhouse gas emissions do not use in practice. Businesses calculating greenhouse gas emissions only need to be able to calculate greenhouse gas emissions at the level of granularity they use in practice, and in some cases do not need to purchase a secondary data database.

<System Overview>
The information processing system relating to the 21st function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. The information processing system of this embodiment accepts input of the activity amount of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying this by an emissions intensity (emission coefficient).

In this embodiment, it is assumed that emissions units are sold by a business (hereinafter referred to as a provider) and that a license to use the emissions units is granted. The information processing system of this embodiment manages users who have obtained a license to use the system, and displays the calculated emissions to all users, but does not display the emissions units to users who have not obtained a license to use the system. Furthermore, the information processing system of this embodiment does not display activity amounts to users who have not obtained a license to use the system, thereby preventing them from estimating the emissions units.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 21st function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (activity amount memory unit, emissions intensity memory unit, user memory unit, emissions amount memory unit), an execution unit 290 (emission intensity unit registration unit), an acquisition unit 250 (activity amount acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts related to activities that emit greenhouse gases. Examples of activity amounts include the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight x distance transported (ton-kilometers), and the amount of fuel consumed (liters) and monetary value (yen). The activity amount memory unit can store activity amounts in association with information identifying the activity amount (activity amount ID), information identifying the emitter (company ID), information identifying the activity that emits greenhouse gases (activity specification information), and time information. The activity specification information can take any form as long as it is information for specifying an activity. For example, if an ID (activity ID) that uniquely identifies the type of activity is set in the data input to the management server 200, the activity ID can be used as the activity specification information. Furthermore, information including the type of data and conditions for the values of items included in the data can also be used as the activity specification information. For example, if the data is financial accounting data, the activity specification information can include information specifying "financial accounting data" and the conditions that the "account item" is "travel expenses" and the description includes "taxi." Additionally, as activity specification information, functions or learning models that input data and output activities can also be set. Time information is information that specifies the period during which an activity took place. Time information can be, for example, a date, year, or fiscal year.

The emission intensity unit memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information including emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission intensity unit information). Emission intensity units can be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the initial information source) or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies offering the same type of product). In this embodiment, the emission intensity units are assumed to be secondary data sold by a provider. The emission intensity unit information may include activity-specific information and emission intensity units associated with information identifying the emission intensity unit (e.g., intensity unit ID), information identifying the provider providing the emission intensity unit (provider ID), information identifying the set of emission intensity units (e.g., intensity unit name), and the version of the set of emission intensity units. The provider ID may, for example, be the name of the emission intensity unit sold by the provider. The version may, for example, be the fiscal year. There may be multiple pairs of activity-specific information and emissions intensity corresponding to one provider ID, intensity name, and version combination.

The user memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information for identifying users who can use the emissions intensity units. For example, the user memory unit stores, in association with information that identifies the user (user ID), a company ID that identifies the emitter to which the user belongs, a provider ID that indicates the provider, the version of the emissions intensity units provided by the provider, and a usage permission flag that indicates whether the user is authorized to use the emissions intensity units.

The emissions memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information about calculated greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emissions information). The emissions information can include a company ID, information identifying the time when the activity took place (time information), a scope, a category, an activity amount ID and an emission intensity ID indicating the activity amount and emission intensity used to calculate the emissions, and the emissions amount. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year, month, date, or date and time range. The scope and category can be the scope and category registered in the classification memory unit described above.

The activity amount acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires the activity amount. The activity amount acquisition unit can receive the activity amount from, for example, the user terminal 100. The activity amount can use, for example, items included in data exported from an ERP system (export data) or data converted from the export data. This data can be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is known which item corresponds to which activity, and the activity can be identified by the value entered in which item of the CSV data in the activity identification information. Furthermore, with JSON data, XML data, etc., the type of item the set data is may be tagged or set as an attribute.

The emission intensity registration unit, which constitutes the execution unit 290, registers emission intensity units related to activities in the emission intensity unit memory unit. The emission intensity registration unit can receive emission intensity units from, for example, the user terminal 100. The emission intensity registration unit may, for example, access the provider's computer (not shown) to obtain the version and emission intensity units and register them in the emission intensity unit memory unit.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emissions intensity. The emissions calculation unit can aggregate emissions by scope and category. Note that the process of aggregating emissions by scope and category can, for example, specify the scope and category corresponding to the activity amount by setting the appropriate scope and category for each activity, and then aggregate the emissions. The emissions calculation unit can create emissions information that includes the calculated emissions, an activity amount ID that indicates the activity amount used to calculate the emissions, and an intensity ID that indicates the emissions intensity used to calculate the emissions, and register this information in the emissions storage unit.

The output unit 240 outputs the calculated emissions. The output unit 240 can refer to the user memory unit to determine whether the destination user (e.g., the user currently logged in to the management server 200 via access from the user terminal 100) can use the emissions intensity unit used to calculate the emissions. If the user can use the emissions intensity unit, the output unit 240 can output at least one of the activity amount and emissions intensity unit used to calculate the emissions amount, in association with the emissions amount.

If the user is unable to use the emission intensity units, the output unit 240 will not output either the activity amount or the emission intensity units used to calculate the emissions. If the user to whom the data is output is unable to use the emission intensity units, the output unit 240 may mask the activity amount and emission intensity units before outputting them.

<Operation>
33 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the emission calculation process. The management server 200 displays the version of the emission intensity unit that the user can use (S3301). The management server 200 can, for example, read out from the user storage unit the intensity unit name and version corresponding to the user ID indicating the user who has logged in to the management server 200 from the user terminal 100, and transmit screen data displaying the read intensity unit name and version to the user terminal 100. At this time, the management server 200 can also transmit a list of activity amounts to the user terminal 100.

The management server 200 accepts from the user the activity amount and the emission intensity unit to be used (S3302). The emission intensity unit may be the intensity unit name and version specification sent in step S301, or the activity specification information and emission intensity unit specification corresponding to the intensity unit name and version sent in step S301 (for example, it can be specified by intensity unit ID). Note that the management server 200 can refuse to accept emission intensity units that differ from the intensity unit name and version sent in step S301.

The management server 200 calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying the specified activity amount by the emission intensity (S3303), and creates emission information including the activity amount, emission intensity, and emission amount, and registers this information in the emission memory unit (S3304).

Figure 34 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the emission amount output process. The management server 200 reads out the emission amount information stored in the emission amount storage unit and outputs the emission amount included in the read emission amount information (S3401). The management server 200 can, for example, acquire a company ID corresponding to a user ID indicating a user who has logged in to the management server 200 from the user terminal 100, and read out the emission amount information corresponding to the acquired company ID from the emission amount storage unit. The management server 200 may also accept time information specified by the user and narrow down the results to emission amount information corresponding to the specified time information.

The management server 200 identifies the emission intensity name and version corresponding to the intensity ID included in the emission information containing the output emission amount from the emission intensity storage unit (S3402). The management server 200 reads the user ID indicating the user and the usability flag corresponding to the identified emission intensity name and version from the user storage unit, and determines whether the user can use the emission intensity value based on the read usability flag (S3403).

If the user is able to use the emission intensity unit (S3403: YES), the management server 200 determines whether the number of users is less than or equal to a specific number (S3404). For example, if there is one IDEA license, the specific number is three, and if there are two licenses, the specific number is six. Depending on the number of licenses, the specific number is set, for example, to a multiple of three. Note that S3404 only applies when the number of users is limited based on the license; therefore, if there is no limit on the number of users, this process is not performed and the process proceeds to S3405.

If the number of users is less than or equal to a specific number (S3404: YES), the management server 200 outputs the corresponding emission intensity and activity amount along with the emission amount (S3405). On the other hand, if the number of users exceeds a specific number (S3404: NO), the management server 200 outputs a mask for the corresponding emission intensity and activity amount (S3406). Also, if the user cannot use the emission intensity in S3403 (S3403: NO), the management server 200 also outputs a mask for the corresponding emission intensity and activity amount (S3406).

Figure 35 shows an example of output of emissions. In the example shown, it is assumed that there are sales restrictions on emissions intensity units related to coal consumption. When emissions intensity units are available, the activity amount and emissions intensity units are displayed along with the emissions amount, as shown in Figure 35 (a). However, when the user does not have permission to use the emissions intensity units related to coal consumption, both the activity amount and emissions intensity units are masked, as shown in Figure 35 (b). As a result, users who are not authorized to use the emissions intensity units cannot check them on the screen, nor can they back-calculate the emissions intensity units from the emissions amount.

In this way, the information processing system with function 21 allows for the appropriate use of the emission intensity units for which usage permissions have been set.

Note that even if the use of emissions intensity units is permitted, if the number of users who can use them is limited, the system is configured as follows. When users are permitted to use emissions intensity units, that is, when they can use emissions intensity units, the management server 200 outputs information on activity amount and/or emissions intensity, as well as emissions, to a specific number of users (e.g., three users). On the other hand, for users exceeding the specific number, the management server 200 does not output either activity amount or emissions intensity units. In this way, information on activity amount, emissions intensity units, and emissions can be displayed only to the number of users who can use them. Note that even if the number of users does not exceed the specific number, the system has a function that allows users to restrict the display of emissions intensity units to users who are permitted to use emissions intensity units. When the function to restrict the display of emissions intensity units is set, not only are emissions intensity units and emissions not displayed on the user terminal 100, but emissions intensity units and emissions are not output in exported data either.

While the availability of emissions units is set on a per-user basis, the number of simultaneous uses can also be set for each company. In this case, the management server 200 can further include an online number determination unit and an organization information storage unit.

The user memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores organization identification information that identifies the organization to which the user belongs and the number of simultaneous usages that can be made.

The organization information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores a company ID that identifies the organization to which each user belongs.

The online number determination unit, which is part of the analysis unit 280, determines the online number, which is the number of users belonging to the same organization who are currently accessing the information processing system. The online number determination unit can count the number of users who are logged in to the management server 200 and who correspond to a specific company ID.

The output unit 240 refers to the organization information storage unit to identify the organization (company ID) to which the destination user belongs, and can determine that the emissions intensity unit is usable if the number of available units corresponding to the company ID is equal to or greater than the online number.

The calculation process for greenhouse gas emissions is as follows:
(1) The management server 200 outputs information about the emission intensity and the version so that the emission intensity and the version corresponding to the user ID logged in to the information processing system are displayed on the user terminal 100 .
(2) The management server 200 receives from the user the activity amount and the emission intensity unit to be used.
(3) The management server 200 calculates the greenhouse gas emissions by multiplying the specified activity amount by the emission intensity, and generates greenhouse gas emission information including the activity amount, the emission intensity, and the emission amount. The emission information is information in which the activity amount, the emission intensity, and the emission amount are associated with each other.
(4) The management server 200 registers the generated greenhouse gas emission information in the information processing system.

The output process for the calculation results of greenhouse gas emissions is as follows:
(1) The management server 200 receives output of greenhouse gas emission information from a user.
(2) The management server 200 determines whether the user who specified the output of the greenhouse gas emission information is authorized to use the secondary data DB. In other words, it determines whether the user is authorized to use the secondary data DB.
(3) If the management server 200 determines that the user who specified the output of greenhouse gas emission information is authorized to use the secondary data database, it outputs information on the activity level and emission intensity, displays this on the user terminal 100, and also outputs information on greenhouse gas emission amounts so that the emission amount values can be displayed on the user terminal 100.
(4) If the management server 200 determines that the user who specified the output of greenhouse gas emission information is not authorized to use the secondary data database, it outputs information on greenhouse gas emission amounts without outputting information on activity levels and emission intensity (which cannot be displayed on the user terminal 100), and processes the information so that the emission values can be displayed on the user terminal 100.

The management server 200 performs various display restriction processes as follows.
(1) When the management server 200 determines that the user who specified the output of greenhouse gas emission information is not authorized to use the secondary data DB, the management server 200 outputs the greenhouse gas emission amount while restricting the display of the activity amount and the emission intensity. Restricting the display of the activity amount and the emission intensity means that, while information on "activity amount,""emissionintensity," and "emission amount" is normally output, the corresponding values for "activity amount" and "emission intensity" are not output, and only the value corresponding to "emission amount" is output.
(2) When the management server 200 determines that the user who specified the output of greenhouse gas emission information is not a person authorized to use the secondary data DB, it restricts the coefficient values of the registered secondary data DB (stored in the storage unit 230) so that users who are not authorized to use the secondary data DB cannot view them. Restricting the coefficient values of the secondary data DB so that users who are not authorized to use the secondary data DB cannot view them means that the value corresponding to only the "emissions intensity" is not output, but the values corresponding to the "activity amount" and "emissions" are output.
(3) If the management server 200 determines that the user who specified the output of greenhouse gas emission information is not authorized to use the secondary data DB, the management server 200 restricts the display so that an emission coefficient is not inferred from the displayed data. Restricting the display so that an emission coefficient is not inferred from the displayed data means that, in normal cases, information on "activity amount,""emissionsintensity," and "emissions amount" are each output in a table, but because outputting values corresponding to "activity amount" and "emissions amount" would lead to the inference of "emissions intensity," values corresponding to "activity amount" and "emissions intensity" are not output, and only the value corresponding to "emissions amount" is displayed.

By using function 21, in an information processing system in which both a primary data database and a secondary data database are registered as master data, it is possible to properly manage users who have licensed use of the secondary data database and users who do not. It is also possible to provide an environment in which users who have licensed use of the secondary data database and users who do not have licensed use of the secondary data database can coexist and use the secondary data database.

Next, the function of displaying the total activity amount when two or more IDEA items are selected will be explained using Figure 35(c). In this example, we will explain the case where cherry tomatoes and large tomatoes are selected from multiple items belonging to the tomato family. Note that this is not limited to these two items, and items such as medium tomatoes are also included. If only one IDEA item is selected, the "activity amount" and "emissions intensity unit" are not displayed so that the IDEA emission intensity unit is not displayed (as shown in Figure 35(b)). On the other hand, if multiple IDEA items are selected, as shown in Figure 35(c), the "emissions intensity unit" is not displayed, but the "activity amount" is displayed. For "activity amount," X1 and Y1 are not displayed, and "X1 + Y1," which is the sum of the cherry tomatoes and large tomatoes, is displayed. Note that if the emission intensity units of cherry tomatoes and large tomatoes are the same, the management server 200 restricts the output (display) of the value of "X1 + Y1." For "emissions intensity," X2 and Y2 are not displayed, nor is "X2 + Y2," the sum of cherry tomatoes and large tomatoes. For "emissions," X2 and Y2 are displayed, and "X2 + Y2," the sum of cherry tomatoes and large tomatoes, is also displayed. When multiple IDEA items are selected in this way, displaying "emissions" and "activity amount" does not allow for an accurate "emissions intensity," so "activity amount" can be displayed.

In addition, to hide the secondary data database from users determined not to be authorized to use the secondary data database, but still display greenhouse gas emissions calculated using that database, the management server 200 can add a certain amount of noise to the emissions intensity data, displaying values unrelated to the original emissions intensity except for the highest-order value. For example, suppose the exact emissions intensity for a certain object is 0.12345 tN2O/t. In this case, the highest-order value, 1, is left unchanged, while the other values below 2 decimal points, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are changed. The emissions intensity after the noise addition process is modified is, for example, 0.13456 tN2O/t. In this example, the noise value used in the noise addition process is 0.01111. The noise addition process can add noise in the range of -N to +N. The noise addition process also includes an adjustment process to keep the highest value unchanged. Alternatively, a random number may be generated with a limited range so that the cumulative error between emission intensity units falls within a certain range, and this random number value may be used to add noise. By adding a certain amount of noise in this way, it is possible to report the emission intensity unit value, albeit as an approximate value. Even if the use of the emission intensity unit is permitted, if the number of users who can use it is limited, the management server 200 outputs information on the activity amount and/or emission intensity unit, and the amount of emissions, to a specific number of users (e.g., three users) who are permitted to use the emission intensity unit, i.e., who can use the emission intensity unit. On the other hand, the management server 200 does not output either the activity amount or the emission intensity unit to users exceeding the specific number. In this way, information on the activity amount, emission intensity unit, and emission amount can be displayed only to the number of users who can use it.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 21st function also includes the following configuration.
[Item U1 (P067)]
an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission intensity; a determination unit that refers to the user storage unit and determines whether a destination user can use the emission intensity; and an output unit that outputs at least one of the activity amount and the emission intensity and the emission amount if the destination user can use the emission intensity, and outputs neither the activity amount nor the emission intensity if the destination user cannot use the emission intensity. Item U1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item U2]
The information processing system according to item U1, wherein the output unit masks and outputs the activity amount and the emission unit when the user of the output destination cannot use the emission unit.
[Item U3]
The information processing system described in item U1 is characterized in that the user memory unit stores organization identification information that identifies the organization to which the user belongs and the number of simultaneous uses that can be used, and includes an organization information memory unit that stores the organization identification information that identifies the organization to which each user belongs, and an online number identification unit that identifies the online number, which is the number of users belonging to the organization who are accessing the information processing system, and the output unit identifies the organization to which the output destination user belongs by referring to the organization information storage unit, and determines that the emission unit is usable if the number of uses corresponding to the organization is greater than or equal to the online number.
[Item U4]
the emission intensity unit storage unit stores the emission intensity unit for each activity in association with set identification information that identifies a set of the emission intensity units; the user storage unit stores the set identification information in association with information for identifying the user who can use the emission intensity unit included in the set identified by the set identification information; the emission calculation unit accepts designation of the set identification information from an input user who is different from the user of the output destination, refers to the user storage unit, determines whether the input user can use the emission intensity unit corresponding to the designated set identification information, and if the input user can use the emission intensity unit corresponding to the set and the activity amount identified by the designated set identification information, reads out from the emission intensity unit storage unit the emission intensity unit corresponding to the activity related to the set and the activity amount identified by the designated set identification information, and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the read emission intensity unit by the activity amount.
[Item U5 (P068)]
an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission intensity; a determination unit that refers to the user storage unit and determines whether or not a destination user can use the emission intensity; and an output unit that, if the destination user can use the emission intensity, outputs at least one of the activity amount and the emission intensity and the emission amount to a specific number of users, while outputting the emission amount without outputting either the activity amount or the emission intensity to users exceeding a specific number.
[Item U6]
The information processing system described in item U5 is characterized in that, when the number of users to which the output is made exceeds a specific number and multiple emission amounts are output, the output unit is capable of outputting the activity amount corresponding to the sum of the multiple emission amounts.
[Item U7]
The information processing system according to item U6, wherein if the emission intensity of each emission is the same, the activity amount corresponding to the sum of the plurality of emission amounts is not output.

<<Const function (22nd function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 21 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 22. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and the like are calculated. There is a problem in that multiple contractors work at construction sites, making it difficult to grasp emissions. Function 22 aims to provide technology that can calculate emissions at construction sites.

The information processing system relating to function 22 will be described below. The information processing system relating to function 22 is intended to determine greenhouse gas emissions at a construction site. In function 22, the construction work is assumed to be work in the construction industry. The construction work may be civil engineering or architecture. In function 22, the emissions for each task related to the construction work are calculated. In addition, the information processing system relating to function 22 calculates and presents the planned emissions and the emissions during actual construction work, enabling budget-versus-actual management of greenhouse gas emissions.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 22nd function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (construction plan memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, work performance memory unit, emission amount memory unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, emission performance calculation unit), and an output unit 240.

The construction plan memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information related to construction plans (hereinafter referred to as construction plan information). The construction plan information can include information that identifies the construction site (site ID), information that identifies the work planned to be performed during construction at the construction site (work identification information), and the planned activity volume for each work. The construction plan information can also include information that identifies the worker (who may be an individual worker or the business to which the worker belongs; in this embodiment, this is referred to as the business) that is scheduled to perform the work (business ID).

The construction plan storage unit may be configured, for example, to include a system that manages existing construction plans and a system that manages emissions for each planned task.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores an emission coefficient for each construction task. The emission coefficient is a value that is multiplied by the amount of activity related to the construction task to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by that task. The emission coefficient memory unit can store an emission coefficient for each worker (business ID) and task (task specific information).

The work performance memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information related to work performed during construction (hereinafter referred to as work performance information). The work performance information can include information identifying the worker (business operator ID), information identifying the work performed during construction (work identification information), and performance values of activity levels related to the work. The work performance information can also include information identifying the worker who performed the work (business operator ID).

<Functional department>
The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates greenhouse gas emissions. The emission calculation unit can read out an emission coefficient corresponding to the work included in the construction plan from the emission coefficient storage unit, and calculate a planned value of emissions for each work by multiplying the read-out emission coefficient by the activity amount corresponding to the work included in the construction plan information. The emission calculation unit can also calculate a planned value of emissions for the construction work at the construction site by adding up the planned values of emissions for all work.

The emissions calculation unit may calculate planned emissions values corresponding to the work and workers. The emissions calculation unit acquires the work planned to be performed in the construction work, the workers planned to perform the work, and the activity amount from the construction plan memory unit, reads out the emission coefficients corresponding to the acquired work and workers from the emission coefficient memory unit, and multiplies the activity amount by the emission coefficient to calculate planned emissions values corresponding to the work and workers.

The actual emissions calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, calculates the actual emissions during construction work. The actual emissions calculation unit obtains actual values for work and activity amount from the work result storage unit, reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the obtained work from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiplies the activity amount by the emission coefficient to calculate actual values for emissions corresponding to the work and workers.

The actual emissions calculation unit can also calculate actual emissions values for each worker and task. The actual emissions calculation unit obtains actual values for the task, worker, and activity amount from the task performance memory unit, reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the obtained task and worker from the emission coefficient memory unit, and multiplies the activity amount by the emission coefficient to calculate actual emissions values for the task and worker.

The output unit 240 can output the planned and actual emissions values for the construction site. The output unit 240 can also output the planned and actual emissions values for each task. The output unit 240 can also output the planned and actual emissions values for each task and worker.

<Operation>
Next, the process of calculating emissions at a construction site will be described using FIG. 36 . The management server 200 acquires the planned activity amount for each task included in the construction plan information (S3601). Next, the management server 200 calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the task (S3602). Next, the management server 200 acquires the actual activity amount for each task included in the task performance information (S3603). Next, the management server 200 calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the task (S3604). Note that the planned and actual emissions values may be calculated for each task and worker. Next, the management server 200 outputs the planned and actual emissions values for each task (and worker) (S3605). In this way, the management server 200 of the 22nd function can calculate emissions at a construction site.

The calculation unit 210 and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 22nd function also includes the following configuration.
[Item V1]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores, for each piece of work related to the construction, an emission coefficient for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions due to the work; and an emission calculation unit that reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the work included in the construction plan from the emission coefficient storage unit, calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions due to the work by multiplying the read-out emission coefficient by the activity amount for the work, and calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions due to the construction by summing up the emissions due to all the work. Item V1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information for identifying the location of each construction entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item V2]
An information processing system according to Item V1, comprising: a work performance storage unit that stores information specifying the work performed in the construction work and performance data including a performance value of the amount of activity related to the work; and an emission performance calculation unit that reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the work from the emission coefficient storage unit and multiplies the read-out emission coefficient by the performance value to calculate a performance value of the amount of emissions due to the work.
[Item V3]
The information processing system according to Item V1, wherein the construction plan includes information identifying workers who are scheduled to perform the work, the emission coefficient storage unit stores the emission coefficient for each worker and each work, and the emission calculation unit reads out from the emission coefficient storage unit the emission coefficient corresponding to the work included in the construction plan and the worker who is scheduled to perform the work.
[Item V4]
The information processing system according to Item V2, wherein the work results include information identifying the worker who performed the work, and the emission calculation unit further reads out, from the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission coefficient corresponding to the work included in the work results and the worker who performed the work.

<<Logistics function (23rd function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 22 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 23. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are calculated. Since logistics is carried out by multiple transport companies, there is a problem in that it is not specified how emissions should be calculated. Function 23 aims to provide technology that can appropriately calculate greenhouse gas emissions related to logistics.

The information processing system relating to the 23rd function will be described below. The information processing system relating to the 23rd function is intended to calculate greenhouse gas emissions related to logistics. In particular, the information processing system relating to the 23rd function calculates the emissions for each piece of luggage related to logistics.

In this embodiment, a shipper requests a transport company that manages logistics (hereinafter, a transport company requested by a shipper will be referred to as a business entity) to transport cargo. Although the business entity may transport cargo itself, it is assumed that the business entity may also request another transport company (hereinafter, a transport company other than the business entity will be simply referred to as a transport company) to transport the cargo. Note that the business entity itself does not have to be a transport company. For example, a seller or trading company may act as a business entity and accept a request to transport cargo from a shipper. A transport company may transport cargo from multiple business entities together. The information processing system of this embodiment apportions greenhouse gas emissions by the transport company according to the load volume of cargo linked to a specific business entity, and calculates emissions for each business entity and ultimately for each cargo.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 23rd function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (cargo information memory unit, requested quantity memory unit, cargo attribute memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (transport information acquisition unit, company emissions acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emissions calculation unit, basic unit calculation unit, emissions aggregation unit), and an output unit 240.

The parcel information storage unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information about parcels to be delivered by logistics (hereinafter referred to as parcel information). In this embodiment, a parcel is a unit of delivery requested by a shipper. For example, if a shipper is delivering 12 products, the shipper may count each product as one parcel, or may count a cardboard box containing 12 products as one parcel. Parcel information includes the quantity of the parcel. The quantity of the parcel can be expressed by the size and/or weight of the parcel. In this embodiment, parcel information includes information identifying the business entity (business entity ID) and size and/or weight, associated with information identifying the parcel (parcel ID). During delivery, multiple parcels may be mixed together in a single container such as a pallet or container. Note that a single parcel is not disassembled for delivery.

The requested quantity memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information related to requests from shippers (hereinafter referred to as request information). The request information includes a business entity ID that identifies the business entity, information that identifies the transport company requested by the business entity to deliver the package (transport company ID), information that identifies the shipper related to the package (shipper ID), the quantity of package requested from the transport company (size and/or weight), and the number of packages, pallets, containers, and other containers in which the package is loaded.

The luggage attribute storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information related to luggage attributes (hereinafter referred to as luggage attribute information). The luggage attribute information includes attributes including at least one of a luggage ID that identifies the luggage, a shipper ID that identifies the shipper of the luggage, a route, and a means of transportation. The luggage attribute information may also include the number of luggage.

<Functional department>
The transportation information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires greenhouse gas emissions related to the means of transport on which the transporter loaded the cargo, and the proportion of the requested amount for the transport means from the business entity. The transportation information acquisition unit acquires the emissions and the proportion of the requested amount for each means of transport. The transportation information acquisition unit may acquire an emission coefficient for each transporter and means of transport, and the activity amount of the transporter, and calculate the emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient. The transportation information acquisition unit may acquire the amount of cargo (size and/or weight) for each business entity that has requested the transporter to transport, and calculate the proportion of the requested amount for the specific transporter according to the amount of cargo.

The emissions calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, calculates the emissions related to the transportation of cargo for a specific business by apportioning the acquired emissions from the transport company proportionally based on the proportion of the request made by the business entity to the transport company.

The company's own emissions acquisition unit, which constitutes the acquisition unit 250, acquires the greenhouse gas emissions emitted by the business entity itself in relation to the cargo.

The unit consumption calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of emissions (emissions unit consumption) for each piece of luggage. The unit consumption calculation unit calculates the total of the emissions from the transport company requested by the business entity (emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit) and the emissions from the business entity, and divides the total by the amount of luggage to calculate the emissions unit consumption for one piece of luggage. The unit consumption calculation unit can calculate the amount of emissions (emissions unit consumption) for one piece of luggage by reading the size or weight of the luggage from the luggage information storage unit and dividing the total by the read size or weight.

The unit consumption calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 may calculate the emissions per container by dividing the above total value by the number of containers (the number of containers included in the corresponding request information), and may then divide the emissions per container by the number of packages contained in the container to calculate the emissions per package (emissions unit consumption). When calculating the emissions per container, the transport information acquisition unit may acquire the number of all containers (e.g., pallets) transported by the transport company instead of the requested proportion, and the unit consumption calculation unit may calculate the number of containers requested by the business operator (the number of containers included in the request information corresponding to the business operator and transport company) relative to the total number of containers as the requested proportion.

The emissions calculation unit 210 calculates emissions. The emissions calculation unit reads out package information corresponding to a specific business from the package information storage unit, reads out attributes corresponding to the package ID included in the read package information from the package attribute information storage unit, and multiplies the number of packages by the emissions intensity for each read attribute, thereby calculating the emissions related to packages requested by a certain business entity.

The output unit 240 outputs the aggregated emission amount. The output unit 240 can output the aggregated emission amount for each attribute. The output unit 240 can transmit the emission amount for each attribute to the user terminal 100, for example.

<Operation>
Next, the process of calculating the emissions per package will be described using FIG. 37 . The management server 200 acquires from the transporter the transporter's emissions and the ratio of the requested amount from the business entity to the transporter (S3701). The management server 200 can identify the transporter based on the request information corresponding to the business entity. Next, the management server 200 multiplies the emissions by the ratio to calculate the emissions related to the package requested by the business entity to the transporter (emissions per package) (S3702). Next, the management server 200 calculates the emissions per package (PCF) by dividing the calculated emissions per package by the quantity of the package (S3703). Next, the management server 200 aggregates and outputs the calculated PCF by package attribute (S3704). In this way, the information processing system of the 23rd function can calculate the emissions per package even in logistics where a single package is delivered by multiple transporters.

The calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and acquisition unit 250 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 23rd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item W1]
an information processing system comprising: a transportation information acquisition unit that acquires greenhouse gas emissions associated with a means of transportation on which a transporter, which has been requested by a business entity to transport all or part of a cargo requested by a shipper, has loaded the cargo and the proportion of the requested portion of the transport means by the business entity; and an emissions calculation unit that calculates emissions associated with the transportation of the cargo by apportioning the acquired emissions based on the proportion. Item W1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base of the means of transportation (hereinafter referred to as a base) of the greenhouse gas emitting entity; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitting entity for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item W2]
An information processing system according to item W1, further comprising a unit calculation unit that calculates the emission unit related to the cargo by dividing the amount of emissions by the amount of the cargo.
[Item W3]
An information processing system according to item W2, wherein the transportation information acquisition unit further includes a company emission acquisition unit that acquires a first emission amount and acquires a second emission amount of the greenhouse gas emitted by the business entity in relation to the cargo, and the unit emission calculation unit calculates the emission unit related to the cargo by summing the first and second emission amounts and dividing the total value by the amount of the cargo.
[Item W4]
The information processing system according to item W2 further comprises a luggage information storage unit that stores the size or weight of each of the luggage, and the amount of the luggage is represented by the size or weight of the luggage;
The information processing system is characterized in that the unit consumption calculation unit reads the size or weight of the luggage from the luggage information storage unit and calculates the emission unit consumption by dividing the amount of emissions by the read size or weight.

<<Approval function (24th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 23 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 24. As background technology, approval work for environmental information is being carried out. It is necessary to understand the status of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain, but since only one approval route can be set for emissions of carbon dioxide and other environmental information, there is a problem in that the approval work becomes cumbersome. Function 24 aims to provide a function that can understand the status of greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the management man-hours for approval work.

As required by the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures (Global Warming Countermeasures Act), businesses are required to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by their business activities and report the results to administrative authorities. Furthermore, in recent years, some listed companies have been required to disclose non-financial information such as greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses that calculate greenhouse gas emissions and have bases other than their headquarters (branch offices, sales offices, factories, etc.) must calculate not only the greenhouse gas emissions emitted from their headquarters, but also the greenhouse gas emissions emitted from their bases (branch offices, sales offices, factories, etc.). When such businesses report their greenhouse gas emissions to government agencies or disclose them to investors as non-financial information, the general procedure is as follows: (1) calculate greenhouse gas emissions for each location (branch, sales office, factory, etc.) → (2) the calculation results are approved by the location manager (branch, sales office, factory, etc.) → (3) submit the calculation results to headquarters → (4) tally the calculation results at headquarters → (5) approve the aggregated data → (6) submit the greenhouse gas emissions to government agencies and disclose them to investors as non-financial information. Calculating greenhouse gas emissions requires accurate input of "activity items" and "activity amounts." Therefore, the calculation data created by each location (branch, sales office, factory, etc.) must be checked for omissions of "activity items" corresponding to the company's business activities or errors in "activity amounts." The data must then be approved by the appropriate decision maker as accurate calculation data before being submitted internally or disclosed externally. This is why steps (2) and (5) above are necessary. Many businesses use systems to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Previous systems only allowed for one approval route, not multiple routes, so multiple locations were set up for one approval route. As a result, all users linked to the target location had to be registered in the approval route, resulting in a significant amount of user registration work. Additionally, if a user linked to a location was not registered, errors would occur during the approval process.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 24th function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (base information storage unit, emission amount storage unit), an execution unit 290 (approver setting unit, approval route setting unit, approval route selection unit, approval execution unit), an input unit 220, and an output unit 240.

The base information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information indicating business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The base information storage unit stores information indicating a first business entity (e.g., base A), a second business entity (e.g., base B), and a third business entity (e.g., base C). The base information storage unit does not only store information indicating three bases, but can also store information indicating multiple bases. The base information storage unit is the same as the base information storage unit described in the other functions.

The emission amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores the greenhouse gas emissions of business entities. The emission amount memory unit stores information indicating the emissions of a first business entity, information indicating the emissions of a second business entity, and information indicating the emissions of a third business entity. The emission amount memory unit does not only store information indicating the emissions of three bases, but can also store information indicating the emissions of multiple bases. The emission amount memory unit is the same as the emission amount memory unit and emission information memory unit described in the other functions.

The approver setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, sets an approver who will review and approve the greenhouse gas emissions of the business entity. The greenhouse gas emissions of the business entity will be described as calculation data. The calculation data of the base will be described as base calculation data. The approver setting unit can register the set approver in the memory unit 230. For example, an approver who will review and approve the emissions of base A is set. The approver is a user with approval authority. The approver is set to be someone who belongs to the business entity (for example, someone at base A), but it is also possible to set someone who belongs to another business entity that is a different base (for example, someone at base B). The approver (at base A) can be replaced by an approver (at base B), or an approver (at base B) can be set in addition to the approver (at base A).

The approval path setting unit, which is a component of the execution unit 290, sets an approval path (e.g., a workflow) for reviewing and approving calculation data. The approval path setting unit can set multiple approval paths. The approval path setting unit can register the set approval paths in the storage unit 230. For example, as an approval path for reviewing and approving emissions at base A, a first approval path that does not set an approver from base B and a second approval path that sets an approver from base B can be set. In this case, the approver for the first approval path is a person from base A, but a person from another base may be added, or a person from another base may be set instead of the person from base A. Furthermore, the approver for the second approval path is a person from base B, but a person from another base may be added. The approval path setting unit sets an approval path for each base, allowing approval paths to be freely constructed. The approval path setting unit allows users with administrator privileges at the base to set approval paths. The approval path setting unit can also set paths that are shared with users other than the approver (e.g., reporting destinations).

The approval route selection unit, which constitutes the execution unit 290, selects an approval route. The approval route selection unit can register the selected approval route in the storage unit 230. When multiple approval routes have been set, for example, when a first approval route and a second approval route have been set and registered, the approval route selection unit can select either the first approval route or the second approval route. When the first and second approval routes are set, an approval route other than the first and second approval routes can be selected. When multiple approval routes have not been set, for example, when only the first approval route has been set and registered, the approval route selection unit can select only the first approval route and cannot select any other approval route. Note that the approval route selection unit may be a part of the approval route setting unit. After selecting an approval route, the approval route to be forwarded or circulated can be set and registered by pressing the approval route registration completion button.

The approval execution unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, executes "approval" when an approver who checks and approves the calculation data presses an approval button or the like. The approval execution unit executes "return" when an approver presses a return button. "Approval" and "return" are not limited to functions executed when an approval button or return button is pressed. In each approval route, the approver "approves" or "returns." The approver can check the emission amount, which is the minimum amount entered in the template.

The input unit 220 can accept input from the approver, the user who requested approval, and other users. For example, the approver can enter comments when "approving" or "rejecting." The input unit 220 is the same as the input units described for the other functions. The 24th function also has the input function described for the template function.

The output unit 240 outputs information from the approver setting unit, approval route setting unit, approval route selection unit, and approval execution unit, and outputs the information to each terminal so that each user can view it. The output unit 240 is the same as the output unit described for other functions. When outputting information from the approval execution unit, when the approver logs in to the information processing system, the information is output so that the number of cases awaiting approval is displayed. The number of cases awaiting approval can be displayed by changing the text display mode (changing the color or font size) to emphasize the number of unprocessed cases. The output unit 240 can notify the approver by email when the request has been forwarded to the approver. Furthermore, when the request has been "returned" by the approver, the output unit 240 can notify the user who requested approval by email that the request has been returned. Furthermore, when the user who requested approval "cancels the application," the output unit 240 can notify at least the relevant parties, including the approver, by email that the application has been canceled.

<Operation>
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the process flow for setting an approval route. The management server 200 sets and registers an approver who will confirm and approve the business entity's emissions (S3801). Next, the management server 200 sets and registers an approval route that will confirm and approve the business entity's greenhouse gas emissions (S3802). Multiple approval route patterns can be set, as shown in the example below. Next, the management server 200 determines whether multiple approval routes have been registered (S3803). If multiple approval routes have been registered (YES in S3803), the management server 200 allows multiple approval routes to be selected (S3804). On the other hand, if multiple approval routes have not been registered (NO in S3803), the management server 200 allows only one registered approval route to be selected (S3805). Next, the management server 200 sets and registers an approval route to be forwarded based on the approval route registration completion button being pressed (S3806). An approval route to be forwarded may be set and registered based on the lapse of a predetermined time. If multiple approval routes are not registered (NO in S3803), an approval route to be forwarded may be registered without making the registered approval routes selectable.

Calculation data can be uniquely requested for approval by type, year/month, and location. If a user in charge at location B (the approver at location B) is set in the approval route at location A, the user in charge at location B can be set as the approver if they also hold the authority of the user in charge at location A (the approver at location A). On the other hand, if the user in charge at location B does not also hold the authority of the approver at location A, they cannot be set as the approver. If the user in charge at location B does not also hold the authority of the approver at location A, the management server 200 can choose not to set the user in charge at location B as the approver, or, even if a user in charge at location B is set, not to forward the request. This prevents errors from occurring even if a user in charge at another location is mistakenly set in the approval route. Furthermore, if a user associated with a location is not registered (for example, if there are too many or too few users), an error will occur in the approval process, but the error can be resolved by withdrawing the application.

The approval path can be set as shown in the example below.
(example)
Approval route 1 (Step 1: In-house approval)
Person in charge of inputting calculation data at base A → Head of base A (Approver)
Person in charge of inputting calculation data at Base B → Base B Director (Approver)
C base calculation data entry person → C base manager (approver)
Approval route 2 (Step 2: Site approval)
Site Director A → Site Supervisor (Approver) Site Director B → Site Supervisor (Approver) Site Director C → Site Supervisor (Approver)
Approval Route 3 (Step 3 Head Office Approval)
Branch manager → Head office representative (approver)
Approval route 4 (Step 4 Head office approval)
Head office staff → Head office decision maker (approver)

Approval route 1 (Step 1: Internal site approval) is used for the approval of monthly calculation data. Approval route 2 (Step 2: Site approval) and Approval route 3 (Step 3: Head office approval) are used for the approval of annual calculation data. Approval route 4 (Step 4: Head office approval) is added as the approval route for the approval of calculation data when it is submitted or disclosed externally.

In this way, multiple approval routes can be set, and multiple approval routes can also be combined to set up a new forwarding approval route. Also, by setting up approval routes for each location, you can reduce the amount of work required for unnecessary user registration. Furthermore, you can reduce the amount of work required to manage approval routes.

The execution unit 290, input unit 220, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 24th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item X1 (P072)]
an information processing system comprising: a storage unit (base information storage unit) that stores information indicating business entities corresponding to at least one of upstream and downstream business entities in a supply chain; an emission amount storage unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions of the business entities; an approver setting unit that sets an approver who confirms and approves the greenhouse gas emissions of the business entities; and an approval path setting unit that allows the setting of multiple approval paths for confirming and approving the greenhouse gas emissions of the business entities. Item X1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item X2]
an approval route setting unit that makes it possible to set, as approval routes for checking and approving the greenhouse gas emissions of the first business entity, a first approval route that does not set an approver for the second business entity, and a second approval route that sets an approver for the second business entity, as approval routes for checking and approving the greenhouse gas emissions of the first business entity. Item X2 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item X3]
An information processing system according to item X2, comprising an approval route selection unit capable of selecting the first approval route or the second approval route.
[Item X4]
An information processing system according to item X2, comprising: a template registration unit that registers a template into which information related to greenhouse gas emissions by a first business entity can be input; and an input unit that enables a second business entity to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template.
[Item X5 (P072)]
The following applies when X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours) is the target. The same can be applied to items subordinate to this item. An information processing system includes: a base information storage unit that stores information indicating business entities corresponding to at least one of upstream and downstream business entities in a supply chain; a storage unit that stores X information of the business entities; an approver setting unit that sets an approver who reviews and approves the X information of the business entities; and an approval path setting unit that allows multiple approval paths to be set for reviewing and approving the X information of the business entities. Item X5 includes: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each business entity (hereinafter, base) that emits greenhouse gases; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.

<<Emissions intensity linkage function (25th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 24 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 25. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is an issue that use restrictions may be placed on emission intensity units. Function 25 aims to provide technology that can appropriately utilize emission intensity units.

<System Overview>
The information processing system relating to the 25th function will be described below. The information processing system of this embodiment is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. The information processing system of this embodiment accepts input of the activity amount of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying this by an emissions intensity (emission coefficient).

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 25th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (base information memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emissions intensity memory unit, user memory unit, emissions intensity memory unit), an execution unit 290 (emission intensity registration unit), an acquisition unit 250 (activity amount acquisition unit, emissions intensity acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240.

The base information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information indicating business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The base information storage unit stores information indicating a first business entity (e.g., the head office or base A), a second business entity (e.g., a subsidiary or base B), and a third business entity (e.g., a sub-subsidiary or base C). The base information storage unit does not only store information indicating three bases, but can also store information indicating multiple bases. The base information storage unit is the same as the base information storage unit described in the other functions.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts related to the activity of the product used, which is the target object. Examples of activity amounts include the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight x distance transported (ton-kilometers), and the amount of fuel consumed (liters) and monetary value (yen). The activity amount memory unit can store activity amounts in association with information identifying the activity amount (activity amount ID), information identifying the emitter (company ID), information identifying the activity that emits greenhouse gases (activity specification information), and time information. The activity specification information can take any form as long as it is information for specifying an activity. For example, if an ID (activity ID) that uniquely identifies the type of activity is set in the data input to the management server 200, the activity ID can be used as the activity specification information. Furthermore, information including the type of data and conditions for the values of items included in the data can also be used as the activity specification information. For example, if the data is financial accounting data, the activity specification information can include information specifying "financial accounting data" and the conditions that the "account item" is "travel expenses" and the summary includes "taxi." Furthermore, as activity specification information, functions or learning models that input data and output activity can also be set. Time information is information that specifies the period during which an activity took place. Time information can be, for example, a date, year, or fiscal year. The activity amount storage unit is the same as the activity amount storage unit described for other functions.

The emission intensity unit memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information including emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission intensity unit information). Emission intensity units include primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the initial information source) and secondary data (data other than primary data). In this embodiment, the emission intensity units are defined as emission intensity units shared with a third party by a user of primary data. In other words, a first business entity (e.g., a parent company or base A) provides information on emission intensity units to a second business entity (e.g., a subsidiary or base B) so that the emission intensity units used by the first business entity can be used by the second business entity. The first business entity can also be a subsidiary, and the second business entity can be a parent company. In this way, emission intensity units can be linked so that the emission intensity units used by the first business entity can be used by a second business entity related to the first business entity. The emission intensity information may include activity-specific information and emission intensity units in association with information identifying the emission intensity units (emission intensity unit ID), information specifying the provider providing the emission intensity units (provider ID), information specifying the set of emission intensity units (emission intensity unit name), and the version of the set of emission intensity units. The provider ID is as described in the 21st function. In the 25th function, the emission intensity unit information may not include the provider ID. The emission intensity units also include the emission intensity units used in CFP. The emission intensity unit memory unit is the same as the emission intensity unit memory unit described in the other functions.

The user memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information for identifying users (business entities) that can use the emissions intensity units. For example, the user memory unit stores, in association with information identifying the user (user ID), a company ID that identifies the emission entity to which the user belongs, a provider ID that indicates the provider, the version of the emissions intensity units provided by the provider, and a usage permission flag that indicates whether the user is authorized to use the emissions intensity units. If the user of the first business entity, who is the output source user, has already granted authorization to use the emissions intensity units to a user of the second business entity, the usage permission flag is stored, indicating that usage is authorized. On the other hand, if usage is not authorized, the usage permission flag is stored, indicating that usage is not authorized. If the usage permission flag is stored, the user of the second business entity can use the emissions intensity units. If the usage permission flag is stored, the user of the second business entity can use the emissions intensity units. If the usage permission flag is stored, the user of the second business entity cannot use the emissions intensity units. The method of permission for use will be an example in which a first business entity issues permission to use the emissions intensity unit to a second business entity using an information processing system, but permission to use the emissions intensity unit may also be output from the first business entity to the second business entity by email or other means.

The emissions memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information about calculated greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emissions information). The emissions information can include a company ID, information identifying the time when the activity took place (time information), a scope, a category, an activity amount ID and an emission intensity ID indicating the activity amount and emission intensity used to calculate the emissions, and the emissions amount. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year, month, date, or date and time range. The scope and category can be the scope and category registered in the classification memory unit described above.

The activity amount acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires activity amounts related to the products used, which are the objects of the business entities. In this embodiment, the objects are, for example, products used in common by the first business entity and the second business entity. The activity amount can be the amount of products provided by related companies, such as the number of products, the amount of energy, or the distance traveled by logistics. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire the activity amount from the activity amount storage unit of the information processing system. The activity amount acquisition unit may be configured to accept input of the activity amount from the user terminal 100. The activity amount acquisition unit may also access, for example, an accounting system, a sales management system, an inventory management system, etc., and acquire the number (amount) of products purchased from related companies as the activity amount.

The emissions intensity registration unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, registers emissions intensity values related to activities in the emissions intensity storage unit. The emissions intensity registration unit can receive emissions intensity values output from the user terminal 100 of the first business entity, for example.

The output unit 240 outputs the emission intensity units used for the object of the first business entity and the calculated emission amounts. The output unit 240 can refer to the user memory unit to determine whether the user of the second business entity, who is the output destination user, can use the emission intensity units used to calculate the emission amounts. However, this determination can also be made by a determination unit constituting the analysis unit 280, separate from the output unit 240. This determination unit can refer to the user memory unit to determine whether the second business entity can use the output emission intensity units. If the user of the first business entity, who is the output source user, has granted the second business entity user permission to use the emission intensity units, the second business entity user can use the emission intensity units registered in the emission intensity unit registration unit. If the second business entity can use the emission intensity units, the output unit 240 can output the emission intensity units to the second business entity.

The emissions calculation unit, which constitutes calculation unit 210, calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emissions intensity. If the determination unit determines that the second business entity can use the emissions intensity, the emissions calculation unit can calculate the second business entity's emissions related to the target object based on the activity amount and the output emissions intensity. The basic function of the emissions calculation unit is the same as function 21.

<Operation>
FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating the process of linking emission intensity units. The management server 200 stores information indicating the first business entity and information indicating the second business entity (S3901). Next, the management server 200 stores the activity amount related to the object (S3902). Next, the management server 200 outputs the emission intensity units used in calculating the first business entity's emissions to the second business entity (S3903). Next, the management server 200 determines whether the second business entity can use the output emission intensity units (S3904). If the second business entity can use the output emission intensity units (YES in S3904), the management server 200 presents the emission intensity units to the second business entity (S3905). Next, the management server 200 calculates the second business entity's emissions related to the object based on the activity amount related to the object of the second business entity and the output emission intensity units (S3906). On the other hand, if the second business entity cannot use the outputted emissions intensity (NO in S3904), the management server 200 executes a process of not presenting the emissions intensity to the second business entity (S3907). Next, the management server 200 executes a process of not being able to calculate the second business entity's emissions based on the activity amount related to the second business entity's target object and the outputted emissions intensity (S3908). In S3908, not only is the calculation not possible, but the fact that the calculation is not possible can be notified to the user of the second business entity. Next, the management server 200 outputs the result (S3909). If S3906 is executed, the emissions amount is presented, but the emissions intensity can also be presented. If S3908 is executed, the emissions amount is not presented, and a message is displayed indicating that the emissions cannot be calculated.

In this way, the emissions intensity unit for a specific object used by a first business entity can also be used by a second business entity related to the first business entity. The second business entity can calculate the emissions amount for the specific object using the emissions intensity unit provided by the first business entity, making it easier for related business entities to calculate the emissions amount for the specific object.

The execution unit 290, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 25th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item Y1 (P073)]
an information processing system comprising: a memory unit that stores information indicating a first business entity and information indicating a second business entity among business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in a supply chain; an activity amount memory unit that stores an activity amount related to a target object; an emission intensity memory unit that stores an emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the target object; an output unit that outputs to the second business entity the emission intensity used in calculating the emissions of the first business entity; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions of the second business entity based on the activity amount (related to the target object of the second business entity) and the output emission intensity. Item Y1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item Y2]
An information processing system according to item Y1, characterized in that it determines whether the second business entity can use the outputted emission intensity, and if the result of the determination is that the emission intensity can be used, it is capable of calculating the second business entity's emissions (related to the target object) based on the amount of activity and the outputted emission intensity.

<<Authentication information output function (26th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 25 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 26.

In recent years, businesses have been actively working toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among these, manufacturers of consumer products (e.g., palm oil, coffee, chocolate, nonwoven masks, etc.) are promoting the production of environmentally friendly "sustainable products" by switching from non-sustainable petroleum-based raw materials to sustainable biomass raw materials, aiming to increase the added value of their products and enhance their corporate value. To prove that their products qualify as "sustainable products," they require third-party certification in accordance with the biomass certification system. To obtain this third-party certification, businesses manufacturing "sustainable products" must obtain a biomass raw material certificate (certification that the supplied raw materials are biomass raw materials) from their raw material suppliers and undergo an audit. A biomass raw material certificate must be exchanged between businesses manufacturing "sustainable products" and their raw material suppliers for each raw material transaction. The creation, issuance, and management of the biomass raw material certificate require significant time and effort. Therefore, this function aims to provide a system that facilitates the exchange of biomass raw material certificates within the supply chain.

Function 26 will be explained using palm oil as an example of the target product, but other targets related to biomass raw materials (hereinafter referred to as biomass products), such as coffee, chocolate, and nonwoven masks, may also be used. Palm oil is certified in two ways: at the production stage and at the supply chain stage (referred to as SCCS certification). This certification is carried out by a third-party certification body. SCCS certification verifies whether certification requirements are met during the manufacturing, processing, and distribution processes involving products made with certified palm oil. Furthermore, each process up to the final product, including trading companies that purchase certified palm oil from overseas, companies that process the oil, and manufacturers that produce the products, is subject to certification. Function 26 aims to facilitate the certification process by third-party certification bodies by providing certification data to business entities that make up the supply chain through an information processing system.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 26th function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (base information storage unit), an acquisition unit 250 (information acquisition unit), an output unit 240 (information presentation unit), a generation unit 260 (information generation unit), and an input unit 220 (information input unit).

The base information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information indicating business entities that correspond to at least one of the upstream and downstream business entities in the supply chain. The base information storage unit stores information indicating a first business entity (e.g., a palm oil refinery) among the business entities, information indicating a second business entity (e.g., a palm oil final product manufacturer), and so on. The base information storage unit does not only store information indicating two bases, but can also store information indicating multiple bases. The base information storage unit is the same as the base information storage unit described in the other functions.

The information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires first information and second information. The first information is information that includes at least information for certifying a first object handled by a first business entity that is upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., palm oil or biomass products handled by a refinery). The first information is information that includes at least information for certifying a second object handled by a second business entity that is upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., palm oil or biomass products handled by a manufacturer, end product manufacturer, or retailer). The information for certification is, for example, information used in SCCS certification. The first information is, for example, a report for SCCS certification (hereinafter referred to as a certification report), a group of information that presents multiple external findings, etc.

The second information is information indicating the attributes of the business entity. If the business entity is a first business entity, the second information is information indicating the attributes of the first business entity. If the business entity is a second business entity, the second information is information indicating the attributes of the second business entity. The second information is, for example, information on refineries, manufacturers, final product manufacturers, retailers, etc. The second information can be various information such as attribute information for each business entity, as well as information on internal and external knowledge such as size information and industry information.

Methods by which the information acquisition unit acquires the first information and the second information include acquiring information input from one or more user terminals 100, and acquiring information by the management server 200. When the management server 200 acquires the information, it acquires scale information and palm oil certification information of other business entities based on attribute information, etc. corresponding to the first business entity. When the management server 200 acquires the information, it acquires scale information and palm oil certification information of other business entities based on attribute information, etc. corresponding to the second business entity. For example, if the attribute information corresponding to the first business entity is a palm oil refinery, it acquires palm oil certification information and scale information of the other business entity that is a palm oil refinery. Information for palm oil certification is, for example, information held (or held) by other SCCS-certified business entities. Information for palm oil certification may be information that is to be included in a certification report.

The information generation unit constituting the generation unit 260 reads second information corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., refinery information) from the scale information storage unit described in the third function, references the scale information storage unit to identify other business entities (e.g., other refineries) corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read second information, reads palm oil certification information corresponding to the identified other business entities (e.g., information to be included in the certification report) from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information different from the first and second information (e.g., a biomass raw material certificate, a certification report reflecting review results, or a new certification report) based on the read palm oil certification information.

The information generation unit also reads second information corresponding to the second business entity (e.g., refinery information) from the scale information storage unit described in the third function, references the scale information storage unit to identify other business entities (e.g., other refineries) corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read second information, reads palm oil certification information corresponding to the identified other business entities (e.g., information to be included in the certification report) from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information different from the first information and second information (e.g., a biomass raw material certificate, a certification report reflecting review results, or a new certification report) based on the read palm oil certification information.

The third information is information (e.g., a biomass raw material certificate) that reflects the content of the certification reports of other business entities. In other words, the third information is information created based on the certification reports of other business entities. The management server 200 stores the certification reports of multiple other business entities and generates the third information based on this information. Specifically, the certification reports of multiple other business entities are analyzed by the generation unit 260, and the third information is generated based on the analysis results. Note that an analysis unit 280, which functions differently from the generation unit 260, may be provided separately from the generation unit 260, and the analysis unit 280 may analyze the certification reports of multiple other business entities and generate the third information based on the analysis results of the analysis unit 280. The generated third information may be the certification report itself; in this case, the information generation unit creates a new certification report. Furthermore, the analysis of the certification reports of multiple other business entities by the generation unit 260 or the analysis unit 280 may be performed by a system with self-learning artificial intelligence (a mechanical system).

The information presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the third information. The information presentation unit outputs and transmits the presented third information to the user terminal 100, making it possible to display the third information on the user terminal 100. In addition, the third information transmitted to the user terminal 100 can be edited and processed on the user terminal 100.

The information input unit, which constitutes the input unit, inputs information corresponding to the first business entity input from the user terminal 100 and third information edited and processed by the user terminal 100 to the management server 200. The management server 200 acquires the input information corresponding to the first business entity, etc., using the information acquisition unit.

<Operation>
FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a process for generating and outputting information for authentication by a third-party organization. The management server 200 acquires and stores information indicating business entities that constitute an upstream or downstream part of a supply chain (S4001). When there are multiple business entities that constitute a supply chain, for example, when there are two business entities, information indicating a first business entity and information indicating a second business entity are acquired and stored. Next, the management server 200 acquires first information including at least information for authenticating an object (S4002). When there is a first object handled by the first business entity and a second object handled by the second business entity, the management server 200 acquires first information (first information A) including at least information for authenticating the first object and first information (first information B) including at least information for authenticating the second object. The management server 200 also acquires second information indicating at least the attributes of the business entities (S4003). If there are multiple business entities that make up the supply chain, for example, if there are two, second information (second information A) indicating the attributes of the first business entity and second information (second information B) indicating the attributes of the second business entity are obtained.

Next, the management server 200 stores and registers the acquired first information and second information in the scale information storage unit (S4004). Next, the management server 200 reads out second information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit (S4005). Next, the management server 200 references the scale information storage unit to identify other business entities corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read second information (S4006). Next, the management server 200 reads out information for authenticating the object corresponding to the identified other business entity from the scale information storage unit, and generates third information based on the read information for authenticating the object (S4007). Next, the management server 200 outputs the third information (S4008).

According to function 26, an information processing system can be provided that includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., a certification report) including information for certification of an object (e.g., a biomass product) by a business entity upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information for SCCS certification); and second information indicating the attributes of the business entity (e.g., refinery, manufacturer, final product manufacturer, retailer, etc.); an information generation unit that generates third information (e.g., a new certification report, a certification report reflecting review results) based on information for certification of the object (biomass product) of a second business entity (e.g., another company that has received SCCS certification and has the attribute of a refinery) that matches or is similar to the second information (e.g., information indicating the attributes of a refinery) corresponding to the first business entity (e.g., a company seeking SCCS certification); and a presentation unit that presents the third information. Note that the first information and the third information do not have to be the same type of report and may be different types of reports. This makes it easy to create a report that is different from a certain type of report from a certain type of report.

In this way, simply by entering prerequisites such as the first and second information, a certification report format suited to the user is provided, so even businesses without specialized knowledge or know-how can easily create certification reports. Furthermore, because the information processing system reviews the reports based on numerous publicly available certification reports, the accuracy of certification reports created in-house can be improved.

The information processing system also includes an input unit that inputs instruction information (e.g., question information, instruction information for the information generation unit), and an information generation unit that generates new information (e.g., answers to questions, questionnaires, new email addresses, codes) based on the instruction information. An analysis unit 280 may be provided to evaluate the authentication reports acquired by the acquisition unit 250 and acquire reports with high scores. Scores from the previous year may be referenced and analyzed, sorted in descending order, and a top 10 (not limited to the top 10) report may be acquired. Scores from multiple years, such as the previous year and the year before, may be referenced and analyzed to acquire a top 10 report with the highest average scores. When scores from multiple years are referenced and analyzed, the most recent scores may be used preferentially. The analysis unit 280 may also perform machine learning on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 250 to generate the best authentication report. In this way, the analysis unit 280 analyzes and presents the top authentication reports in the industry indicated by the attributes, allowing for the creation of authentication reports with high scores and useful for authentication strategies, etc. Automatic acquisition of authentication reports and machine learning may also be performed. Additionally, when obtaining an authentication report, the user can specify the authentication report they wish to view individually using the user terminal 100.

Function 26 allows businesses (e.g., manufacturers) that produce "sustainable products" to link with raw material suppliers (e.g., refineries) via an information processing system. Furthermore, biomass raw material certificate data (third information) can be created and issued for each biomass raw material transaction on the information processing system. To ensure that the biomass raw material certificate data was properly issued by the raw material supplier, the raw material supplier's electronic seal can be affixed to the biomass raw material certificate data, and a blockchain function such as function 5 can be used to track the issuance date, issuer, and tampering history of the biomass raw material certificate data. The biomass raw material certificate data is stored and saved in a biomass raw material certificate data storage unit within the system, and when certification by a third-party organization is obtained, the biomass raw material certificate data stored in the system can be retrieved and utilized by an acquisition unit. Because third-party certification takes into account the GHG emissions and reductions emitted by businesses when producing "sustainable products," biomass raw material certificate data can be exchanged during the supply chain in conjunction with a GHG emission calculation system. It can be used not only for general consumer products, but also for trading commodities traded between businesses, such as timber, energy such as crude oil and gasoline, precious metals such as gold and platinum, and grains such as corn and soybeans.

Using Function 26 will make it easier to exchange biomass raw material certificates within the supply chain and simplify some of the procedures for obtaining biomass certification from a third-party organization. As a result, the production of "sustainable products" by businesses will become more widespread, and the selection and purchase of "sustainable products" will also become more widespread among ordinary consumers. This will ultimately expand efforts toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within Japan.

The acquisition unit 250, output unit 240, generation unit 260, input unit 220, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 26th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item Z1 (P074)]
An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores information indicating business entities corresponding to at least one of upstream and downstream of a supply chain; an information generation unit that generates information for receiving third-party certification for objects handled by the business entities; and an output unit that outputs the generated information. Item Z1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item Z2]
An information processing system according to item Z1, comprising an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information for authenticating an object and second information indicating attributes of a business entity, an information generation unit that generates third information as information for receiving authentication by a third party based on information for authenticating an object of another business entity that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the business entity, and an output unit that outputs the third information.
[Item Z3]
An information processing system comprising: a memory unit that stores information indicating a first business entity and information indicating a second business entity among business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in a supply chain; an information generation unit that generates information for third-party certification regarding a first object handled by the first business entity and a second object handled by the second business entity; and an output unit that outputs the generated information.
[Item Z4]
An information processing system according to item Z3, comprising an acquisition unit that acquires first information including at least information for authenticating a first object and a second object, and second information indicating attributes of the first business entity and the second business entity, an information generation unit that generates third information as information for receiving authentication by a third party based on information for authenticating objects of other business entities that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity and the second business entity, and an output unit that outputs the third information.

<<Function to display grades based on data trends (Function 27)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 26 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 27. As background technology, greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide are calculated. There is a need to grasp the greenhouse gas emission status throughout the entire supply chain. Function 27 aims to provide technology that can grasp the greenhouse gas emission status.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 27th function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (base information memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emissions intensity memory unit, emissions amount memory unit), an analysis unit 280, a calculation unit 210 (aggregation unit), an estimation unit 270 (activity estimation unit), an output unit 240, and an execution unit 290.

The base information storage unit, which is part of the storage unit 230, stores information indicating business entities that are either upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The base information storage unit has been explained in other functions, so explanation of this function will be omitted.

The activity amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information about the amount of activity by emitters and the amount of activity related to activities that emit greenhouse gases. The activity amount memory unit has been explained in other functions, so explanation of this function will be omitted.

The emission intensity memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information including emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission intensity information). The emission intensity memory unit has been explained in other functions, so explanation of this function will be omitted.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information related to the calculated greenhouse gas emission amount (hereinafter referred to as emission information). The emission amount memory unit has been explained in other functions, so explanation of this function will be omitted.

The analysis unit 280 analyzes the greenhouse gas emissions of a business entity over a specified period. For example, it analyzes the trends (trends) in the greenhouse gas emissions and activity levels of a first business entity over the most recent three-month period. The specified period is not limited to a continuous period such as three months; it also includes non-contiguous periods such as August 2020, August 2021, and August 2022, as well as periods such as one year, one month, one week, or one day. The analysis of the trends in emissions and activity levels is shown as an example of analyzing whether there is a downward trend over the specified period. However, it is also possible to analyze trends in emissions and activity levels over the specified period, such as whether there is an upward trend, whether there is a proportional relationship, or whether there is an inverse proportional relationship. The analysis unit 280 can also analyze trends in the greenhouse gas emissions and activity levels of other business entities, such as a second business entity, over the specified period. The analysis unit 280 analyzes information whose trends can be confirmed by exporting, comparing, and analyzing the information to be analyzed (information including emissions and activity amounts). In other words, information whose trends can be confirmed without exporting, or information that is not time-consuming, is not the subject of analysis. By having the analysis unit 280 analyze information that requires time and effort to analyze in this way, the user's information analysis efforts can be reduced. For emissions, information stored in the emissions storage unit is used, and for activity amounts, information stored in the activity amount storage unit is used. The emissions stored in the emissions storage unit are obtained by multiplying the activity amount stored in the activity amount storage unit by the emissions intensity stored in the emissions intensity storage unit. The analysis unit 280 also has the functions described in Other Functions.

The aggregation unit constituting the analysis unit 280 can also aggregate emissions and activity amounts. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions and activity amounts calculated by the emissions calculation unit by scope and category. The analysis unit 280 analyzes the results aggregated by the aggregation unit and analyzes which classifications (scopes, categories) are showing favorable trends in the business entity's greenhouse gas emissions and activity amounts over a specified period. The aggregation unit may be a function constituting the calculation unit 210, and also has the functions described under "other functions." The analysis unit 280 analyzes which classifications (scopes, categories) are showing favorable trends (for example, but not limited to, a trend toward reduced emissions, a downward trend in emissions, successful efforts to reduce emissions, and proven effectiveness of emissions reduction measures; the same applies below), but can also analyze whether there are favorable trends in more specific items (for example, gasoline emissions).

The activity estimation unit constituting the estimation unit 270 identifies the activities of the second business entity based on items related to the activity amount of the first business entity. The activity estimation unit estimates activity-specific information through machine learning based on items (e.g., gasoline emissions) of the first business entity analyzed by the analysis unit 280. The activity estimation unit vectorizes the items to create vector information, references the vector information storage unit of the ninth function, selects vector information (first vector information) stored in the vector information storage unit based on the distance from the created vector information (second vector information), and reads activity-specific information corresponding to the selected first vector information from the vector information storage unit. The activity estimation unit can, for example, identify a predetermined number (which may be one) of items in order of smallest distance between the first and second vector information. When the estimation unit 270 (activity estimation unit) estimates activity-specific information, it can also estimate an emissions intensity corresponding to the activity-specific information. The activity estimation unit identifies items related to the activity amount and estimates activity-specific information through machine learning based on the items. The activity estimation unit may be the same as the ninth function, or this function may also have other functions described in the ninth function.

Based on the results of the analysis, the output unit 240 outputs first analysis information that serves as the basis for performance (trend information) and example information when running a simulation for the second business entity. For example, if the results of the analysis show a positive first trend (downtrend), information related to the downtrend is output to the second business entity, indicating that the first business entity's efforts to reduce emissions are showing a positive trend. Note that if the results of the analysis for the first business entity show a downtrend but the results of the analysis for the second business entity do not show a downtrend, it is preferable to output information related to the downtrend as information indicating a positive trend for the second business entity. Furthermore, the output unit 240 can output positive trends, such as a downtrend, using a graph or the like.

The output unit 240 in this function provides (suggests) information on the activities of the first business entity (your company) based on trends in emissions or activity volume, which are information related to downward trends. The suggested information is positive information, rather than negative information such as deviations from targets. For example, if there are multiple locations and multiple items to be approved using the approval function, this function suggests positive trends, such as a downward trend compared to last month or the same month last year, to your own location and other locations. By outputting in this manner, you can inform staff at other locations of positive information, such as that this location's emissions control measures are going well or that emissions control measures are being implemented successfully in this item, and further, provide them with an insight into the efforts being made. In other words, this function can inform other users of positive points and promote sustainability activities within the company and group companies. Furthermore, by outputting in this manner, you can create output content that praises locations that are successfully responding to emissions reductions. The output unit 240 also has the functions described in the other functions section.

The output unit 240 also presents the estimated activity-specific information to the second business entity. The output unit 240 also presents the estimated emission intensity to the user. The information presented may be one or multiple pieces of information. If there is multiple pieces of estimated information, all of the information may be presented, or the information with the top five (not limited to five) analysis scores based on the analysis results may be presented, or the information with the highest analysis score based on the analysis results may be presented.

In addition, a solutions section constituting the execution unit 290 can be provided to provide example information (also referred to as simulation information or solution information) when the utilization method of a site experiencing a downtrend based on the first analysis information is applied to other sites. For example, a simulation can be performed in which the three-month downtrend of the first business entity is applied to the second business entity, and the simulation results can be provided as example information. For example, if the first business entity shows a downtrend in gasoline emissions, the analysis unit 280 can analyze the first business entity's vehicle ownership and information listed on the vehicle inspection certificates of the owned vehicles, and determine as an analysis result that the first business entity owns a large number of hybrid vehicles. Based on this result, the execution unit 290 can provide example information suggesting reducing the number of gasoline-powered vehicles and switching to hybrid or EV vehicles. When providing solution information as example information, the examples described in the solution matching function can be applied.

<Operation>
FIG. 41 illustrates a process for displaying performance based on data trends. The management server 200 stores information identifying a first business entity and information identifying a second business entity in the base information storage unit (S4101). Next, the management server 200 stores the greenhouse gas emissions of the first business entity and the greenhouse gas emissions of the second business entity in the emissions storage unit (S4102). Next, the management server 200 analyzes the trend in the greenhouse gas emissions of the first business entity over a predetermined period (S4103). Next, the management server 200 analyzes the trend in the greenhouse gas emissions of the second business entity over a predetermined period (S4104). Next, the management server 200 identifies items related to the activity amount and estimates activity-specific information based on the items through machine learning (S4105). Next, if the analysis results indicate a first trend, the management server 200 outputs information related to the first trend as performance to the first business entity and the second business entity (S4106). Next, the management server 200 outputs second analysis information (example information) obtained by applying the first analysis information of the first business entity that shows the first trend to the second business entity (S4107). Next, the management server 200 outputs activity specification information (S4108).

The analysis unit 280, calculation unit 210, estimation unit 270, output unit 240, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 27th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AA1 (P076)]
An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores information identifying a first business entity and information identifying a second business entity among business entities corresponding to at least one of upstream and downstream business entities in a supply chain; an emission storage unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions of the first business entity and greenhouse gas emissions of the second business entity; an analysis unit that analyzes the greenhouse gas emissions of the first business entity over a predetermined period; and an output unit that, if the analysis results indicate a first trend, outputs information regarding the first trend to the second business entity. Item AA1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that emits greenhouse gases; an activity amount storage unit that stores activity amounts of the emitters for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amounts from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AA2]
An information processing system according to Item AA1, wherein the analysis unit analyzes greenhouse gas emissions of a second business entity over a specified period, and the output unit outputs information relating to the first trend to the second business entity when the result of the analysis relating to the first business entity is a first trend and the result of the analysis relating to the second business entity is not the first trend.
[Item AA3]
An information processing system according to item AA1, characterized in that it outputs example information when analytical information based on the results of an analysis of a first business entity showing a first trend is applied to a second business entity.

This function can be combined with the first function, and this function can also be combined with functions 2 to 26. When combined with the first function, the following configurations are also included.
[Item AA4 (Improvement of P025)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission amount storage unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; an input unit that accepts input of a target rate of reduction of emissions by the business entity, a base point in time, and a target point in time; a unit reduction amount calculation unit that acquires the emission amount corresponding to the base point in time from the emission amount storage unit, calculates a reduction amount by multiplying the acquired emission amount by the reduction target rate, and calculates a unit reduction amount by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time; a target emission amount calculation unit that calculates, for each unit time, a target emission amount by subtracting a cumulative unit reduction amount from the emission amount corresponding to the base point in time; an output unit that outputs the target emission amount for each unit time; and an analysis unit that analyzes the emission amount of the business entity over a predetermined period. The information processing system may further comprise an output unit that outputs information on the first trend when a result of the analysis indicates a first trend.
[Item AA5]
An information processing system according to item AA1, comprising: an input unit that accepts input of a target reduction rate for emissions by a second business entity; and a reduction amount calculation unit that calculates a reduction amount based on the emissions and the target reduction rate.
[Item AA6]
An information processing system according to item AA5, characterized in that the input unit is capable of accepting input of a base point in time and a target point in time, and the reduction amount calculation unit is capable of acquiring the emissions at the base point in time from the emissions memory unit and calculating the reduction amount at the target point in time based on the acquired emissions and the reduction target rate.
[Item AA7 (P076)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, emissions of E2 hazardous substances or working hours for human rights DD) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be applied to items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores information indicating a first business entity and information indicating a second business entity among business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in a supply chain; an emissions storage unit that stores the X information of the first business entity and the X information of the second business entity; an analysis unit that analyzes the X information of the first business entity over a predetermined period; and an output unit that, when a result of the analysis indicates a first trend, outputs information on the first trend to the second business entity.

<<Primary data ratio calculation function (function 28)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 27 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 28. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are calculated. There is a need to grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain. Function 28 aims to provide technology that can grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment is a system for managing greenhouse gas emission intensity, and calculates the primary data ratio. The primary data ratio is the proportion of primary data in the data used to calculate the emission intensity. Primary data is data collected by the emitter (business entity) itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the initial information source. Note that data other than primary data is secondary data. For example, secondary data is data that has been standardized (statistically processed) from the emissions of multiple companies that offer the same type of product.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 28th function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (secondary emission coefficient memory unit, other company emission coefficient memory unit, acquisition status memory unit, company's own emission amount memory unit, other company activity amount memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit, activity amount acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (other company emission amount calculation unit, emission amount calculation unit, primary data ratio calculation unit), and an output unit 240.

The secondary emission coefficient storage unit, which constitutes the storage unit 230, stores emission coefficients for secondary data. Emission coefficients for secondary data can be those provided by the Ministry of the Environment, for example. The secondary emission coefficient storage unit can store emission coefficients in association with information identifying an activity (activity content).

The other company emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients related to other business entities (other companies) that are upstream and/or downstream in the supply chain. The other company emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients in association with business entity IDs that indicate business entities and activity details. The other company emission coefficient memory unit can also store primary data ratios related to other companies' emission coefficients in association with each other.

The acquisition status memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores, for each business entity, whether or not an emission coefficient has been acquired from that business entity. In this embodiment, the acquisition status memory unit stores, for a business entity that has acquired an emission coefficient for a certain activity, the business entity ID that identifies that business entity, the activity content that identifies that activity, and the acquisition date, in association with each other. In other words, if a corresponding record for a business entity and activity is not registered in the acquisition status memory unit, this indicates that an emission coefficient has not been acquired.

The company's own emissions memory unit, which constitutes memory unit 230, stores the greenhouse gas emissions (company's emissions) of the company. The company's emissions memory unit stores the business entity ID identifying the company, information indicating the time of emissions (time information), the scope related to the GHG Protocol (scope 1 related to direct emissions or scope 2 related to indirect emissions), and the emissions corresponding to that scope. The time information may be, for example, a specific year, a specific month, a specific week of a specific year, or a specific date.

The other company activity amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the amount of activity by other companies. The other company activity amount memory unit stores the business entity ID that identifies the other company, time information that indicates the time of the activity (e.g., year and month), activity content that identifies the activity, and the amount of activity, in association with each other.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the activities of other companies upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can send a request for an emission coefficient to the other company's computer (user terminal 100) and receive the emission coefficient sent in response to the request from the user terminal 100. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can also acquire the other company's primary data ratio related to the emission coefficient along with the emission coefficient. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can register the acquired emission coefficient and primary data ratio in the other company emission coefficient memory unit by associating them with the business entity ID indicating the other company and the activity content indicating the activity. The emission coefficient acquisition unit may refer to the acquisition status memory unit and send a request for an emission coefficient to other companies (user terminals 100) that have not acquired an emission coefficient.

The activity amount acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires activity amounts related to the activities of other companies. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire one or more pairs of information indicating the activity (activity content) and activity amount from the user terminal 100 of the other company. In addition, the activity amount is accompanied by information indicating when the activity was performed (time information). Time information is, for example, the year, month, and date. The activity amount acquisition unit can register the acquired time information, activity content, and activity amount in the other company activity amount storage unit in association with the business entity ID indicating the other company.

The other company's emissions calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, calculates the emissions of other companies. The other company's emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the other company's emission coefficient. If an emission coefficient corresponding to the other company and activity is not registered in the other company's emission coefficient storage unit, the other company's emissions calculation unit can read out the emission coefficient registered in the secondary emission coefficient storage unit in association with the activity and multiply it by the activity amount.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates the emissions reported by the company (the total of emissions related to Scopes 1 to 3, hereafter referred to as reported emissions). The emissions calculation unit can calculate the reported emissions by adding up the emissions stored in the company's emissions memory unit (the total of Scopes 1 and 2) and the emissions of other companies corresponding to the time information (calculated by the other company's emissions calculation unit).

The primary data ratio calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates the primary data ratio related to the company's emissions. The primary data ratio calculation unit can calculate, as the primary data ratio, the proportion of reported emissions determined using primary data obtained from other companies. For example, the primary data ratio calculation unit can calculate, as the primary data ratio, the proportion of the reported emissions of the sum of the company's emissions and first emissions calculated using emission coefficients registered in the other company's emission coefficient storage unit.

The primary data ratio relating to the emission coefficients of other companies may also be taken into consideration. In this case, the primary data ratio calculation unit calculates third emissions by multiplying the first emissions calculated using the emission coefficients registered in the other company emission coefficient storage unit by the primary data ratio corresponding to the other company and activity, and can calculate the primary data ratio as the ratio of the sum of the company's emissions and the third emissions to the reported emissions.

The output unit 240 can output at least one of the emissions amount, emission coefficient, primary data ratio, etc.

<Operation>
FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 28th function. The management server 200 acquires an emission coefficient (primary emission coefficient) from the user terminal 100 of another company and registers it in the other company emission coefficient storage unit (S4201). It also acquires an activity amount and registers it in the other company activity amount storage unit (S4202). The management server 200 determines whether a primary emission coefficient is available (S4203). If a corresponding primary emission coefficient is stored in the other company emission coefficient storage unit for each other company and activity (S4203: YES), the management server 200 multiplies the activity amount by the primary emission coefficient to calculate a first emission amount for the other company and activity (S4204). If a corresponding primary emission coefficient is not stored (S4203: NO), the management server 200 multiplies the activity amount by the emission coefficient (secondary emission coefficient) stored in the secondary emission coefficient storage unit for the activity to calculate a second emission amount for the other company and activity (S4205). The management server 200 adds the first or second emission amount to the reported emission amount (S4206).

The management server 200 can calculate the primary data ratio as the ratio of the sum of the company's own emissions (both Scope 1 and 2) registered in the company's emissions storage unit and the first emissions to the reported emissions (S4207). Here, the management server 200 may calculate the primary data ratio as the ratio of the value obtained by multiplying the first emissions by the primary data ratio corresponding to the primary emission coefficient used to calculate the first emissions and adding the company's own emissions registered in the company's emissions storage unit to the reported emissions. The management server 200 outputs the primary data ratio (S4208). The management server 200 may also output the emissions in addition to the primary data ratio.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 28th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AB1 (P014)]
an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires an activity amount related to the activities of the business entity; a company emission amount storage unit that stores the company's own emissions, which are the greenhouse gas emissions by the company; a third-party emission calculation unit that calculates a first amount of emissions by the business entity by multiplying the primary emission factor by the activity amount, and, if the primary emission factor is not registered, calculates a second amount of emissions by the business entity by multiplying the secondary emission factor by the activity amount; and a primary data ratio calculation unit that calculates a primary data ratio based on the first and second emissions and the company's emissions. Item AB1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AB2]
An information processing system according to Item AB1, wherein the primary data ratio calculation unit calculates the ratio of the sum of the company's emissions and the first emissions to the sum of the first and second emissions and the company's emissions.
[Item AB3]
Item AB1 is an information processing system according to the present invention, characterized in that the emission coefficient acquisition unit acquires the primary emission coefficient from a computer of the business operator.
[Item AB4]
The information processing system according to Item AB1, further comprising an acquisition status memory unit that stores, for each business entity, whether or not the primary emission coefficient has been acquired from the business entity, and the emission coefficient acquisition unit refers to the acquisition status memory unit and transmits a request requesting the primary emission coefficient to the business entity that has not acquired the primary emission coefficient.

<<Input Enhancement Function (29th Function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 28 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 29. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is an issue that it is time-consuming to register data necessary for calculating emissions into a system. Function 29 aims to make it possible to easily input data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
The emissions management system of this embodiment is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. The emissions management system of this embodiment accepts input of the activity amount of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying this by an emission coefficient. The emissions management system of this embodiment manages which emission coefficient should be used for which activity amount, making it possible to calculate emissions simply by inputting the activity amount.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 29th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, classification memory unit, conversion coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit, emission coefficient input unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit), and a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, aggregation unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurements, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurements at the initial information source), or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies that offer the same type of product).

The classification memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 can store emissions in association with the type of activity. The classification memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The classification memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The scope and category of the activity are assumed to be the scope and category of the GHG Protocol. The category may also be omitted.

In this embodiment, the emission coefficient storage unit and classification storage unit store the type of activity, scope, category, and emissions in association with each other. The emission coefficient information stored in the emission coefficient storage unit includes the scope (and category, if any) to which the type of activity indicated by the type identification information for the emission entity indicated by the company ID corresponds, in association with the company ID and type identification information. The classification storage unit also stores information (hereinafter referred to as classification information) related to the classification (scope and category) of the activity, and the classification information includes the scope and category in association with the company ID and type identification information.

The type identification information can take any format as long as it is information for identifying the type of activity. For example, if an ID (type ID) that uniquely identifies the type of activity is set in the data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data), the type ID can be used as the type identification information. The type identification information can also be information that includes the type of import data and conditions for the values of items included in the import data. For example, if the import data is financial accounting data, the type identification information can be information specifying "financial accounting data" and the condition that the "account item" is "travel expenses" and the summary includes "taxi." A function that inputs import data and outputs the type can also be set as the type identification information.

The conversion coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as conversion coefficient information) including coefficients (conversion coefficients) for unit conversion. When the units (first units) expressing the activity amount set in the import data differ from the units (second units) assumed by the emission coefficient, the conversion coefficient can be used to convert the unit of activity amount. For example, if the activity amount related to fuel is expressed in liters (l) and the emission coefficient is expressed in CO2 per kilogram (tCO2/kg), the conversion coefficient for weight per liter (kg/l) can be used to convert the activity amount to a value expressed in kilograms (kg), and then multiply by the emission coefficient to calculate the greenhouse gas (CO2 in this example) emissions (tCO2). The conversion coefficient information can include a conversion coefficient associated with the company ID and type-specific information. The conversion coefficient information may also include information indicating the converted units.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emissions. The emission amount memory unit can store a company ID, information specifying the time when the activity was carried out (time information), a scope, a category, and an emission amount, in association with each other. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range. The scope and category can be the scope and category registered in the classification memory unit described above.

The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts. Examples of activity amounts include the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight x distance transported (ton-kilometers), the amount of fuel consumed (liters), and the amount (yen). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the activity amount input unit receives import data from the user terminal 100. The import data can be, for example, data exported from an ERP system (export data) or data converted from export data. The import data can be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is known which item corresponds to which type of data, and the type of activity can be identified by the value entered in which item of the CSV data in the type identification information. Furthermore, with JSON data, XML data, and the like, the type of data can be tagged or set as an attribute.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission coefficients related to the type of activity. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can read the emission coefficient corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information from the emission coefficient storage unit. If the emission coefficients are managed by an external system, the emission coefficient acquisition unit may access the external system to acquire the emission coefficients.

The emission coefficient input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts the input of emission coefficients. The emission coefficient input unit identifies the company ID indicating the emitter to which the user belongs (for example, it can accept input of a company ID. The management server 200 also has a user information storage unit that stores user information related to users, and the company ID can be set in the user information and acquired from the user information storage unit). It can accept input of type-specific information and emission coefficients from the user and register the company ID, type-specific information, and emission coefficient in the emission coefficient storage unit. If an emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity amount related to the imported data is not stored in the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission coefficient input unit can, for example, notify the user terminal 100 of this and accept the emission coefficient from the user terminal 100.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on emission coefficients and activity amounts. The emission calculation unit can calculate emission coefficients for each record (or group of records) included in the import data. The emission calculation unit can, for example, search the emission coefficient storage unit for emission coefficient information where the value of an item included in a record corresponds to the type-specific information (for example, the value of the type-specific information is set as the value of the item, or the value of one or more items in the record meets the conditions specified in the type-specific information), and calculate emissions based on the retrieved emission coefficients and activity amounts.

If the units in which the activity amount is expressed match the units assumed for the emission factor (tCO2/unit), the emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission factor.

If the units do not match, the emission calculation unit reads a conversion factor corresponding to the received activity type (and emitter) from the conversion factor storage unit based on the conversion factor, converts the first activity amount expressed in the first unit to a second activity amount expressed in the second unit based on the read conversion factor, and calculates the emission amount based on the emission factor and the second activity amount. For example, the emission calculation unit searches the conversion factor storage unit for conversion factor information including the company ID and type-specific information corresponding to the record of the imported data, and if the searched conversion factor information is registered in the conversion factor storage unit, determines that the units do not match and multiplies the value obtained by multiplying the activity amount included in the imported data by the conversion factor by the emission factor. Note that if multiple conversion factors corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information are registered, all of the corresponding conversion factors may be multiplied.

The emission calculation unit can register the calculated emission amount in the emission amount memory unit. The emission calculation unit can associate the company ID, time information such as the current date and time, the scope and category of the calculated emission amount (the scope and category corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information used when calculating the emission amount can be obtained from the classification memory unit), and the calculated emission amount, and register them in the emission amount memory unit.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 aggregates the emissions. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by scope. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by category. The scope and category corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information can be read from the distribution memory.

<Operation>
FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 29th function. The management server 200 receives import data from an external source (S4301). For example, it can accept CSV data uploads from the user terminal 100, receive JSON data, or receive data in formats such as CSV, JSON, or XML from other systems. For each record included in the import data, the management server 200 reads from the emission coefficient storage unit emission coefficient information corresponding to the given company ID and whose item values included in the record correspond to the type-specific information (S4302). Then, it searches the conversion coefficient storage unit for conversion coefficient information corresponding to the given company ID and whose item values included in the record correspond to the type-specific information (S4303). Next, the management server 200 determines whether a conversion coefficient has been acquired (S4304). If the management server 200 has acquired the conversion coefficient information and is able to search (S4304: YES), it multiplies the activity amount included in the record by the conversion coefficient and the emission coefficient to calculate the emission amount (S4305); if the management server 200 has not acquired the conversion coefficient information and is unable to search (S4304: NO), it multiplies the activity amount included in the record by the emission coefficient to calculate the emission amount (S4306), and registers the calculated emission amount in the emission memory unit (S4307).

The management server 200 aggregates and outputs the emissions registered in the emissions storage unit (S307). The management server 200 can search the emissions storage unit for emissions calculated within a specified period, such as a year, quarter, month, week, or day, and aggregate them. The management server 200 can also obtain from the classification storage unit the scope and category that match the company ID and type-specific information related to the calculated emissions, and aggregate and output the emissions for each obtained scope and/or category.

In this way, emissions can be calculated by inputting activity data from an external source all at once.

The input unit 220, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 29th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AC1 (P017)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an association between a type of activity and an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the activity; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of an activity amount related to the activity; an emission coefficient acquisition unit that reads out from the emission coefficient storage unit the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity related to the activity amount; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the read-out emission coefficient and the activity amount. Item AC1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AC2]
The information processing system according to Item AC1, wherein the emission coefficient storage unit stores the type, the scope of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other, and includes a counting unit that counts the emissions calculated by the emission calculation unit for each scope.
[Item AC3]
The information processing system according to item AC1, wherein the emission coefficient storage unit stores the type, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other, and includes an aggregation unit that aggregates the emissions calculated by the emission calculation unit for each category.
[Item AC4]
In the information processing system described in item AC1, the activity amount received by the activity amount input unit is expressed in a first unit, and the information processing system further includes a conversion coefficient storage unit that stores a conversion coefficient for converting a value of the first unit into a value of a second unit in association with the type, wherein the emission amount calculation unit reads out the conversion coefficient corresponding to the type related to the received activity from the conversion coefficient storage unit based on the conversion coefficient, converts the first activity amount expressed in the first unit into a second activity amount expressed in the second unit based on the read conversion coefficient, and calculates the emission amount based on the emission coefficient and the second activity amount.
An information processing system characterized by:
[Item AC5]
The information processing system according to Item AC1, further comprising an emission coefficient input unit that, when the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity related to the amount of activity is not registered in the emission coefficient storage unit, accepts input of the emission coefficient and registers it in the emission coefficient storage unit.

<<Pricing Function (30th Function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 29 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 30. As background technology, a system that determines appropriate prices for products, etc. based on factors such as the number of people is disclosed. When determining usage fees for a system that calculates greenhouse gas emissions, there is an issue that conventional pricing is too expensive for use in calculating emissions for small-scale facilities. Function 30 aims to provide an information processing system (emissions calculation system) that can determine appropriate prices.

<System Overview>
An information processing system according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing system is intended to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. In the information processing system of this embodiment, the usage fee is determined according to the amount of emissions.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 30th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (basic fee memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), an output unit 240 (emission amount output unit), and an analysis unit 280 (usage fee determination unit).

The basic fee storage unit stores the basic fee for using the system. The basic fee storage unit may store a flat basic fee, or may store different basic fees for each user. The basic fee storage unit may also store basic fees for each type of contract between the user and the system operator.

The emission coefficient memory unit stores emission coefficients for calculating emissions. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients, for example, in association with direct or indirect emission activities by businesses (such as the user or the company to which the user belongs) or emission activities by businesses upstream or downstream in the supply chain, for each of Scopes 1 to 3 of the GHG Protocol. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients provided by the Ministry of the Environment, for example. Furthermore, the emission coefficient memory unit may store emission coefficients calculated by businesses themselves in addition to or instead of emission activities, in association with the businesses.

The emission amount memory unit stores emission amounts. The emission amount memory unit can store emission amounts for each activity. Activities can be pre-assigned to GHG Protocol scopes (Scopes 1 to 3) and/or categories (Categories 1 to 15).

The emission amount storage unit can also store the aggregated emission amounts. For example, the emission amount storage unit can store emission amounts for each scope (scope 1 to 3) and/or category (category 1 to 15) of the GHG Protocol. The emission amount storage unit can store emission amounts in association with information indicating the user (user ID). The emission amount storage unit can store emission amounts in association with the user ID and information indicating the type of greenhouse gas. The emission amount storage unit can store emission amounts in association with the user ID, scope and/or category, and type of greenhouse gas.

The emissions calculation unit calculates greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions calculation unit acquires the activity data for Scope 1 to 3 activities, reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the activity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and calculates emissions by multiplying the acquired activity data by the read emission coefficient. The activity data can be, for example, the amount and price of fuel used, the amount and price of electricity purchased, or the number of parts purchased.

The emission calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit. For each activity for which the activity amount has been acquired, the emission calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit in association with information indicating the activity. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of the emissions for each activity, the emission calculation unit can register the emissions totaled for each scope and/or category and user. The emission calculation unit can register the emissions totaled for each combination of scope and/or category, type of greenhouse gas, and user.

The emissions output unit outputs greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions output unit can aggregate (e.g., sum) the emissions for each user and activity stored in the emissions storage unit by scope category and output the aggregation results. For Scope 3 emissions, the emissions output unit can output the aggregation results of the emissions for each Scope 3 category in addition to or instead of Scope 3 emissions.

The fee determination unit constituting the analysis unit 280 determines various fees. The usage fee determination unit constituting the fee determination unit can determine the system usage fee based on the amount of emissions. The usage fee determination unit can determine the usage fee based on, for example, the amount of emissions calculated by the user using the system (the amount of emissions of the business entity to which the user belongs). The usage fee determination unit can, for example, set a fee coefficient corresponding to the amount of emissions or the rank of the emissions, either uniformly or for each user, and determine the usage fee by multiplying the total amount of emissions for that user over a specified period (for example, one month or one year) by the fee coefficient corresponding to that user. The usage fee determination unit can also determine the usage fee by, for example, adding an amount corresponding to the amount of emissions to the basic fee corresponding to the user, which is stored in the basic fee storage unit.

<Operation>
44 is a diagram illustrating the operation of Function 30. The management server 200 acquires the amount of activity related to scopes 1 to 3 of the user, calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying the acquired amount of activity by the emission coefficient (S4401), and can, for example, aggregate and output the calculated amount of emissions (S4402).

The management server 200 can determine the system usage fee based on the total emissions of the user (or the business to which the user belongs) over a specified period (S4403). The management server 200 can perform billing processes related to the determined usage fee (for example, issuing invoices, processing payments via credit card or bank transfer, outputting messages instructing the operator to make a bill, etc.).

The management server 200 can determine costs and fees other than the system usage fee based on the total emissions of the user (or the business to which the user belongs) over a specified period (S4404). The management server 200 can perform charging processes (e.g., issuing invoices, processing payments via credit card or bank transfer, outputting messages instructing the operator to make a bill) based on the tax rate for the system usage fee based on the amount of emissions. In this example, the tax rate for the system usage fee is 8% up to a specified amount of emissions and 10% above that amount. Other tax rates may be used, or the tax rate may be 0% (non-taxable) up to a specified amount of emissions and 10% (taxable) above that amount.

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment allows system usage fees to be set according to the business operator's emissions.

In the above-described embodiment, the usage fee was determined based on the user's or the user's business entity's emissions calculated using the system, but the usage fee may also be determined based on the number of locations related to the user or business entity. The user can aggregate (e.g., sum) the emissions for each location, and the usage fee determination unit can determine the usage fee, for example, based on the number of locations that are the unit for aggregating emissions (e.g., the higher the number, the higher the fee).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the system usage fee is determined based on the user's or the user's business entity's emissions calculated using the system. However, fees or expenses different from the system usage fee may also be determined based on the user's or the user's business entity's emissions. Expenses or fees other than the system usage fee (e.g., taxes on system usage fees or taxes levied based on greenhouse gas emissions) can be determined based on emissions (e.g., the higher the emissions, the higher the fees). In this case, the system usage fee is determined based on emissions, but may also be a fixed fee. As a result, the system usage fee, which is the overall usage fee, includes expenses such as taxes, and the fee may be set based on emissions.

The usage fee determination unit may also determine a usage fee for each location based on the emissions calculated (e.g., totaled) for each location, and add up the determined usage fees for each location to determine the usage fee to be charged to the user or the business entity to which the user belongs.

The usage fee determination unit may also determine the usage fee according to, for example, the scale of the business. The scale of the business can be expressed, for example, by the business's sales, consolidated sales, number of employees, amount of capital, amount of procurement, etc.

The calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 30th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AD1 (P018)]
An information processing system for calculating greenhouse gas emissions associated with at least one of a business entity's direct or indirect activities and the activities of other businesses upstream or downstream of the business entity's supply chain, the information processing system comprising: an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions; an emission storage unit that stores the emissions; and a usage fee determination unit that determines a usage fee for the information processing system to be charged to the business entity, the usage fee increasing as the stored emissions increase. In this case, the usage fee for the information processing system is a fixed system usage fee, and also includes a fee in which an amount according to the amount of emissions is added to the fixed system usage fee. Item AD1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that emits greenhouse gases; an activity amount storage unit that stores activity amounts of the emitters for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amounts from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AD2]
An information processing system according to item AD1, characterized in that it includes a basic fee memory unit that stores a basic fee for the usage fee, and the usage fee determination unit determines the usage fee by adding a fee to the basic fee, the fee being determined so that the amount increases as the amount of emissions increases.
[Item AD3]
An information processing system according to item AD1, characterized in that the emission amount storage unit stores the emission amount in association with a user, and the usage fee determination unit reads out the emission amount corresponding to the user from the emission amount storage unit, and determines the usage fee for the information processing system related to the user so that the amount becomes higher as the aggregate value of the read emission amount becomes larger.
[Item AD4]
An information processing system according to item AD1, comprising an emission calculation unit that calculates greenhouse gas emissions, and a usage fee determination unit that determines a usage fee for the system based on the emission amount.
[Item AD5]
An information processing system according to item AD4, comprising a basic fee memory unit that stores a basic fee for the usage fee, and the usage fee determination unit determines the usage fee by adding an amount corresponding to the emissions to the basic fee.
[Item AD6]
An information processing system according to item AD4, comprising an emission amount memory unit that stores the emission amount in correspondence with a user, and the usage fee determination unit reads out the emission amount corresponding to the user from the emission amount memory unit, and determines the usage fee for the user according to the aggregate value of the read emission amount.
[Item AD7]
An information processing system that calculates greenhouse gas emissions related to at least one of the direct or indirect activities of a business operator and the activities of other business operators upstream or downstream in the business operator's supply chain, comprising: an emissions calculation unit that calculates the emissions; an emissions memory unit that stores the emissions; and a fee determination unit that determines a usage fee for the information processing system to be charged to the business operator so that the amount increases as the stored emissions increase, and that determines costs or fees other than the usage fee so that the amount increases as the stored emissions increase.
[Item AD8]
An information processing system that calculates greenhouse gas emissions related to at least one of the direct or indirect activities of a business operator and the activities of other business operators upstream or downstream in the business operator's supply chain, comprising: an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions; an emission memory unit that stores the emissions; and a fee determination unit that determines a usage fee for the information processing system to be charged to the business operator so that the amount does not change even if the stored emissions amount increases, while determining costs or fees other than the usage fee so that the amount increases as the stored emissions amount increases.
[Item AD9 (P018)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, emissions of hazardous substances of E2 or working hours of human rights DD) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be said for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system that calculates X information related to at least one of the direct or indirect activities of a business operator and the activities of other business operators upstream or downstream in the business operator's supply chain, the information processing system is characterized by comprising: a calculation unit that calculates the X information; a storage unit that stores the X information; and a usage fee determination unit that determines a usage fee for the information processing system to be charged to the business operator so that the amount increases as the stored X information increases.

<<Offset function (function no. 31)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 30 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 31. Background technology includes a method in which a customer is asked whether or not to make a carbon offset donation when paying a transaction fee. This method does not take into account the content of the transaction, and has the problem that it is not possible to determine the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted at the time of the transaction. Function 31 aims to provide technology that can determine the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted at the time of the transaction.

First Embodiment
(a) of Figure 45 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration including a sales system according to this embodiment. The sales system according to this embodiment is a system for selling products or services. In this embodiment, the sales system can sell products or services, for example, through online shopping. The sales system is communicatively connected to an external server via a communication network 300. The communication network 300 is, for example, the Internet, and can be constructed using a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like. The external server is a computer that trades environmental value. The external server can sell, for example, offset rights (hereinafter referred to as environmental value) for environmentally hazardous substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2), such as J-Credits.

The sales system of this embodiment can also sell environmental value to offset the emissions of environmentally hazardous substances (e.g., greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide) related to the sale of a product or service when the product or service is sold.

<Sales System>
The sales system may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The sales system may also be logically implemented using cloud computing. An example of the hardware configuration of the computer that implements the sales system is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

The sales system includes a payment amount acquisition unit, an emissions acquisition unit, an offset price acquisition unit, an offset acceptance unit, a payment processing unit, an offset processing unit, and an emissions information storage unit.

The payment amount acquisition unit acquires the payment amount for the product or service. If the product or service is being sold through a sales system, the payment amount acquisition unit can acquire the sales price. Furthermore, if a payment device related to the sale of the product or service exists separately from the sales system, the payment amount acquisition unit can acquire the payment amount from the payment device.

The emission amount acquisition unit acquires the amount of emission of environmentally hazardous substances related to the product or service. The emission amount acquisition unit may, for example, acquire the amount of emission of environmentally hazardous substances emitted during the manufacture of the product, or the amount of emission of environmentally hazardous substances associated with the delivery of the product, or the amount of emission of environmentally hazardous substances associated with the manufacture or delivery of items necessary for the provision of the service, or the amount of emission of environmentally hazardous substances emitted during the provision of the service, or may acquire and add up all or some of these emissions. The emission amount acquisition unit may also acquire all emissions of Scopes 1 to 3 specified in the GHG Protocol.

The emission information storage unit stores information necessary to obtain the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted by a product or service (hereinafter referred to as emission information). The emission information may be, for example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted (a standard value) per unit of automobile (a unit of measurement for distance traveled, such as 1 km or 1 m), or the amount of carbon dioxide emitted (a standard value) from the production of one unit of substance (a lightweight unit of substance, such as 1 kg or 1 m3). The emission acquisition unit acquires information related to the production or provision of a product or service (referred to as product provision information; for example, the amount of substance sold, the distance traveled by a delivery vehicle used to deliver the product, or the distance traveled by a transportation vehicle used in a transportation service), and calculates the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted by the product or service based on the acquired product provision information and emission information. Furthermore, the emission information may be, for example, an emission coefficient indicating the amount of emissions in monetary units (e.g., Japanese yen) for each product or service.

The emissions information storage unit may store an emissions coefficient for calculating emissions for each activity carried out by the entity that provides the product or service, and the emissions acquisition unit may acquire the activity volume for the product or service (e.g., the volume related to activities defined in Scopes 1 to 3 of the GHG Protocol, such as fuel use, number of materials purchased, number of products sold, etc.), read the corresponding emissions coefficient from the emissions information storage unit, and calculate emissions by multiplying the activity volume by the emissions coefficient.

The offset price acquisition unit acquires the price of the environmental value according to the amount of emissions. The offset price acquisition unit can, for example, acquire the asking price of the environmental value from an external server (environmental value trading server). The offset price acquisition unit can, for example, acquire the asking price by calling an API provided by the external server. The offset price acquisition unit can also acquire the price of the environmental value owned by the seller of a product or service if the seller owns the environmental value. In this case, the sales system is equipped with an inventory environmental value storage unit that stores the amount and price of the environmental value owned by the seller for each seller, and the offset price acquisition unit can acquire the price of the environmental value corresponding to the seller from the inventory environmental value storage unit.

The offset acceptance unit accepts input as to whether or not to purchase environmental value (offset transaction). At the time of payment for the purchase of a product or service, the offset acceptance unit can inquire of the purchaser of the product or service as to whether or not to purchase environmental value along with the product or service.

The payment processing unit performs payment processing related to the sale of goods or services. Payment processing by the payment processing unit can be performed using common methods, such as payment by credit card. The payment processing unit can perform payment by increasing the payment amount according to the price of the environmental value. When a purchaser of a product or service purchases an environmental value, the payment processing unit can perform payment processing by adding the price of the environmental value to the payment amount (sales amount) of the product or service, and can pay the sales amount (which may be the sales amount minus a fee) to the provider of the product or service, and can also perform processing to pay the price of the environmental value to the seller of the environmental value.

The offset processing unit performs the purchase process for the environmental value. For example, the offset processing unit can purchase the environmental value by issuing a purchase order to an external server. The offset processing unit may issue a purchase order primarily for the purchaser of the product or service, or for the operator of the sales system. Furthermore, if the seller owns the environmental value, the offset processing unit may perform offset processing (proxy invalidation) by transferring the environmental value owned by the seller to the purchaser. In this case, the offset processing unit can reduce the amount of environmental value corresponding to the seller from the inventory environmental value storage unit in accordance with the amount of emissions to be offset, and charge the purchaser of the product or service the price of the environmental value multiplied by the amount.

Figure 46 is a diagram explaining the operation of Function 31. When a product or service is sold in the sales system of the first embodiment (S4601), the emission acquisition unit acquires the amount of emissions of environmentally hazardous substances related to the sold product or service (S4602). The emission acquisition unit may acquire emissions calculated by another information processing device, or may acquire information for calculating emissions related to the sold product or service and calculate the amount of emissions. The offset price acquisition unit acquires an asking price of environmental value to offset the acquired emissions from an external server (S4603). The offset acceptance unit inquires of the purchaser of the product or service whether or not to offset (S4604). If the purchaser wishes to offset (S4605: YES), the settlement processing unit adds the asking price to the sales price (settlement amount) of the product or service and makes the settlement (S4606). The offset processing unit purchases environmental value and performs the offset processing (S4607). On the other hand, if the purchaser does not wish to offset (S4605: NO), the payment processing unit will make the payment according to the payment amount (S4608). Note that it is also possible to skip steps S4604, S4605, and S4608 without inquiring about whether offsetting is necessary, and to always perform offsetting by executing steps S4606 and S4607.

As described above, the sales system of this embodiment makes it possible to calculate the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted in connection with the production and provision of a product or service at the time of sale. Furthermore, the sales system of this embodiment makes it possible to offset the amount of emissions associated with a product or service at the time of sale.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that offset processing is also performed, but this is not limiting. It is also possible to simply calculate the emissions related to the product or service, output the emissions, and present them to at least one of the seller and buyer of the product or service.

In the past, when a company wanted to offset environmentally harmful substances such as carbon dioxide emitted in connection with the services it provided, it typically offset them all at once over a certain period or unit. However, with the sales system of this embodiment, the environmentally harmful substances are calculated each time a product or service is sold, and the environmental value for offsetting can be traded, making it possible to provide customers with the opportunity to participate in offsetting.

Second Embodiment
As a second embodiment of the sales system, an electronic commerce (EC) site that sells products will be described in particular. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that carbon dioxide emitted during delivery of products sold on the EC site is offset.

The emissions acquisition unit can calculate the amount of environmentally hazardous substances, particularly carbon dioxide, emitted during the delivery of goods. The emissions acquisition unit can calculate the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the delivery of goods by identifying the transportation route for the goods and adding up the product of the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance for each delivery means used for that transportation route and the respective delivery distances. The emissions acquisition unit can also calculate emissions by acquiring the price of the fuel used during the delivery of the goods, or the weight and distance traveled (ton-kilometers) of the cargo during the delivery of the goods, and multiplying this by the transportation-related emission coefficient (which can be set in advance) corresponding to the delivery company. The cost of carbon offsetting can also be calculated by multiplying the total amount of emissions by the asking price of environmental value (credits) for carbon offsetting obtained from an external server.

In this case, the emissions information storage unit can store, for example, the location on a map of the warehouse where each product is stored for each item. The emissions information storage unit can also store, for example, information for calculating the delivery route from the warehouse to the product's destination (e.g., the purchaser's home) (for example, this may be information used in a navigation system, or a URL or authentication information for accessing a map server that performs the routing). The emissions information storage unit can also store the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance for each delivery method (e.g., truck) used for transportation. The payment amount acquisition unit can acquire the payment amount as well as the product sold, the product's delivery destination, the number of packages to be delivered, and other information. The emissions acquisition unit can use this information to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the transportation of the products. The offset acceptance unit can then present the actual cost (asking price) required for carbon offsetting when the purchaser pays the fee, allowing the purchaser to choose whether or not to implement carbon offsetting. If carbon offsetting is implemented, a buy order can be automatically sent to an external server to purchase environmental value (credits) for the offset.

In the above explanation, the cost of carbon offsetting (the price of environmental value) is assumed to be borne entirely by the purchaser, but the operator of the e-commerce site and the purchaser of the product can arbitrarily set the percentage of the carbon offsetting cost to be borne by them.

Also, in the second embodiment, the amount and price of the environmental value owned by the seller may be stored, the price of the environmental value owned by the seller may be presented, and offsetting may be performed by transferring the environmental value owned by the seller to the purchaser. Also, in the second embodiment, offsetting may not be performed, and only the amount of emissions may be calculated and presented.

Third Embodiment
As a third embodiment of the sales system, a payment device for passenger transportation services such as taxis will be described. In the third embodiment, the sales system offsets carbon dioxide emissions emitted by passenger transportation means such as taxis when making payments for the use of passenger transportation services by taxis, etc. The sales system can be implemented as a terminal installed in the taxi.

<When inquiring about carbon offset participation at the time of payment>
47 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, in which carbon offsetting is performed when paying a taxi fare. The sales system calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during the taxi's travel based on information from the taxi's odometer, and presents passengers with the option of whether to participate in offsetting the carbon dioxide emissions (carbon offset) when paying the fare or in advance, providing them with the opportunity to freely choose to offset their carbon dioxide emissions.

==Offset cost calculation phase==
The payment amount acquisition unit of the sales system can acquire the mileage from the taxi's odometer and accept the number of passengers input from the taxi driver. The payment amount acquisition unit can determine the taxi fare based on the mileage and travel time using a common method.

The emission amount acquisition unit can calculate the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted by the taxi's operation based on at least one of the taxi's travel distance and travel time. If the taxi is a gasoline-powered vehicle, the emission amount acquisition unit can acquire the number of passengers and travel distance in the taxi, and calculate the emission amount based on the number of passengers and travel distance. If the taxi is a gasoline-powered vehicle, the emission amount acquisition unit can acquire the number of passengers and travel distance in the taxi, and calculate the emission amount based on the number of passengers and travel distance.

The emission amount acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emission amount, for example, as follows:

==For gasoline vehicles==
If the taxi is a gasoline-powered vehicle, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance (kg/km) can be registered in advance in the emission information storage unit. The emission acquisition unit can acquire the mileage, for example, from a taxi meter or a taxi fare payment system, and may also acquire the number of passengers. If the number of passengers can be acquired, correction information for the carbon dioxide emissions depending on the number of passengers (e.g., a correction multiplying factor) can be registered in the emission information storage unit. The correction multiplying factor can be, for example, 0.95 for one passenger, 1.0 for one passenger, 1.05 for three passengers, and 1.1 for four passengers. The emission acquisition unit can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions related to a gasoline-powered taxi by "travel distance (km) x carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance (kg/km) x correction multiplying factor according to the number of passengers."

==In the case of EV==
If the taxi is an electric vehicle, the amount of power consumed per unit distance (kWh/km) can be registered in advance in the emission information storage unit. The amount of power consumed per unit distance can be registered, for example, for each individual taxi or for each vehicle type. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power (kg/kWh) can also be registered in advance in the emission information storage unit. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power can be registered for each charging station, or an overall average value can be registered. As with gasoline-powered vehicles, a correction factor for each number of passengers can also be registered in the emission information storage unit. The emission acquisition unit can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted (kg) for an electric vehicle taxi by calculating "travel distance (km) x amount of power consumed per unit distance (kWh/km) x amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power (kg/kWh) x correction factor according to the number of passengers."

In addition, if the emissions acquisition unit is able to acquire power consumption data (kWh) for the taxi's operation from the electric vehicle's control device, the taxi's meter, the taxi's payment device, etc., the emissions information storage unit can register the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power (kg/kWh) and a correction factor for each number of passengers, and the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions (kg) using "power consumption (kWh) x carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power (kg/kWh) x correction factor according to the number of passengers."

The offset price acquisition unit can acquire the asking price (yen/kg) of environmental value such as J Credit from an external server. The offset price acquisition unit can acquire the asking price, for example, using an API provided by the external server. The offset price acquisition unit may also provide the calculated emissions to the API to acquire the asking price (yen) of the environmental value related to the calculated emissions.

==Payment Phase==
The offset reception unit can display a screen on the touch panel monitor of the sales system. The screen displays the taxi fare and the offset price (the asking price of the environmental value), and allows the customer to select whether or not to perform carbon offsetting using a button.

==Execution Phase==
When the offset button is pressed, the payment processing unit requests payment of the total amount of the fare and the offset price, and the offset processing unit sends a purchase order for environmental value such as J-Credits equivalent to the emissions to an external server, thereby performing carbon offsetting.

<If you wish to inquire about carbon offset participation in advance>
FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment relating to a case where participation in carbon offset is inquired in advance.

If it has been decided in advance to carry out carbon offsetting, the taxi fare plus the cost of carbon offsetting can be charged at the time of payment. In this case, the share of carbon offsetting costs to be borne by the taxi company and the passenger can be set at will. This share can be set at will by the taxi company, or the customer can decide and register their share in advance. When carbon offsetting is carried out, a purchase order for environmental value (credits) for the offset will be automatically sent to an external server.

==Selection Phase==
The offset acceptance unit displays a screen on the passenger's touch panel monitor before the fare is presented to the passenger, for example, when they board or while they are riding, and allows them to choose whether or not to perform carbon offsetting. If the "no offset" button is pressed on the screen, carbon offsetting will not be performed and payment will be made at the regular fare. On the other hand, if the "offset" button is pressed, carbon offsetting will be performed.

==Offset cost calculation phase==
When performing carbon offsetting, similar to the case of inquiring about participation in carbon offsetting when paying the fare shown in FIG. 47 , the payment amount acquisition unit can acquire the mileage from the taxi's odometer and accept the number of passengers from the taxi driver. The payment amount acquisition unit can determine the taxi fare based on the mileage, travel time, etc. using a common method. The emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions as described above. Here, the offset price acquisition unit acquires the asking price of environmental value such as J-Credits from an external server, and the payment amount acquisition unit can add the asking price to the fare to determine the payment amount. The offset price acquisition unit can calculate the cost required for offsetting by multiplying the asking price (yen/kg) received from the external server by the carbon dioxide emissions (kg) calculated as described above. The offset processing unit can automatically send a purchase order for environmental value such as J-Credits for the amount of emissions to the external server and perform carbon offsetting.

==Settlement Phase==
The payment processing unit can request payment of the total amount of the fare and the offset price. The payment processing unit can, for example, display the fare, the offset price, and the total amount on a screen.

In the third embodiment, too, the amount and price of the environmental value owned by the seller may be stored, the price of the environmental value owned by the seller may be presented, and offsetting may be achieved by transferring the environmental value owned by the seller to the purchaser. Also, in the third embodiment, offsetting may not be implemented, and only the amount of emissions may be calculated and presented.

<Fourth embodiment>
The second embodiment describes offsetting carbon dioxide emissions related to product delivery in e-commerce, and the third embodiment describes offsetting carbon dioxide emissions related to passenger transportation by taxi. However, it is also possible to offer offset credits to customers for carbon dioxide emissions related to the sale of other products or the provision of services. The following is a list of substances that can be offset. Note that in the following description, carbon dioxide can be replaced with other substances of environmental load that can be offset.

==Video Production/Distribution==
Carbon dioxide emissions related to video production or video distribution can also be offset. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of power consumption per unit time (kWh/h) required for video production or distribution and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power (kg/kWh), and the emission acquisition unit can calculate the amount of emissions by multiplying the video duration by the amount of power consumption by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power. The offset acceptance unit can allow the video creator or distributor to select an offset option when uploading a video.

==Travel Package==
It is also possible to offset the carbon dioxide emitted by the means of transportation used for the trip. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the carbon dioxide emission (kg/km) per unit distance traveled for each means of transportation, the emission acquisition unit acquires the travel distance for each means of transportation included in the travel package and calculates the carbon dioxide emission for the travel package by summing "travel distance x emission for each means of transportation used," and the offset acceptance unit allows the traveler to select an offset option when applying for the trip.

==Courier==
It is also possible to offset the carbon dioxide emitted during delivery by courier. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emission (kg/km) per unit distance related to courier delivery, and the emission acquisition unit acquires the courier delivery route and calculates the distance of the delivery route, and calculates the carbon dioxide emission related to courier delivery by multiplying the travel distance by the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit distance. The offset acceptance unit can allow the requester to select an offset option when applying for home delivery.

==Flea Market App==
Carbon dioxide emissions associated with the delivery of goods traded between end users, such as at flea markets or auctions, can also be offset. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions (kg/km) per unit distance traveled during delivery, and the emission acquisition unit acquires the delivery distance between end users (e.g., by acquiring the address of the delivery source and the address of the delivery destination and determining the straight-line distance between the two addresses or the distance of the delivery route along a road). The carbon dioxide emissions associated with the delivery of the goods can be calculated by multiplying the delivery distance (km) by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance (kg/km). The carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance traveled during delivery can be stored for each delivery method, and the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance traveled corresponding to the delivery method selected at the time of the transaction can be used to calculate the emissions. The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not to apply an offset as a delivery option during the transaction.

==Delivery of goods from the store to your home==
When an end user requests home delivery of products purchased at a store such as a supermarket or liquor store, the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the delivery can be offset. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the carbon dioxide emissions (kg/km) per unit distance traveled for delivery, and the emission acquisition unit calculates the straight-line distance from the store to the delivery destination (such as the end user's home) or the distance of the delivery route along a road, and calculates the carbon dioxide emissions associated with product delivery by multiplying the delivery distance (km) by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance (kg/km). When a purchaser requests product delivery, the offset acceptance unit allows the purchaser to select whether or not to apply an offset as a delivery option. Note that, if there are multiple delivery methods, the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance traveled for delivery can be stored for each delivery method, and the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance traveled corresponding to the delivery method selected at the time of delivery application can be used to calculate the emissions.

==Commuting==
Companies can also perform carbon offsets for their employees' commutes. For example, the emissions information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions (kg/km) per unit distance traveled related to an employee's commute. The emissions acquisition unit acquires the straight-line distance from the employee's home to the company or the distance of the commute route (for example, by acquiring the employee's address from a personnel database, calculating the distance based on map data, or acquiring the distance from a map server). The emissions acquisition unit can calculate the employee's carbon dioxide emissions related to commuting by multiplying the commute distance (km) by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance traveled (kg/km) . The emissions acquisition unit can also acquire the number of work days per month and calculate the monthly carbon dioxide emissions related to commuting by multiplying the number of work days by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. In this case, if the company pays the offset costs, the offset acceptance unit does not need to inquire about whether or not to offset the employee's commute. If the company does not pay the costs, the offset acceptance unit can inquire about whether or not to offset the employee's commute, for example, before paying their monthly salary. The emission information storage unit may store the amount of carbon dioxide emissions (kg/km) per unit travel distance for each means of commuting (e.g., car, bus, train, etc.), and the emission acquisition unit may acquire the means of commuting used on each employee's commute route and calculate emissions using the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit travel distance corresponding to the acquired commuting means.

==Drone Flight==
When flying a drone, carbon offsetting related to the drone's flight can also be performed. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit flight distance (kg/km) related to the drone's flight, and the emission acquisition unit acquires the flight distance along the flight route acquired by, for example, the drone's flight controller or the drone's flight control device, and calculates the carbon dioxide emissions related to the drone's flight by calculating "flight distance (km) x carbon dioxide emissions per unit flight distance (kg/km)." Alternatively, for example, the emission information storage unit stores the power consumption per unit flight distance (kWh/km) and the carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption (kg/kWh) related to the drone's flight, and the emission acquisition unit acquires the flight distance along the flight route acquired by, for example, the drone's flight controller or the drone's flight control device, and calculates the carbon dioxide emissions related to the drone's flight by calculating "flight distance (km) x power consumption per unit flight distance (kWh/km) x carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption (kg/kWh)." The offset receiving unit can, for example, allow a user to select whether or not carbon offsetting is required as an option menu when arranging a drone pilot.

==Ship Transportation==
Carbon offsetting can be performed not only for land transport but also for the transportation of goods by ship. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions (kg/km) per unit sailing distance for ship navigation, and the emission acquisition unit acquires, for example, the length of the ship's route (sailing distance) and can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for the transportation of goods by ship using "sailing distance (km) x carbon dioxide emissions per unit sailing distance (kg/km)." The offset acceptance unit can accept whether or not carbon offsetting is required as an option when arranging transportation.

==Airplane travel==
Carbon offsetting can be performed not only for taxis and the like, but also for passenger transportation services by airplane. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions (kg/km) per unit flight distance of an airplane, and the emission acquisition unit acquires, for example, the length of the airplane's route (flight distance) and can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the airplane flight by multiplying the flight distance (km) by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit flight distance (kg/km). The offset acceptance unit can, for example, allow travelers to select whether or not they want a carbon offset as an option to be added to the price of an airline ticket when purchasing.

==Computer Use==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the use of computers used to provide services such as financial services and information services. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power consumption (kg/kWh), and the emission acquisition unit acquires the amount of power consumption (kWh) of the computer used to provide the service, such as financial services or information services, and can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions related to the use of the computer used to provide the service by multiplying the amount of power consumption (kWh) by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power consumption (kg/kWh). As in the above-described embodiment, the offset acceptance unit can accept the need for carbon offsetting as an option menu when providing the service (at the time of payment).

==Using the Cloud==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the use of cloud computing (storage, computing, etc.). For example, the emission information storage unit stores the power consumption per unit usage time of cloud computing resources (kWh/h, which may include not only the power consumption by computers but also the power consumption by air conditioning, etc.) and the carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption (kg/kWh). The emission acquisition unit acquires the usage time (h) of cloud computing and calculates the carbon dioxide emissions related to the use of cloud computing by multiplying the usage time (h) by the power consumption per unit usage time (kWh/h) by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption (kg/kWh). As in the above-described embodiment, the offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not to apply carbon offsetting as an option menu when providing the service (at the time of payment).

==Using amusement parks and other facilities==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the operation of facilities such as amusement park attractions. For example, the emissions information storage unit stores the power consumption (kWh) for each piece of equipment required for a specified period (e.g., one day, one month, etc.) or one use, and the carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power consumption (kg/kWh), and the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the use of the equipment by, for example, multiplying the power consumption (kWh) by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power consumption (kg/kWh). The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not to apply for carbon offsetting when making a payment for facility use, such as when purchasing tickets to an amusement park.

==Use of the sports gym==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the use of equipment at a sports gym. For example, the emission information storage unit stores, for each piece of equipment, the amount of power consumed per unit of use time and the amount of power consumed by air conditioning (kWh/h), and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power consumption (kg/kWh). The emission acquisition unit acquires the amount of time the sports gym is used (h) and can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from use of the sports gym by multiplying the amount of power consumed per unit of use time (kWh/h) by the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power consumption (kg/kWh). The offset acceptance unit can allow a user to select whether or not to request carbon offsetting as an option when joining the sports gym.

==Attending concerts and watching sports==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for attending concerts or watching sports games. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted by holding a concert or a sports game, and the emission acquisition unit divides the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions by the number of participants in the concert or sports game to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per participant. The offset acceptance unit can, for example, allow the user to select whether or not to request carbon offsetting as an option when purchasing tickets.

==Esports==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the implementation of e-sports. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the total carbon dioxide emissions associated with the operation of e-sports (air conditioning, lighting, equipment operation, etc.), and the emission acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions per participant, for example, by dividing the total carbon dioxide emissions by the number of participants (competitors and/or spectators) in the e-sports. The offset acceptance unit can allow participants to select whether or not they require carbon offsetting as an option when they apply to participate, and allow spectators to select whether or not they require carbon offsetting as an option when they purchase tickets.

==School Classes==
Carbon offsetting for school classes is also possible. For example, the emissions information storage unit stores the total carbon dioxide emissions required for conducting school classes (electricity use for air conditioning, lighting, equipment, etc.), and the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions per student, for example, by dividing the total carbon dioxide emissions by the number of students participating in the school classes. In this case, if the school covers the offset costs, the offset acceptance unit does not need to ask students whether or not to offset. If the school does not cover the costs, the offset acceptance unit can allow students to select whether or not to offset as an option when they enroll or apply for classes.

==Hotel Accommodation==
Carbon offsetting for hotel stays can also be performed. For example, the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with a hotel stay by multiplying the carbon dioxide emissions emitted from the room per unit time (the amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to air conditioning and electricity use) by the length of stay (number of days). The offset acceptance unit can, for example, allow the guest to select whether or not they require carbon offsetting as an option when applying for a stay.

＝＝Rental warehouse＝＝
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the use of a rental warehouse. For example, the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions for the use of the rental warehouse by multiplying the carbon dioxide emissions per unit time and area (carbon dioxide emissions from air conditioning and electricity use) by the area and usage time (storage time) of the rental warehouse used. The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to optionally select whether or not to apply for carbon offsetting when applying to use a rental warehouse.

==Camp==
Carbon offsetting for camping can also be performed. For example, the emission information storage unit can store the standard amount of carbon dioxide emitted during camping (for example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from a bonfire or charcoal fire), and the emission acquisition unit can read out this carbon dioxide emission amount. The offset acceptance unit can allow the camper to select whether or not they want to apply for carbon offsetting as an option when applying for camping.

==Movie==
Carbon offsetting related to movie viewing can also be performed. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the total carbon dioxide emissions (carbon dioxide emissions due to the use of electricity for air conditioning, lighting, projection equipment, etc.) associated with screening a movie (operating a movie theater), and the emission acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions per viewer by dividing the total carbon dioxide emissions by the number of people viewing the movie. The offset acceptance unit can allow the viewer to select whether or not to request carbon offsetting as an option when applying to watch a movie (when selling tickets).

==Gas Use==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for gas used in the home. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the carbon dioxide emissions (kg/t) required to produce a unit amount of gas or the carbon dioxide emissions (kg/t) emitted from the use of a unit amount of gas, and the emission acquisition unit acquires the amount of gas used in the home (t) and calculates the carbon dioxide emissions required for the gas used in the home by multiplying the amount of gas used (t) by the carbon dioxide emissions required to produce the gas (kg/t) or by the amount of gas used (t) by the carbon dioxide emissions emitted from the use of the gas (kg/t). The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not to request a carbon offset as an option when applying for a gas supply contract.

==Using water and sewerage==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for water and sewerage use at home. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the carbon dioxide emissions (kg/t) required to purify a unit amount of water (t), and the emission acquisition unit acquires the amount of water (t) used at home, and can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions related to water and sewerage use by multiplying the amount of water used (t) by the carbon dioxide emissions required for purification (kg/t). The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not to request a carbon offset as an option when applying for a water and sewerage supply contract.

==Communication Usage==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for communications (telephone, internet lines, etc.) used at home. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of communication volume (kg/byte), and the emission acquisition unit acquires the communication volume (bytes) and can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions related to communications by multiplying the communication volume (bytes) by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of communication volume (kg/byte). The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not to request a carbon offset as an option when applying for a communication line.

==Game==
Carbon offsetting related to game play can also be performed. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit time (kg/h) generated by game play, and the emission acquisition unit acquires the game play time and calculates the carbon dioxide emissions related to game play by multiplying the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit time (kg/h). Note that the emission acquisition unit may calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, for example, by dividing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions required for game production by the number of players of the game. The offset acceptance unit may allow the player to select whether or not to apply a carbon offset when purchasing a game, joining an online game, starting play, or ending play.

==Printing with a printer==
Carbon offsetting related to printing by the printer can also be performed. For example, the emission amount acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions related to printing by multiplying the carbon dioxide emissions required for printing one sheet (the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production of paper and ink) by the number of sheets printed. The offset acceptance unit can allow the user to select whether or not carbon offsetting is required when using the printer.

==Throwing out trash==
Carbon offsets related to trash disposal can also be performed. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for each type of item, and the emission acquisition unit identifies the type and number of items discarded as trash, and calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions related to trash disposal by multiplying the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the identified type by the number of items. The price of the environmental value for offsetting the carbon dioxide emissions can be added to the management fee for the residence or the sales price of designated trash bags.

==Product Manufacturing==
It is also possible to offset the carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacture of products, rather than the delivery of the products. In this case, whether it is an e-commerce site, a convenience store, a supermarket, a department store, a clothing store, or other store, the carbon dioxide emissions required to manufacture one product are stored in the emissions information storage unit, and the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions by multiplying the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the sold products by the number of products sold.

==Books and Magazines==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for the production of books and magazines. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production of each book or magazine, and the emission acquisition unit can read out the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the book or magazine sold. As with the first to third embodiments described above, the offset acceptance unit allows the user to select whether or not to perform carbon offsetting when purchasing a book or magazine (at the time of payment).

==Glasses, custom-made suits, etc.==
Similarly, carbon offsetting can be performed for the manufacture of products such as eyeglasses and custom-made suits. In this case, for example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions required for the manufacture of eyeglasses or suits, and the emission acquisition unit can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by multiplying the number of eyeglasses or suits sold by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions required for their manufacture. As in the first to third embodiments described above, the offset acceptance unit allows the user to select whether or not to apply carbon offsetting when purchasing eyeglasses or suits (at the time of payment).

==Food and drink==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for food and beverages at coffee shops, restaurants, and other eating and drinking establishments. For example, the emission information storage unit stores the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted when preparing each product, such as coffee or a meal, and the emission acquisition unit acquires and totals the carbon dioxide emissions corresponding to the coffee, meal, etc. provided. As with the first to third embodiments described above, the offset acceptance unit allows the user to select whether or not to apply carbon offsetting when paying for the food and beverages.

==Rental Car==
Carbon offsetting can also be performed for rental car use. As in the second embodiment related to taxis, the emissions acquisition unit can calculate the carbon dioxide emissions related to rental car use by multiplying the distance traveled (km) by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit distance traveled. The offset acceptance unit allows the user to select whether or not carbon offsetting is required as an option when renting a car.

Fifth Embodiment
45(b) is a diagram showing an overview of a system according to a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment includes an emissions management system that manages emissions related to products or services sold by a second sales system. In the fifth embodiment, the second sales system, an external server, and the emissions management system are connected via a communication network 300.

The hardware configuration of the emissions management system can be the same as the configuration of the sales system. The emissions management system is connected to a second sales system.

The second sales system omits the emissions acquisition unit, offset price acquisition unit, offset acceptance unit, offset processing unit, and emissions information storage unit from the above-mentioned sales system, and instead includes an activity amount transmission unit. In other words, it includes a payment amount acquisition unit, a payment processing unit, and an activity amount transmission unit.

The activity amount sending unit sends the activity amount related to the product or service sold by the seller to the emissions management system. The activity amount sending unit can, for example, send information indicating the product or service and the activity amount to the emissions management system. The activity amount can be, for example, the number or number of products or services sold, the transport distance or transport weight in a transport service, or transport distance x weight (ton-kilometers). The activity amount can also be, for example, the payment amount.

The emissions management system includes an emissions coefficient memory unit, a conversion coefficient memory unit, an emissions memory unit, an activity amount acquisition unit, an emissions calculation unit, and an emissions output unit.

The emission coefficient storage unit stores emission coefficients for calculating the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted related to a product or service, in association with information indicating the product or service. The emission coefficient can be, for example, the amount of emissions per product or per ton-kilometer. The emission coefficient can be, for example, one provided by the Ministry of the Environment or another organization (secondary data), or one calculated by the provider of the product or service (primary data).

The conversion coefficient memory unit stores a conversion coefficient that converts a first unit related to activity amount into a second unit used in calculations using the emission coefficient. For example, if the emission coefficient (t/kl) indicates the amount of emissions per amount of fuel used (kl) and the activity amount is the sales price (yen) of the fuel, the reciprocal (kl/yen) of the unit price per kl (yen/kl) can be stored in the conversion coefficient memory unit as a conversion coefficient. The conversion coefficient memory unit can store conversion coefficients in association with information identifying the seller (second sales system) and information identifying the product or service. The conversion coefficient memory unit may also store conversion coefficients in association with information identifying the seller (second sales system), information identifying the product or service, and units of activity amount.

The emission amount memory unit stores the calculated emission amount. The emission amount memory unit can store the calculated emission amount in association with information indicating the product or service, information indicating the purchaser of the product or service, and the purchase date.

The activity amount acquisition unit acquires the activity amount related to the product or service. The activity amount acquisition unit acquires the activity amount when the product or service is purchased. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire the activity amount from the second sales system that sold the product or service. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire the payment amount for the product or service as the activity amount, and can receive the payment amount sent by the payment system that makes the payment for the product or service when the payment is completed. If the unit of the activity amount acquired from the second sales system (e.g., "yen") is not set in advance, the activity amount acquisition unit may acquire the unit along with the activity amount.

The emissions calculation unit calculates emissions based on the activity amount and the emission coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can calculate the emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the corresponding emission coefficient. If the unit of the acquired first activity amount (e.g., "yen" in the case of a payment amount) differs from the unit of the denominator of the emission coefficient, the emissions calculation unit can read out a conversion coefficient stored in the conversion coefficient storage unit that corresponds to the second sales system and product or service related to the activity amount, and multiply the first activity amount by the read conversion coefficient to calculate a second activity amount expressed in the unit of the denominator of the emission coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can calculate the emissions by multiplying the acquired first activity amount (or the converted second activity amount) by the emission coefficient.

The emissions output unit outputs the emissions stored in the emissions memory unit. The emissions output unit can aggregate and output emissions. For example, the emissions output unit can aggregate and output emissions for each scope 1 to 3 of the GHG Protocol, and for each category of scope 3. A category information memory unit that stores which products or services correspond to which scopes and/or categories is provided, and the emissions output unit can reference the category information memory unit to obtain which scopes and/or categories correspond to the products or services, and output an aggregated (e.g., total) value of the emissions for each obtained scope and/or category.

Sixth Embodiment
(c) of Figure 45 is a diagram showing an overview of a system according to a sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment is primarily intended for business-to-business transactions, and includes a sales system related to a seller as well as a purchasing system related to a buyer. In the sixth embodiment, calculation of emissions is performed in the purchasing system, and calculation of emissions does not necessarily have to be performed in the sales system. Note that emissions may also be calculated in the sales system. In the sixth embodiment, the sales system, an external server, and the purchasing system are connected via a communication network 300.

The hardware configuration of the purchasing system can be the same as that of the sales system. Like the emissions management system of the fifth embodiment, the purchasing system includes an emissions coefficient storage unit, a conversion coefficient storage unit, an emissions storage unit, an activity amount acquisition unit, an emissions calculation unit, and an emissions output unit, as well as a purchase processing unit, an offset amount determination unit, and an offset request transmission unit.

The purchase processing unit performs processing related to the purchase of goods or services. The purchase processing of goods or services can replicate purchase processing related to general commercial transactions, and while details will be omitted here, it can, for example, send order information to the sales system, manage delivered data, send inspection data to the sales system, and perform payment settlement processing.

The offset amount determination unit determines the amount of emissions to be offset (hereinafter referred to as the offset amount) for the product or service purchased by the purchaser based on the calculated emissions. For example, the offset amount determination unit may use the entire calculated amount of emissions as the offset amount, or may determine an offset amount less than the emissions based on the calculated emissions. For example, the purchasing system may include an offset coefficient memory unit that stores an offset coefficient (e.g., 0.1) for determining the offset amount for each product or service provider, and the offset amount determination unit may calculate the offset amount by multiplying the emissions by the offset coefficient corresponding to the product or service provider. Furthermore, for example, the purchasing system may include a target value memory unit that stores a target value for the purchaser's reduction of environmentally hazardous substances, and calculate the offset amount until the cumulative value of the offset amount over a specified period reaches the target value. If the cumulative value exceeds the target value, the offset amount may be calculated as 0.

The offset request sending unit sends a request (hereinafter referred to as an offset request) to the provider of the product or service, instructing them to perform the offset process. In this embodiment, the offset request sending unit sends the offset request to the sales system. The offset request sending unit can specify the offset amount determined by the offset amount determination unit in the offset request and send it.

The offset receiving unit of the sales system can cause the offset processing unit to perform offset processing in response to the offset request. The payment processing unit of the sales system can also perform payment by adding the offset price of the offset amount to the sales price. In the sixth embodiment, the payment processing unit can perform payment processing such as adding accounts receivable to the accounting system or issuing an invoice.

The offset amount determination unit may also determine the amount to be offset as the offset amount (hereinafter referred to as the offset amount). In this case, the sales system can perform the offset process by purchasing environmental value for the offset amount specified in the offset request.

In this way, in the sixth embodiment, the purchaser of a product or service can calculate emissions based on the amount of activity related to the purchased product or service, and can have the seller offset an amount corresponding to the emissions. This makes it possible to make adjustments to reduce Scope 3 emissions in the purchaser's supply chain.

Seventh Embodiment
The system according to the seventh embodiment includes a purchasing system, similar to the sixth embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, offset processing is performed in the purchasing system. Note that both offset processing in the selling system and offset processing in the purchasing system may be performed. In the seventh embodiment, the purchasing system may include an offset processing unit. The purchasing system may also include an offset price acquisition unit.

In the seventh embodiment, the emissions calculation unit of the purchasing system calculates first emissions related to Scope 3 and second emissions related to Scope 1 (or Scope 2) for products or services purchased from the sales system, and the offset amount determination unit determines the first and second offset amounts. The offset request transmission unit transmits the second offset amount related to Scope 3 to the sales system, and the offset processing unit of the sales system performs offset processing related to the second offset amount. Meanwhile, the offset processing unit included in the purchasing system can perform offset processing related to the first offset amount.

In this way, in the seventh embodiment, a purchaser of a product or service can offset an amount corresponding to their Scope 1 emissions, and have the provider of the product or service offset an amount corresponding to their Scope 3 emissions.

In this embodiment, the purchaser may be thought of as a general consumer, but it is not limited to a general consumer and may also be a corporation such as a company. Conversely, the seller may be thought of as a corporation such as a company, but it is not limited to a corporation such as a company and may also be sold by an individual.

<Disclosures>
The 31st function also includes the following configuration.
[Item AE1 (P019)]
an emission management system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient associated with a product or service for calculating an emission amount of an environmentally hazardous substance related to the product or service; an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires an activity amount associated with the product or service when the product or service is purchased; an emission calculation unit that refers to the emission coefficient storage unit to calculate the emission amount based on the emission coefficient associated with the purchased product or service and the acquired activity amount; and an emission amount storage unit that stores the emission amount. Item AE1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AE2]
The emissions management system according to item AE1, wherein the activity amount acquisition unit acquires the payment amount of the product or service as the activity amount.
[Item AE3]
An emissions management system according to item AE2, characterized in that the activity amount acquisition unit receives the payment amount transmitted by a payment system that makes the payment for the product or service upon completion of the payment.
[Item AE4]
The emissions management system according to Item AE1, further comprising: a conversion coefficient storage unit that stores a conversion coefficient for converting a first unit related to the amount of activity into a second unit used in calculations using the emission coefficient; and the emissions calculation unit calculates a second amount of activity expressed in the second unit based on the acquired first amount of activity and the conversion coefficient, and calculates the amount of emissions based on the second amount of activity and the emission coefficient.
[Item AE5]
An emissions management system according to item AE1, characterized in that it includes an offset request sending unit that sends a request to an information processing device of a provider of the product or service to instruct the provider to perform offset processing according to the emissions.
[Item AE6]
An emissions management system according to Item AE5, further comprising an offset amount determination unit that determines an offset amount, which is an emissions amount to be offset according to the calculated emissions, and the offset request transmission unit specifies the offset amount and transmits it to the information processing device.
[Item AE7]
The emissions management system according to Item AE6, wherein the emissions calculation unit calculates, for the product or service, a first amount of emissions related to Scope 1 of the GHG Protocol and a second amount of emissions related to Scope 3; the offset amount determination unit determines a first offset amount according to the first amount of emissions and a second offset amount according to the second amount of emissions; and the offset request transmission unit specifies the second offset amount and transmits it to the information processing device, and the emissions management system includes an offset processing unit that performs offset processing related to the first offset amount.
[Item AE8]
The emission management system according to item AE1, further comprising an offset processing unit that performs offset processing according to the emission amount.

<<Offset function related to commercials (function 32)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 31 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 32. As background technology, there are attempts to determine the amount of emissions of environmental load factors, such as carbon dioxide, associated with power generation. There is a problem in that it is difficult to calculate the amount of emissions by end users, who are the recipients of goods or services. Function 32 aims to provide technology that can estimate the amount of emissions by end users.

<System Overview>
An information processing system according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing system according to this embodiment calculates greenhouse gas emissions by viewers of content (which may include programs or advertisements) broadcast to the public. The information processing system according to this embodiment also allows broadcasters (broadcast stations, etc.) to offset the emissions of viewers.

The information processing system of this embodiment is configured to include an external server in addition to the components shown in Figure 1. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to the user terminal 100 and the external server via a communication network 300.

The external server is a computer that performs the offset process. The external server can perform the offset process by selling greenhouse gas offset rights (environmental value), such as J-Credits, for example.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 32nd function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (settings memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (viewing information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an execution unit 290 (offset processing unit).

The setting memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores setting information. In this embodiment, the setting information may include an estimate of the total number of viewers for broadcasts such as television and radio. The setting information can include the total number of viewers in association with a media ID that indicates the type of broadcast. In other words, for example, the total number of television viewers and the total number of radio viewers can be managed separately.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient is assumed to be the amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit time due to viewing content. This can be calculated, for example, from the power consumption of a television set and the emission coefficient related to power consumption.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by viewers of the content. The emission amount memory unit can store the emission amount in association with the content ID that indicates the content and the date.

The viewing information acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires information (viewing information) for estimating the number of viewers of content broadcast on television, radio, etc. The viewing information acquisition unit can acquire the viewing rate of the content as viewing information. The viewing information acquisition unit can also acquire the length of the broadcast content and the number of times it has been broadcast along with the viewing information. The viewing information acquisition unit can receive this information from, for example, the user terminal 100.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from viewing content. The emissions calculation unit reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the media ID that indicates the type of content broadcast from the emissions coefficient storage unit, and can calculate the amount of emissions resulting from viewers viewing the content by multiplying the length of the content, the number of times the content has been broadcast, and the number of viewers estimated from the viewing information by the read emission coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can, for example, read out the total number of viewers corresponding to the media ID that indicates the type of content broadcast from the settings storage unit, and estimate the number of viewers by multiplying the read total number of viewers by the viewing rating.

The offset processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing related to offsetting emissions. Emissions can be offset, for example, by purchasing environmental value such as J-Credits on behalf of the user (the consumer of a product or service, or the business that provided the product or service). The offset processing unit can, for example, access an external server that trades environmental value and purchase environmental value using an API provided by the external server. The offset processing unit may purchase an amount of environmental value corresponding to the emissions each time, or the management server 200 (or the entity that performs the proxy invalidation, such as the operator of the management server 200 or the system operator) may purchase environmental value in advance and perform the proxy invalidation.

<Operation>
49 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 32nd function. The management server 200 acquires viewing information along with the length of the content and the number of broadcasts (S4901), calculates the number of viewers by multiplying the total number of viewers corresponding to the type of broadcast by the viewing rating (S4902), and calculates the amount of emissions from viewers by multiplying the length of the content, the number of broadcasts of the content, the number of viewers, and the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of broadcast (S4903). The management server 200 can perform offset processing (such as purchasing J-Credits) to offset the emissions (S4904).

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can calculate greenhouse gas emissions associated with viewing content such as broadcast programs and advertisements, and offset those emissions.

The memory unit 230, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 32nd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AF1 (P021)]
An information processing system comprising: a viewing information acquisition unit that acquires viewing information for estimating the length of broadcast content, the number of times it is broadcast, and the number of viewers of the content; a memory unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit time emitted by viewing the content; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions associated with viewers viewing the content by multiplying the length, the number of times it is broadcast, the number of viewers estimated from the viewing information, and the emission coefficient.
[Item AF2]
Item AF1 is an information processing system, characterized in that it includes an offset processing unit that performs processing related to offsetting the calculated emission amount.
[Item AF3]
An information processing system according to item AF1, comprising a setting memory unit that stores an estimated value of the total number of viewers of the television or radio, the viewing information acquisition unit acquires the viewing rate of the content as the viewing information, and the emission calculation unit estimates the number of viewers by multiplying the total number of viewers by the viewing rate.

<< Viewer Emissions Offset Function (33rd Function) >>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 32 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 33. As background technology, there are efforts to determine the amount of emissions of environmental load factors, such as carbon dioxide, associated with power generation. There is a problem in that it is difficult to calculate the emissions of end users, who are the recipients of goods or services. Function 33 aims to provide technology that can estimate the emissions of end users.

<System Overview>
The information processing system according to this embodiment is described below. The information processing system of this embodiment is intended to calculate greenhouse gas emissions by viewers of content (including advertisements) distributed to the public mainly via the Internet. The information processing system of this embodiment also performs offset processing on the viewers' emissions.

The information processing system of this embodiment is configured to include an external server in addition to the components shown in Figure 1. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to the user terminal 100 and the external server via a communication network.

The external server is a computer that performs the offset process. The external server can perform the offset process by selling greenhouse gas offset rights (environmental value), such as J-Credits, for example.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 33rd function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit, viewing time information memory unit, viewing count information memory unit, content information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (viewing information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an execution unit 290 (offset processing unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient is assumed to be the amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit time due to viewing content. This can be determined, for example, from the power consumption of a personal computer, smartphone, etc. and the emission coefficient associated with that power consumption. The emission coefficient memory unit may also store emission coefficients in association with the type of viewing client (personal computer, smartphone, television set, etc.).

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the greenhouse gas emissions of viewers of content. The emission amount memory unit can store the emission amount in association with the content ID that indicates the content and the date. Note that if the same content is distributed on multiple sites, multiple combinations of the same date, content ID, and emission amount may be registered. Note that the emission amount memory unit may store the content ID and emission amount in association with the site ID and date.

The viewing time information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for determining the viewing time of content (hereinafter referred to as viewing time information). In this embodiment, the viewing time information includes viewing time associated with information identifying the content (content ID), information identifying the site to which the content is distributed (site ID), and a counting period (year and month).

The viewer count information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for determining the number of viewers of content (hereinafter referred to as viewer count information). In this embodiment, the viewer count information includes the number of viewers associated with information identifying the content (content ID), information identifying the site to which the content is distributed (site ID), and the counting period (year and month).

The content information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about the content (hereinafter referred to as content information). The content information includes a content ID that identifies the content, the type of content, and the distributor that is providing the content to viewers. A distributor can be, for example, an advertiser, a live broadcaster, a manufacturer, etc. A distributor may be any person that calculates, reports, and/or seeks to offset greenhouse gas emissions related to the viewing of content.

The viewing information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires information about viewers (viewing information). In this embodiment, the viewing information includes viewing time information and viewer count information. The viewing information acquisition unit can acquire, for example, from a video distribution service provider, the viewing time and number of viewers for each piece of content on a video distribution site. The viewing information acquisition unit can acquire, for example, from an advertising distribution service provider, the viewing time and number of viewers for specific content for each site where advertisements are provided. With regard to the viewing time of advertisements, for example, standard viewing times can be set in advance for each type of advertisement, such as video (video advertisements) or still images (banner advertisements). The viewing information acquisition unit can register the acquired viewing time information in the viewing time information storage unit, and register the acquired viewer count information in the viewer count information storage unit.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from viewing content. The emissions calculation unit reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of content from the emission coefficient storage unit, reads the viewing time and number of viewers corresponding to the content to be tallied (and the aggregation period) from the viewing time storage unit and viewing information storage unit, and multiplies the emission coefficient by the viewing time and number of viewers to calculate the amount of emissions resulting from the viewer's viewing of content.

The emissions calculation unit may, for example, calculate emissions for a broadcaster such as a specific advertiser. In this case, the emissions calculation unit reads the content ID and content type corresponding to the broadcaster to be counted from the content information storage unit, and calculates the emissions for each broadcaster by reading the emission coefficient, viewing information, and number of viewers corresponding to the read content ID and content type from each storage unit and multiplying them. The emissions calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit.

The offset processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing related to offsetting emissions. Emissions can be offset, for example, by purchasing environmental value such as J-Credits on behalf of the user (the consumer of a product or service, or the business that provided the product or service). The offset processing unit can, for example, access an external server that trades environmental value and purchase environmental value using an API provided by the external server. The offset processing unit may purchase an amount of environmental value corresponding to the emissions each time, or the management server device 2 (or the entity that performs the proxy invalidation, such as the operator of the management server device 2 or the system operator) may purchase environmental value in advance and perform the proxy invalidation.

<Operation>
FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 33rd function. The management server 200 acquires and registers viewing information (viewing time information and viewer count information) (S5001). The management server 200 acquires the content ID and content type corresponding to the target user from the content information storage unit (S5002), acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the acquired type from the emission coefficient storage unit, acquires the viewing time and viewer count corresponding to the acquired content ID from the viewing time information storage unit and viewer count information storage unit (S5003), and calculates the emissions by the viewer of the content by multiplying the emission coefficient, the number of viewers, and the viewing time (S5004). The management server 200 can also perform offset processing (e.g., purchasing J-Credits) to offset emissions (S5005).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to calculate greenhouse gas emissions associated with viewing various types of content (including advertisements) provided via internet distribution, and also to offset those emissions.

In this embodiment, the viewing time for each piece of content is stored in the viewing time information storage unit, but it is also possible to store the standard viewing time for one viewing in association with the type of content. In this case, the emission calculation unit can obtain the viewing time corresponding to the type of content from the viewing time information storage unit.

In addition, in this embodiment, the number of viewers for each piece of content is stored in the viewer count information storage unit, but a standard number of viewers may also be stored in association with the type of content and the site (or type of site). In this case, the emissions calculation unit can obtain the number of viewers for each site corresponding to the type of content from the viewer count information storage unit, and can calculate emissions for the viewing time for each site by multiplying the number of viewers corresponding to the site (or type of site) related to the viewing time by the emissions coefficient corresponding to the type of content.

The memory unit 230, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 33rd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AG1 (P022)]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores, for each type of content, an emission coefficient used to calculate the amount of emissions per unit time when viewing content of the type; a content designation unit that accepts designation of the content; a viewing information acquisition unit that acquires the viewing time and number of viewers of the accepted content; and an emission calculation unit that reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of content accepted from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiplies the read-out emission coefficient by the acquired viewing time and number of viewers to calculate the amount of emissions associated with viewing the content.
[Item AG2]
An information processing system according to item AG1, characterized in that it comprises an offset processing unit that performs processing related to offsetting the calculated emission amount.
[Item AG3]
An information processing system according to item AG1, characterized in that the viewing information acquisition unit acquires at least one of the viewing time and the number of viewers from a distribution server that distributes the content.

<<Evidence function (34th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 33 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 34. Note that Function 34 is a modified version of Function 6. In the background art, emissions of carbon dioxide and other substances are calculated. There is a problem in that it is necessary to manage supporting documents to verify the data that forms the basis for calculating emissions. Function 34 aims to provide technology that can manage supporting documents related to environmental indicators.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment is intended to manage evidence data that certifies data used to calculate environmental indicators.

The environmental indicators may include, for example, information indicating the burdens related to environmental issues such as (1) to (15) below.
(1) Environmental Issues: 1. Climate Change Impact: Greenhouse gas emissions indicators (CO2 emissions, CH4 emissions, N2O emissions, CFC emissions, etc.)
(2) Environmental Issues: 2. Ozone Depletion Load: Ozone Depleting Substance (ODP) Consumption Index (CFC and Halon Consumption, etc.)
(3) Environmental Issues: 3. Eutrophication Load: Nitrogen and phosphorus emissions into the hydrosphere and soil, nutrient balance (fertilizer consumption and nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock, etc.)
(4) Environmental issues: 4. Acidification load: Acidification substance emission indicators (NOX, SOX emissions, etc.)
(5) Environmental issues: 5. Hazardous substance load: heavy metal emissions, organic compound emissions (amount of pesticide consumption, etc.)
(6) Environmental Issues: 6. Urban Environmental Load: SOx, NOx, and VOC emissions in urban areas (urban traffic density, urban vehicle ownership, degree of urbanization (urban population growth rate, urban land use), etc.)
(7) Environmental Issues: 7. Biodiversity Impact: Alteration of natural habitats and land conversion (road network density, changes in soil cover, etc.)
(8) Environmental Issues: 8. Landscape Load: Presence of artificial elements, places protected for historical, cultural or aesthetic reasons, etc. (9) Environmental Issues: 9. Waste Load: Waste generation (general waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, nuclear waste) (transportation of hazardous waste, etc.)
(10) Environmental issues: 10. Water resource load: Water resource use intensity (collection fee/available resource amount)
(11) Environmental Issues: 11. Forest Resource Burden: Forest resource utilization intensity (actual harvest volume/production capacity)
(12) Environmental Issues: 12. Fisheries Resource Burden: Fish Catch (13) Environmental Issues: 13. Soil Degradation (Erosion and Desertification)
Load: Erosion risk: Potential and actual land use for agriculture (e.g. land use change)
(14) Environmental Issues: 14. Specific Material Resource Load: Intensity of material resource use, etc. (15) Environmental Issues: 15. Socio-economic sectoral and general indicators (not limited to specific environmental issues)
Load: population growth rate/density, GDP growth rate and composition, private and government final consumption expenditure, industrial production, composition of energy supply, road traffic volume, vehicle ownership, agricultural production, etc. In this embodiment, greenhouse gas emissions are assumed as the environmental indicator, but this is not limited to this.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 34th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a storage unit 230 (evidence data storage unit, corresponding database, basic data storage unit), an acquisition unit 250 (evidence acquisition unit, basic data acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (evidence output unit, basic data output unit).

The document acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires document data that displays basic data for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The basic data can be, for example, at least one of activity data and emission coefficients.

Evidence data related to activity amounts is data that represents evidence such as invoices, receipts, contracts, and notices of utility usage (meter reading slips). Evidence related to Scope 1 (direct emissions) of the GHG Protocol could include, for example, a gas station receipt or a gas or coal invoice. Evidence related to Scope 2 (indirect emissions) could include, for example, electricity receipts, contracts, and notices of usage (meter reading slips). Evidence related to Scope 3 (emissions by related companies) related to Category 1 (purchased goods and services) could include, for example, purchase orders, invoices, contracts, and receipts related to the procurement of raw materials and parts, or procurement system data and parts lists.

Furthermore, evidence data related to emissions could include, for example, primary data on the emissions intensity of raw materials obtained from suppliers (which may be calculated independently by the supplier or verified by a third party).

The evidence data may be, for example, image data. The image data may be, for example, data captured by a camera (not shown) provided on the user terminal 100. The evidence data may be, for example, a document such as a PDF file, or a structured file such as XML.

The evidence acquisition unit may, for example, accept uploads of evidence data from the user terminal 100, or may acquire evidence data attached to messages such as emails or chat messages sent from the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if the user can directly operate the management server 200, the management server 200 may be equipped with a camera or scanner, and the evidence may be photographed using the camera or scanner of the management server 200. The evidence acquisition unit may register the acquired evidence data in the evidence data storage unit.

The evidence data storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores evidence data. The evidence data storage unit can store evidence data, for example, in association with an evidence ID that identifies the evidence and a user ID that indicates the user who registered the evidence. The evidence data storage unit can be implemented as a relational database, an object database, or a file system (in this case, the evidence ID can be a path and file name).

The basic data acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 reads basic data from supporting document data. The basic data acquisition unit can, for example, read basic data from image data using OCR processing. The basic data acquisition unit can also extract basic data from text included in a document, for example. The basic data acquisition unit can register the acquired basic data in the basic data storage unit.

The basic data storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores basic data. The basic data storage unit can store the basic data and a user ID indicating the user who registered the basic data, in association with the basic data ID that identifies the basic data.

The emissions calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on the basic data. For example, if the basic data is information indicating a company's activity amount, the management server 200 can be provided with an emissions coefficient memory unit that stores the emission coefficient for that company's activity, and emissions can be calculated by multiplying the read activity amount by the emission coefficient. Furthermore, if the basic data is a company's emission coefficient, the activity amount of the company (for example, for Scope 1 emissions, this could be the amount of fuel burned by the user; for Scope 2 emissions, it could be the amount of electricity used by the user; for Scope 3 emissions, it could be the amount of goods purchased by the user from the company, the amount of goods sold by the user, or the ton-kilometers delivered by the user) can be obtained, for example, by accessing an accounting system or accepting input from the user, and emissions can be calculated by multiplying the obtained activity amount by the read emission coefficient. Furthermore, if the basic data includes both an emission coefficient and an activity amount, emissions can be calculated by multiplying the read emission coefficient by the activity amount. Furthermore, if the basic data is emissions, the emissions read from the supporting data can be used as is.

The correspondence database constituting the storage unit 230 stores information identifying emissions (emissions identification information, environmental indicator identification information) and information identifying supporting data in association with each other. The correspondence database can also store information identifying basic data in association with each other. In this embodiment, the correspondence database stores emissions identification information, basic data IDs identifying the basic data, and supporting data IDs indicating supporting data in association with each other. The emissions identification information can include time information such as the fiscal year, month, and day. The emissions identification information can also include information (such as a user ID) identifying the entity (company, etc.) that produces the greenhouse gases related to the emissions. The emissions identification information can also include the products and services that are the subject of the calculation.

The evidence output unit constituting the output unit 240 outputs evidence data. The evidence output unit can accept the designation of emission amount identification information. For example, the evidence output unit can accept the designation of time information such as the year, month, or day. The evidence output unit can also accept the designation of the subject of emissions in addition to or instead of the time information. The evidence output unit can also accept information identifying the product or service to be calculated in addition to or instead of the time information and/or the subject of emissions. The evidence output unit can identify the evidence ID corresponding to the received emission amount identification information from the corresponding database, and read and output the evidence data corresponding to the identified evidence ID from the evidence data storage unit.

The evidence output unit can output evidence data in response to a request from a third-party certification body (auditing organization), for example. It can also identify, in response to a request from a user calculating emissions related to the GHG Protocol, evidence data related to the basic data that served as the basis for calculating the emissions from a corresponding database, and transmit the identified evidence data together with the emissions to the third-party certification body (its information processing device).

The evidence output unit can also accept the specification of basic data in addition to the emission amount specification information. In this case, the evidence output unit can identify the evidence ID corresponding to the emission amount specification information and the basic data ID indicating the specified basic data from the corresponding database, and read the evidence data corresponding to the identified evidence ID from the evidence data storage unit and output it (for example, send it to the user terminal 100).

The evidence output unit can output a list of evidence data stored in the evidence data storage unit. The evidence output unit can output a list of evidence data in response to a request from the user terminal 100. The evidence output unit can read evidence data corresponding to the user ID of the user terminal 100 from the evidence data storage unit and display it as a list.

Users who can access the supporting evidence data may be specified. For example, the management server 200 may be provided with an access information storage unit that stores user IDs (multiple user IDs are possible) that identify users who can access the supporting evidence data, in association with the supporting evidence ID that identifies the supporting evidence data. The supporting evidence output unit can determine whether to output the supporting evidence data (e.g., send it to the user terminal 100) depending on whether the user ID indicating the user who is trying to output the supporting evidence data is registered in the access information storage unit in association with the supporting evidence ID that indicates the supporting evidence data. The access information storage unit may also register whether the supporting evidence data can be viewed, updated, or deleted, in association with the user ID and supporting evidence ID. The supporting evidence output unit can determine whether to read and output the supporting evidence data depending on whether the supporting evidence data is set as viewable in association with the user ID indicating the user who is trying to output the supporting evidence data, determine whether to update (including overwrite) the supporting evidence data in response to a user instruction depending on whether the supporting evidence data is set as updatable in association with the user ID, and determine whether to delete the supporting evidence data in response to a user instruction depending on whether the supporting evidence data is set as deletable in association with the user ID.

The basic data output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output basic data (or information indicating basic data; the same applies below). The basic data output unit can, for example, output a list of basic data registered in the basic data storage unit. The basic data output unit can, for example, output a list of basic data in response to a request from the user terminal 100. The basic data output unit can read basic data corresponding to the user ID of the user terminal 100 from the basic data storage unit and display it as a list. The basic data output unit can accept the specification of a basic data ID from the user terminal 100, and read the basic data corresponding to the specified basic data ID from the basic data storage unit and output (for example, send it to the user terminal 100).

When outputting a list of basic data, the basic data output unit can determine whether the supporting document ID corresponding to the basic data ID indicating each piece of basic data is registered in the corresponding database, and output the list of basic data together with the determination result.

The basic data output unit may accept a specification from the user terminal 100 as to whether the supporting evidence data is linked (or not), and extract and output basic data for which the corresponding supporting evidence ID is registered (or not registered) in the corresponding database.

The basic data output unit can, for example, accept the specification of emission amount identification information, read the basic data ID corresponding to the accepted emission amount identification information from the corresponding database, and read the basic data corresponding to the read basic data ID from the basic data storage unit and output it (for example, send it to the user terminal 100).

<Operation>
51 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the emission calculation process of the 34th function. The management server 200 accepts supporting data from the user terminal 100 (S5101), reads basic data from the supporting data using OCR processing or the like (S5102), and calculates greenhouse gas emissions using the basic data (S5103). The management server 200 stores the supporting data in the supporting data storage unit (S5104), and associates emission identification information that identifies the emission amount with a basic data ID that indicates the basic data and a supporting data ID that indicates the supporting data, and registers them in the correspondence database (S5105). Note that when receiving multiple types of basic data for calculating emission amounts, it is also possible to receive the basic data without receiving the supporting data.

Figure 52 is a diagram explaining the flow of the evidence data output process of the 34th function. The management server 200 accepts emission amount identification information and basic data ID from the user terminal 100 (S5201). Note that the basic data ID may be omitted. The management server 200 identifies the evidence ID corresponding to the accepted emission amount identification information and basic data ID from the corresponding database, reads the evidence data corresponding to the identified evidence ID from the evidence data storage unit (S5202), and outputs (sends to) the read evidence data (S5203).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment allows supporting data related to the basic data used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions to be managed in association with the emissions and basic data. Therefore, in the case of audits, third-party certification, etc., supporting data corresponding to emissions and the basic data used to calculate them can be easily presented.

In this embodiment, the system is a client-server configuration, but for example, the user terminal 100 can also have the functions of the management server 200.

In addition, in this embodiment, basic data is read from supporting evidence data using processing such as OCR, but for example, if the basic data is modified by the user terminal 100, input of basic data may be accepted from the user terminal 100 and this may be learned. For example, the range of basic data described in the supporting evidence data and the content of the basic data may be received from the user terminal 100, and the learning model for OCR may be updated through machine learning using the supporting evidence data, the range, and the content as training data. This can improve the reading accuracy using so-called AIOCR.

In addition, while in this embodiment the basic data is read from the supporting data, for example, the basic data may be received from the user terminal 100, the emissions may be calculated using the basic data received from the user terminal 100, the supporting data related to this basic data may be received from the user terminal 100, and the management server 200 may associate the basic data with the supporting data. In this case, the management server 200 may be provided with a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model that has undergone machine learning using the basic data and supporting data as training data, and the learning model may be used to infer the type of basic data (basic data ID) from the supporting data received from the user terminal 100, and associate the supporting data with the basic data. The management server 200 may link the basic data ID indicating the inferred basic data with the supporting data ID indicating the supporting data in a correspondence database.

In addition, in this embodiment, the correspondence database associates emission amounts, basic data, and supporting documents, but it may also associate emission amounts (emission amount identification information) with supporting documents (support IDs), or it may associate basic data (basic data IDs) with supporting documents (support IDs).

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 34th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AH1 (P024)]
an environmental indicator calculation unit that calculates the environmental indicator based on the basic data; a correspondence database that stores information that identifies the environmental indicator and information that identifies the supporting data in association with each other; and a supporting data output unit that accepts specification of information that identifies the environmental indicator, specifies the supporting data that corresponds to the specified environmental indicator from the correspondence database, and reads out and outputs the specified supporting data from the supporting data storage unit.
[Item AH2]
In the information processing system according to item AH1, the evidence data is image data,
The basic data acquisition unit reads the basic data from the image data by OCR processing.
[Item AH3]
An information processing system described in Item AH1, characterized in that the correspondence database stores information identifying the environmental indicator, information identifying the supporting data, and information identifying the basic data in linked association, and the supporting data output unit accepts specification of the environmental indicator and the basic data, identifies the supporting data corresponding to the environmental indicator and the basic data from the correspondence database, and reads out and outputs the identified supporting data from the supporting data storage unit.
[Item AH4]
An information processing system described in Item AH1, characterized in that the correspondence database stores information identifying the environmental indicators, information identifying the supporting data, and information identifying the basic data in association with each other, and is equipped with a basic data storage unit that stores the basic data, and a basic data output unit that outputs the basic data together with information indicating whether information identifying the supporting data corresponding to the basic data stored in the basic data storage unit is registered in the correspondence database.
[Item AH5]
The device comprises image data as supporting data, an activity amount acquisition unit that reads activity amounts from the image data using OCR processing, a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity that emits greenhouse gases (hereinafter referred to as base), an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base, an activity amount input unit that accepts input of terminal location information and activity amount (activity amount acquired by the activity amount acquisition unit) from the terminal of the activity amount acquisition unit (user's mobile terminal), a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information, and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.

<<Primary data disclosure destination setting function (function no. 35)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 34 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 35. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are calculated. There is a need to grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain. Function 35 aims to provide technology that can grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to each of a supplier device and a buyer device via a communication network 300. The connection is as follows: supplier device = management server 200 = buyer device.

The buyer device is a user's computer of a business entity (hereinafter referred to as the buyer) that wishes to report its own greenhouse gas emissions. The buyer device can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. The buyer device may function as either a client device or a server device.

A supplier device is a user's computer of a business entity (hereinafter, downstream business entities are also referred to as suppliers) that is upstream and/or downstream in the buyer's supply chain. A supplier device can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. A supplier device may function as either a client device or a server device.

Note that a supplier may also be a buyer if it wishes to report its own emissions, and a supplier device may also be a buyer device. Similarly, a buyer may also be a supplier if it is part of another company's upstream and/or downstream supply chain, and a buyer device may also be a supplier device.

The management server 200 is a computer that calculates and manages emissions. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 35th function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emissions intensity unit memory unit, destination memory unit, (granularity memory unit),) activity amount memory unit, and apportionment information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emissions intensity unit acquisition unit, activity amount acquisition unit), and an output unit 240 (provision unit).

The emission intensity unit memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission intensity units in association with business entities (suppliers). The emission intensity unit memory unit can store emission intensity units in association with business entity IDs that indicate business entities and information that identifies activities (activity details).

The destination memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 associates with a business entity and manages other business entities to which information about the business entity (in this embodiment, emissions intensity and/or activity amount) can be provided. The destination memory unit associates with a business entity ID that indicates the business entity and stores a destination ID that indicates a business entity to which information about the business entity can be provided.

The destination storage unit also stores the granularity of the information to be provided, in association with the business entity providing the information and the business entity receiving the information. Note that the granularity may be stored in a separate storage unit as a granularity storage unit. For example, in the case of activity amount, the granularity of the information may be a time granularity such as the activity amount for one day, one week, one month, or one year; it may also be the precision of the numbers indicating the number of decimal places to provide; or it may be an aggregation unit such as whether to provide overall information, information by scope, or information by category.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores the activity amount of the business entity. The activity amount memory unit stores the activity amount in association with a business entity ID indicating the business entity, information for identifying the activity (activity content), and time information. The time information may be, for example, the day, month, year, etc.

The allocation information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores allocation information for identifying the amount of activity of the source business entity that relates to the recipient business entity. The allocation information can include a percentage associated with a business entity ID that indicates the source business entity of the information, a recipient ID that indicates the business entity to which the information is provided, and activity content that identifies the activity. The percentage indicates what proportion of the amount of activity provided by the source business entity relates to the recipient.

The emission intensity acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires the emission intensity of the business entity. The emission intensity acquisition unit can send a request to the business entity's information processing device (supplier device) and receive the emission intensity related to the business entity's activities that is sent from the supplier device in response to the request. The emission intensity acquisition unit can register the acquired emission intensity in the emission intensity storage unit.

The activity amount acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires the activity amount of the business entity. The emission intensity acquisition unit can send a request to the business entity's information processing device (supplier device) and receive the activity amount of the business entity sent from the supplier device in response to the request. The emission intensity acquisition unit can register the acquired activity amount in the activity amount storage unit.

The providing unit constituting the output unit 240 provides supplier information to the buyer device. In response to a request from the buyer device, the providing unit can identify the business entity ID that identifies the supplier corresponding to the buyer from the destination storage unit, read the emission intensity unit corresponding to the identified supplier from the emission intensity unit storage unit, and transmit the read emission intensity unit to the buyer device. The providing unit can read the activity amount corresponding to the supplier from the activity amount storage unit instead of or in addition to the emission intensity unit, and transmit the read activity amount to the buyer device. The providing unit can read the granularity corresponding to the supplier and buyer from the destination storage unit, correct the activity amount according to the granularity (for example, by summing or rounding), and transmit it to the buyer device. The providing unit can also read allocation information corresponding to the supplier, buyer, and activity from the allocation information storage unit, allocate the activity amount according to the allocation information, and transmit it to the buyer device. The providing unit can, for example, multiply the activity amount by a ratio.

<Operation>
53 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the information processing system. The management server 200 receives a request specifying a supplier and an activity from a buyer device (S5301). If the supplier and buyer pair are registered in the submission destination storage unit (S5302: YES), the management server 200 reads the emission intensity unit and activity amount corresponding to the supplier and activity from the emission intensity unit storage unit and the activity amount storage unit (S5303). The management server 200 reads the granularity corresponding to the supplier and buyer from the submission destination storage unit and corrects (aggregates, rounds, etc.) the activity amount according to the granularity (S5304). The management server 200 then reads the allocation information corresponding to the supplier, buyer, and activity from the allocation information storage unit and allocates the activity amount by multiplying the ratio of the read allocation information (S5305). The management server 200 then transmits the emission intensity unit and the allocated activity amount to the buyer device (S5306).

As described above, according to the information processing system of this embodiment, a buyer can obtain the emissions intensity and activity data of business entities that make up the upstream and/or downstream of the supply chain by making a request to the management server 200, and determine the buyer's emissions. Meanwhile, suppliers can control the information they provide to buyers.

The acquisition unit 250 and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 35th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AI1 (P026)]
an emission intensity acquisition unit that receives emission intensity data relating to the activities of a first business entity from an information processing device of the first business entity; an emission intensity data memory unit that stores the emission intensity data in association with the first business entity; a destination memory unit that manages a second business entity that provides the emission intensity data in association with the first business entity; and a providing unit that, in response to a request from the information processing device of the second business entity, identifies the first business entity that corresponds to the second business entity from the destination memory unit, reads out the emission intensity data corresponding to the identified first business entity from the emission intensity data memory unit, and transmits the read emission intensity data to the information processing device of the second business entity. Item AI1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each greenhouse gas emitter's business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base); an activity amount storage unit that stores the amount of activity by each emitter's base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AI2]
An information processing system according to Item AI1, comprising an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount of the first business entity in association with the first business entity, and the providing unit transmits the activity amount corresponding to the first business entity together with the emission intensity to an information processing device of the second business entity.
[Item AI3]
The information processing system according to Item AI2 includes an allocation information storage unit that stores, for each of the first business entities, allocation information associated with the second business entity, for identifying the activity amount of the first business entity that relates to the second business entity, and the providing unit calculates an allocated activity amount, which is the activity amount corresponding to the second business entity, based on the allocation information corresponding to the first and second business entities and the activity amount corresponding to the first business entity, and transmits the allocated activity amount to an information processing device of the second business entity.
[Item AI4]
The information processing system according to item AI2 includes a granularity storage unit that stores, for each of the first business entities, a granularity of the activity amount to be provided to the second business entity in association with the second business entity, and the providing unit aggregates the activity amount corresponding to the first business entity in accordance with the granularity corresponding to the first and second business entities, and transmits the aggregated value to an information processing device of the second business entity.
[Item AI5 (P026)]
2. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that receives X information related to the activities of a first business entity from an information processing device of the first business entity; a storage unit that stores the X information in association with the first business entity; a destination storage unit that manages a second business entity that provides the X information in association with the first business entity; and a provision unit that, in response to a request from the information processing device of the second business entity, identifies a first business entity corresponding to the second business entity from the destination storage unit, reads out the X information corresponding to the identified first business entity from the storage unit, and transmits the read X information to the information processing device of the second business entity.

<<Multi-store development function (36th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 35 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 36. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are calculated. There is a need to grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain. Function 36 aims to provide technology that can grasp the status of greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
An example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The information processing system according to this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to a user terminal 100 via a communication network 300.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 36th function will be described using Figure 3. Note that the configuration shown is an example, and other configurations may be used. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (model memory unit, attribute memory unit, emission amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit), an estimation unit 270, an analysis unit 280, and an output unit 240.

The model memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores an estimation model for estimating emissions by a business entity from the attributes of the business entity. The estimation model is created by analyzing the relationship between the attributes of the business entity and the greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity. The estimation model is, for example, a statistical model that analyzes the correlation between attributes and emissions. The estimation model may be created by machine learning using attributes as input data and emissions as training data. The model memory unit can store an estimation model for each business entity. Note that the business entity ID may be omitted.

The model storage unit can store estimation models in association with at least one of a scope and a category. In this embodiment, estimation models are stored in association with the scope for scopes 1 and 2, and in association with the scope and category for scope 3.

The attribute storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores the attributes of business entities. The attribute storage unit can store one or more attributes, for example, in association with a business entity ID indicating a business entity. Attributes can include, for example, an attribute name and an attribute value. Attributes can include, for example, industry type, sales volume, asset size, number of locations, etc., but are not limited to these.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores greenhouse gas emissions by business entities. The emission amount memory unit can store scopes, categories, and emission amounts in association with business entity IDs that indicate business entities and time information. For scopes 1 and 2, categories do not need to be registered.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the emission coefficients of business entities. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient memory unit stores the emission coefficients in association with a business entity ID that indicates the business entity and information for identifying the activity (activity details).

The estimation unit 270 estimates emissions by a business entity. The estimation unit 270 can estimate the emissions by the business entity by providing the attributes of the business entity to be estimated to an estimation model. The estimation unit can accept attributes of a business entity whose emissions are unknown, and estimate the emissions by providing the accepted attributes to an estimation model. The estimation unit 270 can estimate the emissions using an estimation model corresponding to at least one of the scope and category. If an estimation model corresponding to a business entity is not registered, the estimation unit 270 may estimate the emissions related to the business entity using an estimation model corresponding to another business entity in the same industry as the business entity.

The analysis unit 280 can analyze the relationship between the attributes of the business entity and the emissions by the business entity. The analysis unit 280 can analyze the relationship between the attributes stored in the attribute storage unit and the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit to create an estimation model. The analysis unit 280 can perform the analysis using a statistical method such as multiple regression analysis, for example. The analysis unit 280 may create an estimation model by performing machine learning using the attributes as input data and the emissions as training data.

The analysis unit 280 may analyze the relationship between attributes and emissions related to bases corresponding to the same company, with the business entity being the base of the company.

The output unit 240 outputs the estimated emission amount.

<Operation>
54 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 36th function. The management server 200 receives input of attributes of a business entity whose emission amount is unknown (S5401), and estimates the emission amount by applying the received attributes to an estimation model (S5402). Here, the management server 200 can use an estimation model corresponding to the scope (and category) to be estimated. The management server 200 outputs the estimated emission amount (S5403).

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to estimate emissions from business entities whose emissions are unknown, based on their attributes.

In the above-described embodiment, emissions are estimated, but activity amounts may also be estimated. In this case, the model storage unit stores an estimation model that estimates activity amounts from the attributes of a business entity, created by analyzing the relationship between the attributes of the business entity and the activity amounts of the business entity, instead of or in addition to the estimation model that estimates emissions.

The management server 200 also includes an activity amount storage unit (not shown) that stores activity amounts. The activity amount storage unit can store activity amounts in association with a business entity ID indicating the business entity, time information, scope, and category.

The estimation unit 270 can accept attributes of business entities whose activity amounts are unknown, and estimate the activity amounts by providing the accepted attributes to an estimation model for estimating activity amounts. The estimation unit 270 can acquire an emission coefficient corresponding to the business entity and activity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and estimate the emissions by the business entity by multiplying the estimated activity amount by the acquired emission coefficient.

The estimation unit 270, analysis unit 280, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system with artificial intelligence (mechanical system) that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 36th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AJ1 (P027)]
an information processing system comprising: a model storage unit that stores an estimation model created by analyzing the relationship between attributes of a business entity and greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity, the estimation model being configured to estimate the emissions from the attributes; an estimation unit that receives the attributes of a business entity whose emissions amount is unknown and estimates the emissions amount by applying the received attributes to the estimation model; and an output unit that outputs the estimated emissions. Item AJ1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a base location for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that receives input of position information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the position information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AJ2]
The information processing system according to item AJ1, wherein the estimation model is a statistical model that analyzes the correlation between the attribute and the emission amount.
[Item AJ3]
The information processing system according to item AJ1, wherein the estimation model is created by machine learning using the attributes as input data and the emissions as training data.
[Item AJ4]
The information processing system according to Item AJ1, wherein the estimation model is stored in association with at least one of a scope and a category, and the estimation unit estimates the emissions amount for at least one of the scope and the category using the corresponding estimation model.
[Item AJ5]
An information processing system according to item AJ1, comprising: an attribute storage unit that stores the attributes; an emission storage unit that stores the emission amounts; and an analysis unit that analyzes the relationship between the attributes stored in the attribute storage unit and the emission amounts stored in the emission storage unit to create the estimation model.
[Item AJ6]
An information processing system according to Item AJ5, wherein the business entity is a base of a company, and the analysis unit analyzes the relationship between the attributes and the emissions related to the bases corresponding to the same company.
[Item AJ7]
The information processing system according to Item AJ6, wherein the model storage unit stores the estimation model for each of the business entities, and when the estimation model corresponding to the business entity is not registered, the estimation unit estimates the emissions related to the business entity using the estimation model corresponding to another business entity in the same industry as the business entity.
[Item AJ8]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores, for each business entity, an emission coefficient used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a model storage unit that stores an estimation model that is created by analyzing the relationship between the attributes of the business entity and the amount of activity by the business entity and that estimates the amount of activity from the attributes; an estimation unit that receives the attributes of a business entity whose amount of activity is unknown, estimates the amount of activity by providing the received attributes to the estimation model, and calculates the amount of emissions by the business entity by multiplying the estimated amount of activity by the emission coefficient corresponding to the business entity; and an output unit that outputs the calculated emissions.
[Item AJ9 (P027)]
When X information other than greenhouse gas emissions (for example, E2 hazardous substance emissions or human rights DD working hours) is the target, it is as follows. Note that the same can be done for items subordinate to this item. An information processing system comprising: a model storage unit that stores an estimation model that is created by analyzing the relationship between the attributes of a business entity and the X information of the business entity and that estimates the value of the X information of the business entity from the attributes; an estimation unit that receives attributes of a business entity whose X information is unknown and provides the received attributes to the estimation model to estimate the value of the X information; and an output unit that outputs the estimated value of the X information.

<<Function to allocate activity amount according to a preset allocation rate when importing data (Function 37)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 36 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 37. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are being estimated. There is an issue that it is time-consuming to register data necessary for calculating emissions into a system. Function 37 aims to make it possible to easily input data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
An emissions management system according to this embodiment will be described. The emissions management system of this embodiment is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. The emissions management system of this embodiment accepts input of the activity amount of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying this by an emission coefficient. The emissions management system of this embodiment manages which emission coefficient should be used for which activity amount, making it possible to calculate emissions simply by inputting the activity amount.

An example of the overall configuration of the emissions management system of this embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The emissions management system of this embodiment is configured to include a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network 3.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 37th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, classification memory unit, conversion coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit, apportionment information memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit, emission coefficient input unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, aggregation unit), an output unit 240, and an execution unit 290 (apportionment processing unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurements, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurements at the initial information source), or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies that offer the same type of product).

The classification memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 can store emissions in association with the type of activity. The classification memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The classification memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The scope and category of the activity are assumed to be the scope and category of the GHG Protocol. The category may also be omitted.

In this embodiment, the emission coefficient storage unit and classification storage unit store the type of activity, scope, category, and emissions in association with each other. The emission coefficient information stored in the emission coefficient storage unit includes the scope (and category, if any) to which the type of activity indicated by the type identification information for the emission entity indicated by the company ID corresponds, in association with the company ID and type identification information. The classification storage unit also stores information (hereinafter referred to as classification information) related to the classification (scope and category) of the activity, and the classification information includes the scope and category in association with the company ID and type identification information.

The type identification information can take any format as long as it is information for identifying the type of activity. For example, if an ID (type ID) that uniquely identifies the type of activity is set in the data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data), the type ID can be used as the type identification information. The type identification information can also be information that includes the type of import data and conditions for the values of items included in the import data. For example, if the import data is financial accounting data, the type identification information can be information specifying "financial accounting data" and the condition that the "account item" is "travel expenses" and the summary includes "taxi." A function that inputs import data and outputs the type can also be set as the type identification information.

The conversion coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as conversion coefficient information) including coefficients (conversion coefficients) for unit conversion. When the units (first units) expressing the activity amount set in the import data differ from the units (second units) assumed by the emission coefficient, the conversion coefficient can be used to convert the unit of activity amount. For example, if the activity amount related to fuel is expressed in liters (l) and the emission coefficient is expressed in CO2 per kilogram (tCO2/kg), the conversion coefficient for weight per liter (kg/l) can be used to convert the activity amount to a value expressed in kilograms (kg), and then multiply by the emission coefficient to calculate the greenhouse gas (CO2 in this example) emissions (tCO2). The conversion coefficient information can include a conversion coefficient associated with the company ID and type-specific information. The conversion coefficient information may also include information indicating the converted units.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emissions. The emission amount memory unit can store a company ID, information specifying the time when the activity was carried out (time information), a scope, a category, and an emission amount, in association with each other. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range. The scope and category can be the scope and category registered in the classification memory unit described above.

The allocation information storage unit, which constitutes the storage unit 230, stores information (allocation information) necessary to allocate the input activity amount. The allocation information includes a company ID, type-specific information, and information (allocation rate information) necessary to allocate the activity amount matching the type-specific information to multiple types of activity amount. The allocation rate information may include multiple pairs of activity types and their allocation rates. The activity amount for the corresponding type can be calculated by multiplying the input activity amount by the allocation rate. Note that if multiple types correspond to one import data, multiple pairs of type and allocation rate are registered in the allocation information. For example, if an invoice from a logistics company that combines shipping fees and delivery charges is provided as import data for activity amounts, the allocation information can be set to the types of Category 1 and Category 4 of Scope 3, for example, 85% for Category 1 (purchased products) and 15% for Category 4 (transportation, delivery (upstream)). Furthermore, if warehouse storage is performed during delivery and billing data including warehouse storage fees is provided as import data, the allocation information can include Category 4 delivery and warehouse usage types, the delivery allocation rate (e.g., 70%), and the warehouse allocation rate (e.g., 30%). For example, if the import data is financial accounting data, the type-specific information can include information specifying "financial accounting data," the condition that the "account item" is "travel and transportation expenses," and the summary is blank. In such a case, by setting the ratio of taxi, train, and airplane use within the scope of travel and transportation expenses as the allocation rate, travel and transportation values without a summary can be calculated as activity amounts related to multiple means of transportation. Type-specific information can also be set as a function that inputs import data and outputs the type. Note that these examples are merely examples, and any pattern can be set.

The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts. Examples of activity amounts include the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight x distance transported (ton-kilometers), the amount of fuel consumed (liters), and the amount (yen). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the activity amount input unit receives import data from the user terminal 100. The import data can be, for example, data exported from an ERP system (export data) or data converted from export data. The import data can be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is known which item corresponds to which type of data, and the type of activity can be identified by the value entered in which item of the CSV data in the type identification information. Furthermore, with JSON data, XML data, and the like, the type of data can be tagged or set as an attribute.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission coefficients related to the type of activity. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can read the emission coefficient corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information from the emission coefficient storage unit. If the emission coefficients are managed by an external system, the emission coefficient acquisition unit may access the external system to acquire the emission coefficients.

The emission coefficient input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts the input of emission coefficients. The emission coefficient input unit identifies the company ID indicating the emitter to which the user belongs (for example, it can accept input of a company ID. The management server 200 also has a user information storage unit that stores user information related to users, and the company ID can be set in the user information and acquired from the user information storage unit). It can accept input of type-specific information and emission coefficients from the user and register the company ID, type-specific information, and emission coefficient in the emission coefficient storage unit. If an emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity amount related to the imported data is not stored in the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission coefficient input unit can, for example, notify the user terminal 100 of this and accept the emission coefficient from the user terminal 100.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on emission coefficients and activity amounts. The emission calculation unit can calculate emissions for each record (or group of records) included in the import data. The emission calculation unit can, for example, search the emission coefficient storage unit for emission coefficient information where the value of an item included in a record corresponds to the type-specific information (for example, the value of the type-specific information is set as the value of the item, or the value of one or more items in the record meets the conditions specified in the type-specific information), and calculate emissions based on the retrieved emission coefficients and activity amounts.

The allocation processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can allocate the activity amount as needed. When a record of the imported data matches the type-specific information included in the allocation information, the allocation processing unit can calculate the (estimated) emissions for each type by multiplying each type included in the allocation rate information in the allocation information by the corresponding allocation rate. The emissions calculation unit can search the emissions coefficient for each type allocated by the allocation processing unit from the emissions coefficient storage unit, and multiply the allocated activity amount by the found emission coefficient to calculate the emissions for that type.

If the units in which the activity amount is expressed match the units assumed for the emission coefficient (tCO2/unit), the emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient.

If the units do not match, the emission calculation unit reads a conversion factor corresponding to the received activity type (and emitter) from the conversion factor storage unit based on the conversion factor, converts the first activity amount expressed in the first unit to a second activity amount expressed in the second unit based on the read conversion factor, and calculates the emission amount based on the emission factor and the second activity amount. For example, the emission calculation unit searches the conversion factor storage unit for conversion factor information including the company ID and type-specific information corresponding to the record of the imported data, and if the searched conversion factor information is registered in the conversion factor storage unit, determines that the units do not match and multiplies the value obtained by multiplying the activity amount included in the imported data by the conversion factor by the emission factor. Note that if multiple conversion factors corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information are registered, all of the corresponding conversion factors may be multiplied.

The emission calculation unit can register the calculated emission amount in the emission amount memory unit. The emission calculation unit can associate the company ID, time information such as the current date and time, the scope and category of the calculated emission amount (the scope and category corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information used when calculating the emission amount can be obtained from the classification memory unit), and the calculated emission amount, and register them in the emission amount memory unit.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 aggregates the emissions. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by scope. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by category. The scope and category corresponding to the company ID and type-specific information can be read from the distribution memory.

<Operation>
FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 37th function. The management server 200 receives import data from an external source (S5501). For example, the management server 200 can accept CSV data uploads from the user terminal 100, receive JSON data, and receive data in CSV, JSON, XML, or other formats from other systems. For each record included in the import data, if the record matches the allocation information stored in the allocation information storage unit (S5502: YES), the management server 200 allocates the activity amount included in the record based on the allocation ratio in the allocation rate information (S5503), obtains the emission coefficient corresponding to the company ID and the type of allocation rate information from the emission coefficient storage unit (S5504), and searches the conversion coefficient storage unit for conversion coefficient information corresponding to the company ID and the type of allocation rate information (S5505).

On the other hand, if the record does not match the apportionment information (S5502: NO), the management server 200 reads from the emission coefficient storage unit emission coefficient information that corresponds to the company ID and whose item values included in the record correspond to the type-specific information (S5506), and searches from the conversion coefficient storage unit for conversion coefficient information that corresponds to the company ID and whose item values included in the record correspond to the type-specific information (S5507).

If the management server 200 is able to search for conversion coefficient information (S5508: YES), it calculates the emissions by multiplying the activity amount included in the record by the conversion coefficient and the emissions coefficient (S5509) and registers the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit (S5511). On the other hand, if the management server 200 is unable to search for conversion coefficient information (S5508: NO), it calculates the emissions by multiplying the activity amount included in the record by the emissions coefficient (S5510) and registers the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit (S5511).

If the management server 200 is able to search for conversion factors (S5508: YES), it calculates the emissions by multiplying the activity amount of the record by all of the conversion factors it found and the emission factor (S5509). If the management server 200 is unable to search for conversion factors (S5508: NO), it calculates the emissions by multiplying the activity amount of the record by the emission factor (S5510).

The management server 200 registers the emission amount in the emission amount storage unit (S5511) and repeats the above loop.

After processing the above loop, the management server 200 aggregates and outputs the emissions registered in the emissions storage unit (S5512). The management server 200 can search the emissions storage unit for emissions calculated within a specified period, such as a year, quarter, month, week, or day, and aggregate them. The management server 200 can also obtain from the classification storage unit the scope and category that match the company ID and type-specific information related to the calculated emissions, and aggregate and output the emissions for each obtained scope and/or category.

In this way, emissions can be calculated by inputting activity data from an external source all at once.

The input unit 220, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 37th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AK1 (P029)]
an activity amount input unit that accepts input of input data including an activity amount related to the activity; an allocation information storage unit that stores a plurality of the types and allocation ratios corresponding to each of the types, in association with conditions for the input data; an allocation processing unit that, when the input data satisfies the conditions, allocates the activity amount according to the allocation ratio corresponding to the conditions to calculate the activity amount for each of the plurality of types corresponding to the conditions; an emission coefficient acquisition unit that reads out from the emission coefficient storage unit the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity related to the activity amount; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount based on the read emission coefficient and the activity amount. Item AK1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AK2]
The information processing system according to item AK1, wherein the emission coefficient storage unit stores the type, the scope of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other, and includes an aggregation unit that aggregates the emissions calculated by the emission calculation unit for each scope.
[Item AK3]
An information processing system according to item AK1, characterized in that the emission coefficient memory unit stores the type, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other, and is provided with an aggregation unit that aggregates the emissions calculated by the emission calculation unit for each category.
[Item AK4]
Item AK1: The information processing system according to item AK1, wherein the activity amount received by the activity amount input unit is expressed in a first unit, and further comprising a conversion coefficient storage unit that stores a conversion coefficient associated with the type for converting a value of the first unit into a value of a second unit, and the emission amount calculation unit reads out, from the conversion coefficient storage unit, the conversion coefficient corresponding to the type of the received activity based on the conversion coefficient, converts the first activity amount expressed in the first unit into a second activity amount expressed in the second unit based on the read conversion coefficient, and calculates the emission amount based on the emission coefficient and the second activity amount.
[Item AK5]
The information processing system according to Item AK1, further comprising an emission coefficient input unit that, when the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity related to the amount of activity is not registered in the emission coefficient storage unit, accepts input of the emission coefficient and registers it in the emission coefficient storage unit.

<<Coefficient switching function (function 38)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 37 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 38. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions have been estimated. There is a problem in that multiple emission factors exist for the same activity. Function 38 aims to provide technology that can calculate emissions when multiple emission factors exist.

First Embodiment
An example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The information processing system according to this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to a user terminal 100 via a communication network 300.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 38th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit, activity memory unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (emission amount output unit).

The activity amount storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores activity amounts in association with activities that emit greenhouse gases. The activity amount storage unit stores time information (assumed to be the year and month in this embodiment) in association with a company ID that identifies the entity of the activity amount (assumed to be a company in this embodiment), information for identifying the activity performed by the company during the period indicated by the time information, and the activity amount. The activity amount storage unit can store activity amounts transmitted from the user terminal 100, for example.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The emission coefficient memory unit stores emission coefficients in association with activities. The emission coefficient memory unit stores multiple emission coefficients for each activity. The emission coefficient memory unit stores emission coefficients for each company ID.

The emission coefficient storage unit can also store activities and emission coefficients for multiple activities in association with set identification information that identifies a set of emission coefficients for each activity (emission coefficient set). The set identification information may be, for example, a label or tag. The set identification information can be set by the user. For example, by storing emission sets that include the latest emission coefficients for each activity and emission coefficients for each activity from 10 years ago, it is possible to calculate and compare emissions calculated using the emission coefficients from 10 years ago for the same amount of activity with emissions calculated using the latest emission coefficients.

In this embodiment, the emission coefficient storage unit stores information identifying an activity and an emission coefficient in association with a company ID and set identification information (set name).

The emissions memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emissions. The emissions memory unit can store a company ID that indicates the company, time information (year and month) that indicates the aggregation period, a set name that indicates the set of emissions coefficients, and emissions for each scope and category (if categories exist). The scope and category can be, for example, those defined by the GHG Protocol.

The activity memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information about activities. The activity memory unit associates a company ID with information indicating an activity and stores the scope and category to which the activity belongs.

The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates the emission amount. The emission calculation unit calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the activity of that activity amount. The emission calculation unit can accept input of information specifying the emission coefficient, refer to the emission coefficient memory unit and the activity amount memory unit, and calculate the emission amount by multiplying the emission coefficient corresponding to the received information by the corresponding activity amount. The emission calculation unit can accept input of set specification information. The emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying each of the emission coefficients corresponding to the received set specification information by the corresponding activity amount. The emission calculation unit registers the calculated emission amount in the emission memory unit. The emission calculation unit can aggregate the emission amount by company ID indicating the company, year and month of the activity, scope, and category, and register it in the emission memory unit.

The emission amount output unit that constitutes the output unit 240 outputs the emission amount calculated by the emission amount calculation unit. The emission amount output unit can aggregate and output the emission amount by company ID indicating the company, year and month of the activity, scope, and category. The emission amount output unit can output the aggregated emission amount as a number or a graph. The emission amount output unit can create screen information for displaying the emission amount and send it to the user terminal 100.

<Operation>
FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 38th function. It is assumed that the company ID to be output is identified, for example, by user authentication. The management server 200 accepts the designation of a set of emission coefficients (input of a set name) (S5601) and acquires an emission coefficient corresponding to the accepted set name and company ID from the emission coefficient storage unit (S5602). The management server 200 acquires an activity amount corresponding to the company ID (S5603). The management server 200 can acquire the activity amount from, for example, the activity amount storage unit, or it can receive the activity amount from the user terminal 100. Next, the management server 200 calculates emissions using the acquired set of emission coefficients and the acquired activity amount (S5604). For each acquired activity amount, the management server 200 identifies an emission coefficient in the set corresponding to the activity and can calculate emissions by multiplying the identified emission coefficient by the activity amount. Next, the management server 200 aggregates and outputs the calculated emissions (S5605).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment allows emissions to be calculated using a specified emission factor when multiple emission factors exist for the same activity.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment deals with a case where there may be multiple patterns of activity amounts for one activity. In the second embodiment, the management server 200 further includes an update unit, a set storage unit, and a setting information storage unit, in comparison with the first embodiment.

The set storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores pairs of activity amounts and emission coefficients. In this embodiment, it is assumed that multiple activity amounts exist for one activity. The set storage unit stores the activity amounts and activity coefficients in association with set-specific information (set name) that identifies the set of activity amounts for each activity. In this embodiment, the set storage unit stores records (set information) including a company ID indicating the company, time information (year and month), set name, information identifying the activity, activity amount, and emission coefficient. Multiple sets of set information for one activity are registered in the set storage unit. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that multiple activity amounts exist for one activity, but it is also possible for one activity to have one activity amount and multiple emission coefficients (as in the first embodiment). It is also possible for one activity to have multiple activity amounts and multiple emission coefficients. In this case, set information can be registered for each pair of activity amount and emission coefficient. The set-specific information may be, for example, a label or tag. The set-specific information can be set by the user.

The setting information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores setting information related to sets of activity amounts (and pairs of emission coefficients). The setting information includes a company ID that identifies the company, a set name, an activity amount synchronization flag, and an emission coefficient synchronization flag. The activity amount synchronization flag is a flag value that indicates whether activity amounts are synchronized between different sets of information for the same activity. The emission coefficient synchronization flag is a flag value that indicates whether emission coefficients are synchronized between different sets of information for the same activity.

The emissions calculation unit can accept input of information specifying an activity and information specifying the amount of activity (set name). The emissions calculation unit can read set information corresponding to the received activity and set name from the set storage unit, and calculate the amount of emissions for each activity by multiplying the activity amount and emission coefficient included in the read set information.

The update unit constituting the execution unit 290 synchronizes set information when it is updated. When set information is updated, the update unit updates other set information for the same activity as the activity in the updated set information. When set information is updated, the update unit reads setting information corresponding to the company ID of the updated set information from the setting information storage unit. If the activity amount synchronization flag of the read setting information is true, when the activity amount of the set information is updated, the update unit searches the set storage unit for other set information corresponding to the same activity and set name as the activity and set name included in the updated set information, and updates the activity amount of the searched other set information to the activity amount of the updated set information. If the emission coefficient synchronization flag of the read setting information is true, when the emission coefficient of the set information is updated, the update unit searches the set storage unit for other set information corresponding to the same activity and set name as the activity and set name included in the updated set information, and updates the emission coefficient of the searched other set information to the emission coefficient of the updated set information.

The emissions calculation unit accepts the specification of set-specific information (set name), reads out the set information corresponding to the received set name (and company ID) from the set storage unit, and multiplies the activity amount and emissions coefficient stored in the read-out set information to calculate the emissions for each activity.

Third Embodiment
In the third embodiment, it is assumed that multiple activity amounts for one activity are registered in the activity amount storage unit. The activity amount storage unit of the third embodiment stores the activity amount in association with a company ID, a set name, a year and month, and the activity. Therefore, multiple activity amounts with different set names can be registered for one activity. Here, the set name can be information that identifies the activity amount. In the third embodiment, the emission coefficient storage unit manages emission coefficients in association with set names, as in the first embodiment, but the set name may be omitted and one emission coefficient may be managed for one activity.

The emissions calculation unit accepts the specification of a set name, reads the year and month, activity, and activity amount corresponding to the accepted set name and company ID from the activity amount storage unit, reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the read activity (and set name) from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiplies the read activity amount by the read emission coefficient to calculate the emissions amount for each activity.

The execution unit 290, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 38th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AL1 (P034)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity associated with an activity that emits greenhouse gases; an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating an amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the activity, the emission coefficient storage unit storing a plurality of emission coefficients for each activity; and an emission calculation unit that receives input of information specifying the emission coefficient and calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying the emission coefficient corresponding to the received information by the corresponding activity amount, with reference to the emission coefficient storage unit and the activity amount storage unit. Item AL1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information specifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that emits greenhouse gases; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that receives input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that identifies the base based on the location information with reference to the base information storage unit; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit, with the identified base.
[Item AL2]
The information processing system according to Item AL1, wherein the emission coefficient storage unit stores the activities and the emission coefficients in association with set identification information that identifies an emission set including one emission coefficient corresponding to each of a plurality of the activities, and the emission calculation unit accepts input of the set identification information and calculates the emission amount by multiplying each of the emission coefficients that correspond to the accepted set identification information by a corresponding activity amount.
[Item AL3]
an emission calculation unit that receives input of the activity specification information and the activity amount specification information, reads out the record corresponding to the received activity specification information and the activity amount specification information from the set storage unit, and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount and the emission coefficient included in the read record.
[Item AL4]
The information processing system according to Item AL3, further comprising an update unit that, when the first emission coefficient of a first record stored in the set storage unit is updated to a second emission coefficient, identifies a second record from the set storage unit that includes the same activity specification information as the activity specification information included in the first record, and updates the emission coefficient of the identified second record to the second emission coefficient.
[Item AL5]
The information processing system according to item AL3, wherein the activity amount identification information is information that identifies a set including one activity amount corresponding to each of the plurality of activities.
[Item AL6]
an activity amount storage unit that stores activity amounts in association with activities that emit greenhouse gases; an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions in association with the activities, the emission coefficient storage unit storing the activities and the emission coefficients in association with set identification information that identifies an emission coefficient set including a plurality of emission coefficients corresponding to each of the plurality of activities; and an emission calculation unit that receives input of the set identification information and calculates the emissions by multiplying each of the emission coefficients corresponding to the received set identification information by the corresponding activity amount.

<<Multiple gas emission calculation function (function 39)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 38 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 39. As background technology, emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases are calculated. There is a need to calculate emissions of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide. Function 39 aims to provide technology that can calculate emissions of various greenhouse gases.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 39th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, activity information memory unit, emission amount memory unit, environmental value memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, aggregation unit), an output unit 240, and an execution unit 290 (offset processing unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions of a given type due to an activity, in association with the type of greenhouse gas and information identifying that activity.

The activity information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as activity information) for classifying activities into scopes (and categories). The activity information storage unit can store, for example, information indicating the scope (and category) in association with information that identifies the activity.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The emission amount memory unit can store the amount of emissions in association with information indicating the type of greenhouse gas and a date (or information specifying a period such as a year and month).

The environmental value memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information related to environmental values corresponding to greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as environmental value information). The environmental value information can include, in association with information specifying the type of greenhouse gas, information specifying the environmental value for offsetting that type of greenhouse gas, as well as the price of that environmental value.

The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts related to activities. The activity amount input unit may, for example, accept input of activity amounts from an input device or from the user terminal 100, or may receive a file (e.g., a CSV file) recording the activity amounts transmitted from the user terminal 100. The activity amount input unit may also acquire activity amounts from, for example, an accounting system, a purchasing management system, a logistics management system, or an inventory management system.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions related to the input activity. Because multiple greenhouse gases may be generated from the same activity, in this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the amount of emissions of different greenhouse gases from the activity amount of the same activity. The emission calculation unit reads all emission coefficients corresponding to the information identifying the input activity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and calculates the amount of emissions for each type of greenhouse gas by multiplying the input activity amount by each of the read emission coefficients. The emission calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emission storage unit.

The activity amount input unit may accept input of activity amounts associated with time information indicating the period of the activity. In this case, the emission amount calculation unit extracts the activity amounts included in the aggregation period (e.g., a specific month or year), and multiplies the extracted activity amounts by the emissions of each type of greenhouse gas to calculate the emissions of each type of greenhouse gas for the aggregation period. The emission amount calculation unit can register the emissions of each type of greenhouse gas in the emission amount storage unit in association with information specifying the aggregation period (e.g., if the length of the period is fixed, this may be information indicating only the start date, or information indicating the start and end points of the aggregation period, or information such as the year or month).

The output unit 240 outputs the calculated greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the output unit 240 can output the calculated emissions for each greenhouse gas type. The output unit 240 can be configured to output the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit.

The aggregation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 can aggregate the emissions of each type calculated by the emissions calculation unit for each scope. For Scope 3, the aggregation unit can further aggregate the emissions of each type of greenhouse gas for each category. The output unit 240 can output the aggregated values (e.g., totals, averages, medians, etc.) of the emissions of each greenhouse gas for each scope (and further for Scope 3 for each category) aggregated by the aggregation unit. The aggregation unit can also aggregate the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit.

The offset processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can perform offset processing on the emissions of each greenhouse gas calculated by the emission calculation unit. The offset processing unit can, for example, refer to the environmental value storage unit to determine whether the environmental value related to the greenhouse gas in question is for sale, and if so, perform processing to purchase the corresponding environmental value.

<Operation>
57 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 39th function. The management server 200 receives input of activity amount data (S301) and reads out all emission coefficients for each greenhouse gas that correspond to the received activity amount (S302). The management server 200 performs the following process for each greenhouse gas.

That is, the management server 200 multiplies the received activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the greenhouse gas in question to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (S303), and registers the calculated amount of emissions in the emission memory unit in association with the type of greenhouse gas (S304).

After repeating the above process for each type of greenhouse gas, the management server 200 can aggregate the emissions (S305) and output the aggregated emissions (S306). Note that the management server 200 may also output emissions that are not aggregated.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can calculate emissions of multiple greenhouse gases from the same input activity data.

The execution unit 290, input unit 220, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 39th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AM1 (P035)]
an activity amount input unit that receives an input of an activity amount related to the activity, an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a plurality of types of the greenhouse gas, an activity amount input unit that receives an input of an activity amount related to the activity, an emission coefficient calculation unit that reads the emission coefficients corresponding to the activity from the emission coefficient storage unit and multiplies the activity amount by each of the read emission coefficients to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions for each type of the activity, and an output unit that outputs the amount of greenhouse gas emissions for each type of the activity.Item AM1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information for identifying a location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter, an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base, an activity amount input unit that receives input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device, a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify the base based on the location information, and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AM2]
The information processing system according to item AM1, wherein the emission coefficient storage unit stores the emission coefficient in association with the activity, the scope of the activity, and the type, and includes an aggregation unit that aggregates the emissions for each type calculated by the emission calculation unit for each scope.

<<Input error detection function (40th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 39 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 40. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is a problem that input data related to the calculation of emissions may be incorrect. Function 40 aims to enable accurate input of data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
An example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The information processing system according to this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to a user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 40th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, setting information memory unit, activity amount memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, aggregation unit), and an output unit 240 (error output unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. Emission coefficients are also called emission units. For example, the emission coefficient can determine the amount of greenhouse gas emitted when one liter of fuel is burned by an internal combustion engine. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated by multiplying the emission coefficient by the amount of activity.

The setting information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores various setting information. The setting information can include range-specific information for specifying a normal range of activity level. The range-specific information can include, for example, information for calculating a standard value to be compared, such as a comparison with the previous month, the same month of the previous year, or the same week of the previous year (e.g., values for the previous month, the same month, or the same week of the previous year, or an average for the past five years), and a range (e.g., lower and upper limits) of values (e.g., ratios or differences) comparing the standard value with the current activity level. In this embodiment, the range-specific information is represented by lower and upper limits of the comparison with the previous month or the same month of the previous year. For example, range-specific information can be set to -100% or less and +100% or more compared with the previous month or the same month of the previous year.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts related to activities that emit greenhouse gases. The activity amount memory unit can store activity amounts in association with time information. Time information can be, for example, year/month or year/month/day. The activity amount can be expressed, for example, in monetary terms or physical quantities. The activity amount memory unit can store activity amounts in association with time information and information identifying the activity. The activity amount memory unit can also store units of activity amount.

<Functional department>
The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of the activity amount. The activity amount input unit can accept input of time information related to the activity and the activity amount from, for example, the user terminal 100. The activity amount input unit may acquire the activity amount from an external system such as an accounting system, a sales system, or an inventory management system. The activity amount input unit can accept the activity amount together with information identifying the activity (for example, a product name or a service name).

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on the amount of activity and the emission coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions by multiplying the amount of activity by the emission coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can read out the emission coefficient corresponding to the activity related to the amount of activity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiply the amount of activity by the read-out emission coefficient.

The error output unit constituting the output unit 240 outputs a message indicating an input error in the activity amount. The error output unit can output a message indicating an input error when the activity amount received by the activity amount input unit is not within a normal range. The error output unit reads the activity amount for the previous month or the same month of the previous year (past activity amount) corresponding to the received activity amount from the activity amount storage unit, and compares the read past activity amount (if there are multiple past activity amounts, this may be an aggregate value such as the average or median) with the received activity amount based on range identification information corresponding to the received activity amount stored in the setting information storage unit to determine whether it is within the normal range.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 can aggregate activity amounts for each activity related to the activity amount. The emission calculation unit can calculate emissions based on the aggregated activity amount values and emission coefficients. The error output unit can output a message indicating an input error if the aggregated activity amount value is not within the normal range.

<Operation>
58 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 40th function. The management server 200 receives an activity amount (S5801), reads out past activity amounts based on setting information corresponding to the activity related to the activity amount (S5802), compares the received activity amount with the past activity amount based on the setting information, and determines whether the received activity amount is within a normal range (S5803). If the received activity amount is not within the normal range (S5804: NO), an error is output (S5805). On the other hand, if the received activity amount is within the normal range (S5804: YES), the processing ends without outputting an error.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can obtain accurate activity levels.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, the unit of the activity amount is confirmed to be correct. In the second embodiment, the emission coefficient storage unit stores information indicating the unit in association with the emission coefficient. The emission coefficient storage unit can also store the emission coefficient and the unit in association with information identifying the activity. In the second embodiment, the activity amount input unit accepts input of the unit of the activity amount along with the information identifying the activity and the activity amount. The error output unit can output an error indicating an input error when the denominator of the unit of the emission coefficient corresponding to the activity of the accepted activity amount, which is stored in the emission coefficient storage unit, does not match the unit of the accepted activity amount. Note that when the denominator of the unit of the emission coefficient does not match the unit of the activity amount, the activity amount may be converted into a unit.

Third Embodiment
In the third embodiment, it is determined whether the discharge amount, rather than the amount of activity, is within a normal range. In the third embodiment, the range specifying information included in the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit is information for specifying the normal range of the discharge amount. Furthermore, the setting information can include the type of discharge amount (e.g., scope and/or category) instead of or in addition to the information specifying the activity. The error output unit can output an error indicating an input error if the calculated discharge amount is not within the normal range of the setting information corresponding to the discharge amount.

Fourth Embodiment
In the fourth embodiment, it is determined whether the estimated scope and/or category are correct. In the fourth embodiment, the activity amount input unit accepts the specification of the scope and/or category of the activity along with the activity amount. The emission calculation unit calculates the emission amount for each accepted scope and/or category. The error output unit can estimate the scope based on the activity related to the activity amount. If the estimated scope does not match the accepted scope, the error output unit can output an error indicating an input error.

Fifth Embodiment
In the fifth embodiment, the setting information storage unit determines whether a supplier of purchased goods, electricity, or the like is located within the service area. In the fifth embodiment, the setting information storage unit can store the area where a greenhouse gas emitter is located. The setting information storage unit can also store, for each supplier that provides goods or services, the service area provided by the supplier. In the fifth embodiment, the activity amount input unit can accept report data including activity amounts of electricity, goods, etc. The report data can be acquired, for example, from an accounting system. In the fifth embodiment, the error output unit can analyze the report data to extract suppliers and activity amounts. For example, if the report data is image data, a so-called OCR function can be used to extract the activity amounts represented in the report data and the provider associated with the activity amounts (for example, the electric power company and the amount of power consumed from the report data of electricity bills). The error output unit refers to the setting information storage unit to identify the service area and the area of the emitter corresponding to the extracted supplier, determine whether the service area provided by the identified supplier includes the area of the emitter, and if not, output an error indicating an input error.

The input unit 220, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 40th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AN1 (P056)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; an activity amount input unit that accepts an input of an activity amount; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount based on the activity amount and the emission coefficient; a setting information storage unit that stores range identification information for identifying a normal range of the activity amount; and an error output unit that outputs a notice indicating an input error when the accepted activity amount is not within the normal range. Item AN1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each business entity (hereinafter referred to as a base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the entered activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AN2]
The information processing system according to item AN1 further includes an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount in association with time information, and the range specification information is expressed as a comparison with the previous month or the same month of the previous year;
The information processing system is characterized in that the error output unit reads out a first activity amount corresponding to the previous month or the same month of the previous year from the activity amount storage unit, and compares the received second activity amount with the first activity amount.
[Item AN3]
The information processing system according to Item AN1 further includes an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount, and an aggregation unit that aggregates the activity amount for each activity related to the activity amount, wherein the emission amount calculation unit calculates the emission amount based on the aggregated value of the activity amount and the emission coefficient, and the error output unit outputs a message indicating the input error when the aggregated value of the activity amount is not within the normal range.

<< Attribute-based allocation function (41st function) >>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 40 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 41. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are being estimated. There is an issue that it is time-consuming to register data necessary for calculating emissions into a system. Function 41 aims to make it possible to easily input data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
An emissions management system according to this embodiment will be described. The emissions management system of this embodiment is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. The emissions management system of this embodiment accepts input of the activity amount of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying this by an emission coefficient. The emissions management system of this embodiment sets multiple tags for the activity amount, and allocates the activity amount for each tag. The tags can be, for example, information indicating the organizational department or activity base of the greenhouse gas emitter (e.g., a company).

An example of the overall configuration of the emissions management system of this embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The emissions management system of this embodiment is configured to include a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 41st function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, allocation information memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission amount memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount receiving unit), an execution unit 290 (tag setting unit, allocation processing unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an output unit 240.

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The emission coefficient memory unit can store emission coefficients in association with information that identifies an activity (for example, the type of activity, such as electricity, gas, or product A).

The information identifying an activity can take any form, as long as it is information that can be used to identify the type of activity. For example, if an ID (type ID) that uniquely identifies the type of activity is set in the data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data), the type ID can be used as type identification information. Also, information including the type of import data and conditions for the values of items included in the import data can also be used as type identification information. For example, if the import data is financial accounting data, the type identification information can include information specifying "financial accounting data" and the condition that the "account item" is "travel expenses" and the summary includes "taxi." Also, a function that inputs import data and outputs the type can be set as type identification information.

Emission factors may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurements, or calculated based on direct measurements at the original source) or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions data from multiple companies offering the same type of product).

The emission coefficient memory unit can store emissions in association with the type of activity. The emission coefficient memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The emission coefficient memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. Note that the scope and category of the activity are assumed to be the scope and category of the GHG Protocol. Also, the category may be omitted.

The allocation information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for allocating activity amounts (hereinafter referred to as allocation information). The allocation information can include information that identifies the activity, a tag, and an allocation ratio for allocating the activity amount related to the activity to the tag.

The activity amount storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information related to activity amount (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). The activity amount information includes information that identifies the activity, information that identifies the time when the activity was performed (time information), and the activity amount. The activity amount information can also include tags for classifying the activity. Multiple tags can be set in the activity amount information.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emissions. The emission amount memory unit can store the company ID that identifies the emitter, information that identifies the time when the activity was carried out (time information), the scope, category, and emission amount in association with each other. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range.

The activity amount receiving unit constituting the input unit 220 receives the activity amount of activities that emit greenhouse gases. The activity amount receiving unit can receive the activity amount from, for example, the user terminal 100. The activity amount can be, for example, the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight x distance transported (ton-kilometers), the amount of fuel consumed (liters), and the amount of money (yen). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the activity amount receiving unit receives import data from the user terminal 100. The import data can be, for example, data exported from an ERP system (export data) or data converted from export data. The import data can be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is known which item corresponds to which type of data, and the type of activity can be identified by the value entered in the CSV data item in the type identification information. Furthermore, with JSON data, XML data, etc., the type of data can be tagged or set as an attribute. The activity amount receiving unit can create activity amount information including the received activity amount and register it in the activity amount storage unit.

The tag setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, sets tags for activity amounts. The tags can indicate the departments of the organization related to the greenhouse gas emitters. The tags can also indicate the bases related to the greenhouse gas emitters.

The tag setting unit can receive tags from the user terminal 100. For example, the tag setting unit can receive one or more tags along with information that identifies an activity. For example, the tag setting unit can receive information that identifies an activity, time information, and one or more tags. Note that the activity amount receiving unit may receive tags along with the activity amount. For example, tags can be included in the import data.

The tag setting unit can set the received tag to the corresponding activity amount information. A tag storage unit may also be provided that stores information identifying the activity in association with the tag.

The allocation processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 allocates the activity amount for each set tag and calculates the activity amount for each tag (hereinafter referred to as tag activity amount). For example, when multiple tags are set for one activity (for example, when one piece of activity amount information includes multiple tags), the allocation processing unit can calculate the tag activity amount by dividing the activity amount by the number of tags. In this embodiment, an allocation ratio is set for each tag, and the allocation processing unit can calculate the tag activity amount by allocating the activity amount according to the allocation ratio. For example, the allocation processing unit can read the allocation ratio for each tag corresponding to the received activity from the allocation information storage unit, and calculate the tag activity amount by allocating the activity amount according to the read allocation ratio.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates greenhouse gas emissions by multiplying the activity amount by an emission coefficient. The emission calculation unit can also calculate emissions for each tag (hereinafter referred to as tag emissions) by multiplying the apportioned activity amount (tag activity amount) by an emission coefficient.

The output unit 240 outputs the emission amount. The output unit 240 may be configured to output the tag emission amount together with the tag. The output unit 240 can also output the activity amount. The output unit 240 may be configured to output the tag activity amount together with the tag.

<Operation>
FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the 41st function.

The management server 200 accepts input of activity amount (S5901) and accepts the setting of one or more tags for the accepted activity amount (S5902). For activity amounts for which multiple tags are set, the management server 200 calculates the tag activity amount by apportioning the activity amount (S5903). As described above, the activity amount may be divided by the number of tags, or the apportionment ratio corresponding to the activity may be read from the apportionment information storage unit and the activity amount may be apportioned according to the read apportionment ratio. Note that if only one tag is set, this activity amount can be used as the tag activity amount. The management server 200 multiplies the apportioned activity amount by the corresponding emission coefficient to calculate the emission amount for each tag (S5904).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment can allocate activity amounts by department or location and calculate the activity amount for each department or location. Therefore, even activity amounts that span multiple departments or locations can be entered along with tags, making input easier.

Second Embodiment
In the above-described embodiment, the activity amount is allocated proportionally for each tag, but in a second embodiment, the emission amount is allocated proportionally for each tag. In the second embodiment, the information processing system can include an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating the emission amount of a greenhouse gas, an activity amount receiving unit that receives the activity amount of an activity that emits the greenhouse gas, an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient, an allocation processing unit that allocates the emission amount for each tag to the emission amount, and an output unit that outputs the emission amount for each tag.

The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emissions coefficient.

The tag setting unit can set tags for emissions rather than activity levels.

The allocation processing unit allocates the emissions amount for each tag.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the allocation processing unit can accept the setting of the allocation ratio for each tag and allocate the emission amount according to the allocation ratio.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the information processing system can be provided with an allocation information storage unit that stores allocation ratios in association with information specifying the emission amount and tags. In this case, the allocation processing unit can read the allocation ratio for each tag corresponding to the calculated emission amount from the allocation information storage unit and allocate the emission amount according to the read allocation ratio.

In the second embodiment, the allocation information stored in the allocation information storage unit does not include information specifying the amount of activity, but rather information specifying the amount of emissions, a tag, and an allocation ratio.

The allocation processing unit reads the allocation ratio corresponding to the emission amount and tag from the allocation information storage unit, and can allocate the emission amount according to the read draft ratio.

Figure 60 is a diagram explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the 41st function. The management server 200 accepts input of the amount of activity (S6001) and calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying the amount of activity by the emission coefficient corresponding to the amount of activity (S6002). The management server 200 accepts tags to be set for the emissions (S6003), and for emissions with multiple tags set, allocates the emissions proportionally to calculate the amount of emissions for each tag (S6004). Note that if only one tag is set, the calculated amount of emissions can be used as the tag emission amount.

As described above, the information processing system of the second embodiment allows emissions to be tagged and allocated proportionally for each tag, making it possible to calculate emissions for each department or location.

The input unit 220, execution unit 290, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 41st function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AO1 (P057)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; an activity amount receiving unit that receives an activity amount of the activity that emits the greenhouse gas; a tag setting unit that sets a tag for the activity amount; an allocation processing unit that allocates the activity amount for each of the set tags; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount for each of the tags by multiplying the allocated activity amount by the emission coefficient. Item AO1 comprises: a base information storage unit that stores information identifying a base location for each business entity that emits greenhouse gases; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that receives input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from a user's mobile device; a base identification unit that references the base information storage unit to identify a base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AO2]
The information processing system described in item AO1, characterized in that the allocation processing unit accepts a setting of an allocation ratio for each of the tags and allocates the activity amount according to the allocation ratio.
[Item AO3]
The information processing system described in item AO1 is characterized in that it includes an allocation information storage unit that stores an allocation ratio in association with information identifying the activity and the tag, and the allocation processing unit reads out the allocation ratio for each tag corresponding to the received activity from the allocation information storage unit, and allocates the activity amount according to the read allocation ratio.
[Item AO4]
The information processing system according to any one of items AO1 to AO3, wherein the tag indicates a department of an organization related to the greenhouse gas emitter.
[Item AO5]
The information processing system according to any one of items AO1 to AO3, wherein the tag indicates a base related to an emitter of the greenhouse gas.

<<Consolidated Emissions Calculation Function (Function No. 42)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 41 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 42. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are being estimated. There is a need to grasp the greenhouse gas emission status throughout the entire supply chain. Function 42 aims to provide technology that can grasp the greenhouse gas emission status.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes an information processing device A serving as a management server 200 and an information processing device B serving as a management server 201 (not shown). The information processing device A is connected to another information processing device B via a communication network 300 so that they can communicate with each other.

Information processing device A is a computer that manages greenhouse gas emissions (emission coefficient (emissions intensity), activity volume, emissions). By multiplying a company's activity volume (for example, the number of products produced) by the emission intensity for that company, it is possible to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of that company. Information processing device A can also send its own emission intensity (which may include activity volume and emissions) to another information processing device B, and can obtain the emission intensity of others from the other information processing device B. This makes it possible to calculate emissions for the entire supply chain, including its own company.

In this embodiment, each company exchanges the emissions intensity (primary data) calculated for its own company, allowing for the calculation of more realistic emissions.

Information processing device A may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing. The hardware configuration of information processing device A is the same as that shown in Figure 2.

An example of the software configuration of information processing device A (management server 200) for function 42 will be described using Figure 3. Information processing device A includes a memory unit 230 (emissions intensity unit memory unit, product information memory unit, product usage information memory unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emissions intensity unit acquisition unit, activity amount acquisition unit, company information acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emissions amount calculation unit, emissions intensity unit calculation unit, product-specific emissions calculation unit), and an output unit 240 (emissions amount output unit, emissions intensity unit transmission unit, data ratio output unit).

The emissions intensity memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores coefficients (called emissions intensity units) for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, corresponding to each company. The emissions intensity memory unit can store emissions intensity units and primary data ratios, corresponding to a company ID that identifies the company and a product ID that identifies the product (including services; the same applies below) provided by the company. Primary data is data collected by the company itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the original source. Data other than primary data is secondary data. For example, secondary data is data that has been standardized (statistically processed) from the emissions of multiple companies that offer the same type of product. The primary data ratio is the proportion of emissions calculated using primary data out of the total amount of calculated emissions.

The product information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about products (product information). The product information can include various information about the product, such as the product name, associated with a product ID that identifies the product. The product information storage unit is assumed to register product information for all products that the company provides to other companies.

The product usage information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (product usage information) about other products (hereinafter referred to as "product usage") that are used to provide the product. Product usage is, for example, raw materials used to produce the product. Product usage information can include a product ID that indicates the product, a product usage ID that indicates the product usage, a company ID that indicates the company that provides the product usage, and the amount of product usage (amount used) used for one product.

The emission intensity acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission intensity units calculated by companies (affiliated companies) that are located upstream or downstream in the supply chain. Affiliated companies are companies that provide products in categories defined in Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol. The emission intensity acquisition unit may accept emission intensity unit input from a user, but in this embodiment, it acquires emission intensity units from another information processing device B. Information processing device A can provide a primary data ratio along with the emission intensity units. The emission intensity acquisition unit can update the emission intensity unit storage unit with the acquired emission intensity units and primary data ratio. The emission intensity unit acquisition unit can update the emission intensity units and primary data ratio corresponding to the company ID indicating the affiliated company related to another information processing device B that acquired the emission intensity units and the product ID indicating the products purchased from the affiliated company to the acquired ones. When the emission intensity units of the secondary data are registered in the emission intensity unit storage unit, the emission intensity acquisition unit can set the primary data ratio to "0".

The activity amount acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires activity amounts related to products used by related companies. The activity amount can be, for example, the amount of products provided by the related companies, such as the number of products, the amount of energy, or the distance traveled by logistics. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire activity amounts related to the related companies from the related company's information processing device B. The activity amount acquisition unit may be configured to accept input of the activity amount of the related companies from the user. The activity amount acquisition unit may also access, for example, an accounting system, a sales management system, an inventory management system, etc., and acquire the number (quantity) of products purchased from the related companies as the activity amount.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 reads out the emissions intensity units corresponding to the related company and product from the emissions intensity unit storage unit, and multiplies the activity amount of the related company (e.g., the amount of product used) by the read-out emissions intensity unit to calculate the emissions amount related to the product used by the related company. The amount of use used to calculate the emissions may be the activity amount of the related company (such as the number of products purchased) obtained by the activity amount acquisition unit by accessing, for example, an accounting system, sales management system, or inventory management system, or it may be received by the activity amount acquisition unit from information processing device B of the related company.

The emissions output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output emissions for each associated company. The emissions output unit can output emissions for each associated company and product used. The emissions output unit can also output emissions intensity units for each associated company. The emissions output unit can output comparable emissions intensity units for multiple associated companies that provide the same product. The emissions output unit can output comparable emissions intensity units for an associated company that provides a certain product and an associated company that provides a substitute for that product. The emissions output unit may also output emissions intensity units for associated companies with which there is no transaction. In other words, it can also output comparable emissions intensity units for associated companies that are other providers of products used, or for associated companies that provide substitutes.

The company information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires the company's emissions and/or activity amounts. The company information acquisition unit can, for example, accept input of emissions and/or activity amounts. The company information acquisition unit may calculate emissions using well-known methods. The company information acquisition unit may acquire activity amounts (such as the number of company products sold) from, for example, an accounting system, sales management system, or inventory management system. The company information acquisition unit can acquire emissions and/or activity amounts for each product. The company information acquisition unit also acquires the amount of the company's emissions calculated based on primary data (referred to as company primary data emissions). Of the company's direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), for example, if Scope 2 emissions are calculated based on secondary data related to electricity charges, the company information acquisition unit can calculate the company's primary data emissions by excluding the emissions related to Scope 2 electricity use from the total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

If a product is used in multiple products, the company information acquisition unit acquires the amount of product used for each product (this can be acquired from an accounting system, sales management system, inventory management system, etc.), the activity amount acquisition unit calculates the activity amount of the product used for each product by apportioning the activity amount of the product used according to the usage amount for each product, and the emissions calculation unit multiplies the apportioned activity amount of the product used for each product by the emissions intensity of the product used to calculate the emissions related to the product used by the related company.

In addition, when the activity amount acquisition unit acquires activity amounts for multiple products used by an associated company collectively, the company information acquisition unit acquires the usage amount used for the multiple products procured from the associated company (this can be acquired from an accounting system, sales management system, inventory management system, etc.), and calculates the activity amount for the product and the products used corresponding to the products by apportioning the activity amount according to the usage amount for each of the acquired products, and the emissions calculation unit can calculate the emissions for the products used by the associated company by multiplying the activity amount for the product and the products used by the emissions intensity of the products used.

The emissions intensity calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, calculates the company's emissions intensity, based on the company's acquired emissions and activity data.

The emissions intensity transmission unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can transmit the company's emissions intensity to another information processing device B (a system of an associated company). The emissions intensity transmission unit may transmit the company's emissions intensity in response to a request from the other information processing device B, or may transmit the company's emissions intensity periodically or each time the company's emissions intensity is calculated.

The data ratio output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output primary data ratios related to emissions associated with the company's products. The data ratio output unit can calculate primary data ratios. For example, for each product used in a certain product, the data ratio output unit can calculate the emissions associated with the product used multiplied by the primary data ratio for that product (referred to as primary data emissions), add the company's emissions for that product (Scopes 1 and 2) to the total calculated primary data emissions for all products used to calculate the total emissions based on the primary data, and divide the calculated total by the emissions associated with that product (the total of Scopes 1 through 3) to calculate the primary data ratio for that product. For example, the data ratio output unit can obtain the product ID, usage amount, and company ID corresponding to the product ID identifying the company's product from the product usage information storage unit, obtain the primary data ratio corresponding to the company ID and product ID from the emissions intensity storage unit, and calculate the primary data emissions by multiplying the emissions of the product used (which may be the usage amount multiplied by the emissions intensity, or may be configured to accept input of emissions) by the primary data ratio. Additionally, if the data ratio output unit calculates the emissions emitted by a company using secondary data, it can add only the company's primary data emissions to the total primary data emissions of the products used.

The emission intensity acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 can also acquire, for products used in one or more products, the emissions emitted by related companies that provide the products from the related company's information processing device B. In this case, the emission intensity acquisition unit can calculate the emissions for each product by apportioning the emissions based on a predetermined standard. For multiple products that use the same product, the emission intensity acquisition unit can apportion the emissions for the products based on the production volume of the products, etc. The emission intensity acquisition unit can calculate the emission intensity for the products used by the related company by dividing the emissions for each product by the usage amount of the product.

The product-specific emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions related to products (called PCF (Product Carbon Footprint)). If the emissions intensity acquisition unit is able to acquire the emissions intensity, the product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the first product-specific emissions related to the products used by multiplying the emissions intensity by the amount of product used. If the emissions intensity acquisition unit is unable to acquire the emissions intensity but is able to acquire the emissions related to all products used that have been provided to the company, the product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the second product-specific emissions by apportioning the emissions according to a specified standard. The product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the total value of the first product-specific emissions (emissions accumulated using the emissions intensity), the second product-specific emissions (emissions calculated by apportioning the emissions by organizational unit), and the company's direct or indirect emissions (emissions related to products acquired by the company information acquisition unit), and divide the calculated total value by the activity amount (e.g., the production volume of the product) to calculate the PCF.

<Operation>
FIG. 61 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing for displaying the emission intensity for each associated company.

Information processing device A acquires the emission intensity from information processing device B of an associated company (S6101). If information processing device A is unable to acquire the emission intensity (S6102: NO), it acquires the emission amount for all the products used provided to its company by the associated company (S6103). If information processing device A is able to acquire the emission amount (S6104: YES), it calculates the emission amount for each product used by dividing the emission amount by a predetermined standard (for example, the production volume of each of the company's products) (S6105), and calculates the emission intensity by dividing the emission amount for each product by the amount of the product used (S6106). On the other hand, if information processing device A is unable to acquire the emission amount (S6104: NO), it acquires secondary data for the products used (S6107). Information processing device A displays the emission intensity for each associated company in a comparable manner (S6108). Furthermore, if information processing device A is able to acquire the emission intensity (S6102: YES), it also displays the emission intensity for each associated company in a comparable manner (S6108). This will enable companies to understand the emissions intensity of each related company upstream or downstream in their supply chain, and identify related companies that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Figure 62 is a diagram explaining the process flow for calculating PCF. When information processing device A obtains the emissions for all products used in its own products provided to the company by related companies (S6201: YES), it calculates the emissions for each product used by apportioning the emissions based on a predetermined standard (e.g., the production volume of each of the company's products) (S6202). When emissions are not obtained (S6201: NO), it calculates the emissions for each product by multiplying the emissions intensity (primary data or secondary data) by the usage amount (S6203). Information processing device A can then sum the emissions for each product (S6204) and divide the total emissions by the activity amount related to the product (production volume, sales volume, etc.) to calculate the PCF (S6205). This makes it possible to calculate PCF using available data, whether it be emissions calculated using an emissions unit determined by LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) or other methods (emissions calculated using the cumulative method), or emissions calculated by dividing the company's total emissions by the number of products or sales, etc. (emissions calculated using the apportionment method).

Second Embodiment
In the above-described embodiment, emissions units are exchanged between multiple information processing devices, and emissions corresponding to Scope 3 are calculated using emissions units obtained from outside (for example, by multiplying emissions units obtained from other companies by activity amounts such as the number of products purchased from those other companies). However, in the information processing system according to the second embodiment, emissions related to Scopes 1 and 2 are exchanged in addition to emissions units, and emissions related to Scopes 1 to 3 for multiple emitting entities as a whole are tallied.

In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, information processing device A includes a supplier emissions acquisition unit, a company emissions acquisition unit, a group emissions calculation unit, and a group storage unit.

The group memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information identifying companies that belong to a group. In the second embodiment, the group memory unit stores group company IDs that indicate other companies (hereinafter referred to as group companies) that report emissions as a group together with the company, in association with the company ID that identifies the company itself. There may be multiple group companies. A group company is a company that forms a group with the company, and is located at least either upstream or downstream in the company's supply chain. A group company may be, for example, the company's parent company, subsidiary, or sub-subsidiary. A group company may also be a contracting company to which the company outsources work, or a contracting company that undertakes the company's work. For example, subcontractors at a construction site may be considered group companies. Furthermore, for example, multiple logistics companies that are responsible for the entire logistics process from the shipper to the consignee may be considered group companies.

The group memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 can also store the investment ratio for group companies.

The supplier emissions acquisition unit, which is part of the acquisition unit 250, acquires greenhouse gas emissions related to related companies. The supplier emissions acquisition unit may also acquire the emissions (Scope 3) of related companies calculated by the emissions calculation unit. The supplier emissions acquisition unit may also calculate the emissions of related companies by multiplying the activity volume of the related companies by the emissions intensity corresponding to the related companies.

In the second embodiment, the supplier emissions acquisition unit acquires the emissions corresponding to Scope 1 of the related company and the emissions corresponding to Scope 2 of the related company. The supplier emissions acquisition unit can receive emissions corresponding to Scope 1 and Scope 2 from the related company's information processing device A. In this case, the emissions output unit can also send the related company's own emissions corresponding to Scope 1 and Scope 2.

The company's own emissions acquisition unit, which constitutes the acquisition unit 250, acquires emissions related to the company. The company's emissions acquisition unit can acquire the company's emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) calculated by the emissions calculation unit. The company's emissions acquisition unit may also calculate the emissions related to the company by multiplying the company's activity amount by the company's emissions intensity. The company's emissions acquisition unit acquires the company's emissions that fall under Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.

The group emissions calculation unit constituting calculation unit 210 calculates emissions related to the group. The group emissions calculation unit aggregates the emissions corresponding to Scope 1 and Scope 2 of group companies and the emissions corresponding to Scope 1 and Scope 2 of the company itself to calculate the emissions corresponding to Scope 1 and Scope 2 of the group, and calculates the emissions corresponding to Scope 3 of the group by excluding those related to products or services provided by group companies from the emissions corresponding to Scope 3 of the company itself. Specifically, the group emissions calculation unit refers to the group memory unit to identify group companies that form a group with the company itself, and aggregates the emissions corresponding to Scope 1 of the group companies, the emissions corresponding to Scope 2 of the group companies, the company's emissions corresponding to Scope 1, and the company's emissions corresponding to Scope 2 to calculate the first emissions corresponding to Scope 1 of the group and the second emissions corresponding to Scope 2 of the group, and calculates the third emissions corresponding to the scope of the group by excluding those related to products or services provided by group companies from the company's emissions corresponding to Scope 3.

The group emissions calculation unit may also calculate the group's Scope 3 emissions by excluding the amount of emissions related to products or services provided by group companies that corresponds to the investment ratio from the company's own Scope 3 emissions and aggregating the total.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 42nd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AP1 (P058)]
an information processing system comprising: a group memory unit that stores information indicating group companies that are companies that form a group with the company among companies that are at least either upstream or downstream in a supply chain; a supplier emissions acquisition unit that acquires greenhouse gas emissions related to the companies; a company emissions acquisition unit that acquires the emissions related to the company; and a group emissions calculation unit that calculates the emissions related to the group, wherein the group emissions calculation unit calculates the emissions related to Scope 1 and Scope 2 related to the group companies by aggregating the emissions related to Scope 1 and Scope 2 related to the company and the emissions related to Scope 1 and Scope 2 related to the company, and calculates the emissions related to Scope 3 related to the group by aggregating the emissions related to Scope 3 related to the company, excluding those related to products or services provided by the group companies. Item AP1 includes a base information storage unit that stores information identifying the location of each base for each group company (hereinafter referred to as base) that is a greenhouse gas emitter; an activity amount storage unit that stores the activity amount of the emitter for each base; an activity amount input unit that accepts input of location information and activity amount of the mobile device from the user's mobile device; a base identification unit that refers to the base information storage unit and identifies the base based on the location information; and a registration unit that registers the input activity amount in the activity amount storage unit in association with the identified base.
[Item AP2]
The information processing system described in item AP1 is characterized by comprising an emission intensity memory unit that stores an emission intensity for calculating the emission amount, and an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires the activity amount of the company and the company itself, wherein the supplier emission amount acquisition unit calculates the emission amount related to the company by multiplying the activity amount of the company by the emission intensity, and the company emission amount acquisition unit calculates the emission amount related to the company by multiplying the activity amount of the company by the emission intensity.
[Item AP3]
The information processing system described in Item AP1, wherein the group storage unit stores an investment ratio in the group companies, and the group emissions calculation unit calculates the emissions that fall under Scope 3 for the group by excluding and aggregating the amount of the emissions related to the products or services provided by the group companies that corresponds to the investment ratio from the emissions that fall under Scope 3 for the company itself.
[Item AP4]
the supplier emissions acquisition unit acquires from the company the emissions that fall under Scope 1 of the company and the emissions that fall under Scope 2 of the company; the company's own emissions acquisition unit acquires the emissions that fall under Scope 1 of the company, the emissions that fall under Scope 2 of the company, and the emissions that fall under Scope 3 of the company; the group emissions calculation unit refers to the group memory unit to identify group companies that are the companies that form the group with the company, and aggregates the emissions that fall under Scope 1 of the group companies, the emissions that fall under Scope 2 of the group companies, the emissions that fall under Scope 1 of the company, and the emissions that fall under Scope 2 of the company to calculate first emissions that fall under Scope 1 for the group and second emissions that fall under Scope 2 for the group; and aggregates the emissions that fall under Scope 3 of the company, excluding those related to products or services provided by the group companies, to calculate third emissions that fall under the scope for the group.

<<Credit function (19th function)>>
Next, an example of adding the credit function explained in the above-mentioned function 19 will be described with reference to Figures 63 to 69. Figures 63 to 69 are conceptual diagrams of an information processing system for emissions trading.

Figure 63 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system in which a user acquires emission credits directly from a holder. The user, who is the buyer, uses a user terminal to inform the holder of the emission credits that they intend to purchase the credits. If the holder intends to sell the credits, the user uses the user terminal to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission credits (the price of the emission credits) to the holder's bank account. Based on the transfer, the holder uses the holder terminal to transfer the emission credits from their account to the user's account. The user acquires the emission credits and performs the invalidation process so that the acquired emissions amount is included in the invalidation notice.

Figure 64 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system in which a user acquires emission credits from a holder via an intermediary. The user, who is the buyer, uses a user terminal to inform the intermediary of his or her intention to purchase emission credits. The holder uses the holder terminal to indicate to the intermediary his or her intention to sell the emission credits and request that the emission credits be provided to a third party. The intermediary recognizes the user's intention to purchase and the holder's intention to sell. The user uses the user terminal to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission credits to the intermediary's bank account. The intermediary transfers the amount transferred from the user to the holder's bank account. Based on the transfer, the holder transfers the emission credits from the holder's account to the intermediary's account using the holder terminal. The intermediary transfers the emission credits from its own account to the user's account. The user performs the invalidation process so that the acquired emissions amount is included in the invalidation notice. It is preferable that the intermediary use an intermediary terminal and intermediary server such as those shown in Figure 65, which will be described later.

Figure 65 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 1 in which a user acquires emission rights from a holder via a platform having a management server 200. The user, who is the buyer, uses a user terminal to output invalidation information to the platform indicating their intention to purchase emission rights. The holder uses the holder terminal to output emission rights information indicating their intention to sell the emission rights to the intermediary server of the intermediary (e.g., a system similar to the management server 200) and requests that they wish to provide the emission rights to a third party. The intermediary uses the intermediary terminal and intermediary server to output the emission rights information that the holder intends to sell to the platform. The platform matches the emission rights information from the intermediary with the invalidation information from the user. The user uses the user terminal to perform a process to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission rights to the platform's bank account. The platform performs a process to transfer the amount transferred from the user to the intermediary's bank account. The intermediary server performs a process to transfer the amount transferred from the user to the holder's bank account. Once the remittance has been made, the holder uses their terminal to output the emission credit information from their account to the intermediary's account and transfer the emission credits. The intermediary server outputs the emission credit information from their own account to the platform's account and transfers the emission credits. The platform outputs the emission credit information from their own account to the user's account and transfers the emission credits. The user obtains the emission credit information and performs the invalidation process so that the acquired emissions are included in the invalidation notice.

Figure 66 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 2 in which a user acquires emission rights from a holder via a platform having a management server 200. The difference from Figure 65 is that the invalidation process is performed on the platform. The user, who is the buyer, uses a user terminal to output invalidation information to the platform indicating that they intend to purchase the emission rights. The holder uses the holder terminal to output emission rights information indicating that they intend to sell the emission rights to the intermediary server of the intermediary, and requests that they wish to provide the emission rights to a third party. The intermediary uses the intermediary terminal and intermediary server to output the emission rights information that the holder intends to sell to the platform. The platform matches the emission rights information from the intermediary with the invalidation information from the user. The user uses the user terminal to perform a process to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission rights to the platform's bank account. The platform performs a process to transfer the amount transferred from the user to the intermediary's bank account. The intermediary server performs a process to transfer the amount transferred from the user to the holder's bank account. Once the remittance has been made, the holder uses their terminal to output the emission credit information from their account to the intermediary's account and transfer the emission credits. The intermediary server outputs the emission credit information from its own account to the platform's account and transfers the emission credits. The platform acquires the emission credit information and performs invalidation processing so that the acquired emissions amount is included in the invalidation notice. The platform also outputs an invalidation notice to the user and transfers the emission credits. By having the platform perform the invalidation processing on behalf of the user in this way, the user is spared the trouble of having to perform the invalidation processing.

Figure 67 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 3 in which a user acquires emission rights from a holder via a platform having a management server 200. The difference from Figure 66 is that the user collects small-lot requests from small-lot users at a lower level than the user. A small-lot user who wants to use emission rights uses a small-lot user terminal to output invalidation information indicating the user's intention to purchase emission rights. If there are multiple small-lot users, invalidation information representing small-lot requests is output from multiple small-lot users. The user receives the invalidation information. The user uses a user terminal to output invalidation information indicating the user's intention to purchase emission rights to the platform. This invalidation information may be output individually as multiple invalidation information corresponding to multiple small-lot requests, or may be output as invalidation information that combines multiple small-lot requests. In this example, the latter is explained. The holder uses the holder terminal to output emission right information indicating the holder's intention to sell the emission rights to the intermediary server of the intermediary, and requests that the emission rights be provided to a third party. The intermediary uses the intermediary terminal and intermediary server to output the emission right information of the holder's intention to sell to the platform. The platform matches the emission credit information from the intermediary with the invalidation information from the user. The user uses the user terminal to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission credits to the platform's bank account. The platform then transfers the amount transferred from the user to the intermediary's bank account. The intermediary server then transfers the amount transferred from the user to the holder's bank account. Based on the transfer, the holder outputs the emission credit information from their account to the intermediary's account using the holder's terminal, thereby transferring the emission credits. The intermediary server then outputs the emission credit information from their own account to the platform's account, thereby transferring the emission credits. The platform acquires the emission credit information and performs invalidation processing so that the acquired emissions are included in the invalidation notice. The platform also outputs an invalidation notice to the user and transfers the emission credits. The user may also output an invalidation notice based on a small-lot request to the small-lot user. By accepting small-lot requests in this way, it is possible to make it easier for small-lot users to use emission credits. Furthermore, by having the platform perform the invalidation processing on their behalf, it is possible to reduce the user's effort in the invalidation processing.

Figure 68 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 4 in which users acquire emission rights from holders via a platform having a management server 200. The difference from Figure 67 is that multiple users output multiple pieces of invalidation information to the platform. A small-scale user who wants to use emission rights uses a small-scale user terminal to output invalidation information indicating the user's intention to purchase emission rights. If there are multiple small-scale users, invalidation information, which is a small-scale request, is output from multiple small-scale users. The user receives the invalidation information at their user terminal. If there are multiple users, invalidation information is received for each user. The user uses their user terminal to output invalidation information to the platform indicating their intention to purchase emission rights. If there are multiple users, invalidation information is output for each user. The holder uses their holder terminal to output emission rights information indicating their intention to sell the emission rights to the intermediary server of the intermediary, and requests that they wish to provide the emission rights to a third party. The intermediary uses their intermediary terminal and intermediary server to output the emission rights information of the holder's intention to sell to the platform. The platform matches the emission rights information from the intermediary with the invalidation information from each user. Each user uses a user terminal to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission credits to the platform's bank account. The platform then transfers the amount transferred from each user to the intermediary's bank account. The intermediary server then transfers the amount transferred from each user to the holder's bank account. Based on the transfer, the holder uses the holder's terminal to output the emission credit information from their account to the intermediary's account and transfer the emission credits. The intermediary server then outputs the emission credit information from their own account to the platform's account and transfers the emission credits. The platform acquires the emission credit information and performs invalidation processing so that the acquired emissions are included in the invalidation notice. The platform also outputs an invalidation notice to each user and transfers the emission credits. Note that users may also output an invalidation notice to small-lot users based on a small-lot request. Accepting small-lot requests in this way makes it easier for small-lot users to use emission credits. Furthermore, having the platform perform the invalidation on their behalf saves users the trouble of performing the invalidation processing. Note that users may also perform various processes using a user server.

Figure 69 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system 5 in which users acquire emission rights from holders via a platform having a management server 200. The difference from Figure 68 is that the platform does not have a bank account or credit account. A small-scale user who wants to use emission rights uses a small-scale user terminal to output invalidation information indicating the user's intention to purchase emission rights. If there are multiple small-scale users, invalidation information, which is a small-scale request, is output from each small-scale user. The user receives the invalidation information at their user terminal. If there are multiple users, invalidation information is received for each user. The user uses their user terminal to output invalidation information indicating their intention to purchase emission rights to the platform. If there are multiple users, invalidation information is output for each user. The holder uses their holder terminal to output emission rights information indicating their intention to sell the emission rights to the intermediary server of the intermediary, and requests that they wish to provide the emission rights to a third party. The intermediary uses their intermediary terminal and intermediary server to output the emission rights information that the holder intends to sell to the platform. The platform matches the emission rights information from the intermediary with the invalidation information from each user. Each user uses a user terminal to transfer the amount corresponding to the emission credits to the intermediary's bank account. The intermediary server then transfers the amount transferred from each user to the holder's bank account. Based on the transfer, the holder uses the holder's terminal to output the emission credit information from their account to the intermediary's account and transfer the emission credits. The intermediary server then outputs the emission credit information from its own account to the user's account and transfers the emission credits. The intermediary server also acquires the emission credit information and performs invalidation processing so that the acquired emissions are included in the invalidation notice. The intermediary server then outputs an invalidation notice to each user and transfers the emission credits. Note that users may also output invalidation notices to small-lot users based on small-lot requests. Accepting small-lot requests in this way makes it easier for small-lot users to use emission credits. Furthermore, having the platform perform the invalidation on their behalf saves users the trouble of performing the invalidation process. Note that users may also perform various processes using a user server.

Next, we will explain the function that allows you to obtain better purchasing conditions when buying emission rights in large lots than when buying in small lots. In this example, we will explain the function that lowers the price (unit price) through joint purchasing on the platforms in Figures 68 and 69.

The purchase screen of the user terminal displays the "minimum sales quantity = minimum ticket" according to the price for each type of emission credit, such as A, B, or C. For example, A, which is mediated by Company X, the seller of emission credits, has the following minimum sales quantity and price relationship (1) and (2).
(1) Over 1 million tons: 8,000 yen/ton-CO2
(2) Over 10 million tons: 7,000 yen/ton-CO2

Condition (1) states that when purchasing emission rights, if the total amount of emission rights purchased jointly, including other users, is between 1 million and 10 million tons, they can be purchased at a price (unit price) of 8,000 yen per ton-CO2. Condition (2) states that when purchasing emission rights, if the total amount of emission rights purchased jointly, including other users, is 10 million tons or more, they can be purchased at a price (unit price) of 7,000 yen per ton-CO2. In this way, conditions can be presented to user terminals that set minimum sales quantities and prices so that the unit price of emission rights varies depending on the total amount of emission rights purchased jointly.

When Company X puts up an item on the platform, if the platform's management server 200 is set up to solicit participants for a joint purchase, users who intend to purchase at a unit price of 10 million tons or more (condition (2)) can express their intention to purchase using their user terminal. For example, if multiple users indicate their intention to purchase using their user terminals and 7 million tons of the 10 million tons have been collected, the output unit of management server 200 will output information related to the display image to the user terminal so that an image such as "Once we gather buyers for the remaining 3 million tons, the transaction will be completed at a unit price of 7,000 yen" can be displayed on the user terminal. Furthermore, the output unit of management server 200 will output information related to the display image to the user terminal so that a gauge image showing 7 million tons/10 million tons and an image showing the current unit price of 8,000 yen can also be displayed along with this image. When multiple users indicate their intention to purchase on their user terminals and 10 million tons of the 10 million tons are collected, the output unit of the management server 200 outputs information regarding the display image to the user terminal so that an image such as "Conditions Achieved" can be displayed on the user terminal. The output unit of the management server 200 also outputs information regarding the display image to the user terminal so that a gauge image showing 10 million tons/10 million tons and an image showing the unit price of 7,000 yen after the conditions are achieved can also be displayed along with this image. This configuration allows users wishing to purchase emission credits to obtain favorable trading terms, thereby increasing the number of users wishing to purchase emission credits. As the number of such users increases, the number of holders wishing to sell emission credits also increases, resulting in an increase in the volume of emission credit transactions and a boom in emission credit trading. This solves the problem of a low number of participants in emission credit trading making it difficult to complete emission credit transactions. Furthermore, users can check the process leading up to the condition achievement, allowing them to purchase emission credits at a target unit price while checking this process. Company X, the seller of the emission rights, is either the holder of the emission rights or an intermediary. Also, while the examples shown in Figures 68 and 69 show users using user terminals, it is also possible for a person making a small-lot request to use a small-lot user terminal. Note that while this paragraph explains an example in which a person wishing to purchase emission rights can obtain favorable purchase terms, it is also possible for a person wishing to sell emission rights to obtain favorable sales terms through a joint sale.

<Operation>
FIG. 70 is a diagram illustrating operation 4 of the nineteenth function. The management server 200 sets up a call for participants (S1401). Specifically, the management server 200 stores in the emission credit storage unit the offsettable amount, which is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be offset using offsettable emission credits. The management server 200 also sets up a state in which it can accept inputs from multiple users of the amount of emissions they wish to offset. Furthermore, the management server 200 outputs information such as images to the user terminals so that the following images (1) and (2) are displayed, thereby calling for participants in the joint purchase.
(1) Over 1 million tons: 8,000 yen/ton-CO2
(2) Over 10 million tons: 7,000 yen/ton-CO2

Next, the management server 200 sets a first price (S1402). For example, the first price is set to 8,000 yen, which is condition (1). Next, the management server 200 receives purchase intentions from users (S1403). Next, the management server 200 totals the purchase intentions from users (S1404). Next, the management server 200 determines whether the total purchase intentions is greater than the minimum sales quantity (S1405). In detail, it determines whether the total value of the input purchase intentions (emissions) (e.g., 10 million tons) is greater than the value corresponding to the offsettable amount, which is the minimum sales quantity (e.g., 10 million tons). If the answer is Yes in S1405, the management server 200 sets a second price (S1404). For example, the second price is set to 7,000 yen, which is condition (2). The management server 200 also acquires emission credit identification information (emission credit ID) that identifies the emission credits. If the answer is No in S1405, the management server 200 ends this processing. In this case, the price remains at the first price of 8,000 yen. The processing of this operation 4 is performed within a predetermined period. Therefore, for example, if condition (2) is not met within the predetermined period, condition (1) applies. Note that if condition (1) is also not met within the predetermined period, it may be possible to purchase emission credits at a unit price different from that of condition (1), or it may be possible to prevent the purchase of emission credits. Also, while an example has been shown in which the user uses a user terminal, an example in which the person making a small-lot request uses a small-lot user terminal may also be used. Also, operation 4 can be combined with operations 1, 2, and 3.

<Disclosures>
The 19th function includes the following configuration in addition to S1 to S7 described above.
[Item S8 (P053)]
An information processing system comprising: a memory unit that stores an offsettable amount, which is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be offset using offsettable emission credits; an input unit that accepts input of an amount of emissions that a user wishes to offset; and an acquisition unit that acquires emission credit specification information that specifies emission credits when the input total amount of emissions corresponds to the offsettable amount.
[Item S9]
An information processing system according to item S8, characterized in that if the input total amount of emissions is smaller than the offsettable amount, the price for the emission rights is set to a first price, and if the input total amount of emissions is greater than the offsettable amount, the price for the emission rights is set to a second price that is lower than the first price.
[Item S10]
Item S8 is an information processing system according to the present invention, characterized in that it comprises an output unit that outputs difference information between the input total value of the emission amounts and the offsettable amount.

<<Analysis function (43rd function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 42 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 43. As background technology, predictions of future carbon dioxide emissions, etc., have been made. There is a problem in that the causes of future increases or decreases in carbon dioxide emissions cannot be predicted. Function 43 aims to provide technology that can perform appropriate analysis of the causes of future increases or decreases in carbon dioxide emissions.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing system of this embodiment includes an analysis unit 280. The analysis unit 280 uses machine learning to analyze (predict) the causes of increases or decreases in emissions based on the calculated emissions, and also uses machine learning to analyze (predict) the causes and reasons for the target. Note that the analysis unit 280 is shown as the third, fifth, ninth, tenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first functions, but analysis units 280 can also be provided for other functions to perform analysis.

An example of providing an analysis function for the tenth function (P039) is shown below. The tenth function includes an analysis unit 280 that uses machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in emissions information based on emissions information. Analyzing the causes of increases or decreases in emissions information involves the management server 200 analyzing the causes of increases or decreases in emissions. For example, the management server 200 analyzes to identify that the increase in emissions is due to a Scope 3 category with high emissions. The emissions information includes attributes of the emitter (accounting information such as the emitter's business, number of employees, region, sales, purchases, and labor costs), additional information related to emissions-related activities (actual values, aggregated actual values, and predicted values of activity levels, information for estimating activity levels, etc.), and information for estimating activity levels (floor area, roof area, number of producible products, etc.). The management server 200 analyzes these. The management server 200 then includes an output unit 240 that outputs solution information based on the analysis results. For example, the management server 200 presents the names of the identified Scope 3 categories with high emissions to the user.

The tenth and forty-third functions include the following configurations. Note that other configurations shown in the tenth function are also included. An information processing system characterized by comprising: an emissions information acquisition unit that acquires emissions information related to greenhouse gas emissions by an emitter from a user who is an emitter that emits greenhouse gases; a solution storage unit that stores solution information related to greenhouse gas reduction measures; an analysis unit that analyzes the causes of increases or decreases in the emissions information using machine learning based on the emissions information; and an output unit that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis.

The system further includes an extraction unit that extracts solution information that matches the emissions information based on the analysis results, and an output unit that provides the extracted solution information to the user.

) The solution information may use, for example, the nineteenth function, or may be a variation of the nineteenth function as follows: An emissions information acquisition unit acquires emissions information regarding greenhouse gas emissions by an emitting entity from a user who is an emitting entity that emits greenhouse gases; a solution storage unit stores solution information regarding greenhouse gas emissions; an analysis unit analyzes the causes of increases or decreases in the emissions information using machine learning based on the emissions information; an output unit outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis; an emissions credit storage unit stores, in association with each other, emission credit identification information that identifies emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions, an offsettable amount that is the amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credits, and emission credit attributes; and an offset attribute storage unit stores, in association with activity identification information that identifies the activity, the attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to the activity; the analysis unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes corresponding to the activity identification information, and identifies emission credit identification information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions of the emitting entity; and the provision unit provides the emission credit identification information to the user as solution information. The emission credit identification information is acquired by the emission credit acquisition unit.

Furthermore, according to the tenth and forty-third functions, the following configuration can also be adopted: An information processing system comprising: an emissions information acquisition unit that acquires emissions information regarding greenhouse gas emissions from greenhouse gas emitters; a solution storage unit that stores solution information including cost information for determining the cost of greenhouse gas reduction measures and reduction information for determining the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected when the reduction measures are adopted; an analysis unit that uses machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the emissions information based on the emissions information; and an output unit that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis.

The system further includes an extraction unit that, based on the analysis results, extracts a predetermined number of solution information items that match the emissions information in order of unit cost per unit reduction amount, which is determined based on the reduction amount and cost, and an output unit that provides the extracted solution information items to the emission entity.

The solution information may, for example, use function 19, or may be a variation of function 19 as follows. an emission credit storage unit that stores, in association with each other, emission credit identification information that identifies emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions, an offsettable amount that is the amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credits, and attributes of the emission credits; and an offset attribute storage unit that stores, in association with each other, attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, the attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to the activity, the attributes of which are associated with activity identification information that identifies the activity. The analysis unit refers to the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity identification information, and identifies emission credit identification information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions of the emitting entity that was acquired. The emission credit identification information is acquired by the emission credit acquisition unit.

An example of another function is to provide an analysis function in the twelfth function (P038). The twelfth function includes an analysis unit 280 that analyzes first solution information using machine learning based on emission amount information. Analyzing the first solution information involves comparing the causes of increases or decreases in emission amount information analyzed using machine learning based on emission amount information with the first solution information (first information that can reduce emissions) to analyze whether the first solution information can reduce the emission amount. The management server 200 then includes an output unit 240 that outputs second solution information (second information that can reduce emissions) based on the results of the analysis. For example, if the management server 200 analyzes that the first solution information is information that can reduce emissions, it outputs the first solution information as the second solution information. On the other hand, if the management server 200 analyzes that the first solution information is information that cannot reduce emissions, it outputs second solution information that is different from the first solution information. The emissions information includes attributes of the emitter (such as the emitter's business, number of employees, region, sales, purchases, and accounting information such as labor costs), additional information related to the activities related to the emissions (such as actual values, aggregated actual values, and predicted values of activity levels, and information for estimating activity levels), and information for estimating activity levels (such as floor area, roof area, and number of products that can be produced), and the management server 200 analyzes this information and outputs the analysis results.

The twelfth and forty-third functions include the following configuration. Note that other configurations shown in the twelfth function are also included. An information processing system comprising: an emissions information acquisition unit that acquires emissions information related to greenhouse gas emissions by an emitter from a user who is an emitter that emits greenhouse gases; an emissions information provision unit that provides the emissions information to a provider that offers greenhouse gas reduction means; a solution information acquisition unit that acquires first solution information related to reduction means from the provider; an analysis unit that analyzes the first solution information by machine learning based on the emissions information; and an output unit that outputs second solution information based on the results of the analysis.

Furthermore, according to the twelfth and forty-third functions, the following configuration can also be adopted: An information processing system comprising an emissions information acquisition unit that acquires emissions information regarding greenhouse gas emissions from greenhouse gas emitters; an emissions information provision unit that provides the emissions information to a provider that offers greenhouse gas reduction means; a solution information acquisition unit that acquires first solution information regarding reduction means from the provider; an analysis unit that analyzes the first solution information using machine learning based on the emissions information; and an output unit that outputs second solution information based on the results of the analysis.

Furthermore, the analysis unit 280 analyzes (calculates) the amount of greenhouse gas reduction based on the first emission amount information before the reduction means is implemented and the second emission amount information after the reduction means is implemented, and the output unit outputs second solution information based on the amount of reduction (the analysis results). The second solution information is information that charges the provider according to the amount of reduction. Furthermore, a billing processing unit is provided, and the billing processing unit charges the provider according to the amount of reduction. Note that the amount of greenhouse gas reduction based on the first emission amount information before the reduction means is implemented and the second emission amount information after the reduction means is implemented may be calculated by the calculation unit, and the analysis unit 280 can perform analysis based on the results calculated by the calculation unit.

The solution information may use, for example, the nineteenth function, or may be a variation of the nineteenth function as follows: An emission credit storage unit stores emission credit identification information that identifies emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions, an offsettable amount that is the amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credits, and emission credit attributes, in association with each other; and an offset attribute storage unit stores attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, in association with activity identification information that identifies the activity. The analysis unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity identification information, and identifies emission credit identification information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions of the acquired emitter. The provision unit provides the emission credit identification information to the user as second solution information. The emission credit identification information is acquired by the emission credit acquisition unit.

As another function, an example is shown in which the second function (P032) is provided with an analysis function. The second function is equipped with an analysis unit 280 that uses machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions based on future emissions. Analyzing the causes of increases or decreases in emissions means that the management server 200 analyzes what is causing an increase or decrease in emissions. For example, the management server 200 performs analysis to identify that the Scope 3 category, which has high emissions, is the cause. The management server 200 then has an output unit 240 that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis. For example, the management server 200 presents the user with the name of the identified Scope 3 category with high emissions. The analysis unit 280 can also use machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions based on information identifying emissions. Information that identifies emissions includes attributes of the emitter (such as the emitter's business, number of employees, region, sales, purchases, labor costs, and other accounting information), additional information related to activities related to emissions (such as actual values, aggregated actual values, and predicted values of activity levels, and information for estimating activity levels), and information for estimating activity levels (such as floor area, roof area, and number of products that can be produced). The management server 200 analyzes this information and outputs the analysis results. The analysis unit 280 can also analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions using machine learning based on the target reduction rate.

According to the second and forty-third functions, the following configuration is included. Note that other configurations described in the second function are also included. An information processing system comprising: a target acquisition unit that acquires target greenhouse gas reduction rates from multiple business entities that make up the upstream or downstream of a supply chain; an emissions storage unit that stores information specifying the greenhouse gas emissions of each business entity at a base point in time; an estimation unit that estimates future emissions for each business entity by multiplying the emissions by the target reduction rate; a calculation unit that calculates the target reduction rate of the business entity's emissions by comparing the total estimated future emissions for each business entity with the total emissions for each business entity at the base point in time; an analysis unit that analyzes the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions using machine learning based on the future emissions; and an output unit that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis.

The analysis unit 280 also analyzes (calculates) the target reduction rate of emissions for each business entity by comparing the total future emissions estimated for each business entity with the total emissions for each business entity at the base time. The target reduction rate of emissions for each business entity may be calculated by the calculation unit by comparing the total future emissions estimated for each business entity with the total emissions for each business entity at the base time, and the analysis unit 280 can perform analysis based on the results calculated by the calculation unit.

The solution information may use, for example, the 19th function, or may be a variation of the 19th function as follows: An emission credit storage unit stores emission credit identification information that identifies emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions, an offsettable amount that is the amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credits, and emission credit attributes, in association with each other; and an offset attribute storage unit stores attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, in association with activity identification information that identifies the activity. The analysis unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity identification information, and identifies emission credit identification information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions of the acquired emitter. The provision unit provides the emission credit identification information to the user as solution information. The emission credit identification information is acquired by the emission credit acquisition unit.

An example of another function is shown in which the first function (P025) is provided with an analysis function. The first function includes an analysis unit 280 that uses machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions based on the reduction amount obtained by multiplying the acquired emissions by the reduction target rate. Analyzing the causes of increases or decreases in emissions means that the management server 200 analyzes the causes of increases or decreases in emissions. For example, the management server 200 performs analysis to identify that the Scope 3 category, which has high emissions, is the cause. The management server 200 then includes an output unit 240 that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis. For example, the management server 200 presents the user with the name of the identified Scope 3 category with high emissions. The analysis unit 280 can also use machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions based on the unit reduction amount obtained by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point to the target point. Information that identifies emissions includes attributes of the emitter (such as the emitter's business, number of employees, region, sales, purchases, labor costs, and other accounting information), additional information related to activities related to emissions (such as actual values, aggregated actual values, and predicted values of activity levels, and information for estimating activity levels), and information for estimating activity levels (such as floor area, roof area, and number of products that can be produced). The management server 200 analyzes this information and outputs the analysis results. The analysis unit 280 can also use machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions for each unit of time, based on target emissions calculated by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emissions corresponding to a base point in time.

According to the first and forty-third functions, the following configuration is included. Note that other configurations shown in the first function are also included. An information processing system comprising: an emissions memory unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; an input unit that accepts input of the business entity's emission reduction target rate, base point in time, and target point in time; a calculation unit that acquires the emissions corresponding to the base point in time from the emissions memory unit and calculates the reduction amount by multiplying the acquired emissions by the reduction target rate; an analysis unit that uses machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions based on the reduction amount; and an output unit that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis.

Furthermore, it is equipped with a unit reduction amount calculation unit that calculates a unit reduction amount by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time, a target emission amount calculation unit that calculates a target emission amount for each unit time by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emission amount corresponding to the base point in time, and an output unit that outputs the target emission amount for each unit time.

Furthermore, according to the first and forty-third functions, the information processing system can also be configured as follows: It comprises an emissions memory unit that stores a first amount of direct greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity, a second amount of indirect emissions by the business entity, and a third amount of emissions by other businesses located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain; an input unit that accepts input of first to third target reduction rates for emissions by the business entity, a base point in time, and a target point in time for each of the first to third emissions; a calculation unit that acquires the emissions corresponding to the base point in time for each of the first to third emissions from the emissions memory unit and calculates the amount of reduction by multiplying the acquired emissions by the reduction target rate; an analysis unit that uses machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in the business entity's emissions based on the amount of reduction; and an output unit that outputs solution information based on the results of the analysis.

The solution information may use, for example, the 19th function, or may be a variation of the 19th function as follows: An emission credit storage unit stores emission credit identification information that identifies emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions, an offsettable amount that is the amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credits, and emission credit attributes, in association with each other; and an offset attribute storage unit stores attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, in association with activity identification information that identifies the activity. The analysis unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity identification information, and identifies emission credit identification information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions of the acquired emitter. The provision unit provides the emission credit identification information to the user as solution information. The emission credit identification information is acquired by the emission credit acquisition unit.

Examples of solution information include (1) information based on the target reduction rate, (2) information based on the reduction amount obtained by multiplying emissions by the reduction target rate, (3) information based on the unit reduction amount obtained by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time, and (4) information based on the target emissions obtained by subtracting the cumulative unit reduction amount from the emissions corresponding to the base point in time, but information specified based on a combination of these may also be used. Furthermore, solution information may be based on at least one of information related to targets and information related to reductions, and may also be presented (recommended) to the user whether to purchase a certain type of credit (emissions credit specification information).

Furthermore, it includes a unit reduction amount calculation unit that calculates first to third unit reduction amounts by dividing the calculated reduction amount by the number of unit times from the base point in time to the target point in time; a target emission amount calculation unit that calculates a target emission amount for each unit time for each of the first to third emission amounts by subtracting the cumulative first to third unit reduction amounts from the emission amount corresponding to the base point in time; and an output unit that outputs the target emission amount for each unit time for each of the first to third emission amounts.

The analysis unit 280 can use machine learning to analyze the causes of increases or decreases in emissions for some or all (as a whole) of a business entity, and can also analyze the causes of increases or decreases in emissions for some or all (as a whole) of the business entities that make up a supply chain. The analysis unit 280 can also analyze (calculate) the target reduction rate of emissions for some or all (as a whole) of a business entity, and can also analyze the target reduction rate of emissions for some or all (as a whole) of the business entities that make up a supply chain.

The analysis unit 280 may be implemented by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own. Note that while the above example shows a combination of Function 43 with some other functions, it can also be combined with other functions.

<< Estimation Function (44th Function) >>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 43 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 44. In the background art, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is an issue that it is time-consuming to register data necessary for calculating emissions into a system. Function 44 aims to make it possible to easily input data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.
<System Overview>
An information processing system according to this embodiment will be described below. The information processing system according to this embodiment extracts activity data related to greenhouse gas emissions from document data (e.g., broadly including data related to various documents related to a company's economic activities, such as invoices, receipts, and delivery notes. Document data can be text data, document data, image data, etc.) and identifies the type of activity (scope and/or category in the GHG Protocol). In this embodiment, a large language model (LLM) such as a generative pretrained transformer (GPT) is used to extract activity data from the document data and identify the type of activity data. The emissions management system according to this embodiment manages greenhouse gas emissions by emitters such as companies. The emissions management system according to this embodiment accepts information related to the activities of the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and estimates activity-specific information based on this information. The emissions management system according to this embodiment estimates activity-specific information from information related to the activities, making it easy to calculate emissions.

Activity identification information can take any format as long as it is information for identifying an activity. For example, activity identification information can be an ID (activity ID) that can uniquely identify an activity from data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data) or activity information for classifying activities into scopes (and categories).

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 44th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a generation unit 260 (generator, generation processing unit), an acquisition unit 250 (character string extraction unit), a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, vector information memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission amount memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit, emission coefficient input unit), an estimation unit 270 (activity estimation unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and an analysis unit 280 (aggregation unit).

The generator constituting the generation unit 260 generates a string using a trained language model trained by machine learning and the model. The string indicates an example of the activity amount and scope (and/or category). The generator also generates an answer based on the trained language model. The answer is a string corresponding to the instruction. In this embodiment, the trained language model is assumed to be GPT. Note that the trained language model may not be managed by the management server 200, and an external server may be provided with the trained model, and an answer to the instruction may be generated using the trained language model by calling an API provided by the external server.

The character string extraction unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 extracts character strings from the form data. It is assumed that the form data includes the amount of activity that emits greenhouse gases. If the form data is text data, the character string extraction unit can read the contents of the text data. If the form data is image data, the character string extraction unit can extract character strings drawn in the image data using known OCR processing. If the form data is binary data such as a word processor document or spreadsheet document, the character string extraction unit can extract character string data from this binary data using known methods.

When the document data (form data) is text data, the string extraction unit identifies the components within the document and, if there are multiple components, divides it into individual components. Components are examples of tables and sentences. Components may also include diagrams and illustrations.

In the case of text data, there are four extraction patterns as follows:
(A) When a table is divided as a component, the string extraction unit analyzes the table, determines what type of document the table is, stores the determination result in the memory unit 230, and extracts activity information from the table and text determination results and string information (extraction pattern A).
(B) When a table is divided as a component, the character string extraction unit analyzes the table and extracts activity information from the table and text discrimination results and character string information (extraction pattern B).
(C) When the text is divided into parts, the text extraction unit determines the reading order of the text, converts it into a text string, stores it in the memory unit 230, and extracts activity information from the table and text discrimination results and the text string information (extraction pattern C).
(D) When the text is divided into parts, the text extraction unit extracts activity information from the table and text discrimination results and the text information (extraction pattern D).

When the form data is image data, the character string extraction unit uses OCR to extract characters and a BBOX (bounding box). During object detection, the position of an object (such as a table) is represented by a rectangle called a BBOX, so the character string extraction unit can extract, for example, a table.

In the case of image data, there are two extraction patterns as follows.
(E) After extracting activity information from the characters and BBOX, the character string extraction unit determines what type of document it is from the characters and BBOX, stores the determination result in the memory unit 230, and extracts activity information from the characters and BBOX (extraction pattern E).
(F) The character string extraction unit extracts activity information from the characters and the BBOX, and then extracts activity information from the characters and the BBOX (extraction pattern F).

Other extraction patterns are as follows:
(G) The character string extraction unit extracts company information from the database (extraction pattern G). The company information used is company information acquired by the acquisition unit 250 of the third function, but is not limited to this.

The information extracted using extraction patterns A to G is linked to an emission coefficient by the string extraction unit to create an activity. Note that the functions performed by the string extraction unit here may also be performed by the analysis unit.

The generation processing unit constituting the generation unit 260 causes the generator to generate an activity amount and a scope (and/or category). The generation processing unit causes the generator to generate an activity amount and a scope (and/or category) by providing the generator with the character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, an instruction to generate a specified activity amount, and an instruction to generate a scope (and/or category) corresponding to the activity amount.

The generation processing unit can cause the generator to learn information that associates activity-specific information that identifies an activity with a scope (and/or category). The generation processing unit may perform fine-tuning by having a pre-trained language model learn data that associates activity-specific information with a scope and/or category, or may include data that associates activity-specific information with a scope and/or category in instructions (prompts) given to the generator. The generation processing unit can cause the generator to generate activity amounts, scopes, and activity-specific information related to the instructed activity by providing the generator with character strings extracted from the report data and instructions to generate scope and activity-specific information.

Furthermore, when multiple activities form a tree structure (when major categories, minor categories, details, etc. of activities are defined), the tree structure may be trained. In this case, the generation processing unit may, for example, cause the generator to learn first activity specification information, a scope, and second activity specification information that specifies a second activity that is a parent or child in the tree structure of the first activity specified by the first activity specification information. This learning may also be performed by updating the trained language model in advance through fine tuning, or by including information that specifies the tree structure (information indicating the parent-child relationship between the first and second activity specification information) in the prompt. This allows the generation processing unit to generate multiple levels of activity specification information from character strings included in the form data.

The management server 200 may also be provided with a vector information storage unit that records information indicating activity and vectorized information indicating activity, and the generation processing unit may vectorize the character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, read information indicating activity corresponding to a vector close to the vector of the character string from the vector information storage unit, and include it in the prompt provided to the generator. The specialized information (information indicating activity) stored in the vector information storage unit may be provided to the generator as learning data to generate the amount of activity and scope (and/or category).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurements, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurements at the initial information source), or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions from multiple companies that offer the same type of product).

The emission coefficient storage unit can store emissions in association with activities. The emission coefficient storage unit can store information that identifies an activity (activity specification information), the scope of the activity, and an emission coefficient in association with each other. The emission coefficient storage unit can store activity specification information, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and an emission coefficient in association with each other. Note that the scope and category of the activity are assumed to be the scope and category of the GHG Protocol. Also, the category may be omitted.

The activity identification information can take any format as long as it is information for identifying an activity. For example, if an ID that uniquely identifies an activity (activity ID) is set in the data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data), the activity ID can be used as the activity identification information.

The vector information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for identifying activities. In this embodiment, the information for identifying activities is vector information obtained by vectorizing words. The vector information storage unit stores the vector information and activity identification information in association with each other.

The activity amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts. The activity amount memory unit can store, in association with each other, a company ID, information specifying the time when the activity took place (time information), activity specification information, attribute information, and activity amounts. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range. The attribute information can be any item related to the activity (for example, any item such as the supplier of products, related department, or person in charge).

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emission amounts. The emission amount memory unit can store the company ID, time information, scope, category, and emission amount in association with each other. The scope and category can be the scope and category registered in the classification memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230.

The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts. Activity amounts include, for example, the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight transported by logistics multiplied by the distance (ton-kilometers), the amount of fuel consumed (liters), and the amount (yen). The amount includes material costs, transportation costs, labor costs, and the like. The activity amount input unit accepts input of time information and activity amounts from the user, along with various attribute information related to the activity. The activity amount input unit may receive import data from the user terminal 100. Import data can be, for example, data exported from an ERP system (export data), data converted from export data, or data such as receipts and estimates obtained from OCR. Import data can be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is known which item corresponds to which type of data, and the type of activity can be identified based on the value entered in which item of the CSV data in the activity identification information. Additionally, with JSON data, XML data, etc., the type of item the set data is may be tagged or set as an attribute.

The activity estimation unit constituting the estimation unit 270 identifies activities based on items related to activity amounts. The activity estimation unit estimates activity specification information using machine learning based on the items. In this embodiment, the activity estimation unit vectorizes the received items to create vector information, references the vector information storage unit, selects vector information (first vector information) stored in the vector information storage unit based on the distance from the created vector information (second vector information), and reads out activity specification information corresponding to the selected first vector information from the vector information storage unit. The activity estimation unit can, for example, identify a predetermined number (which may be one) of items in order of smallest distance between the first and second vector information. When the estimation unit 270 (activity estimation unit) estimates activity specification information, it can also estimate an emission coefficient corresponding to the activity specification information.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission coefficients related to activities. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can read emission coefficients corresponding to the company ID and activity specification information from the emission coefficient storage unit. If emission coefficients are managed by an external system, the emission coefficient acquisition unit may access the external system to acquire the emission coefficients.

The emission coefficient input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts the input of emission coefficients. The emission coefficient input unit identifies the company ID indicating the emitter to which the user belongs (for example, it can accept input of a company ID. The management server 200 also has a user information storage unit that stores user information related to users, and the company ID can be set in the user information and acquired from the user information storage unit). It can accept input of activity-specific information and emission coefficients from the user and register the company ID, activity-specific information, and emission coefficient in the emission coefficient storage unit. If an emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity amount related to the import data is not stored in the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission coefficient input unit can, for example, notify the user terminal 100 of this and accept the emission coefficient from the user terminal 100.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates the emission amount based on the emission coefficient and the activity amount. The emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount for each piece of information received from the user (for example, each record included in the import data). The emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient that corresponds to the activity-specific information identified based on the activity amount-related items.

If the units in which the activity amount is expressed match the units assumed for the emission factor (tCO2/unit), the emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission factor. If the above units do not match, the emission calculation unit can also calculate the emission amount after performing unit conversion.

The emissions calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit. The emissions calculation unit can register the company ID, time information such as the current date and time, the scope and category of the calculated emissions, and the calculated emissions in association with each other in the emissions storage unit.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 aggregates emissions. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by scope. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by category. The scope and category corresponding to the company ID and activity specification information can be read from the distribution memory. Note that aggregation may be performed by another functional unit, such as the calculation unit 210, rather than the analysis unit 280.

The activity specification information presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the estimated activity specification information to the user. Specifically, the management server 200 outputs the estimated activity specification information to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, the emission coefficient presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the estimated emission coefficient to the user. Specifically, the management server 200 outputs information on the estimated emission coefficient to the user terminal 100. One or more pieces of information may be presented. If there is only one piece of estimated information, one piece of information is presented. If there is multiple pieces of estimated information, all of the information may be presented, or the information for the top five (not limited to five) pieces of analysis score based on the results of analysis may be presented, or the information with the highest analysis score based on the results of analysis may be presented.

Next, the operation of the 44th function will be described using FIG. 71. The management server 200 accepts activity amounts and items related to activity amounts from an external source (S7101). For example, it can accept CSV data uploads from the user terminal 100, accept form input, or accept data such as acquired receipts and estimates read using OCR. The management server 200 vectorizes the accepted items to create vector information (S7102), and estimates (identifies) activity-specific information (activity-specific information corresponding to items related to activity amounts) corresponding to (one or more) items of vector information stored in the vector information storage unit that are closest in distance to the vectorized vector information (S7103). For example, from the contents of the supporting document data, it can estimate (identify) multiple activity-specific information items such as wood atmospheric fluidized bed boiler and coke atmospheric fluidized bed boiler as items related to activity amounts (items to be calculated).

If the management server 200 identifies multiple pieces of activity-specific information, it proposes (presents) to the user, via the output unit 240, the activity-specific information corresponding to the identified calculation target item (S7104). The management server 200 may allow the user to select one piece of activity-specific information from the multiple pieces of activity-specific information (or accept input of other activity-specific information). Furthermore, if the management server 200 identifies multiple pieces of activity-specific information, it may propose (present) to the user, via the output unit 240, emission coefficients corresponding to the activity-specific information and allow the user to select one (or accept input of other emission coefficients). The management server 200 reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the selected activity-specific information from the emission coefficient storage unit (S7105) and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient (S7106). The management server 200 registers the calculated emission amount in the emission storage unit (S7107). Furthermore, the management server 200 can aggregate and output the emission amounts registered in the emission storage unit (S7108). The management server 200 may also analyze and identify recommended reduction items based on activity levels and present solutions. The function of providing solutions will be explained in Functions 10 to 15.

If the activity amount received in S7101 contains an error, for example, if the value is incorrect, the user can input a correct value from the user terminal 100 and accept it. It is also possible to combine a 40th function with an error output unit that outputs a message indicating an input error if the re-entered activity amount is not within the normal range. Furthermore, if the information received in S7101 is for Scope 1 or 2, a single piece of activity-specific information can be identified, but for Scope 3, a single piece of activity-specific information may not be identified. Thus, in the case of Scope 3, only when a single piece of activity-specific information cannot be identified can a process be executed to present multiple pieces of activity-specific information. Furthermore, when identifying activities from invoices, etc., for Scope 2 electricity using a character string extraction unit (such as OCR), the reading order of the text in the invoice, etc., can be determined to generate a character string, and an emission intensity unit based on the electric power provider and contract plan can be identified from the character string information. The emission intensity unit identification may be performed by the analysis unit 280 or the emission intensity unit identification unit, rather than the character string extraction unit. This makes it possible to estimate emission intensity units from data related to activity amounts, etc., and facilitates input. The management server 200 may also present candidates for the emissions intensity units to be assigned.

In this way, activity can be estimated from data on activity levels and input easily.

In this embodiment, activities are identified according to the distance of vector information, but the vector information may also be set as a prompt and provided to a large-scale language model (LLM) to estimate activities. A learning model can also be created using machine learning, with items as input data and activity-specific information as training data. In this case, the activity estimation unit can provide the received items to the learning model to estimate activity-specific information. The output unit 240 can also visualize emissions. The analysis unit 280 can also analyze and identify items recommended for reduction based on activity levels, and propose reduction solutions.

If only part of the text information can be deciphered, an artificially intelligent system that learns from nearby character strings and previously registered activity item data can infer the activity item.

The input unit 220, estimation unit 270, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, analysis unit 280, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 44th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AR1 (P087)]
An information processing system comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions in association with activity specification information that specifies activities that emit greenhouse gases; an extraction unit that extracts activity amounts and items related to the activity amounts related to the activities that emit greenhouse gases; an estimation unit that estimates the activity specification information by machine learning based on the items related to the activity amounts; and an activity specification information presentation unit that presents the estimated activity specification information.
[Item AR2]
The information processing system according to item AR1, wherein the extraction unit extracts a character string from data including an activity amount of an activity that emits greenhouse gases.
[Item AR3]
The information processing system according to item AR2, characterized in that the amount of activity and items related to the amount of activity are identified from the extracted character string.
[Item AR4]
The information processing system described in item AR1 includes a vector information storage unit that stores first vector information obtained by vectorizing the items and the activity specification information in association with each other, wherein the activity estimation unit vectorizes the received items to create second vector information, selects the first vector information according to a distance from the created second vector information, and reads out the activity specification information corresponding to the selected first vector information from the vector information storage unit.
[Item AR5]
The information processing system according to item AR4, wherein the activity estimation unit estimates the activity specification information by providing a prompt including the first and second vector information to a large-scale language model.
[Item AR6]
An information processing system according to item AR1, comprising a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model created by machine learning using the items and the activity specification information as training data, and the activity estimation unit provides the received items to the learning model to estimate the activity specification information.

<<Automatic carbon offset calculation function (function 45)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 44 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 45.

In recent years, businesses have been required to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions generated by their business activities and disclose the results. Businesses are increasingly introducing greenhouse gas emission calculation and visualization systems as a way to calculate and visualize their own greenhouse gas emissions. While greenhouse gas emission calculation and visualization systems currently offered as software services can calculate and visualize greenhouse gas emissions generated by a business's business activities, they do not provide emission reduction proposals (e.g., carbon offsets) for businesses, the emitters, based on the calculation results. As a result, after calculating and visualizing greenhouse gas emissions, businesses must gather information on available greenhouse gas emission reduction proposals, resulting in significant time and expense (such as labor costs) spent on considering greenhouse gas emission reduction proposals. Therefore, Function 45 aims to provide a system that automatically calculates the amount of carbon offsets required by a business and the amount of carbon credits (emissions credits) that can be generated within the business.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 45th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (activity amount memory unit, emission amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit), an analysis unit 280, an estimation unit 270, a calculation unit 210, an execution unit 290, and an output unit 240.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts. The activity amount memory unit can store a company ID, information specifying the time period when the activity was performed (time information), activity specification information, attribute information, and activity amounts in association with each other. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or a date/time range. The attribute information can be various items related to the activity. The activity amount memory unit collects and records activity amount information from the user terminal 100, such as power generation amount, via the acquisition unit 250 or the input unit 220. Methods for inputting activity amounts include, but are not limited to, manual input, voice input, and OCR input. The activity amount memory unit records activity amounts in a time series. The activity amount memory unit can also store power consumption and energy consumption, but power consumption and energy consumption may also be stored in a separate memory unit. Activity data such as power consumption, energy consumption, and power generation can also be collected from an IoT system (a centralized management system for saving energy used in the home called a Home Energy Management System (HEMS)) via the acquisition unit 250 and input unit 220. The activity data storage unit also has the functions described in the "Other functions" section.

The emissions memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores calculated greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions memory unit can store, in association with each other, company ID, time information, scope, category, emissions, activity specification information, attribute information, and activity amount. The emissions memory unit chronologically records emissions, which are calculated data based on activity amounts such as power consumption, energy consumption, and power generation in the activity amount memory unit and emission coefficients stored in the emission coefficient memory unit. By storing emissions in association with time information and information specifying when the activity was performed (time information), the emissions memory unit can record emissions in chronological order. The emissions memory unit stores the period during which the business entity using the information processing system (e.g., your own company) used the system and past emissions imported. The emissions memory unit also has the functions described in the "Other Functions" section. Note that the emission coefficient memory unit has already been described in the "Other Functions" section, so its description is omitted here.

The analysis unit 280 uses an AI-based fraud detection system to inspect the input activity amount information. The analysis unit 280 automatically checks whether the input activity amount information is invalid or whether an error has occurred. The analysis unit 280 returns the inspection results to the memory unit 230. The memory unit 230 stores the inspection results. The management server 200 performs a predetermined process on the invalid or erroneous information in the memory unit. The predetermined process is, for example, an input error detection function that points out input errors (errors) in the activity amount, and details will be explained in Function 40.

The estimation unit 270 uses AI (or other logic calculations) to estimate and predict the business entity's future greenhouse gas emissions based on the recorded emission calculation data. Note that the estimation unit 270 may also refer to information on past emissions stored in chronological order.

The calculation unit 210 includes a carbon offset amount calculation unit and a carbon credit amount calculation unit. The carbon offset amount calculation unit automatically calculates the amount of carbon offset required by the company based on the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions. For example, if the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions for next month are greater than the emissions of a comparison target, such as the same month last year, the difference between the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions of the comparison target is set as the required carbon offset amount. The carbon credit amount calculation unit automatically calculates the amount of carbon credits that can be generated by the company (e.g., the amount of renewable energy generated by the company) based on the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions. For example, if the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions for next month are smaller than the emissions of a comparison target, such as the same month last year, the difference between the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions of the comparison target is set as the surplus carbon offset amount. The surplus carbon offset amount is the amount of carbon credits that can be generated.

When the execution unit 290 automatically calculates the amount of carbon offset required by the company based on the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions, it automatically reserves the purchase of carbon credits (emission rights) corresponding to the calculated carbon offset amount. The execution unit 290 does not purchase the carbon credits themselves corresponding to the calculated offsettable amount, but only needs to be able to purchase the amount of carbon credits corresponding to the offsettable amount. The execution unit 290 can also match the carbon credits or emission rights corresponding to the offsettable amount.

When the execution unit 290 automatically calculates the amount of carbon credits that can be generated in-house based on the predicted future greenhouse gas emissions, it automatically reserves for sale carbon credits (emissions credits) corresponding to the calculated first carbon credit amount. The execution unit 290 does not sell the carbon credits themselves corresponding to the calculated offsettable amount, but only needs to be able to sell the amount of carbon credits corresponding to the offsettable amount. The execution unit 290 can also match the carbon credits or emission credits corresponding to the offsettable amount.

The output unit 240 outputs information on the amount of offset possible to the user terminal 100. When displaying the required carbon offset amount, it may display, for example, "minus 100 t" or information such as "100 t may be insufficient." When displaying the surplus carbon offset amount, it may display, for example, "plus 100 t" or information such as "100 t may be left over."

<Operation>
FIG. 72 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 45th function. The management server 200 stores the greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity in the emissions storage unit (S7201). The emissions are calculated based on the activity amount and the emission coefficient, and stored in chronological order. Next, the management server 200 estimates the business entity's predicted emissions based on the stored emissions (S7202). Next, the management server 200 calculates the offsettable amount, which is the amount of greenhouse gas that can offset greenhouse gas emissions based on the estimated predicted emissions (S7203). Next, the management server 200 outputs the offsettable amount (S7204). The timing of outputting the offsettable amount is not limited to this. It may also be output at a later processing step.

Next, the management server 200 determines whether the calculated offsettable amount indicates a surplus (S7205). If the value indicates a surplus in S7205 (YES, i.e., if the offsettable amount is positive data), the management server 200 executes processing to sell carbon credits corresponding to the calculated offsettable amount (S7206). If the value does not indicate a surplus in S7205 (NO, i.e., if the offsettable amount is negative data), the management server 200 executes processing to purchase carbon credits corresponding to the calculated offsettable amount (S7207). Next, the management server 200 determines whether the above processing (purchase processing or sale processing) is complete (S7208). If it determines that the processing is complete (YES), it outputs information indicating that the purchase processing or sale processing is complete to the user terminal 100 (S7209). On the other hand, if it determines that the processing is not complete (NO), it repeats the determination processing until the processing is complete. However, if the processing is not completed within a predetermined period, it terminates this processing.

<Purchase of carbon credits>
If the amount of carbon offset required by a company is automatically calculated based on predicted future greenhouse gas emissions, a purchase reservation is automatically made for carbon credits (e.g., emission rights) corresponding to the calculated first carbon offset amount, but the AI in the estimation unit 270 can also estimate and predict the second carbon offset amount that is at risk of being lost, and the AI in the calculation unit 210 can automatically calculate the third carbon offset amount that takes the risk of being lost into account, and the result can be reflected in the purchase reservation.

<Carbon credit sales>
If the amount of carbon credits that can be generated in-house (for example, the amount of renewable energy generated in-house) is automatically calculated based on predicted future greenhouse gas emissions, the carbon credits corresponding to the calculated fourth carbon credit amount will be automatically reserved for sale. However, the AI in the estimation unit 270 can estimate and predict the amount of carbon offset required by the company, and the AI in the calculation unit 210 can automatically calculate the fifth carbon credit amount that can be put up for sale on the carbon credit market (a system for trading greenhouse gas emission rights), excluding the amount of carbon offset required by the company, and the result can be reflected in the sale reservation.

The information processing system of this embodiment automatically calculates the amount of carbon offset required by a company based on activity levels such as power consumption, energy consumption, and power generation, thereby reducing the amount of work required to consider reduction plans for greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the amount of carbon credits (emission rights) that can be generated in-house is automatically calculated based on activity levels such as power consumption, energy consumption, and power generation, allowing companies to create a new source of income by listing these on the carbon credit market.

The 45th function can be configured as follows:

When information such as power consumption, power generation, and energy consumption is acquired from HEMS, ordinary households, companies, buildings, factories, machine tools, IoT modules, solar panels, etc. and stored in the activity amount memory unit, the management server 200 can use a fraud detection system to determine whether the information is fraudulent. This determination can be made by using AI to inspect and detect whether the information contains fraudulent information. The results of the determination are stored in the memory unit 230, such as the activity amount memory unit. If the information is determined to be fraudulent, fraud processing is performed to prevent the acquired information from being used in the estimation process for predicted emissions by the estimation unit 270, and fraud processing is also performed to prevent the information from being used in the automatic calculation process by the calculation unit 210. The fraud detection system is installed external to the management server 200 and can filter out fraudulent information before various power generation amounts, etc. are input into the management server 200, allowing only non-fraudulent information to be input into the system.

The calculation unit 210 and estimation unit 270 can utilize past emissions stored in chronological order, as well as carbon offset certification AI and carbon offset certification logic. The calculation unit 210 and estimation unit 270 can also be combined into a single function (automatic calculation unit). An example of carbon offset certification AI is a calculation unit 210 that predicts future (future) activity levels, such as electricity, and adjusts the value of the offsettable amount. An example of carbon offset certification logic is a calculation unit 210 that uses the calculation history of past emissions.

The amount of surplus that can be offset is certified within the information processing system. For example, the selling business entity certifies internally by using the approval function of function 24 or by authenticating with an electronic signature. If the business entity is authenticated using the approval function or by attaching an electronic signature, the management server 200 applies for certification to an external certification body such as a government agency. The external body certifies using an electronic signature or other means, and outputs information on the certification results to the information processing system. The management server 200 of the information processing system stores this certification result in the ledger writing system (ledger management unit including memory unit 230).

If the certification result information contains only information approved and authenticated by the information processing system, the ledger management unit stores the information in the centralized memory unit (centralized ledger) that constitutes the memory unit 230. The calculation unit 210 automatically calculates the amount that can be sold (listed) from the information stored in the centralized ledger, excluding the amount needed by the company. The calculation unit 210 may be an AI-based calculation unit. On the other hand, if the certification result information includes information of other business entities other than the information approved and authenticated by the information processing system, the ledger management unit stores the information in the distributed memory unit (distributed ledger) that constitutes the memory unit 230. Note that the centralized ledger stores information about the owner (business entity).

The calculation unit 210 automatically calculates the amount that can be sold (listed) from the information stored in the distributed ledger, excluding the amount required by the company. The calculation unit 210 may be an AI-based calculation unit. In this calculation, the calculation can be made by referencing the company's emission information. The offsettable amount calculated by the calculation unit 210 is sold by the execution unit 290 to the platform described in function 19. For example, the execution unit 290 automatically lists the amount on the matching PF. The distributed ledger stores information on owners (business entity and other business entities). The offsettable amount calculated by the calculation unit 210 may be output by the execution unit 290 to the intermediary as information on the intention to sell, as described in function 19.

The decision as to whether to use a centralized ledger or a distributed ledger is made by the analysis unit 280, but a judgment unit or the like may also be provided as another function. The analysis unit 280 determines whether the certification result information contains only information approved and authenticated by the information processing system, and then decides whether to use a centralized ledger or a distributed ledger. The decision may also be made by determining whether or not information of other business entities is included, and if information of other business entities is not included, the centralized ledger may be used, and if information of other business entities is included, the distributed ledger may be used.

On the other hand, if the calculated result is the required offsettable amount, the execution unit 290 processes the required offsettable amount for the platform. For example, the execution unit 290 reserves a purchase with the matching PF. In the purchase process, the required offsettable amount is set as a set amount in the preliminary stages of the purchase process, and this set amount is reflected. Additionally, if, for example, the data on G's business activities includes information on the business activity budget, this budget information is reflected and automatic purchases are made within the budgeted amount. The execution unit 290 also processes deposits to external institutions such as banks. For cash and credit transactions, the bank's system is used. When the external institution such as a bank confirms the deposit, it outputs information indicating that the deposit has been made to the platform. The required offsettable amount may be processed by the execution unit 290 as information on the purchase intention, as described in the 19th function.

The calculation unit 210 and/or the analysis unit 280 calculate the risk of loss of the carbon offset. This risk of loss can be reflected in the calculation of the possible offset amount and the purchase process, making it possible to purchase an amount of possible offset that takes into account the risk of loss. The risk of loss here refers to the risk that the possible offset amount to be purchased will be lost due to some cause (for example, a forest fire) before purchase. When calculating the risk of loss, the analysis unit 280 analyzes and calculates the credibility scores of the emission credits, which are carbon offsets that are being bought and sold, and compares the scores corresponding to multiple emission credits. The execution unit 290 then purchases emission credits with high scores based on the results of this comparison. In this way, it is possible to purchase emission credits with high reliability.

When a transaction is completed, the matching PF performs the owner change process. The owner change process is performed by the execution unit 290 overwriting the owner information in the centralized ledger or distributed ledger. By performing the owner change, the system can manage the correct owner. The owner change process can also be performed by rewriting the name of the carbon credits that have been bought and sold. When this method is used, the carbon credit market administrator can change the name of the carbon credits that have been bought and sold on the system and notify the carbon credit owners (previous owner/successor owner), allowing the correct owner of the carbon credits to be managed.

Function 45 can be particularly combined with function 19. Furthermore, the analysis unit 280, estimation unit 270, calculation unit 210, execution unit 290, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 45th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AS1 (P078)]
An information processing system comprising: an emissions memory unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; an estimation unit that estimates the business entity's predicted emissions (e.g., future greenhouse gas emissions) based on the stored emissions; and a calculation unit that calculates an offsettable amount (e.g., a required carbon offset amount or an excess carbon offset amount) that can offset greenhouse gas emissions (that can be offset by emission rights) based on the estimated predicted emissions.
[Item AS2]
An information processing system according to item AS1, characterized in that it comprises an execution unit capable of purchasing an amount of carbon credits corresponding to the calculated offsettable amount.
[Item AS3]
An information processing system according to item AS1, characterized in that it comprises an execution unit capable of selling the amount of carbon credits corresponding to the calculated offsettable amount.

<<Numeric calculation function (46th function)>>
While some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the embodiments of the first to forty-fifth functions is described in detail below as an embodiment of the forty-sixth function. In the background art, emissions are calculated based on the mileage of gasoline-powered vehicles. Currently, company-owned vehicles are primarily gasoline and diesel vehicles. There is a problem in that no specific procedures have been established for replacing vehicles currently in use with other vehicles. Furthermore, there is a problem in that in order to reduce GHG emissions, it is necessary to consider converting company-owned vehicles to electric vehicles in the future. The forty-sixth function aims to provide a system that can propose economically rational solutions when replacing vehicles within a company.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 46th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (mileage information memory unit, emission amount memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit), a calculation unit 210 (reduction value calculation unit, monetary amount calculation unit, comparison value calculation unit), an analysis unit 280 (determination unit), and an output unit 240.

The mileage information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores mileage information for vehicles (e.g., cargo vehicles). The type of vehicle is not limited to cargo vehicles, and may be any type of vehicle, including passenger cars. The vehicle type can be determined by acquiring the vehicle inspection certificate's use information (passenger or cargo type), personal or commercial use (personal or commercial type), vehicle shape (van, station wagon, etc.), and fuel type (gasoline, diesel, etc.) as described in the third function. In this embodiment, the type of fuel is described as the vehicle type. Mileage information may be acquired in any manner. If the information indicates mileage, it is stored in the mileage information storage unit, whether it is entered directly into the management server 200, acquired by OCR or the like, imported from CSV data, or acquired from a GPS or IC tag.

The vehicle type memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the type of vehicle. The vehicle type is the type of fuel, such as "gasoline," "diesel," "hydrogen," or "propane gas." Information such as the vehicle inspection certificate's use (passenger or cargo type), whether it is for personal or business use (personal or business type), and the shape of the vehicle body (van, station wagon, etc.) can also be stored as vehicle peripherals. For example, multiple types can be linked and stored, such as Vehicle Type A 1: "Gasoline," Vehicle Type A 2: "Cargo," Vehicle Type A 3: "Business," and Vehicle Type A 4: "Van."

The emission amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as emission amount information) necessary to obtain the amount of environmentally hazardous substances emitted from a product or service. The emission amount information can be, for example, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the distance traveled by the vehicle, or the (standard value of) the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of vehicle (e.g., 1 km, 1 m, or other unit of measurement for distance traveled). The emission amount memory unit may be the same memory unit as the emission amount memory unit for other functions, and may also have the same function as the emission amount information memory unit. The emission amount memory unit stores the carbon dioxide emission amount (for a fixed period, such as monthly or annually) calculated by the calculation unit 210 for each vehicle. In this example, monthly emissions are calculated and stored. The emission amount memory unit stores the aggregated results for each vehicle type. Note that the carbon dioxide emission amount is calculated using the fuel consumption method multiplied by the emission intensity. Instead of the fuel consumption method, the carbon dioxide calculation method, the improved ton-kilometer method, or the conventional ton-kilometer method may also be used.

The reduction value calculation unit, which constitutes the calculation unit 210, calculates the greenhouse gas reduction value (reduction value) based on the emissions (pre-change emissions: first emissions) stored in the emissions storage unit and the emissions after the vehicle change (post-change emissions: second emissions). The reduction value calculation unit calculates "post-change emissions" - "pre-change emissions" = "reduction value," but may also calculate "pre-change emissions" - "post-change emissions" = "reduction value." The reduction value calculation unit can also calculate the reduction rate value (reduction value) by division rather than subtraction. In the case of division, the reduction value calculation unit calculates "post-change emissions" / "pre-change emissions" = "reduction value," but may also calculate "pre-change emissions" / "post-change emissions" = "reduction value." Here, to calculate the post-change emissions, the same amount of fuel used in the pre-change emissions is used, but a different emissions intensity (e.g., an EV vehicle emissions intensity) is used as the emissions intensity used in the pre-change emissions calculation. The emissions before and after the change are each stored in the emissions storage unit. The reduction value calculation unit performs calculations for each vehicle type.

The amount calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates, for each vehicle type, the difference between the amount when using a gasoline vehicle (a diesel vehicle is also acceptable) of the same size and the amount when using an EV. For example, for the first vehicle, the "difference" is calculated as "the monthly amount when using a gasoline vehicle with a 1000cc displacement" minus "the monthly amount when using an EV vehicle with a 1000cc displacement," and for the second vehicle, the "difference" is calculated as "the monthly amount when using a gasoline vehicle with a 1500cc displacement" minus "the monthly amount when using an EV vehicle with a 1500cc displacement." Note that the difference may also be "the monthly amount when using an EV vehicle with a certain displacement" minus "the monthly amount when using a gasoline vehicle with a certain displacement." The amount calculation unit can also calculate the "amount ratio" of "monthly amount when using a gasoline vehicle of a certain engine displacement" / "monthly amount when using an EV vehicle of a certain engine displacement" or "monthly amount when using an EV vehicle of a certain engine displacement" / "monthly amount when using a gasoline vehicle of a certain engine displacement." The monthly amount is exemplified as the monthly gasoline cost, but it can also be the annual gasoline cost, or the amount for a specified period such as the monthly lease fee or annual lease fee. Note that if the vehicle is purchased, the total depreciation amount can be used instead of the lease amount.

The amount calculation unit can calculate the "insurance amount when using an EV vehicle with a certain engine displacement" and the "insurance amount when using a gasoline vehicle with a certain engine displacement." It can also calculate the "difference" and "amount ratio" between these amounts. Furthermore, the monthly amount can include the insurance amount for the vehicle. Note that the insurance amount may take into account discount amounts for each vehicle, such as EV discounts.

The comparison value calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates a comparison value for each vehicle type, which is the "difference value calculated by the amount calculation unit" / the "reduction value calculated by the reduction value calculation unit." The comparison value calculation unit also calculates a comparison value for each vehicle type, which is the "amount ratio value calculated by the amount calculation unit" / the "reduction value calculated by the reduction value calculation unit."

The determination unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 analyzes and determines which vehicle would be most economically rational to replace with an EV or other vehicle and thereby achieve the greatest GHG reduction. For each vehicle, the analysis unit 280 determines whether the comparison value calculated by the comparison value calculation unit is greater than specific value A, and if it is determined to be greater, it determines and identifies the vehicle as a vehicle to be replaced. Note that it may also determine if the value is smaller depending on the calculation method.

The analysis unit 280 can also determine whether the reduction value calculated by the reduction value calculation unit for each vehicle is greater than specific value B, and if it determines that it is greater, it can determine and identify that vehicle as a vehicle to be replaced. Note that it may also determine that it is smaller depending on the calculation method used.

Furthermore, the analysis unit 280 determines whether the difference value (or amount ratio value) calculated by the amount calculation unit for each vehicle is greater than a specific value C, and if it determines that it is greater, it can determine and identify that vehicle as a vehicle to be replaced. Note that it may also determine that it is smaller depending on the calculation method used.

The analysis unit 280 can determine and identify the top 10 (not limited to 10) vehicles as replacement targets based on the comparison value calculated by the comparison value calculation unit, the reduction value calculated by the reduction value calculation unit, and the difference value (or amount ratio value) calculated by the amount calculation unit, or it can comprehensively determine the comparison value, reduction value, and difference value (or amount ratio value) associated with each vehicle and identify the top 10 (not limited to 10) vehicles as replacement targets.

The output unit 240 outputs the comparison value calculated by the comparison value calculation unit. The output format is shown in an example as a bar graph (horizontal axis: vehicle type, vertical axis: comparison value), but it may be a line graph or may be output as a numerical value. The output unit 240 also outputs the reduction value calculated by the reduction value calculation unit. The output format is shown in an example as a bar graph (horizontal axis: vehicle type, vertical axis: reduction value), but it may be a line graph or may be output as a numerical value. The output unit 240 also outputs the difference value and/or the amount ratio value calculated by the amount calculation unit. The output format is shown in an example as a bar graph (horizontal axis: vehicle type, vertical axis: difference value, amount ratio value), but it may be a line graph or may be output as a numerical value.

The output unit 240 may output at least one of the comparison value, reduction value, and difference value, but may also output multiple pieces of information. The output unit 240 also presents the total payment amount for each vehicle. The total payment amount may also be the total lease payment amount. The output unit 240 also outputs the analysis results from the analysis unit 280 and solution information proposing the replacement of vehicles that are economically rational and capable of reducing GHG with vehicles such as EVs. Outputting information in this manner can ultimately assist in decision-making regarding which vehicles to replace with vehicles such as EVs.

<Operation>
FIG. 73 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 46th function. The management server 200 stores greenhouse gas emissions associated with each vehicle in the emission amount storage unit (S7301). A first greenhouse gas emission amount associated with a first type of vehicle and a second greenhouse gas emission amount associated with a second type of vehicle are stored. The emissions are calculated based on the activity amount and the emission coefficient and stored in chronological order. Next, the management server 200 calculates a reduction value based on the first and second emissions (S7302). Next, the management server 200 calculates the difference in cost based on the cost of the first type of vehicle and the cost of the second type of vehicle over a predetermined period (S7303). Next, the management server 200 calculates a comparison value by comparing the difference value with the reduction value (S7304). Next, the management server 200 outputs at least one comparison value from the difference value, reduction value, and comparison value (S7305).

The 46th function is a function that proposes which vehicle types a company should replace with vehicles with lower GHG emissions, such as EVs, based on economic rationality as follows:
(1) Determine the mileage of each vehicle type owned by the business entity, or the amount of gasoline/diesel used.
(2) Calculate the GHG emissions for each vehicle (for a fixed period such as monthly or annually) and aggregate them by vehicle type.
(3) Calculate the GHG reduction value when vehicles are switched to EVs (or low-emission vehicles such as hybrid cars).
(4) For each vehicle type, calculate the difference between the monthly lease amount for purchasing a gasoline/diesel vehicle (ICE) of the same size and the monthly lease amount for purchasing an EV (Calculation 2).
(5) Calculate the "value of (4)" / "value of (3)" for each vehicle type. The comparison is presented in a graph. Calculate which vehicle would be most economically rational to replace with an EV and achieve the greatest GHG reduction. The total lease payment amount for each vehicle is also presented. As a result, it can assist in decision-making regarding which vehicles to switch to EVs.
(6) If you are purchasing the vehicle, you may use the total depreciation amount instead of the lease amount.

By doing this, we can provide solution information that takes economic rationality into account. We can also assist in decision-making regarding which vehicles to switch to, such as EVs. Furthermore, this can ultimately lead to a reduction in GHG emissions.

The analysis unit 280, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 46th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AT1 (P082)]
An information processing system comprising: an emission amount memory unit that stores a first emission amount of a greenhouse gas associated with a first type of vehicle and a second emission amount of a greenhouse gas associated with a second type of vehicle; a reduction value calculation unit that calculates a reduction value based on the first emission amount and the second emission amount; and an output unit that outputs the reduction value.
[Item AT2]
An information processing system comprising: an emission amount memory unit that stores a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions related to a first type of vehicle and a second amount of greenhouse gas emissions related to a second type of vehicle; an amount calculation unit that calculates the difference in amount based on the amount spent on the first type of vehicle and the amount spent on the second type of vehicle over a specified period; and an output unit that outputs the difference.
[Item AT3]
an emission storage unit that stores a first emission amount (emission amount before the change) of greenhouse gases related to a first type of vehicle (e.g., a gasoline vehicle currently in use) and a second emission amount (emission amount after the change) of greenhouse gases related to a second type of vehicle (e.g., an EV vehicle to be replaced); a reduction value calculation unit that calculates a reduction value (e.g., a value obtained by subtracting monthly emissions of an EV vehicle from monthly emissions of a gasoline vehicle) based on the first emission amount (emission amount before the change; e.g., monthly emissions of a gasoline vehicle) and the second emission amount (e.g., monthly emissions of an EV vehicle); An information processing system comprising: an amount calculation unit that calculates the difference in amount (e.g., the annual lease amount for a gasoline vehicle minus the annual lease amount for an EV vehicle) based on the amount required for a first type of vehicle over a predetermined period (e.g., one year) (e.g., the annual lease amount for a gasoline vehicle) and the amount required for a second type of vehicle (e.g., the annual lease amount for an EV vehicle); a comparison value calculation unit that calculates a comparison value by comparing the value of the difference with the value of the reduction value (e.g., difference value/reduction value); and an output unit that outputs the comparison value.

<<Verification Facilitation Function (Function No. 47)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 46 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 47.

To achieve carbon neutrality, efforts are being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain. To achieve this, it is necessary to create a market in which decarbonized, low-carbon products (green products) are selected. The Carbon Footprint of Product (CFP), a system that visualizes greenhouse gas emissions for individual products, is essential as a foundation for this. CFP converts greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of a product or service, from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling, into CO2 and displays the converted CO2 emissions in an easy-to-understand manner on the product or service. CFP calculations (calculating greenhouse gas emissions for individual products) are a method of quantitatively calculating environmental impacts (such as CO2 emissions) using the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method. They generally follow steps 1 through 4: "Step 1: Consideration of calculation policy," "Step 2: Setting the calculation scope," "Step 3: Calculating CFP," and "Step 4: Verification and reporting."

Currently, businesses engaged in CFP are required to verify whether their calculations were conducted appropriately to ensure the reliability of their CFPs. They are also required to report the results of their CFP calculations, along with related information, to external parties. Verification methods for ensuring the reliability of CFPs include internal verification conducted by the business entity that performed the CFP calculations, and third-party verification conducted by a certification body. In many cases, third-party verification is selected, and after this third-party verification, the CFP calculation results are reported externally in a document known as a CFP calculation report. The CFP calculation report contains 20 sections intended for various internal and external readers. Furthermore, the results, data, methods, assumptions, and interpretations must be explained in detail while ensuring transparency so that readers can understand the content of the CFP calculations. Therefore, third-party verification checks for omissions in items that should be included in the CFP calculation report and whether the results, data, methods, assumptions, and interpretations were appropriate. This third-party verification requires the certification body to interview the business operators who are the CFP calculation entities about each of the 20 items listed, and the verification process requires a significant amount of man-hours due to the large amount and variety of data that needs to be checked. Function 47 aims to provide a system that facilitates third-party verification of CFP calculation reports by making the calculation and visualization of greenhouse gas emissions easier to understand.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 47th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit), an execution unit 290 (flow creation unit, authenticator setting unit, authentication path setting unit), an acquisition unit 250, a generation unit 260 (information generation unit), and an output unit 240. In addition, the management server 200 includes software configurations for other functions that can be combined with the 47th function.

<<Facilitation of verification>>
The information processing system that facilitates the calculation and visualization of greenhouse gas emissions is equipped with a verification facilitation function, which is composed of at least a life cycle flow function and a function for linking with the greenhouse gas calculation function.

<Life cycle flow function>
The life cycle flow function is a function that depicts a flow diagram of the life cycle phases (raw material procurement, production, distribution/sales, use/maintenance, disposal/recycling) of a product or service as a target object (target item) and selects items to be calculated. The life cycle flow is composed of the following five life cycle phases (stages), but the five stages may be changed by separating the distribution and sales stages or unifying use and disposal. The five stages are arranged in the order of (1) → (2) → (3) → (4) → (5), and the flow creation unit (execution unit 290) that creates the life cycle flow can create the flow in this order.
(1) Procurement of raw materials (2) Production (3) Distribution and sales (4) Use and maintenance (5) Disposal and recycling

Each phase can be broken down into multiple processes. The processes shown here are examples of "objects" and "steps." The flow creation unit (execution unit 290) can create a lifecycle flow that includes multiple processes, with lifecycle phases as major categories and processes as intermediate categories linked to the major categories.

(1) Raw material procurement can be broken down into (1-1) raw materials (process of goods) and (1-2) transportation (process of steps). If the process proceeds in the order of (1-1) raw materials → (1-2) transportation, it then moves to the (2-1) manufacturing process described below. If there are multiple raw materials, it is broken down into transportation X for raw material X and transportation Y for raw material Y. The activity amounts and emission coefficients for raw materials and transportation can be stored when creating a flow. The activity amount is stored in the activity amount storage unit. The activity amount storage unit is the same as other functions, so a description will be omitted. The emission coefficient is stored in the emission coefficient storage unit. The emission coefficient storage unit is the same as other functions, so a description will be omitted.

(2) Production can be broken down into (2-1) manufacturing (process of steps), (2-1-1) packaging (process of steps), (2-2) waste (process of materials), (2-3) transportation (process of steps), and (2-4) waste disposal (process of steps). The processes move in the following order: (2-1) manufacturing → (2-2) waste → (2-3) transportation → (2-4) waste disposal, and the process in this flow ends with (2-4) waste disposal. Also, if the process moves in the order of (2-1) manufacturing → (2-1-1) packaging, it then moves to the (3-1) transportation process, which will be described later. The activity amount and emission coefficient for each process can be stored when creating a flow. The activity amount is stored in the activity amount storage unit, and the emission coefficient is stored in the emission coefficient storage unit.

(3) Distribution and sales can be broken down into (3-1) transportation (process of steps), (3-1-1) sales (process of steps), (3-1-2) waste (process of goods), (3-1-3) transportation (process of steps), and (3-1-4) waste disposal (process of steps). The process progresses in the following order: (3-1) transportation → (3-1-1) sales → (3-1-2) waste → (3-1-3) transportation → (3-1-4) waste disposal, and the process in this flow ends with (3-1-4) waste disposal. Furthermore, if the process progresses in the order of (3-1) transportation → (3-1-1) sales, it then moves to the (4-1) transportation process, which will be described later. The activity amount and emission coefficient for each process can be stored when creating a flow. The activity amount is stored in the activity amount storage unit, and the emission coefficient is stored in the emission coefficient storage unit.

(4) Use and Maintenance can be broken down into (4-1) Transportation (Process of the Process), (4-1-1) Use (Process of the Process), and (4-1-2) Waste (Process of the Material). The process moves in the order of (4-1) Transportation → (4-1-1) Use → (4-1-2) Waste, and then moves to the (5-1) Transportation process described below. The activity amount and emission coefficient for each process can be stored when creating a flow. The activity amount is stored in the activity amount storage unit, and the emission coefficient is stored in the emission coefficient storage unit.

(5) Disposal and recycling can be broken down into (5-1) transportation (process of the process) and (5-2) waste treatment (process of the process). The process moves from (5-1) transportation to (5-2) waste treatment, and the life cycle ends here. The activity amount and emission coefficient for each process can be stored when creating a flow. The activity amount is stored in the activity amount storage unit, and the emission coefficient is stored in the emission coefficient storage unit.

The lifecycle flow is stored and saved in the memory unit 230 within this information processing system. Furthermore, the output unit 240 outputs the lifecycle flow information to the user terminal 100, allowing the user to visually confirm the flow diagram being created (or already created) on the user terminal 100. The flow diagram displays diagrams (images) of lifecycle phases and diagrams (images) of multiple processes displayed below the lifecycle phases, but it is possible to display diagrams of only lifecycle phases or only processes. Furthermore, the output unit 240 displays the names of each lifecycle phase and each process that make up the flow diagram in a manner that is visible to the user, but it can also display activity amounts, emission coefficients, and emissions so that the user can visually confirm them. It is also possible to import product photo data and display it on the flow diagram, and it is also possible to associate information obtained by OCR-reading supporting data or imported external data as activity amounts for processes in the flow.

<Linkage function with greenhouse gas calculation function>
As described above, activity amounts and emission coefficients are registered for each calculation item for each process, making it possible to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. The emission calculation unit, which is a component of the calculation unit 210, calculates greenhouse gas emissions for each process based on the activity amount and emission intensity. The emission calculation unit can also calculate greenhouse gas emissions for each life cycle phase based on the activity amount and emission intensity. The activity amount for a life cycle phase is calculated by calculating the total activity amount for each process belonging to the life cycle phase. The emission intensity for a life cycle phase is calculated by calculating the average emission intensity for each process belonging to the life cycle phase. The greenhouse gas emissions for a life cycle phase can also be calculated by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions for each process belonging to the life cycle phase. Reports and databases that form the basis of activity amount data can be stored (or linked) within the information processing system. When automatic linkage with the information processing system is implemented, log management is preferred. The source of the emission coefficient can also be stored (or linked) within the system. In addition, when restricting the display of the emission coefficient, the restriction is performed using the 21st function.

Furthermore, a format (e.g., questions and answer columns) is prepared for the information 20 to be included in the CFP accounting report, allowing the response information from past CFP accounting reports to be reused. Using the third function, the CFP accounting report can be configured as follows. An information processing system can be provided that includes: an acquisition unit 250 that acquires first information (e.g., the CFP accounting report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information to be included in the CFP accounting report); second information indicating the attributes of the business entities; a generation unit 260 (information generation unit) that generates third information (e.g., a new CFP accounting report, a CFP accounting report reflecting review results) based on information related to emissions by a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; and an output unit 240 (presentation unit) that outputs (presents) the third information. This makes it easy to create a CFP accounting report.

The acquisition unit 250 acquires information related to CFP accounting as the second information. In this case, the information processing system can also be configured as follows. It is possible to provide an information processing system including: an acquisition unit 250 that acquires first information (e.g., a CFP accounting report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information to be included in the CFP accounting report); second information related to CFP accounting; a generation unit 260 that generates third information (e.g., a new CFP accounting report, a CFP accounting report reflecting review results) based on information related to emissions by a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; and an output unit 240 (presentation unit) that outputs (presents) the third information. This makes it easy to create a CFP accounting report.

The CFP calculation report must include the following second information (information related to CFP calculation):
(1) Functional unit (unit of calculation) and declaration unit (2) System boundary (3) List of important unit processes (4) Information on data sources and data collection (5) List of GHGs targeted (6) Selected characterization factor 1
(7) The cutoff criteria selected and the items targeted for cutoff. (8) Allocation method (including whether the allocation was calculated using primary data).
(9) Timing of specific GHG emissions and removals (absorption) through land use, etc. (if applicable)
(10) Information on the data used (including the proportion of primary data, data selection criteria, and quality assessment)
(11) Results of sensitivity analysis and uncertainty assessment; (12) Treatment of electricity (including calculation of grid electricity emission factors and related constraints);
(13) Results of the interpretation (including conclusions and limitations)
(14) Disclosure and justification of value-based decisions2
(15) Justification of the scope (functional unit, system boundary, etc.) (16) Explanation of the life cycle stages (including explanation of scenarios for the use stage and disposal/recycling stage)
(17) Evaluation of the impact on the final results if scenarios for the use stage or disposal/recycling stage different from those used in the calculation are adopted. (18) The period covered by the CFP calculation (including the period covered by the data used).
(19) Referenced product-specific accounting rules or other requirements (20) Performance tracking explanation (if applicable)

The created CFP calculation report can also be linked to a third-party verification organization. This can be done by linking with the third-party verification organization's system, or by assigning access rights to the account of the business entity that is performing the CFP calculation to the third-party verification organization. While the authentication process is being carried out, the business entity that is performing the CFP calculation and the third-party verification organization can exchange questions and answers on the system. The certificate issued by the third-party verification organization can also be stored within the system. If the third-party verification organization determines that the report has failed the verification, the deficiencies, points of criticism, reasons for failure, etc. can be kept as a history within the system.

The certification path (approval path) for certification by a third-party verification organization can be set using the 24th function as follows. The information processing system includes a certification authority setting unit (approval setting unit) that sets a certification authority (approver) who verifies and certifies (approves) a CFP valuation report (including the CFP valuation report as third information generated by the information generation unit), and a certification path setting unit (approval path setting unit) that allows multiple certification paths (approval paths) to be set for verifying and certifying (approving) the CFP valuation report. The certification authority setting unit sets a certification authority who verifies and certifies the CFP valuation report. The certification authority is a certification organization. The certification authority setting unit sets one of multiple certification organizations, such as certification organization A and certification organization B. The certification organization can be selected from the user terminal 100 of the business entity using the information processing system. The information processing system also includes an access authority granting unit that grants access authority to a third-party verification organization to certify the CFP valuation report. By facilitating the configuration of certification paths in this way, third-party verification of the CFP valuation report can be facilitated. Note that the 24th function "approval" can be replaced with "authentication" and applied to this example.

<Operation>
FIG. 74 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 47th function. The management server 200 stores the activity amount related to the business entity's process in the activity amount storage unit (S7401). Next, the management server 200 stores the emission intensity unit in the emission intensity unit storage unit (S7402). Next, the management server 200 calculates the process emissions based on the activity amount and the emission intensity unit (S7403). If there are multiple processes, for example, two processes, the management server 200 calculates the emissions of the first process and the second process. Next, if a flow diagram showing the process flow has been created, the management server 200 outputs the flow diagram so that it can be viewed on the user terminal 100 (S7404). If there are multiple processes, the management server 200 outputs a flow diagram showing the flow of the first process and the second process related to the first process in a format in which the first process and the second process are linked. Next, the management server 200 outputs the emissions of the first process and the second process (S7405). The output unit 240 outputs information indicating the emissions of the first process and the second process, and these values can be confirmed on the user terminal 100. In addition to the emissions, information on the activity amount and the emissions intensity may also be output. The order of S7401 to S7405 is not limited to this; the created flow diagram may be output first, and then the activity amount and emissions intensity may be stored and the emissions calculated. The activity amount, emissions intensity, and emissions can be input by selecting a graphic (an image constituting the flow diagram) representing the process on the user terminal 100. If the activity amount, emissions intensity, and emissions have already been input and stored, selecting a graphic representing the process on the user terminal 100 outputs the stored values of the activity amount, emissions intensity, and emissions to the user terminal 100, and the user can confirm them via the user terminal 100.

The 47th function includes an activity amount memory unit that stores activity amounts (e.g., CFP activity amounts) related to processes of business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain; an emission intensity memory unit that stores emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to processes in the life cycle (e.g., CFP emission amounts); a flow creation unit that can create a flow diagram showing the flow of a first process and a second process related to the first process in the life cycle that is connected to the first process; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amounts of the first process and the second process based on the activity amount and emission intensity units; and an output unit that outputs the emission amounts of the first process and the second process.

The operation of the 47th function also includes the operation shown in FIG. 8. The management server 200 acquires first information including at least information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream of the supply chain (S801). Next, the management server 200 acquires second information related to at least CFP calculation (S802). Next, the management server 200 stores the acquired first information and second information in the memory unit 230 (S803). Next, the management server 200 reads second information corresponding to the first business entity from the memory unit 230 (S804). Next, the management server 200 refers to the memory unit 230 and identifies a second business entity corresponding to second information that matches or is similar to the read second information (S805). Next, the management server 200 reads emission-related information corresponding to the identified second business entity from the memory unit 230, and generates a CFP calculation report as third information based on the read emission-related information (S806). Next, the management server 200 presents (outputs) the third information (CFP calculation report) (S807).

Furthermore, the operation of the 47th function also includes the operation shown in Figure 38. Here, the explanation will be given by replacing "approval" shown in the figure with "authentication." The management server 200 sets and registers an authenticator who will check and authenticate the CFP calculation report (S3801). Next, the management server 200 sets and registers an authentication path that will check and authenticate the CFP calculation report (S3802). Multiple patterns of authentication paths can be set. Next, the management server 200 determines whether multiple authentication paths are registered (S3803). If multiple authentication paths are registered (YES in S3803), the management server 200 allows multiple authentication paths to be selected (S3804). On the other hand, if multiple authentication paths are not registered (NO in S3803), the management server 200 allows only one registered authentication path to be selected (S3805). Next, the management server 200 sets and registers the authentication path to be forwarded based on the pressing of the authentication path registration completion button (S3806). The authentication path to be forwarded may also be set and registered based on the passage of a predetermined time. Note that if multiple authentication paths are not registered (NO in S3803), it is also possible to register the authentication path to be forwarded without making the registered authentication paths selectable.

By visualizing the greenhouse gas emission calculation results and process flow in this way, third-party verification of CFP calculation reports can be facilitated. Furthermore, by referencing other companies' CFP calculation reports, companies can easily create their own CFP calculation reports. Furthermore, by allowing multiple certification routes to be set, new forwarding certification routes can be easily set, reducing the amount of work required to manage certification routes.

The execution unit 290, acquisition unit 250, generation unit 260, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 47th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AU1 (P083)]
An information processing system comprising: an activity amount memory unit that stores activity amounts related to processes in the life cycle of a target item; an emission unit memory unit that stores emission units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to processes in the life cycle of the target item; a flow creation unit that can create a flow diagram showing the flow of a first process and a second process that is related to (connected to or continues from) the first process; an emission calculation unit that calculates the greenhouse gas emissions related to the first process and the greenhouse gas emissions related to the second process based on the activity amount and the emission unit; and an output unit that outputs the greenhouse gas emissions related to the first process and the greenhouse gas emissions related to the second process.
[Item AU2]
An information processing system as described in item AU1, characterized in that it comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., a CFP calculation report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., information on the content to be included in the CFP calculation report); second information related to the CFP calculation; a generation unit that generates a CFP calculation report based on information related to the emissions of a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; and a presentation unit (output unit) that presents (outputs) the CFP calculation report.
[Item AU3]
An information processing system according to item AU2, comprising: a certifier setting unit that sets a certifier who checks and certifies the generated CFP valuation report; and a certification path setting unit that enables the setting of multiple certification paths for checking and certifying the CFP valuation report. The information processing system also comprises an access authority granting unit that grants access authority to a third-party verification organization to certify the CFP valuation report.

<<GHG/CFP Linkage Function (48th Function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 47 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 48.

Calculations of greenhouse gas emissions for the supply chain (supply chain emissions calculations) and greenhouse gas emissions for a company's own products (CFP calculations) are being conducted. Supply chain emissions calculations are a method of calculating the greenhouse gas emissions emitted by a company itself (Scope 1 emissions, Scope 2 emissions) and those emitted along the supply chain (Scope 3 emissions). CFP calculations, on the other hand, are a method of calculating the greenhouse gas emissions emitted on a product-by-product basis throughout the processes of raw material procurement, production, distribution, sales, use, maintenance, disposal, and recycling. Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using the formula "activity amount x emissions intensity," which is common to both supply chain emissions calculations and CFP calculations. Therefore, when using the system to calculate supply chain emissions and CFP calculations, data for the same type of activity (activity amount data) must be registered separately, resulting in duplicate registration work. This has resulted in the problem of increased man-hours required for registering activity amount data. Function 48 aims to provide a system that links the life cycle phases of CFPs (by product) with the scope and category of supply chain emissions (by organization) and links emissions data between organizations and products.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 48th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, classification memory unit), an execution unit 290 (management unit), and an output unit 240. In addition, it includes software configurations for other functions that can be combined with the 48th function.

The information processing system of Function 48 includes the life cycle flow function described in Function 47. This function depicts a flow diagram of the life cycle phases of a product or service as a target object (target item) and selects items to be calculated. The life cycle flow is composed of the following five life cycle phases (stages). Function 48 explains the flow by dividing it into distribution and sales phases, use and maintenance, and disposal and recycling phases. The five phases are arranged in the order of (1) → (2) → (3) → (4) → (5). The flow creation unit (execution unit 290) that creates the life cycle flow can create the flow in this order. Each life cycle can be broken down into multiple processes. However, since each process is explained in Function 47, its explanation is omitted here.
(1) Procurement of raw materials (first stage)
(2) Production (second stage)
(3) Distribution and sales (third stage)
(4) Use and maintenance (fourth stage)
(5) Disposal and recycling (fifth stage)

The lifecycle flow function allows you to link the lifecycle flow diagram of a target item with the supply chain flow diagram to visually represent the items subject to accounting and registered activity data. For example, the lifecycle flow diagram can be displayed as the left diagram (Figure 1) and the supply chain flow diagram as the right diagram (Figure 2), allowing for a comparison between the two. Images in the lifecycle flow diagram that correspond to the "raw material procurement" lifecycle phase in CFP accounting are highlighted for easy recognition within the flow diagram. Images in the supply chain flow diagram that correspond to Scope 3 - Category 1 [Purchased products and services] are also highlighted for easy recognition within the flow diagram. Examples of highlighting include changing the color of the image or the line style of the image's outer frame, but this is not limited to these, and any method that is easily visible will do. Displaying them in this way allows you to compare and confirm their relationships.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 has the same functions as those described for the other functions, but differences from the other functions will be described below. The emission amount memory unit includes a first memory unit, a second memory unit, a third memory unit, a fourth memory unit, and a fifth memory unit. The memory area of each memory unit is set within the memory area of the emission amount memory unit, but some of the memory areas may be used as overlapping areas. For example, the areas may be configured so that part of the memory area of the first memory unit overlaps with part of the memory area of the second memory unit, or so that part of the memory area of the third memory unit (the memory area for Scope 3 Category 1) overlaps with part of the memory area of the fourth memory unit (the memory area for raw material procurement). This allows for conserving and using memory area in the memory unit 230.

The first memory unit is a memory unit that stores first emissions, which are emissions in Scope 1 of the supply chain emissions calculation (Scope 1 according to the GHG Protocol), and is a GHG emissions data input area. The first memory unit stores first emissions related to direct greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity. The first memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores first activity information, which is activities and activity amounts related to Scope 1 according to the GHG Protocol.

The second memory unit is a memory unit that stores second emissions, which are emissions in Scope 2 of the supply chain emissions calculation (Scope 2 according to the GHG Protocol), and is a GHG emissions data input area. The second memory unit stores second emissions related to direct and/or indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity. The second memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores second activity information, which is activities and activity amounts related to Scope 2 according to the GHG Protocol.

The third memory unit is a memory unit that stores third emissions, which are emissions in Scope 3 of supply chain emissions calculations (Scope 3 according to the GHG Protocol), and is a GHG emissions data input area. The third memory unit stores third emissions related to greenhouse gases by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain. The third memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores third activity information, which is activities and activity amounts related to Scope 3 according to the GHG Protocol.

The fourth memory unit is a memory unit that stores fourth emissions, which are emissions over the life cycle of the target item for CFP calculation. The fourth memory unit is a memory unit that stores CFP emissions, which are the greenhouse gas emissions emitted throughout the entire life cycle of the target item, from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling, converted into CO2. The fourth memory unit also stores fourth emissions related to the life cycle phase of the target item of a business entity that is at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The fourth memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores fourth activity information, which is the activities and activity amounts related to the target item.

The fifth memory unit is a memory unit that stores fifth emissions, which are emissions for target items of the environmental index, and is an environmental index data input area. The fifth memory unit is a memory unit that stores greenhouse gas emissions for target items of the environmental index, such as target items "energy" and "water resources," converted into CO2 emissions. The fifth memory unit also stores fifth emissions for each target item of the environmental index set by business entities that correspond to at least one of the upstream and downstream of the supply chain. The fifth memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores fifth activity information, which is activities and activity amounts for activity items of the environmental index.

The activity amount memory unit that makes up the memory unit 230 is the same as the memory unit described in the other functions, so its description will be omitted. Furthermore, the emission coefficient memory unit that makes up the memory unit 230 is the same as the memory unit described in the other functions, so its description will be omitted.

The management unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 manages the emission amount information stored in each memory unit. Four management patterns are explained below.

(Management Pattern 1)
The management unit stores in the fourth memory unit the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emission amount information stored in the third memory unit. The management unit also stores in the fourth memory unit the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emission amount information stored in the first memory unit. The management unit also stores in the fourth memory unit the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emission amount information stored in the second memory unit. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) supply chain information and lifecycle information.

(Management Pattern 2)
The management unit manages the emission amount information by storing it in the memory unit so that the predetermined emission amount stored in the third memory unit and the predetermined emission amount stored in the fourth memory unit are the same. The management unit also manages the emission amount information by storing it in the memory unit so that the predetermined emission amount stored in the first memory unit and the predetermined emission amount stored in the fourth memory unit are the same. The management unit also manages the emission amount information by storing it in the memory unit so that the predetermined emission amount stored in the second memory unit and the predetermined emission amount stored in the fourth memory unit are the same. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) supply chain information and lifecycle information.

(Management Pattern 3)
The management unit manages information on each emission amount so that, when storing a third emission amount related to a predetermined classification, a fourth emission amount related to a predetermined life cycle phase is stored. Furthermore, when storing a first emission amount related to a predetermined classification, the management unit manages information on each emission amount so that a fourth emission amount related to a predetermined life cycle phase is stored. Furthermore, when storing a second emission amount related to a predetermined classification, the management unit manages information on each emission amount so that a fourth emission amount related to a predetermined life cycle phase is stored. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) supply chain information and life cycle information.

The classification in management pattern 3 refers to the scope and/or category registered in the classification memory unit. In the case of scope 1, scope 1 is the specified classification. In the case of scope 2, scope 2 is the specified classification. In the case of scope 3, scope 3 is the specified classification. Furthermore, in the case of scope 3, category 1, category 2, category 3, ... category 15 are also specified classifications. Furthermore, in the case of scope 3, category 1 of scope 3, category 2 of scope 3, category 3 of scope 3, ... category 15 of scope 3 are also specified classifications.

(Management Pattern 4)
The management unit manages information on a predetermined classification related to the third emission amount and information on a predetermined life cycle phase related to the fourth emission amount by linking them together. The management unit also manages information on a predetermined classification related to the first emission amount and information on a predetermined life cycle phase related to the fourth emission amount by linking them together. The management unit also manages information on a predetermined classification related to the second emission amount and information on a predetermined life cycle phase related to the fourth emission amount by linking them together. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) supply chain information and life cycle information.

<Linkage function between supply chain emissions and CFP>
This function links the scope and category of supply chain emissions (organizational unit) with the life cycle phase of the CFP for each product or service, enabling the linking of emissions data between organizations and products, and allocates items subject to calculation of supply chain emissions to the CFP.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 1 and raw material procurement)
The execution unit 290 links Scope 3-Category 1 [Purchased products and services] to the life cycle phase of "Raw materials procurement" in the CFP calculation.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fourth storage unit the emissions amount (including only the emission value) of "raw material procurement," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emissions amount (including only the emission value) of Scope 3-Category 1, which is the emissions amount information stored in the third storage unit. The emissions amount (including only the emission value) of "raw material procurement," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information of the emissions amount of Scope 3-Category 1, may also be stored in the fourth storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on emissions by storing in the storage unit the emissions (including only the emissions values) of Scope 3-Category 1 as the predetermined emissions stored in the third storage unit and the emissions (including only the emissions values) of "raw material procurement" as the predetermined emissions stored in the fourth storage unit. The information on emissions may be managed by storing in the storage unit the information on part of the emissions of Scope 3-Category 1 and the emissions of "raw material procurement" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third emissions related to Scope 3-Category 1, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages the information on each emission amount so as to store the fourth emissions related to “Raw Materials Procurement,” which is a predetermined life cycle phase. The timing of storing the emissions does not have to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 3-Category 1, which is information on a specified classification related to the third emissions, in association with information on “raw material procurement,” which is information on a specified life cycle phase related to the fourth emissions.

For example, if 100 tons of iron ore is purchased per year, the execution unit 290 will record the emissions as Scope 3 - Category 1 as supply chain emissions. By allocating these emissions by production volume, they correspond to the emissions from raw material procurement for one unit of product. In addition, the execution unit 290 can allocate the procurement volume of raw materials etc. for product X to each material unit according to the number of materials in product X (CFP for material A, CFP for product B, CFP for product C). For example, if product X is made up of three materials, A, B, and C, it can calculate the CFP for material A, CFP for material B, and C for material C.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 9 and distribution)
The execution unit 290 links Scope 3-Category 9 [Transportation, Delivery (Downstream)] to the life cycle phase of "Distribution (or Distribution/Sales)" in the CFP calculation.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fourth storage unit the "distribution" emissions (including only the emission values) that are the same information (including substantially the same information) as the Scope 3-Category 9 emissions (including only the emission values), which is the emission information stored in the third storage unit. The "distribution" emissions (including only the emission values) that are the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information on the Scope 3-Category 9 emissions may also be stored in the fourth storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on emissions by storing in the storage unit the emissions (including only the emission values) of Scope 3-Category 9 as the predetermined emissions stored in the third storage unit and the emissions (including only the emission values) of "distribution" as the predetermined emissions stored in the fourth storage unit. The information on emissions may be managed by storing in the storage unit the information on part of the information on the emissions of Scope 3-Category 9 and the emissions of "distribution" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third amount of emissions related to Scope 3-Category 9, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages the information on each amount of emissions so as to store the fourth amount of emissions related to “Distribution,” which is a predetermined life cycle phase. The timing of storing the amounts of emissions does not have to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 3-Category 9, which is information on a specified classification related to the third emissions, in association with information on “Distribution,” which is information on a specified life cycle phase related to the fourth emissions.

(Scope 3 - Category 11 and use examples)
The execution unit 290 links Scope 3-Category 11 [Use of sold products] to the life cycle phase of "Use (or "Use and maintenance")" in CFP calculation.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fourth storage unit the emissions amount of "use" (including only the emissions value), which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emissions amount of Scope 3-Category 11 (including only the emissions value), which is the emissions amount information stored in the third storage unit. The emissions amount of raw material procurement (including only the emissions value), which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information of the emissions amount of Scope 3-Category 11, may also be stored in the fourth storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on emissions by storing in the storage unit the emissions (including only the emission values) of Scope 3-Category 11 as the predetermined emissions stored in the third storage unit and the emissions (including only the emission values) of "use" as the predetermined emissions stored in the fourth storage unit so that they are the same. The information on emissions may also be managed by storing in the storage unit the information on part of the emissions of Scope 3-Category 11 and the emissions of "use" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third amount of emissions related to Scope 3-Category 11, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages the information on each amount of emissions so as to store the fourth amount of emissions related to “use,” which is a predetermined life cycle phase. The timing of storing the amounts of emissions does not have to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 3-Category 11, which is information on a specified classification related to the third emissions, in association with information on “use,” which is information on a specified life cycle phase related to the fourth emissions.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 12 and waste)
The execution unit 290 links Scope 3 - Category 12 [Disposal of sold products] to the life cycle phase of "Disposal (disposal and recycling are also acceptable)" in CFP calculation. It can also be reflected in supply chain emissions by multiplying by the number of products produced.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fourth storage unit the emissions amount of "disposal" (including only the emissions value), which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emissions amount of Scope 3-Category 12 (including only the emissions value), which is the emissions amount information stored in the third storage unit. The emissions amount of "disposal" (including only the emissions value), which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information of the emissions amount of Scope 3-Category 12, may also be stored in the fourth storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on emissions by storing in the storage unit the emissions (including only the emissions values) of Scope 3-Category 12 as the predetermined emissions stored in the third storage unit and the emissions (including only the emissions values) of "disposal" as the predetermined emissions stored in the fourth storage unit. The information on emissions may be managed by storing in the storage unit the information on part of the emissions of Scope 3-Category 12 as the predetermined emissions and the emissions of "disposal" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third amount of emissions related to Scope 3-Category 12, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages the information on each amount of emissions so as to store the fourth amount of emissions related to “disposal,” which is a predetermined life cycle phase. The timing of storing the amounts of emissions does not have to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 3-Category 12, which is information on a specified classification related to the third emission amount, in association with information on “disposal,” which is information on a specified life cycle phase related to the fourth emission amount.

(Example of Scope 1, 2 and production)
The execution unit 290 links Scopes 1 and 2 (direct emissions, indirect emissions) to the life cycle phase of "production" in CFP calculation.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fourth storage unit the "production" emissions (including only the emission values) that are the same information (including substantially the same information) as the Scope 1 or 2 emissions (including only the emission values), which is the emission information stored in the first or second storage unit. The "production" emissions (including only the emission values) that are the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the Scope 1 or 2 emission information may also be stored in the fourth storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on emissions by storing in the storage unit the emissions (including only the emission values) of Scope 1 or 2 as the predetermined emissions stored in the third storage unit and the emissions (including only the emission values) of "production" as the predetermined emissions stored in the fourth storage unit so that they are the same. The information on part of the information on the emissions of Scope 1 or 2 and the emissions of "production" may also be managed by storing in the storage unit so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third emissions related to the predetermined classification Scope 1 or 2, the execution unit 290 manages the information on each emission amount so as to store the fourth emissions related to the predetermined life cycle phase “production.” The timing of storing the fourth emissions does not have to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 1 or 2, which is information on a specified classification related to the third emissions, in association with information on “production,” which is information on a specified life cycle phase related to the fourth emissions.

The execution unit 290 also allocates the amounts of light, light, and water used to manufacture product X to units of "electricity," "gas," and "water." For example, if "electricity," "gas," and "water" are used to process product X, the CFP of electricity during processing, the CFP of gas during processing, and the CFP of water during processing can be calculated.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 4 and the "Transport" process)
The execution unit 290 links Scope 3-Category 4 [Transportation, Delivery (Upstream)] to the "Transportation" process in the CFP calculation.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fourth storage unit the emissions amount (including only the emission value) of "transportation" that is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the emissions amount (including only the emission value) of Scope 3-Category 4, which is the emissions amount information stored in the third storage unit. The emissions amount (including only the emission value) of "transportation" that is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information of the emissions amount of Scope 3-Category 4 may also be stored in the fourth storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on emissions by storing in the storage unit the emissions of Scope 3-Category 4 (including only the emissions values) as the predetermined emissions stored in the third storage unit and the emissions of "transportation" (including only the emissions values) as the predetermined emissions stored in the fourth storage unit. The information on emissions may be managed by storing in the storage unit the information on part of the information on the emissions of Scope 3-Category 4 and the emissions of "transportation" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third emissions related to Scope 3-Category 4, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages the information on each emission amount so as to store the fourth emissions related to “Transportation,” which is a predetermined life cycle phase. The timing of storing the emissions does not have to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages the information on Scope 3-Category 4, which is information on a specified classification related to the third emissions, in association with the information on “Transportation,” which is information on a specified life cycle phase related to the fourth emissions.

The execution unit 290 allocates the raw materials for product X to units of transport distance. For example, if product X consists of three materials, A, B, and C, it is possible to calculate the CFP for the transport distance of material A, the CFP for the transport distance of material B, and the CFP for the transport distance of material C.

While an example of automatically assigning scope/category emissions to CFP breakdown item emissions has been shown, it is also possible to automatically assign and reflect CFP breakdown item emissions to scope/category. For example, when storing third emissions related to Scope 3-Category 1, the information on each emission is managed so that a fourth emission related to "Raw Materials Procurement" is stored. The timing for storing the fourth emission is determined by the user operating the "Link Button" displayed on the user terminal 100, and the third emission information and the fourth emission information are linked based on that operation. Reflecting CFP breakdown item emissions to a scope/category is also performed based on the operation of the "Link Button." Note that while an example of the "Link Button" has been shown, this is not limiting. The link function may be activated when one emission is stored, or a recommendation such as "Do you want to link?" may be displayed to the user after one emission is stored, and the link function may be activated only if the user agrees.

The implementation unit 290 can also indicate which scope/category corresponds to which lifecycle phase of the CFP, or which lifecycle phase corresponds to which scope/category.

<Operation>
FIG. 75 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 48th function. The management server 200 stores emissions (S7501). The management server 200 determines whether supply chain emissions are stored as supply chain information (S7502). Next, the management server 200 checks the storage unit 230, and if supply chain emissions are registered (YES in S7502), identifies the scope and category (S7503). Note that the management server 200 identifies the category in the case of Scope 3, but does not identify the category if information on Scope 1 and Scope 2 is registered. Next, the management server 200 identifies the lifecycle phase of the CFP corresponding to the scope and category identified in S7503 (S7504).

On the other hand, the management server 200 checks the memory unit 230, and if emissions related to the CFP are registered (NO in S7502), it identifies the life cycle phase of the CFP (S7505). Next, the management server 200 identifies the scope and category corresponding to the life cycle phase of the CFP identified in S7505 (S7506).

Next, if the data has passed through S7503 and S7504, the management server 200 manages the lifecycle phase information, which is lifecycle information, by associating it with the scope and category information, which is supply chain information (S7507). On the other hand, if the data has passed through S7505 and S7506, the management server 200 manages the lifecycle phase information, which is lifecycle information, by associating it with the scope and category information, which is supply chain information (S7507). The four patterns mentioned above are given as examples of management of associations.

In this example, inputting either supply chain emissions or CFP information in S7501 links it to the other information. However, by inputting an item in S7501 that is a higher-level concept than supply chain emissions or CFP, "greenhouse gas emissions without specifying supply chain emissions or CFP," processing can be branched to S7503 and S7505 without executing S7502, so that both supply chain emissions and CFP information are reflected.

Also, by inputting the activity amount (for example, the supply chain activity amount or the activity amount related to CFP) in S7501, processing can be branched to S7503 and S7505 without executing S7502, so that information on both the supply chain activity amount and the activity amount related to CFP is reflected. Furthermore, based on the reflected activity amount, the emissions can be calculated by multiplying by the emission coefficient for that activity, so that information on both the supply chain emissions and the emissions related to CFP is reflected.

Also, by inputting the activity amount (for example, the supply chain activity amount or the activity amount related to CFP) in S7501, it is possible to execute the processes of S7503 and S7504 without executing S7502, and then execute the processes of S7505 and S7506, so that information on both the supply chain activity amount and the activity amount related to CFP is reflected. Note that the processes of S7505-S7506 may be executed before the processes of S7503-S7504 are executed. Note that, based on the reflected activity amount, emissions may be calculated by multiplying by the emission coefficient for that activity, so that information on both the supply chain emissions and the emissions related to CFP is reflected.

In addition, while the emissions of a scope/category are configured to correspond to the emissions of a CFP breakdown item, it is also possible to configure the activity amount of a scope/category to correspond to the activity amount of a CFP breakdown item.

The operation of function 48 also includes the operations shown in Figures 74, 8, and 38. By visualizing the greenhouse gas emission calculation results and process flow in this way, third-party verification of CFP calculation reports can be facilitated. Furthermore, by referencing other companies' CFP calculation reports, a company's own CFP calculation report can be easily created. Furthermore, by allowing multiple certification routes to be set, new certification routes to be forwarded can be easily set, reducing the amount of work required to manage certification routes.

Furthermore, if the scope (including category) or life cycle phase cannot be identified due to unclear registered activity amount items, the ninth function can be used. It is possible to provide an information processing system that includes an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit) that accepts input of activity amounts and items related to the activity amounts related to activities that emit greenhouse gases, an estimation unit 270 that estimates emission coefficients using machine learning based on the items related to the activity amounts, and an emission coefficient presentation unit that presents the estimated emission coefficients.

The execution unit 290, acquisition unit 250, generation unit 260, output unit 240, input unit 220, and estimation unit 270 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 48th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AV1 (Management Pattern 4: P084)]
An information processing system characterized by comprising: an emissions memory unit capable of storing a first amount of direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second amount of indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain; and a fourth amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle (of a target item of a business entity that is at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain); and a management unit that manages a predetermined classification of the third emissions in association with a predetermined life cycle stage of the fourth emissions.
[Item AV2-1]
An information processing system according to Item AV1, comprising: an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount related to a predetermined life cycle stage; an emission intensity storage unit that stores an emission intensity unit for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the stage; a flow creation unit that can create a flow diagram showing the flow of a first stage and a second stage related to the first stage; an emission calculation unit that calculates the greenhouse gas emissions related to the first stage and the greenhouse gas emissions related to the second stage based on the activity amount and the emission intensity unit; and an output unit that outputs the greenhouse gas emissions related to the first stage and the greenhouse gas emissions related to the second stage.
[Item AV2-2]
An information processing system according to Item AV1, comprising: an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount related to a process at a predetermined stage of a life cycle; an emission unit storage unit that stores an emission unit for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the process; a flow creation unit that can create a flow diagram showing the flow of a first process and a second process related to the first process; an emission calculation unit that calculates the greenhouse gas emissions related to the first process and the greenhouse gas emissions related to the second process based on the activity amount and the emission unit; and an output unit that outputs the greenhouse gas emissions related to the first process and the greenhouse gas emissions related to the second process.
[Item AV3]
An information processing system as described in item AV1, characterized in that it comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires first information (e.g., a CFP calculation report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., information on the content to be included in the CFP calculation report); second information related to the CFP calculation; a generation unit that generates a CFP calculation report based on information related to the emissions of a second business entity (another supplier) that coincides with or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; and an output unit that outputs the CFP calculation report.
[Item AV4]
An information processing system according to item AV3, comprising: a certifier setting unit that sets a certifier who checks and certifies the generated CFP valuation report; and a certification path setting unit that enables the setting of multiple certification paths for checking and certifying the CFP valuation report. The information processing system also comprises an access authority granting unit that grants access authority to a third-party verification organization to certify the CFP valuation report.
[Item AV5 (Management Pattern 1)]
An information processing system comprising: a first memory unit that stores a first amount of direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second memory unit that stores a second amount of indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third memory unit that stores a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the business entity; and a fourth memory unit that stores a fourth amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle (of a target item of a business entity that is at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain), wherein the information that is the same as the emission information stored in the third memory unit is stored in the fourth memory unit.
[Item AV6 (Management Pattern 2)]
An information processing system comprising: a first memory unit that stores a first amount of direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second memory unit that stores a second amount of indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third memory unit that stores a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the business entity; and a fourth memory unit that stores a fourth amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle (of a target item of a business entity that is at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain), wherein the specified emission amount stored in the third memory unit is the same as the specified emission amount stored in the fourth memory unit.
[Item AV7 (Management Pattern 3)]
An information processing system characterized by having an emissions memory unit capable of storing a first amount of direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity, a second amount of indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity, a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain, and a fourth amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle (of a target item of a business entity that is at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain), and when storing the third amount of emissions related to a specified classification, storing the fourth amount of emissions related to a specified life cycle stage.

<<GHG/environmental indicator linking function (function no. 49)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 48 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 49.

Users of supply chain emissions (GHG emissions) calculation and visualization systems want to manage both GHG emissions and activity data (quantities related to the scale of a business's activities, such as fuel consumption and energy consumption). Conventional GHG emissions calculation and visualization systems separate the area for inputting data related to GHG emissions (GHG emissions data input area) from the area for inputting data related to environmental indicators (environmental indicator data input area). This is because the GHG emissions data input area is intended to be used for calculating and visualizing GHG emissions, while the environmental indicator data input area is intended to be used for visualizing activity data. When calculating GHG emissions, activity content data and activity data are input (or imported) into the GHG emissions data input area. Meanwhile, when visualizing environmental indicators, the same activity content data and activity data input (or imported) into the GHG emissions data input area are also re-input (or imported). Because the data input areas are separated in this way, the same data must be entered (or imported) twice, making data input (or import) time-consuming. Function 49 aims to provide a system that links the GHG emission data input area with the environmental indicator data input area, reducing the amount of data input (or import) required to calculate and visualize GHG emissions and activity levels. It also aims to provide a system that can appropriately manage GHG emissions and activity levels separately.

First, let us explain the definition of environmental indicators. Environmental indicators are measures that express the burdens associated with various environmental issues. They also quantitatively assess the various impacts that changes in environmental conditions caused by the natural environment have on human life and survival. Furthermore, environmental indicators quantitatively assess the various impacts that changes in environmental conditions caused by human or natural causes have on human life and survival. In this information processing system, various item names can be assigned to environmental indicators. For example, the item names (1) through (15) described in Functions 13 and 34 can be used. It is also possible to change the item name "(1) Climate Change Greenhouse Gas Emissions Index" to "Energy," or to combine "(10) Water Resource Utilization Intensity (Extraction Fee/Available Resource Amount)" and "(12) Fishery Resource Catch Volume" into "Water Resources." These changes can be made by a user with administrator privileges. The administrator, for example, the head office or parent company, can change the item names using the user terminal 100 used by the administrator.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 49th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, classification memory unit), an execution unit 290 (management unit), and an output unit 240. In addition, it includes software configurations for other functions that can be combined with the 49th function.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 includes a first activity memory unit, a second activity memory unit, a third activity memory unit, a fourth activity memory unit, and a fifth activity memory unit. The memory area (data input area) of each memory unit is set within the memory area of the activity amount memory unit, but some of the memory areas may be used as overlapping areas. For example, the areas may be configured so that part of the memory area of the first activity memory unit overlaps part of the memory area of the second activity memory unit, or part of the memory area of the third activity memory unit (the memory area for Scope 3 Category 1) overlaps part of the memory area of the fifth activity memory unit (the energy memory area). In this way, the memory area of the memory unit 230 can be conserved and used.

The first activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores the first activity amount (the numerical value of the first activity), which is the activity amount for Scope 1 of the supply chain emissions calculation (Scope 1 according to the GHG Protocol), and is a GHG emissions data input area. The first activity memory unit stores the first activity amount related to the direct greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity. The first activity memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores first activity information, which is the activity or activity amount related to Scope 1 in the GHG Protocol.

The second activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores second activity amounts (numeric values of second activities) that are activity amounts for Scope 2 of supply chain emissions calculations (Scope 2 according to the GHG Protocol), and is a GHG emissions data input area. The second activity memory unit stores second activity amounts related to direct and/or indirect greenhouse gas emissions by business entities. The second activity memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores second activity information that is activities and activity amounts related to Scope 2 according to the GHG Protocol.

The third activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores the third activity amount (numeric value of the third activity), which is the activity amount for Scope 3 of supply chain emissions calculation (Scope 3 according to the GHG Protocol), and is a GHG emissions data input area. The third activity memory unit stores the third activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain. The third activity memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores third activity information, which is activities or activity amounts related to Scope 3 according to the GHG Protocol.

The fourth activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores the fourth activity amount (fourth activity value), which is the activity amount over the life cycle of the target item for CFP calculation. The fourth activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores the activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire life cycle of the target item, from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling of the product or service that is the target item. The fourth activity memory unit can also store the fourth activity amount related to the life cycle phase of the target item of a business entity that is at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The fourth activity memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores fourth activity information, which is the activity or activity amount related to the target item.

The fifth activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores fifth activity numerical values (fifth activity amount and fifth usage amount) that are the activity amount and usage amount of the target item of the environmental index, and is an environmental index data input area. The fifth activity memory unit is a memory unit that stores the activity amount (in the case of energy) and usage amount (in the case of water resources) related to the target item of the environmental index, such as the target item "energy" or "water resources." The fifth activity memory unit also stores fifth numerical values such as the activity amount and usage amount related to each target item of the environmental index set by a business entity that corresponds to at least one of the upstream and downstream of the supply chain. The fifth activity memory unit may also be a memory unit that stores fifth activity information that is the activity (including usage) and activity amount (usage amount) related to the activity item of the environmental index.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 is the same as the memory unit described for the other functions (particularly function 48), so its description will be omitted. Furthermore, the emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 is the same as the memory unit described for the other functions, so its description will be omitted.

The management unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 manages the activity amount information stored in each memory unit. Four management patterns are explained below. Note that hereafter, the term "activity amount stored in the fifth activity memory unit" refers to the numerical value of the fifth activity as the activity amount, usage amount, input amount, generation amount, output amount, or waste amount.

(Management Pattern 1)
The management unit stores the same information (including substantially the same information) as the activity amount information stored in the third activity memory unit in the fifth activity memory unit. The management unit also stores the same information (including substantially the same information) as the activity amount information stored in the first activity memory unit in the fifth activity memory unit. The management unit also stores the same information (including substantially the same information) as the activity amount information stored in the second activity memory unit in the fifth activity memory unit. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) the supply chain information and the environmental index information.

(Management pattern 2)
The management unit manages the information on the activity amounts by storing the information in the memory unit such that the predetermined activity amount stored in the third activity memory unit and the predetermined activity amount stored in the fifth activity memory unit are the same. The management unit also manages the information on the activity amounts by storing the information in the memory unit such that the predetermined activity amount stored in the first activity memory unit and the predetermined activity amount stored in the fifth activity memory unit are the same. The management unit also manages the information on the activity amounts by storing the information in the memory unit such that the predetermined activity amount stored in the second activity memory unit and the predetermined activity amount stored in the fifth activity memory unit are the same. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) the supply chain information and the environmental index information.

(Management Pattern 3)
The management unit manages information on each activity amount so that, when storing a third activity amount related to a predetermined category, the management unit stores a fifth activity amount related to a predetermined environmental index item. Furthermore, when storing a first activity amount related to a predetermined category, the management unit manages information on each activity amount so that the fifth activity amount related to a predetermined environmental index item is stored. Furthermore, when storing a second activity amount related to a predetermined category, the management unit manages information on each activity amount so that the fifth activity amount related to a predetermined environmental index item is stored. In this way, the execution unit 290 can link (link, interlock) supply chain information and environmental index information.

The classification in management pattern 3 refers to the scope and/or category registered in the classification memory unit. In the case of scope 1, scope 1 is the specified classification. In the case of scope 2, scope 2 is the specified classification. In the case of scope 3, scope 3 is the specified classification. Furthermore, in the case of scope 3, category 1, category 2, category 3, ... category 15 are also specified classifications. Furthermore, in the case of scope 3, category 1 of scope 3, category 2 of scope 3, category 3 of scope 3, ... category 15 of scope 3 are also specified classifications.

(Management Pattern 4)
The management unit manages information on a predetermined classification related to the third activity amount and information on a predetermined environmental index item related to the fifth activity amount by associating them with each other. The management unit also manages information on a predetermined classification related to the first activity amount and information on a predetermined environmental index item related to the fifth activity amount by associating them with each other. The management unit also manages information on a predetermined classification related to the second activity amount and information on a predetermined environmental index item related to the fifth activity amount by associating them with each other. In this way, the execution unit 290 can associate (link, synchronize) supply chain information and environmental index information.

<Linking supply chain activity data with environmental indicator activity data>
This function links the scope and category of supply chain emissions (organizational unit) with the target items of environmental indicators, realizing the linkage of activity data and emissions data between organizations and environmental indicators, and allocating the activity amount of the target items of supply chain emissions calculations to the activity amount of the target items of environmental indicators. Note that after entering the activity amount, it can also be used as a function to allocate the emissions of the target items of supply chain emissions calculations to the emissions of the target items of environmental indicators.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 1 and Energy)
The execution unit 290 associates Scope 3-Category 1 [Purchased products and services] with the environmental indicator item of "Energy" in the environmental indicators.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores, in the fifth activity storage unit, the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "energy," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of Scope 3-Category 1, which is the information of the activity amount stored in the third activity storage unit. The activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "energy," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information of the activity amount of Scope 3-Category 1, may also be stored in the fifth activity storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on the activity amounts by storing in the storage unit the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of Scope 3-Category 1 as the predetermined activity amount stored in the third activity storage unit and the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "energy" as the predetermined activity amount stored in the fifth activity storage unit. The execution unit 290 may manage the information on the activity amounts by storing in the storage unit some information on the activity amount of Scope 3-Category 1 and the activity amount of "energy" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third activity amount related to Scope 3-Category 1, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages information on each activity amount so as to store the fifth activity amount related to “energy,” which is a predetermined environmental index item. The timing of storing the activity amounts does not need to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 3-Category 1, which is information on a predetermined classification related to the third amount of activity, in association with information on “energy,” which is information on a predetermined environmental indicator item related to the fifth amount of activity.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 9 and Energy)
As in the above-mentioned "Example of Scope 3 - Category 1 and Energy," the execution unit 290 associates Scope 3 - Category 9 [Transportation, Distribution (Downstream)] with the environmental indicator item of "Energy" in the environmental indicators.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 11 and Energy)
As in the above-mentioned "Example of Scope 3 - Category 1 and Energy," the execution unit 290 associates Scope 3 - Category 11 [Use of sold products] with the environmental indicator item "Energy" in the environmental indicators.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 4 and Energy)
As in the above-mentioned "Example of Scope 3 - Category 1 and Energy," the execution unit 290 associates Scope 3 - Category 4 [Transportation, Distribution (Upstream)] with the environmental indicator item "Energy" in the environmental indicators.

(Example of Scope 3 - Category 12 and waste)
The execution unit 290 associates Scope 3-Category 12 [Disposal of sold products] with the environmental indicator item of "Waste" in the environmental indicators.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores in the fifth activity storage unit the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "waste," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of Scope 3-Category 12, which is the activity amount information stored in the third activity storage unit. The activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "waste," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the activity amount information of Scope 3-Category 12, may also be stored in the fifth activity storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on the activity amounts by storing in the storage unit the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of Scope 3-Category 12 as the predetermined activity amount stored in the third activity storage unit and the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "waste" as the predetermined activity amount stored in the fifth activity storage unit. The information on the activity amounts may be managed by storing in the storage unit some information on the activity amount of Scope 3-Category 12 and the activity amount of "waste" so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third activity amount related to Scope 3-Category 12, which is a predetermined classification, the execution unit 290 manages information on each activity amount so as to store the fifth activity amount related to “waste,” which is a predetermined environmental indicator item. The timing of storing the activity amounts does not need to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information on Scope 3-Category 12, which is information on a predetermined classification related to the third amount of activity, in association with information on “waste,” which is information on a predetermined environmental indicator item related to the fifth amount of activity.

(Example of Scope 1, 2 and energy)
The execution unit 290 associates Scopes 1 and 2 (direct emissions, indirect emissions) with the environmental indicator item "energy" in the environmental indicators.
(1) The execution unit 290 stores, in the fifth activity storage unit, the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "energy," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of Scope 1 or 2, which is information on the activity amount stored in the first or second activity storage unit. The activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of "energy," which is the same information (including substantially the same information) as part of the information on the activity amount of Scope 1 or 2, may be stored in the fifth activity storage unit.
(2) The execution unit 290 manages the information on the activity amounts by storing in the storage unit the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of Scope 1 or 2 as the predetermined activity amount stored in the third activity storage unit and the activity amount (including only the activity amount value) of “energy” as the predetermined activity amount stored in the fifth activity storage unit. The information on the activity amounts may be managed by storing in the storage unit some information on the activity amount of Scope 1 or 2 and the activity amount of “energy” so that they are the same.
(3) When storing the third activity amount related to the predetermined category of Scope 1 or 2, the execution unit 290 manages information on each activity amount so as to store the fifth activity amount related to “energy,” which is a predetermined environmental index item. The timing of storing the activity amounts does not need to be the same, and may be different.
(4) The execution unit 290 manages information of Scope 1 or 2, which is information of a predetermined classification related to the third amount of activity, in association with information of “energy,” which is information of a predetermined environmental index item related to the fifth amount of activity.

While an example has been shown in which the activity amount of a scope/category is automatically calculated as the activity amount of an environmental indicator subitem, the activity amount of an environmental indicator subitem can also be automatically calculated and reflected in the scope/category. For example, when storing the third activity amount related to Scope 3-Category 1, the information on each activity amount is managed so that the fifth activity amount related to "energy" is stored. The timing for storing the fifth activity amount is determined by the user operating a "link button" displayed on the user terminal 100, and the information on the third activity amount and the information on the fifth activity amount are linked based on that operation. Reflecting the activity amount of an environmental indicator subitem in the scope/category is also performed based on the operation of the "link button." Note that while an example of a "link button" has been shown, this is not limiting. The link function may be activated when one activity amount is stored, or a recommendation such as "Do you want to link?" may be displayed to the user after one activity amount is stored, and the link function may be activated only if the user agrees.

The execution unit 290 can also indicate which environmental index item a certain scope/category corresponds to, or which scope/category an environmental index item corresponds to.

<Operation>
FIG. 76 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 49th function. The management server 200 stores the activity amount (S7601). The management server 200 determines whether or not it has stored the supply chain activity amount as supply chain information (S7602). Specifically, it determines whether or not it has stored the activity amounts for Scopes 1 to 3. Next, the management server 200 checks the storage unit 230, and if the supply chain activity amount is registered (YES in S7602), it identifies the scope and category (S7603). Note that the management server 200 also identifies the category in the case of Scope 3, but does not identify the category if information for Scope 1 and Scope 2 is registered. Next, the management server 200 identifies the target item of the environmental indicator corresponding to the scope and category identified in S7603 (S7604).

On the other hand, the management server 200 checks the memory unit 230, and if a numerical value related to an environmental indicator (e.g., a value for activity amount, usage amount, input amount, generation amount, emission amount, or waste amount) is registered (NO in S7602), it identifies the target item of the environmental indicator (S7605). Next, the management server 200 identifies the scope and category corresponding to the target item of the environmental indicator identified in S7605 (S7606).

Next, if the data has passed through S7603 and S7604, the management server 200 manages the information on environmental indicator items by linking them with the information on scope and category, which is information on the supply chain (S7607). On the other hand, if the data has passed through S7605 and S7606, the management server 200 manages the information on environmental indicator items by linking them with the information on scope and category, which is information on the supply chain (S7607). The four patterns mentioned above are given as examples of management of linkages.

In this example, inputting information on either supply chain activity volume or activity volume related to an environmental indicator in S7601 links it to the other information. However, by inputting an item in S7601 called "activity volume without specifying a numerical value related to supply chain activity volume or environmental indicator," which is a higher-level concept of activity volume related to supply chain activity volume or environmental indicator, processing can be branched to S7603 and S7605 without executing S7602, thereby reflecting information on both supply chain activity volume and activity volume related to an environmental indicator (which can also be usage volume, input volume, generation volume, emission volume, or waste volume). Based on the reflected activity volume, emissions can be calculated by multiplying it by the emission coefficient for that activity, and information on both supply chain emissions and emissions related to an environmental indicator can be reflected.

Note that in S7601, an example was shown in which inputting information on either supply chain activity volume or activity volume related to environmental indicators links it to the other information. However, if "activity volume that does not specify supply chain activity volume, or a numerical value related to an environmental indicator, or an activity volume related to CFP," which is a higher-level concept of supply chain activity volume, activity volume related to environmental indicators, and activity volume related to CFP, has already been input (registered), processing can be branched to S7603 (S7503) and S7605 (S7505) without executing S7602 (S7502 in the case of Figure 75), so that information on supply chain activity volume, activity volume related to environmental indicators (which can also be usage volume, input volume, generation volume, emission volume, or waste volume), and activity volume related to CFP is reflected. Note that it is sufficient if at least one of the three activity volumes is reflected.

For example, if a parent company or the top-level group company enters a specific activity amount, the supply chain activity amount of subsidiaries and group companies related to the specific activity amount, the activity amount related to environmental indicators, and the activity amount related to CFP will be automatically entered. Specific activity amounts are activity amounts that only need to be registered between the top-level company (such as a parent company) and its lower-level companies (such as subsidiaries). Furthermore, if an electric power company enters activity amounts, the activity amounts of companies that use that electric power company (not necessarily all three activity amounts) may be reflected.

Based on the input of specific activity amounts by other business entities, the management unit stores in the memory unit at least one of the business entity's first activity value, second activity value, third activity value, and environmental indicator value. It is also possible to store all values. In this way, the activity amounts of higher-ranking companies can be reflected in the memory unit of the business entity's information processing system simply by logging in to the information processing system. Based on the reflected activity amounts, emissions can be calculated by multiplying the emissions coefficient for that activity, so that information on both supply chain emissions and emissions related to environmental indicators is reflected.

Also, by inputting emissions (e.g., supply chain emissions or emissions related to environmental indicators) in S7601, processing can be branched to S7603 and S7605 without executing S7602, so that information on both supply chain emissions and emissions related to environmental indicators is reflected.

Also, by inputting the activity amount (for example, the supply chain activity amount or the activity amount related to an environmental index) in S7601, it is possible to execute the processes of S7603 and S7604 without executing S7602, and then execute the processes of S7605 and S7606, so that information on both the supply chain activity amount and the activity amount related to an environmental index is reflected. Note that the processes of S7605-S7606 may be executed before the processes of S7603-S7604 are executed. Note that, based on the reflected activity amount, emissions may be calculated by multiplying by the emission coefficient for that activity, so that information on both the supply chain emissions and the emissions related to an environmental index is reflected.

In addition, while the activity amount of a scope/category is configured to correspond to the activity amount of a breakdown item of an environmental indicator, it is also possible to configure it so that the emissions of a scope/category correspond to the emissions of a breakdown item of an environmental indicator.

Function 49's operation can also be combined with function 48. This allows for the linkage management of supply chain activity volume, CFP activity volume, and environmental indicator activity volume. Furthermore, supply chain emissions, CFP emissions, and environmental indicator emissions can be linked and managed. Function 48 also includes the operations shown in Figures 74, 8, and 38. By visualizing the greenhouse gas emission calculation results and process flow in this way, third-party verification of CFP calculation reports can be facilitated. Furthermore, a company's own CFP calculation report can be easily created by referencing other companies' CFP calculation reports. Furthermore, by allowing multiple certification routes to be set, new forwarding certification routes can be easily set, reducing the labor required for managing certification routes.

Function No. 9 can also be used when the scope (including category) or environmental indicator item cannot be identified due to unclear items related to the registered activity amount. For example, a storage unit capable of storing numerical values for a first activity related to the business entity's direct greenhouse gas emissions, numerical values for a second activity related to the business entity's indirect greenhouse gas emissions, numerical values for a third activity related to the greenhouse gas emissions of other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain, and numerical values related to the environmental indicators; a management unit that links and manages predetermined categories related to the first activity, second activity, and/or third activity with predetermined items related to the environmental indicators; an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions; and a storage unit that stores numerical values related to the activities that emit greenhouse gases. It is possible to provide an information processing system that includes an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit) that accepts input of activity amount and items related to the activity amount (environmental index items), an estimation unit 270 that estimates an emission coefficient using machine learning based on the items related to the activity amount, an emission coefficient presentation unit that presents the estimated emission coefficient, a calculation unit that can calculate third emissions and fifth emissions based on the estimated emission coefficient and activity amount (can also calculate first emissions and second emissions), and a management unit that manages the emissions of a predetermined category related to the third emissions in relation to the emissions of a predetermined environmental index item related to the fifth emissions.

Function 49 links the GHG emission data input area and the environmental indicator data input area. When activity content data and activity amount data are entered (or imported) to calculate GHG emissions, this data is transferred to the area for entering data related to environmental indicators, and the same values are registered. A template is registered in advance, and when data for a specific item (e.g., activity amount) is imported, data (e.g., information such as activity amount and emissions) is registered for both GHG emissions and environmental indicators. When data registered in the environmental indicator data input area (e.g., activity amount for an energy item) is updated, the activity amount data for the same item registered in the GHG emission data input area is automatically updated. Data such as activity amount and emissions is not linked to specific environmental items unrelated to GHG emissions (e.g., environmental indicator items that do not emit GHG).

The calculation flow for function 49 consists of the following steps. In the first step, environmental indicator data is input (or imported) into the environmental indicator data input area. In the second step, of the environmental indicator data input (or imported) into the environmental indicator data input area, the data necessary to calculate GHG emissions is reflected in the GHG emissions data input area. In the third step, GHG emissions are calculated based on the data reflected in the GHG emissions data input area.

Function No. 49 also provides an area for registering the number of units of a product produced, and by linking this area with the GHG emission data input area, it has the added functionality of allowing a business to calculate its own emission intensity based on the GHG emissions and number of units produced of the target product.

The execution unit 290, acquisition unit 250, generation unit 260, output unit 240, input unit 220, and estimation unit 270 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 49th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AW1 (Management Pattern 4: P096)]
an information processing system comprising: a memory unit (activity amount memory unit) capable of storing numerical values of a first activity (Scope 1) related to direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity, a second activity (Scope 2) related to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity, a third activity (Scope 3) related to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain, a fourth activity (CFP) related to greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle, and numerical values related to environmental indicators (activity amount, usage amount, input amount, generation amount, emission amount, and waste amount of environmental indicators); and a management unit that, when any numerical value of the first activity, the second activity, the third activity, or the environmental indicator is stored, manages a predetermined classification related to the first activity, the second activity, and/or the third activity in association with a predetermined item related to the environmental indicator.
[Item AW2]
An information processing system according to item AW1, characterized in that, based on input of a specific amount of activity, at least one numerical value among the numerical value of the first activity, the numerical value of the second activity, the numerical value of the third activity, and the numerical value related to the environmental index is stored in the memory unit.
[Item AW3 (Management Pattern 1)]
an information processing system comprising: a first activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a first activity (Scope 1) related to direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a second activity (Scope 2) related to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a third activity (Scope 3) related to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain; a fourth activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a fourth activity (CFP) related to greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle; and a fifth activity memory unit that stores numerical values related to environmental indicators (of target items of business entities located at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain), wherein the information on activity amounts stored in the third activity memory unit is the same as the information on activity amounts stored in the fifth activity memory unit.
[Item AW4 (Management Pattern 2)]
an information processing system comprising: a first activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a first activity (Scope 1) related to direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a second activity (Scope 2) related to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a third activity (Scope 3) related to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain; a fourth activity memory unit that stores numerical values for a fourth activity (CFP) related to greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle; and a fifth activity memory unit that stores numerical values related to environmental indicators (of target items of business entities located at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain), wherein the predetermined activity amount stored in the third activity memory unit and the predetermined numerical value (activity amount) stored in the fifth activity memory unit are the same.
[Item AW5 (Management Pattern 3)]
An information processing system comprising: a memory unit (activity amount memory unit) capable of storing numerical values for a first activity (scope 1) relating to direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second activity (scope 2) relating to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third activity (scope 3) relating to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain; a fourth activity (CFP) relating to life cycle greenhouse gas emissions; and an environmental indicator (for a target item of a business entity located at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain); and when storing a third activity amount relating to a specified classification, the information processing system also stores a fifth activity amount relating to a specified environmental indicator item.
[Item AW6]
an information processing method (and a program for causing a computer to execute the method), characterized in that a computer executes the following steps: storing at least one numerical value of a first activity related to direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity, a second activity related to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity, a third activity related to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain, and an environmental indicator; and, when any numerical value of the first activity, the second activity, the third activity, or the environmental indicator has been stored, managing a predetermined classification related to the first activity, the second activity, and/or the third activity in association with a predetermined item related to the environmental indicator.

<<Environmental indicator template function (50th function)>>
Next, although some of the configurations have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 49 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 50.

Businesses prepare and publish sustainability reports to inform stakeholders of how they are addressing social issues such as the environment and human rights. The environmental initiatives in sustainability reports primarily explain the following environmental indicators: "GHG emissions," "air quality," "energy management," "water and wastewater management," "waste and hazardous materials management," and "ecosystem impact." To disclose the impact of climate change on their business in their sustainability reports, businesses use systems to calculate GHG emissions and other environmental indicators (hereafter, environmental indicators other than "GHG emissions" are simply referred to as "environmental indicators"). With the conventional systems used by businesses, when calculating environmental indicators at multiple locations within the same company, each location had to decide which activity items to input or import. This led to issues such as different activity items being input at each location and missing required activity items (Issue 1). Furthermore, when calculating environmental indicators, the units used to display the calculation results differ from business to business, but businesses were unable to freely convert between these units (Issue 2). Furthermore, issue 2 concerns the inability of businesses to freely convert measurement units used in calculation results, despite the fact that measurement units vary by country and region. Furthermore, among the activity items used to calculate GHG emissions, many of those required to calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions are common to those used to calculate environmental indicators (hereinafter referred to as "common activity items"). Examples of common activity items include energy resource consumption and water resource consumption. In conventional systems used by businesses, the data area for inputting or importing activity items required to calculate GHG emissions is separate from the data area for inputting or importing activity items required to calculate environmental indicators. Therefore, even common activity items must be input or imported separately into each data area. This results in duplicate input or import work (issue 3).

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 50th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 has the same functions as the 17th function. For example, it includes a memory unit 230 (base information memory unit, reduction standard memory unit, reduction target memory unit), an execution unit 290 (reduction target registration unit, template registration unit), an input unit 220 (base information input unit, template input unit, industry input unit), an output unit 240 (proposal unit), and an analysis unit 280. The management server 200 also has the same functions as the 49th function. For example, it includes a memory unit 230 (emission amount memory unit, activity amount memory unit, emission coefficient memory unit, classification memory unit), an execution unit 290 (management unit), and an output unit 240. Since the software configurations for these functions have been described in the 17th and 49th functions, the following description will mainly focus on the differences from the 17th and 49th functions. In addition, it includes the software configurations of other functions that can be combined with the 50th function.

The base information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores, for each business entity related to a certain business entity, base information indicating the base of the other business entity. The base information may be the locations and names of multiple companies. For example, the base information may be the locations and names of related companies consisting of multiple companies, such as a company (first business entity) that manufactures and sells the target product, a company (second business entity) that manufactures and sells parts for the target product handled by the first business entity, and a company (third business entity) that manufactures and sells parts (child parts and grandchild parts) that make up the parts (parent parts) of the target product handled by the second business entity. Related companies are a group made up of multiple companies that provide each part in a BOM (bill of materials that lists information about parts required to manufacture a product). The base information may be configured to include related information indicating that these multiple business entities are related.

The reduction standard memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores information (reduction standard information) related to standard reduction rates for greenhouse gas emissions (reduction targets set by many companies). The reduction standard information can include reduction rates associated with environmental indicators. For environmental indicators, the classification of the environmental indicators can also be included.

The reduction target memory unit is a memory unit 230 that stores information (reduction target information) regarding the emission reduction targets set by the company, and is the same as function 49.

The template registration unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 registers and stores templates into which information related to environmental indicators can be input. Information related to environmental indicators is information included in the first information, such as activity items, activity amounts, and categories related to environmental indicators. The first information is, for example, an emissions report that contains information related to emissions, and details will be explained in the third function. The emissions report is also a template used by each business entity when registering emissions.

The base information input unit, which constitutes the input unit 220, accepts input of base information. The base information input unit can be used to input information using a specific user terminal 100. An example of a specific user terminal 100 is a user terminal 100 used by an administrator of multiple user terminals 100 (e.g., a head office, a parent company, or a first business entity). The base information input unit inputs the names of branches of the same company, group companies, and associated companies. In the case of the same company, the names of the Tokyo branch and Osaka branch can be input. In the case of group companies, the names of the parent company, subsidiary, or second-tier subsidiary can be input. In the case of associated companies, the names of the company that manufactures the target product or the company that manufactures parts for the target product can be input. By inputting base information, related information is set indicating that these multiple business entities are related bases or companies. In other words, the multiple business entities are set as related bases (associated companies) or bases belonging to a group. Bases for which related information has been set can refer to and use templates used by other bases to register emissions when registering emissions. If the base information is used as scale information, the scale information can also be entered in the base information input section.

The template input section that constitutes the input unit 220 accepts input of information related to environmental indicators into the template. The input unit 220 allows input of the same input items (same input method) as some of the information related to supply chain emissions as information related to environmental indicators. The same input items include "enter base name" and "activity items." An input method that differs from information related to supply chain emissions is, for example, when entering input specifying the activity content, "enter environmental indicator items" instead of "enter scope and category."

Another input method that differs from the input method for information related to supply chain emissions is "category input" and "label input," which are not included in the input method for information related to supply chain emissions. Categories include major, medium, and minor categories. For example, if the environmental indicator is "energy," the details for the major category can be set by selecting either "thermal energy" or "electric energy." If "electric energy" is selected as the major category, the details for the medium category can be set by selecting either "purchased electricity," "self-generated electricity," or "other electricity." If "purchased electricity" is selected as the medium category, the details for the minor category can be set by selecting either "purchased electricity during the day" or "purchased electricity at night." These category details are added and configured in advance by each administrator, and users other than administrators can only use the categories added in advance. However, users other than administrators may also be allowed to add categories. Even if users other than administrators can add categories, administrators (e.g., parent companies) can aggregate categories added by users other than administrators (e.g., subsidiaries) by setting the aggregation setting to "Do not aggregate or aggregate to other" to aggregate without affecting the aggregation of the category they originally wanted to check. Additionally, categories added by the administrator can be reflected in the calculation using the "calculation flag." For example, if the calculation flag is set to Off, calculation will not be performed, or it can be set to "Other." By setting categories in this way, administrators and users other than the administrator can calculate activity levels and emissions for detailed items (categories).

Another input method that differs from information related to supply chain emissions is, for example, entering the units of input data (hereinafter referred to as input units). Users can set the input units of environmental indicators as they wish. These input units can be changed using the unit conversion function. If a gap is anticipated between the expected aggregation unit (for example, the specified unit for calculation results or approval applications) and the specified input unit, unit conversion can be performed to fill that gap. The source is the input unit of the input data (the specified unit), and the destination is the specified aggregation unit (the specified unit). A conversion button is displayed and the conversion is performed based on the user's button operation, but if the input unit and aggregation unit match, the conversion button is hidden. In this way, function 50 allows you to freely convert the units used in the calculation results.

The template input unit can input information related to environmental indicators using a specific user terminal 100 or a user terminal 100 other than the specific user terminal 100. Examples of information related to environmental indicators include classification, usage amount, input amount, generation amount, discharge amount, activity amount, and waste amount. Note that, during processing by the template registration unit, input is possible on user terminals 100 at bases registered by the specific user terminal 100, but input is not possible on user terminals 100 at bases not registered by the specific user terminal 100. Rather than making input impossible, it is also possible to make it impossible to select and use the template itself. If a specific user terminal 100 has not registered a base, input is not possible, even for bases belonging to the group (each branch, subsidiary, sub-subsidiary, or associated company).

The industry input section that constitutes the input unit 220 accepts input of industry. The industry input section is intended to accept the industry of the company that is trying to set a reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposal unit constituting the output unit 240 proposes reduction targets. The proposal unit can propose standard reduction targets for the industry and base to the user by reading the reduction rates corresponding to the accepted industry and base (including affiliated companies) from the reduction standard storage unit and sending them to the user terminal 100. The proposal unit can read the reduction rates by scope, environmental index, or component corresponding to the industry and base from the reduction standard storage unit, and propose and present the read standard reduction rates by scope, environmental index, or component as the user's target reduction rates.

The reduction target registration unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, registers the reduction targets of companies and bases (including affiliated companies) in the reduction target memory unit.

The analysis unit 280 can analyze the reduction targets stored in the reduction target storage unit to create standard reduction targets. The analysis unit 280 performs analysis by environmental indicator, industry, scale, attribute, scope, and category, and can add or update the environmental indicator, industry, base, scale, attribute, scope, category, base year, target year, and reduction rate resulting from the analysis to the reduction standard storage unit.

Figure 77 is a diagram explaining the details of S2504 in the process of registering a template in Figure 25 (processing in the template registration section). Note that Figure 77 is explained as a subroutine of the process of accepting input items in S2504. The management server 200 accepts the activity content (environmental indicator) (S2504-1). Environmental indicators include energy and water resources. The user sets one of these items, and the management server 200 accepts the item set by the user as the environmental indicator. Next, the management server 200 accepts the category (S2504-2). The category can be a large category, a medium category, or a small category. Next, the management server 200 accepts the units of the input data (S2504-3). Next, the management server 200 determines whether it has accepted a request to perform unit conversion (S2504-4). If unit conversion has been accepted (YES in S2504-4), the unit conversion method is accepted (S2505-5). On the other hand, if unit conversion has not been accepted (NO in S2504-4), the process proceeds to S2505-6. Next, the management server 200 accepts label input (S2505-6). Next, the management server 200 proceeds to S2505 in FIG. 25.

At the base (business entity) accepted by the management server 200 in S2504, for example, a base belonging to an affiliated company, the registered template can be used to input and register the required items in the template, without the need to register a new template using the user terminal 100. Furthermore, at bases belonging to a specific group (including affiliated companies), the registered template is used to input activity items for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to environmental indicators, but this input can be limited to inputting only the necessary activity items. Furthermore, if there is an approver who checks the input content, using the template makes the approval process easier, as they only need to check the minimum amount of information that has been entered.

Administrators can also register new templates by copying existing templates. When registering a new template, the management server 200 restricts the registration of a new template with the same name as the original template. This configuration prevents the original template from being overwritten. When copying, the management server 200 sets the base registered in the original template as the new template. This configuration eliminates the need to register new bases. Administrators can also assign specific templates to specific bases (including affiliated companies). This assignment can also be canceled. Administrators and users other than administrators (such as branches, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies) can add items using the assigned template when registering greenhouse gas emissions related to the environmental indicators of their respective bases. When administrators and users other than administrators (such as branches, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies) register greenhouse gas emissions related to the environmental indicators of their respective bases, a distinction is made between activity items reflected from the assigned template and activity items entered individually. For example, the background colors of the activity items are different. Administrators can automatically apply templates to specific bases. You are not limited to one template; multiple templates can be set.

The management server 200 can also accept input of the user's industry from the user terminal 100, read the standard reduction target corresponding to the accepted industry from the reduction standard memory unit, and propose the read reduction target to the user.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can propose standard reduction targets according to industry to users who are trying to set reduction targets.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the trend of target reduction rates disclosed by companies and the like is constant, but changes in trend may also be taken into consideration. For example, the analysis unit 280 may analyze the trend of increases or decreases in the target reduction rate for each company (business entity). In this case, the reduction target storage unit stores information indicating the time when the company disclosed its reduction target (e.g., year, month, or date) in association with the reduction target.

In this case, the suggestion unit can correct the proposed reduction rate (or the statistical value if multiple reduction rates match) according to the trend and propose the corrected statistical value. For example, if the reduction rate is on the rise, the proposed reduction rate can be increased according to the degree of that increase.

The 50th function is an activity template function used when calculating environmental indicators, and has the following functions.
(1) It is possible to select the indicators to be calculated, such as energy and water resources.
(2) It is possible to set the classification into large, medium and small.
(3) The unit of input data can be set.
(4) Labels can be set.
(5) When accounting data or activity data is imported, it can be sorted into GHG emissions and environmental indicators. Two templates (GHG template and environmental indicator template) can be applied to one record (one data source), and two outputs can be produced. Instead of sorting, the registration flow of activity data can be data import → registration to environmental indicators → registration to GHG emissions.
(6) Unit conversion can be set and a unit conversion function is provided. For example, when calculating the amount of water resources used, it is possible to freely set whether the result should be expressed in "kiloliters" or "cubic meters," and it is possible to freely convert between "kiloliters" and "cubic meters."
(7) Since units used vary depending on the country or region, input units can be freely changed. For example, calculations in Japan can be made to express water usage in "kiloliters," while calculations in the United States can be made to express water usage in "gallons." Businesses can also freely set up unit conversion masters and set up unit conversion logic. Conversion is possible by setting the source unit (e.g., kiloliters) and destination unit (e.g., gallons) and then setting a conversion formula.
(8) It has a function to link the GHG emission data area with the environmental indicator data area.

Such a fiftieth function has the following effects.
(1) The environmental indicator template function allows you to import activity item data in the same way as when calculating GHG emissions.
(2) The unit conversion function allows calculation results to be expressed in a way that is appropriate for the business or country/region.
(3) The function of linking the GHG emission data input area and the environmental indicator data input area makes it possible to eliminate duplicated input or import work.

The input unit 220, output unit 240, analysis unit 280, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 50th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AX1 (P100)]
an information processing system comprising: a memory unit (activity amount memory unit) capable of storing numerical values for a first activity (scope 1) relating to direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity; a second activity (scope 2) relating to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity; a third activity (scope 3) relating to greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain; a fourth activity (CFP) relating to greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle; and numerical values relating to environmental indicators (activity amount, usage amount, input amount, generation amount, emission amount, and waste amount of the environmental indicators); and a template registration unit that registers templates into which information related to the environmental indicators (e.g., classification, usage amount, input amount, generation amount, emission amount, activity amount, and waste amount) can be input.
[Item AX2]
The information processing system according to item AX1, further comprising: a management unit that, when any one of the numerical values of the first activity, the second activity, the third activity, and the numerical value related to the environmental index is stored, manages a predetermined classification related to the first activity, the second activity, and/or the third activity in association with a predetermined item related to the environmental index.
[Item AX3]
An information processing system according to item AX1, comprising: a base information storage unit that stores at least base information of a first business entity and a second business entity that constitute a supply chain; a template registration unit that registers a template into which information related to the environmental indicators set by the first business entity can be input; and an input unit that enables the second business entity to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template.
[Item AX4]
Item AX3: The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the template registration unit is capable of registering the second business entity as a business entity related to the first business entity, and when the second business entity is registered as a business entity related to the first business entity, the second business entity is enabled to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template; whereas when the second business entity is not registered as a business entity related to the first business entity, the second business entity is disabled to input information related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity using the template.
[Item AX5]
An information processing system comprising: an emissions memory unit that can store a first amount of direct greenhouse gas emissions by a business entity, a second amount of indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the business entity, a third amount of greenhouse gas emissions by other business entities located upstream or downstream in the business entity's supply chain, and emissions related to an environmental indicator; and a template registration unit that registers templates into which information related to the environmental indicators (e.g., classification, amount used, amount input, amount generated, amount emitted, amount of activity, amount disposed of).
[Item AX6]
An information processing system according to item AX5, comprising a management unit that manages a predetermined classification related to the third emissions in association with a predetermined item related to the environmental index.

<<Graph adjustment function>>
Next, an example of a configuration further applicable to the aforementioned function 20 will be described in detail below. In a carbon dioxide emissions calculation and visualization system, carbon dioxide emissions for Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 are calculated and displayed in a graph. Because Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions tend to be higher than Scope 1 and Scope 2 for service-related businesses other than energy-related businesses, the Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions graph is highlighted on the system's dashboard screen compared to the Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions graphs. Highlighting the Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions graph on the dashboard screen reduces the visibility of the Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions graphs. Therefore, when users of the system check the Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions graphs, they must enlarge the graphs, resulting in a lack of dashboard functionality that "displays multiple pieces of information in an easy-to-understand manner." This problem can be addressed using a graph adjustment function, which is described below.

The software configuration of the management server 200 for the graph adjustment function includes the configuration of the 20th function as well as an execution unit 290 (adjustment unit).

The graph adjustment function changes the graph display style and scale depending on the system user's industry. We will use an example where Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions are greater than Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions are 33,333 tCO2 for Scope 3, 1,111 tCO2 for Scope 1, and 2,222 tCO2 for Scope 2. In this example, the X-axis of the bar graph displays Scope 1 on the left, Scope 2 in the middle, and Scope 3 on the right. The Y-axis displays carbon dioxide emissions (tCO2) in increments of 5,000 tCO2, such as 0, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, and 35,000. In this example, the Scope 1 and Scope 2 values are displayed as smaller values than the Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions value, resulting in a digit difference (hereinafter referred to as "digit difference"). However, the values may be the same even if the X-axis and Y-axis are swapped. The graph adjustment function can also be applied when displaying a graph showing activity levels.

When the graph in this example is displayed, the user moves the cursor displayed on the user terminal 100 to the carbon dioxide emission graph for Scope 1 or the carbon dioxide emission graph for Scope 2. If the screen of the user terminal 100 is a touch sensor screen, the user touches the carbon dioxide emission graph for Scope 1 or Scope 2. At this time, the adjustment unit automatically changes (varies, expands) the graph display mode and scale. For example, the adjustment unit enlarges the graphs for Scope 1 and 2 and shrinks the graph for Scope 3, thereby balancing the display of each graph.

The adjustment unit aligns (subdivides) the scale units in accordance with the zooming in and out of the graph. The scale units are aligned by subdividing the display up to 10,000 tCO2, which is the minimum five-digit value, representing the number of digits (four digits) for Scope 1 and Scope 2 plus one digit. For example, the scale is displayed in thousand increments, such as 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, ..., 9,000, 10,000. The scale from 10,000 tCO2 to 40,000 tCO2 (values larger than the Scope 3 value and with convenient increments) is displayed in ten-thousand increments (the number of digits for Scope 1 and 2 plus one digit), such as 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000. The scale units for Scope 3 do not need to be changed, and may be displayed in 5,000 increments within the range of 0 to 35,000 tCO2. Furthermore, it is preferable that the display interval of one scale mark (the length of one scale mark in 1000 divisions) in the range displaying carbon dioxide emissions for Scope 1 and 2 on the graph be adjusted by the adjustment unit to be larger (longer) than the display interval of one scale mark (the length of one scale mark in 10,000 divisions) in the range displaying carbon dioxide emissions for Scope 3. By displaying in this manner, it is possible to improve the visibility of graphs with small values of carbon dioxide emissions. Note that if the number of digits for Scope 1 and Scope 2 differs, the adjustment unit will subdivide at least the scale mark for the smaller value.

In addition, when the cursor is placed on the carbon dioxide emissions graph for Scope 3, the adjustment unit may automatically change (reduce) the graph display mode and scale. An example has been shown in which the carbon dioxide emissions of one scope differ from the carbon dioxide emissions of another scope by an order of magnitude, but the graph adjustment function may also be executed when the carbon dioxide emissions of one scope are a predetermined multiple or more (for example, three times) of the carbon dioxide emissions of another scope.

The same can be applied when the carbon dioxide emissions in Scope 1 or Scope 2 are greater than the carbon dioxide emissions in Scope 3. Examples have been given of determining that Scope 3 has greater carbon dioxide emissions than Scope 1 or Scope 2, or that Scope 1 or Scope 2 has greater carbon dioxide emissions than Scope 3, but by setting the industry of the system user, it is also possible to display a graph appropriate for that industry. In this way, the most appropriate graph can be presented.

The graph adjustment function can also be used when comparing and displaying the carbon dioxide emissions of multiple locations (including group companies) on a graph. The graph adjustment function can also be used when comparing and displaying supply chain figures (activity levels and emissions), CFP figures (activity levels and emissions), and environmental indicator figures (activity levels and emissions) on a graph.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the graph adjustment function will be described using FIG. 78 . The management server 200 stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each calculation target in the emission coefficient storage unit (S7801). Next, the management server 200 acquires the activity amount for the calculation target using the acquisition unit (S7802). Next, the management server 200 calculates the first emission amount corresponding to the first calculation target by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient using the emission calculation unit (S7803). The first calculation target is any of the target items related to Scopes 1 to 3, CFP, and environmental indicators. An example of the first calculation target is a target item related to Scope 3. The first calculation target may also be the target described in the 20th function.

Next, the management server 200 calculates the second emissions corresponding to the second calculation target by multiplying the emission coefficient by the activity amount using the emissions calculation unit (S7804). The second calculation target is a calculation target that is different from the first calculation target and serves as a comparison target, and is any of the target items related to Scopes 1 to 3, CFP, or environmental indicators. While the second calculation target is exemplified as a target item related to Scope 1, it may also be Scope 2, etc. The second calculation target may also be an item described in Function 20.

Next, the management server 200 presents the first and second emissions in a comparable manner using the presentation unit (S7805). An example of a comparable manner is one in which the first and second emissions are displayed side by side in a bar graph for comparison, but it is not limited to these and may also be a pie chart or line graph. Furthermore, comparable manners include various comparison manners, such as a manner in which emissions are displayed numerically for comparison.

Next, the management server 200 determines whether the first emission amount is greater than the second emission amount (S7806). If the first emission amount is greater than the second emission amount (YES in S7806), the management server 200 displays the first form, which is the form of the first emission amount, in a reduced size (S7807). Alternatively, the management server 200 displays the second form, which is the form of the second emission amount, in an enlarged size (S7807). On the other hand, if the first emission amount is less than the second emission amount (NO in S7806), the management server 200 displays the first form, which is the form of the first emission amount, in an enlarged size (S7808). Alternatively, the management server 200 displays the second form, which is the form of the second emission amount, in a reduced size (S7808).

An example of comparing two emissions, Scope 3 and Scope 1, has been shown, but it is not limited to 2, and three emissions, including Scope 2, can be compared and displayed, or emissions of CFP or environmental indicators can be displayed.

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment allows the first and second emissions to be accurately compared and presented to the user. In particular, the display format of the emissions graph is automatically adjusted by simply placing the cursor over it, eliminating the need to enlarge the emissions graph. In addition, the visibility of the emissions graph displayed on the dashboard is improved, allowing users to grasp Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 carbon dioxide emissions at a glance.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system with artificial intelligence (mechanical system) that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The graph adjustment function also includes the following configuration:
[Item T7 (P095)]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each calculation target; an acquisition unit that can acquire an activity amount related to the calculation target; an emission calculation unit that can calculate a first emission amount (e.g., Scope 3 emissions, or other amounts) corresponding to a first calculation target by multiplying a first emission coefficient by the first activity amount, and can calculate a second emission amount (e.g., Scope 1 emissions, or other amounts) corresponding to a second calculation target by multiplying a second emission coefficient by the second activity amount; a presentation unit that presents the first emission amount in a first form (e.g., a form displaying 33,333 tCO2 in a bar graph) and the second emission amount in a second form (e.g., a form displaying 1,111 tCO2 in a bar graph), so that the first emission amount and the second emission amount can be compared; and if the first emission amount is greater than the second emission amount, can present the first emission amount in a different form (e.g., a reduced display in the first form, and an enlarged display in the second form).
[Item T8]
An information processing system according to Item T7, comprising: a scale information storage unit that stores, for each of the business entities, scale information indicating at least one of sales scale and asset scale; and when the emission coefficient corresponding to a first business entity is not registered, the presentation unit reads out the scale information corresponding to the first business entity from the scale information storage unit, refers to the scale information storage unit, and identifies a second business entity corresponding to scale information that matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the identified second business entity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and presents the read-out emission coefficient.

<<CFP hierarchical display function (51st function)>>
Next, although some of the above-mentioned embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-mentioned embodiments of Functions 1 to 50 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 51.

Businesses use GHG emission calculation and visualization systems to calculate GHG emissions from product life cycles (hereinafter referred to as CFP calculations). When calculating CFP, GHG emissions are calculated for each phase of the life cycle and then totaled. Conventional GHG emission calculation and visualization systems allow the product to be calculated for CFP, the process for that product, and the emission source units corresponding to that process to be registered as a single item. However, at the calculation stage, the item names related to the product, the process, and the emission source units are displayed in the same row, creating an issue where process-related items and emission source units cannot be displayed hierarchically. Function 51 aims to provide a system that makes it easier to register the processes and emission source units corresponding to the calculation targets when calculating CFP.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to the user terminal 100 via a communication network.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for function 51 will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (target item memory unit, emissions intensity item memory unit) and an output unit 240 (target item presentation unit, emissions intensity presentation unit, stage presentation unit, process presentation unit). In addition, it includes software configurations for other functions (particularly functions 47 and 48) that can be combined with function 51.

The target item storage unit, which constitutes the storage unit 230, stores items related to target items related to CFP. The target item storage unit stores information related to target items input from the user terminal 100 via the input unit 220 as items related to the target items. Target items are products (goods) and services. A "catalog" is used as an example of a target item. CFP is a system that converts the greenhouse gas emissions emitted throughout the entire lifecycle of a target item, from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling, into CO2 and displays this information in an easy-to-understand manner for products and services. Items related to target items include "product name," "country of origin," and "calculation name." "Product name" is the name of the product being calculated. "Country of origin" is the name of the country where the product is produced. "Calculation name" is the name of data indicating the calculation results for the product name and is the name of the template related to the calculation of the product name. It is also possible to provide an item for "region," which indicates a location in more detail than the country of origin, and an item for "calculation status," which indicates whether the calculation is in progress or has been completed.

The emission intensity item memory unit that constitutes memory unit 230 stores items related to emission intensity for CFP. Items related to emission intensity include at least "emission intensity." The emission intensity item memory unit also stores items related to the life cycle phases (items related to stages) and processes (items related to steps) for CFP. Items related to life cycle phases are "raw material procurement," "production," "distribution/sales," "use/maintenance," and "disposal/recycling." If the item related to the life cycle phase is "raw material procurement," the items related to the process are "raw materials (process of material)" and "transport (process of process)." If the item related to the life cycle phase is "production," the items related to the process are "manufacturing (process of process)," "packaging (process of process)," "waste (process of material)," "transport (process of process)," and "waste treatment (process of process)." When the item related to the life cycle phase is "Distribution/Sales," the items related to the process are "Transportation (Process of Operation)," "Sales (Process of Operation)," "Waste (Material Process)," "Transportation (Process of Operation)," and "Waste Treatment (Process of Operation)." When the item related to the life cycle phase is "Use/Maintenance," the items related to the process are "Transportation (Process of Operation)," "Use (Process of Operation)," and "Waste (Material Process)." When the item related to the life cycle phase is "Disposal/Recycling," the items related to the process are "Transportation (Process of Operation)" and "Waste Treatment (Process of Operation)." Note that for each item stored in the emission intensity item memory unit, the emission intensity in the emission intensity memory unit (emission coefficient memory unit) is stored corresponding to the item.

The target item presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents items related to the target items for which life cycle calculation is to be performed that are stored in the target item storage unit. For example, if the product is a "catalog,"
On the first line, write "Product name, Country of origin, Calculation name"
On the second line, state "Catalogue Japan 2023 Catalogue."

In the case of a conventional information processing system, the items related to the target items are as follows:
On the first line, write "Product name, Country of origin, Calculation name"
The second line states "Raw Material Japan Ink A."

In this way, "raw materials," an item related to a process, is displayed as an item related to the target item, and the actual target item and the raw materials that make up the target item (raw materials that should be in the hierarchical level below the target item) are displayed at the same level, making the process of registering the process corresponding to the target item for calculation difficult and complicated for users.

The emission intensity presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents at least items related to the emission intensity of the CFP. For example, if the product is a "catalog," the items related to the emission intensity may be the emission intensity of paper A shown below.
(1) Phase (item related to life cycle phase): Raw material procurement (2) Process (item related to process): Raw materials (3) Name: Paper A
(4) Emissions intensity (items related to emissions intensity): 0.01 tCO2/sheet

Furthermore, if there is a paper B in addition to the paper A, the emission intensity of the paper B shown below is displayed.
(1) Phase (items related to life cycle phases): raw material procurement,
(2) Process (items related to the process): raw materials,
(3) Name: Paper B,
(4) Emissions intensity (items related to emissions intensity): 0.02 tCO2/sheet

The stage presentation section that constitutes the output unit 240 presents the phases (items related to the life cycle phases) related to the target item. The stage presentation section shows the same example as the emissions intensity presentation section, and is configured so that the emissions intensity presentation section can perform the functions of the stage presentation section. Note that the stage presentation section only needs to display at least the phase (stage) and emissions intensity.

The process presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents the process (items related to the process) related to the target item. The process presentation unit shows the same example as the emission intensity presentation unit, and is configured so that the emission intensity presentation unit can substitute for the function of the process presentation unit. Note that the process presentation unit only needs to display at least the process (procedure) and the emission intensity.
<Operation>
FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 51st function. The management server 200 stores (registers) items related to the target items for life cycle calculation in the target item storage unit (S7901). Next, the management server 200 stores (registers) items related to the emission intensity units for the target items for life cycle calculation in the emission intensity unit item storage unit (S7902). Next, the management server 200 stores (registers) items related to the phases (stages) of the target items for life cycle calculation in the emission intensity unit item storage unit (S7903). Next, the management server 200 stores (registers) items related to the processes (steps) of the target items for life cycle calculation in the emission intensity unit item storage unit (S7904). Next, the management server 200 presents items related to the target items and items related to emission intensity units in a distinguishable manner (S7905). Next, the management server 200 presents items related to the target items and items related to phases in a distinguishable manner (S7906). Next, the management server 200 presents items related to the target item and items related to the process in a distinguishable manner (S7907).

Function 51 presents (displays) items related to the target items for CFP calculation separately from items related to emissions intensity units. An example of presenting items separately is shown below, where items related to emissions intensity units are displayed in the row below the row where items related to the target items are displayed. However, it is sufficient if the display area for items related to the target items and the display area for items related to emissions intensity units are displayed separately. Note that even if they are displayed separately, it is preferable to display items related to the target items and items related to emissions intensity units in a way that they are related.

For example, present the items related to the target items and the items related to the emission intensity as follows:

Product name Country of production Calculation name Phase Process Name Emissions intensity catalogue Japan 2023 catalogue - - - -
Raw material procurement Raw material Paper A 0.01

In this way, by displaying items related to the target item in the line below the item name, and then displaying items related to emissions intensity in the line below that, it is possible to show that these items are related to each other, making it easier for users to identify the differences between the items.

You can also rearrange the emission intensity units displayed in the same row to match the phase of the life cycle. For example, if there are multiple items related to emission intensity units (Form A and Form B), they will be presented as follows:

Product name Country of production Calculation name Phase Process Name Emissions intensity catalogue Japan 2023 catalogue - - - -
Raw material procurement Raw material Paper A 0.01
Manufacturing Energy Processing 0.05
Raw material procurement Raw material Paper B 0.02

If you want to set the rows for the target items in the lifecycle phase of raw materials procurement, sort them as follows:

Product name Country of production Calculation name Phase Process Name Emissions intensity catalogue Japan 2023 catalogue - - - -
Raw material procurement Raw material Paper A 0.01
Raw material procurement Raw material Paper B 0.02
Manufacturing Energy Processing 0.05

By sorting in this way, it is easy to distinguish between the phases and emissions intensity units that correspond to the calculation targets, making the registration process easier. Note that it is also possible to not display rows where the phase is manufacturing. Also, as with phases, it is possible to sort the emissions intensity units displayed in the same row to match the process.

Alternatively, a tree structure may be prepared in advance and emissions intensity units may be registered in this. Furthermore, the flow diagram for function 48 may be configured as a tree structure and emissions intensity units may be registered in this flow diagram. By registering emissions intensity units in this tree structure or flow diagram, the task of registering emissions intensity units can be made easier.

Alternatively, a general lifecycle phase and process format for each product can be prepared and emissions intensity data can be registered in this format. Here, we will use an example of calculating GHG emissions for the "Raw Materials Procurement" lifecycle phase of the "Catalog" product. The names of the items related to the emissions intensity corresponding to the "Catalog" product and the "Raw Materials Procurement" lifecycle phase, "Paper," "Ink," and "Aluminum," are registered together. For the "Paper" raw material, Paper A, Paper B, and Paper C are registered, and the corresponding emissions intensity (emission coefficient) for each is registered. For the "Ink" raw material, multiple types, Ink 1 to Ink 10, are also registered, and the corresponding emissions intensity (emission coefficient) for each is registered. Furthermore, for the "Aluminum" raw material, multiple types, Aluminum 1 to Aluminum 5, are also registered, and the corresponding emissions intensity (emission coefficient) for each is registered. By rearranging the data in this way, it is easy to register various items corresponding to the product being calculated.

In addition, the items relating to the emission intensity may be set to be selectable in order as follows.
(Step 1) Select the type of raw material "paper." Select one of the following items from Paper A, Paper B, or Paper C using a drop-down menu or other selection method.
(Step 2) Select the type of raw material "ink." Select one item from Ink 1 to Ink 10 using a selection method such as a drop-down menu.
(Step 3): Select the type of raw material "aluminum." Select one item from Aluminum 1 to Aluminum 5 using a drop-down selection method or similar.
Thereafter, by repeating the same settings for each life cycle, the CFP calculation for the product "catalog" can be completed. By selecting items related to emission intensity in this way, it becomes easier to register the emission intensity corresponding to the calculation target.

The input unit 220 and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 51st function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AY1 (P097)]
An information processing system comprising: a target item presentation unit capable of presenting items related to target items that are subject to life cycle calculation; an emission intensity presentation unit capable of presenting items related to emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the target items; and a distinction presentation unit that presents the items related to the target items and the items related to the emission intensity units in a distinguishable manner.
[Item AY2]
The information processing system according to item AY1, further comprising: a stage presentation unit capable of presenting items related to a stage (phase) of the life cycle of the target item, wherein the distinguishing presentation unit presents the items related to the target item and the items related to the stage in a distinguishable manner.
[Item AY3]
The information processing system according to item AY1 includes a process presentation unit capable of presenting items related to a process in the life cycle of the target item, wherein the distinguishing presentation unit presents the items related to the target item and the items related to the process in a distinguishable manner.
[Item AY4]
An information processing system according to item AY1, characterized in that the processes include a first process and a second process related to the first process, and the information processing system is equipped with a flow creation unit capable of creating a flow diagram showing the flow of the first process and the second process.

<<Review function>>
Next, we will explain in detail an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the third function described above. CDP (an international nonprofit environmental organization) requires companies and organizations to disclose information about their environmental impacts. Companies and organizations voluntarily respond to the "CDP Environmental Questionnaire" to demonstrate their commitment to disclosing climate change-related information. Reporting companies and organizations incur a significant amount of work to respond to the CDP questionnaire. Furthermore, some companies and organizations lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to respond to the CDP questionnaire, preventing them from starting to prepare their responses and thus missing an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to disclosing climate change-related information. CDP evaluates and ranks the responses prepared by reporting companies and organizations based on predetermined evaluation criteria. Companies that lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to prepare responses face the challenge of finding it difficult to achieve high scores. This issue can be addressed using the review function, which is described below.

The software configuration of the management server 200 for the review function includes a review unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 in addition to the configuration of the third function. The review function can also be combined with functions other than the third function.

The review unit re-examines and reviews environmental reports (e.g., CDP reports) created by users. The review unit can also analyze, score, predict, and add review comments to environmental reports created by users. These actions performed by the review unit are hereinafter referred to as "reviews." Note that environmental reports are also referred to as emissions reports, and emissions reports in other functions are referred to as environmental reports.

The review unit can review the created CDP report. The created CDP report is one created by a user of the first business entity, and is not a report generated by this information processing system. The review unit can also predict the CDP score of the CDP report to be reviewed and provide feedback. The review unit analyzes the content (text, etc.) and volume (number of characters, etc.) of other companies' CDP reports acquired by the acquisition unit 250, for example, the CDP report of a company with an A score, and predicts and provides feedback on the CDP score. The review unit can also provide feedback for each category of the CDP report. By providing feedback in this manner, it is possible to provide CDP reports with higher scores.

The Review Department predicts the CDP score based on the CDP Guidance and Scoring Criteria. The CDP Guidance details the questions and the information to be provided. The Scoring Criteria encourages measurement and management of environmental impacts based on responses to questionnaires related to the environmental indicators of climate change, forestry, and water security. Each CDP questionnaire (climate change, forestry, and water security) has its own scoring criteria.

The review unit can point out items (categories) not included in the CDP report created by the user based on the CDP guidance, scoring criteria, and CDP reports from other companies. The review unit also analyzes the categories in which the CDP reports of A-score companies are highly rated and the reasons for that based on the content of the CDP reports of A-score companies, the CDP guidance, and the scoring criteria, and analyzes the categories in which the CDP reports of users are poorly rated and the reasons for that based on the content of the CDP reports of users, the CDP guidance, and the scoring criteria. The review unit then presents comments on the reasons for the low ratings for categories in the CDP reports created by users that are poorly rated, and presents comments on the reasons for the high ratings for the CDP reports of A-score companies. The presentation is not provided by the review unit, but by the output unit (presentation unit). This configuration allows for feedback that can lead to higher scores.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the review function will be described using FIG. 80. The management server 200 acquires a CDP report containing information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream of the supply chain (S8001). Next, the management server 200 analyzes the CDP report (S8002). The management server 200 also analyzes the CDP report based on the evaluation criteria and predicts the evaluation of the CDP report (S8003). Next, the management server 200 outputs (feeds back) the evaluation of the CDP report predicted by the analysis unit based on the analysis results (S8004). Next, the management server 200 generates a CDP report that reflects the review results based on the analysis results (S8005). Next, the management server 200 presents the CDP report that reflects the review results (S8006).

The management server 200 may also acquire first information including information related to greenhouse gas emissions and second information indicating the attributes of the business entity, and generate a CDP report that reflects the review results based on evaluation criteria that match or are similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity.

Such a review function is configured as follows:
(1) The review function involves the information processing system reading and learning from environmental reports issued by companies and organizations with high CDP scores (organizations that have accumulated the knowledge and know-how necessary to prepare responses to CDP questionnaires, such as the top three organizations in the industry). Learning can also be done through machine learning.
(2) The review function analyzes the environmental report that has been read based on the user's input of instruction information to the information processing system to analyze and respond, and creates a draft response (environmental report) appropriate for the issuing company or organization. For example, machine learning is performed on the response (environmental report) for fiscal year 2022, and a draft response (environmental report) for fiscal year 2023 is created.
(3) The review function reviews the responses prepared by the reporting company or organization in accordance with CDP's evaluation criteria (guidance and scoring criteria). The review function also predicts the CDP's score. Since CDP's scoring includes items that evaluate numerical values and items that evaluate text, this information processing system mainly reviews text and provides feedback on text that is evaluated as having a high score.

With this functionality, even companies and organizations that do not have accumulated knowledge or know-how about responding to CDP questionnaires can easily prepare their responses to CDP questionnaires based on environmental reports issued by companies and organizations with high CDP scores. The review function also enables reporting companies and organizations to improve the scores of their responses.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, generation unit 260, input unit 220, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The review function also includes the following configuration:
[Item C20 (P101)]
An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit (information acquisition unit) that acquires a first environmental report including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream in a supply chain, an analysis unit that analyzes the first environmental report, and an output unit that outputs (feeds back) an evaluation of the first environmental report based on the analysis results (predicted by the analysis unit). Note that the acquisition unit may be an acquisition unit that acquires a first environmental report including information related to environmental indicators by business entities that are upstream or downstream in the supply chain.
[Item C21]
An information processing system according to item C20, wherein the analysis unit analyzes the first environmental report based on evaluation criteria (CDP guidance as information related to the emissions of the second business entity, scoring criteria) and predicts an evaluation (CDP score) of the first environmental report.
[Item C22]
An information processing system according to item C20, comprising an information generation unit that generates a second environmental report reflecting the analysis results (a CDP report reflecting the review results).
[Item C23]
An information processing system according to item C20, wherein the acquisition unit acquires first information including information related to the greenhouse gas emissions and second information indicating the attributes of the business entity, and is equipped with an information generation unit that generates a second environmental report (a CDP report reflecting the review results) based on evaluation criteria (CDP guidance, scoring criteria as information related to the emissions of the second business entity) that match or are similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity, and a presentation unit that presents the second environmental report.

<<Group function in environmental indicator template function>>
Next, an example of a configuration further applicable to the aforementioned 50th function will be described in detail below. The group function in the environmental index template function is an example of a configuration further applicable to the embodiments of the aforementioned 1st to 51st functions, and will be described in detail below as this embodiment. As background technology, greenhouse gas emissions in a supply chain are calculated. As a challenge, there is a demand for easily calculating the greenhouse gas emission status in an environmental index. The purpose of this function is to provide technology that can easily calculate the greenhouse gas emission status in an environmental index.

The software configuration of the management server 200 for the group function in the environmental index template function includes the configuration of function 50, as well as a presentation unit that constitutes the output unit 240. Below, each component will be explained, although some overlapping content will be included. The group function in the environmental index template function can also be combined with functions other than function 50.

The base information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores at least the base information of the first business entity and the second business entity that make up the supply chain. The first business entity is, for example, the head office or parent company. The second business entity is, for example, a base other than the head office, a subsidiary, or a second-tier subsidiary. The base information storage unit is the same as the storage unit described in the other functions section.

The numerical memory unit (activity amount memory unit) constituting the memory unit 230 is a memory unit capable of storing numerical values for a first activity (scope 1) relating to direct greenhouse gas emissions by the first business entity, a second activity (scope 2) relating to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the first business entity, a third activity (scope 3) relating to greenhouse gas emissions by a second business entity located upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the first business entity, a fourth activity (CFP) relating to greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of the target item related to the first business entity, and numerical values relating to the environmental indicators of the first business entity. The numerical value storage unit is also a storage unit that can store numerical values for a first activity (Scope 1) related to the second business entity's direct greenhouse gas emissions, a second activity (Scope 2) related to the second business entity's indirect greenhouse gas emissions, a third activity (Scope 3) related to the greenhouse gas emissions of other business entities located upstream or downstream in the second business entity's supply chain, a fourth activity (CFP) related to the greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of the target item related to the second business entity, and numerical values related to the second business entity's environmental indicators. Note that the activity amount storage unit is the same as the storage unit described in the other functions section.

The template registration unit constituting the execution unit 290 registers and stores templates into which information related to environmental indicators can be input. The template registration unit includes a first template registration unit and a second template registration unit. The first template registration unit is a template registration unit that registers a first template into which information related to environmental indicators can be input by a first business entity. The second template registration unit is a template registration unit that registers a second template into which information related to environmental indicators can be input by a second business entity. Information related to environmental indicators is information included in the first information, such as activity items, activity amounts, and categories related to the environmental indicators. The first information is, for example, an emissions report containing information related to emissions, and details are explained in the third function. The emissions report is also a template used by each business entity when registering emissions. The template registration unit can also input information other than information related to environmental indicators, such as Scope 1 to 3 information and CFP information. Note that the names of environmental indicators, business entity names (e.g., company names or base names), and aggregation units, which are information related to environmental indicators registered by a first business entity (e.g., parent company), cannot be changed by a second business entity (e.g., subsidiary). By preventing subsidiaries from changing templates created by a parent company in this way, it is possible to prevent subsidiaries from making unauthorized changes to templates.

The presentation unit constituting the output unit 240 presents templates registered by the template registration unit to the user terminal 100 in a predetermined manner. The presentation unit includes a first presentation unit and a second presentation unit. The first presentation unit presents the first template registered by the first template registration unit in a first manner or a second manner. The first manner indicates that the template was created and registered by the first business entity (the company itself). For example, a first template registered using a parent company's user terminal is labeled "our company" and presented to the parent company's user terminal 100. The second manner is different from the first manner. The second manner indicates that the template was created and registered by the first business entity, but is presented to the user terminal 100 of a business entity other than the first business entity. For example, when a first template registered using a parent company's user terminal is used on a subsidiary's user terminal 100, it is labeled "other than our company" and presented to the subsidiary's user terminal 100. It is also possible to present it as "parent company" instead of "other than our own company."

The second presentation unit presents the second template registered by the second template registration unit in a first manner or a second manner. The first manner indicates that the template was created and registered by the company (oneself), which is the second business entity. For example, a second template registered using a user terminal of a subsidiary company is labeled "company" and presented on the user terminal 100 of the subsidiary company. The second manner is different from the first manner. The second manner is a manner indicated when a template created and registered by the second business entity is presented on the user terminal 100 of a business entity other than the second business entity. For example, when a second template registered using a user terminal of a subsidiary company is used on the user terminal 100 of the parent company, it is labeled "other than company" and presented on the user terminal 100 of the subsidiary company. Note that it may also be presented as "subsidiary company" instead of "other than company".

Note that the first format presented by the first presentation unit and the first format presented by the second presentation unit are the same, but the second format presented by the first presentation unit and the second format presented by the second presentation unit can be different. The second format only needs to be able to show that it was not created or registered by the business, so the display format can be presented in a way that is tailored to the main business entity.

Figure 81 is a diagram explaining the operation of the group function in the environmental index template function. The management server 200 registers (stores) the base information of the first business entity and the second business entity that make up the supply chain in the base information storage unit (S8101). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) the activity amount (S8102). The activity amount may be at least one of the following: the activity amount for scope 1, the activity amount for scope 2, the activity amount for scope 3, the activity amount related to CFP, and the activity amount related to environmental indicators. Next, the management server 200 registers a first template into which various information has been input by the first business entity (S8103). Next, the management server 200 registers a second template into which various information has been input by the second business entity (S8104). Next, the management server 200 presents the registered first template in the first format or the second format (S8105). Next, the management server 200 presents the registered second template in the first format or the second format (S8106).

This information processing system uses a display setting unit to set whether or not the first template set by the parent company is to be displayed on the subsidiary's user terminal 100. This display setting prevents unnecessary templates from being displayed for subsidiaries and other entities that do not need to use the first template registered by the parent company. It is also possible to prevent second templates created by subsidiaries from being displayed on the parent company's user terminal 100.

The acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, output unit 240, generation unit 260, input unit 220, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The review function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AX7 (P107)]
an information processing system comprising: a base information storage unit that stores at least base information of a first business entity and a second business entity that constitute a supply chain; a numerical value storage unit (activity amount storage unit) that can store numerical values of a first activity (Scope 1) related to direct greenhouse gas emissions by the first business entity, a numerical value of a second activity (Scope 2) related to indirect greenhouse gas emissions by the first business entity, a numerical value of a third activity (Scope 3) related to greenhouse gas emissions by the second business entity that is located upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the first business entity, a numerical value of a fourth activity (CFP) related to greenhouse gas emissions over a life cycle, and numerical values related to an environmental indicator of the first business entity; a first template registration unit that registers a first template into which the first business entity can input information related to the environmental indicator, including the numerical value of the environmental indicator of the first business entity; and a second template registration unit that registers a second template into which the second business entity can input information related to the environmental indicator, including the numerical value of the environmental indicator of the second business entity.
[Item AX8]
Item AX7: The information processing system comprises: a first presentation unit that presents the first template registered by the first template registration unit in a first aspect or a second aspect different from the first aspect; and a second presentation unit that presents the second template registered by the second template registration unit in the first aspect or the second aspect.
[Item AX9]
The information processing system according to item AX8, wherein the first template is presented to the first business entity and the second template is presented to the second business entity in the same manner, and the second template is presented to the first business entity and the first template is presented to the second business entity in different manners.
[Item AX10]
An information processing system according to Item AX7, comprising: a management unit that, when any one of the numerical values of the first activity, the second activity, the third activity, and the numerical value related to the environmental index is stored, manages a predetermined classification related to the first activity, the second activity, and/or the third activity in association with a predetermined item related to the environmental index.

<<Enhanced activity input function>>
Next, an example of a configuration further applicable to the aforementioned 29th function will be described in detail below. The activity amount input enhancement function will be described in detail below as this embodiment, which is an example of a configuration further applicable to the embodiments of the aforementioned 1st to 51st functions. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is an issue that it is time-consuming to register data necessary for calculating emissions into the system. The purpose of this function is to provide technology that allows easy input of data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
This information processing system is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. This information processing system accepts input of activity data for the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying this data by an emission coefficient. This information processing system makes it easy to input activity data consisting of multiple activities, allowing emissions to be calculated.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the activity amount input enhancement function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, emission amount memory unit), an input unit 220 (activity amount input unit, emission coefficient input unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit), and a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit, aggregation unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the type of activity and the emission coefficient for calculating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions related to the activity, in association with each other. The emission coefficient memory unit is the same as the memory unit described in the other functions section.

The classification memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 can store emissions in association with the type of activity. The classification memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The classification memory unit can store the type of activity, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient in association with each other. The scope and category of the activity are assumed to be the scope and category of the GHG Protocol. The category may also be omitted. The type of activity is the item to be calculated, such as a wood atmospheric fluidized bed boiler, a coke atmospheric fluidized bed boiler, or transportation weight distance.

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emissions. The emission amount memory unit is similar to the memory unit described in the other functions section.

The activity amount input unit that constitutes the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts related to a specified activity. For example, if the activity type is transportation weight distance, the activity amount accepted is "weight transported by logistics x distance (ton-kilometers)," which is calculated by combining the activity of transportation ton-kilometers (t) and the activity of transportation distance (km). However, this calculation must be performed before input, making the input process cumbersome. Here, this function is configured to allow input of values related to each activity when the activity amount consists of multiple activities. When there are two activity amounts, for example, when there are transportation ton-kilometers (first activity) and transportation distance (second activity), the activity amount input unit allows input of a value related to transportation ton-kilometers in the first activity input box and a value related to transportation distance in the second activity input box. When the activity amount consists of three or more activities, values related to each activity can also be input.

When the activity amount consists of transport ton-kilometers (first activity) and transport distance (second activity), the activity amount input unit can set the value related to transport ton-kilometers as a fixed value and allow the value related to transport distance to be input as a variable value. It is also possible to set the value related to transport ton-kilometers as a variable value and the value related to transport distance as a fixed value. When the activity amount consists of three or more activities, one activity or multiple activities can be set as a fixed value and the other activities can be set as variable values.

It is also possible to input multiple activity amounts together. For example, the user can press a combine button displayed on the user terminal 100 to change the first and second activity input frames into a single activity input frame. The user can then input the calculated activity amount of "weight transported by logistics x distance (ton-kilometers)" into the changed single activity input frame. It is also possible to input data into both the first and second activity input frames, and then display the calculation results in the single activity input frame.

In this way, this function makes it easier to input activity levels for multiple correlated or related activities. For example, this function is useful for inputting activity levels in cases where trucks carrying the same amount of cargo transport cargo to bases A and B, which are different transport distances. It is also useful for inputting activity levels in cases where cargo of different tonnages is transported to the same base each month. Note that while this is an example of inputting activity levels for multiple correlated or related activities using the item (type) of transport weight/distance, this is not limiting and other activity items (types) may also be used.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires emission coefficients related to the type of activity. The emission coefficient acquisition unit has the same functions as those described in the other functions section.

The emission coefficient input section, which constitutes the input unit 220, accepts the input of emission coefficients. The emission coefficient input section has the same functions as those described in the other functions section.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on the emission coefficient and activity amount. The emission calculation unit has the same functions as those described in the other functions section.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 aggregates the emissions. The aggregation unit has the same functions as those described in the other functions.

Figure 82 is a diagram explaining the operation of the activity amount input enhancement function. The management server 200 registers (stores) the type of activity and the emission coefficient for calculating the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the activity in association with each other (S8201). Next, the management server 200 determines whether the activity amount is an activity amount consisting of multiple activities (S8202). If the activity amount consists of multiple activities (YES in S8202), the management server 200 accepts the activity amount values for each activity (S8203). On the other hand, if the activity amount consists of a single activity (NO in S8202), the management server 200 accepts the activity amount value for that single activity (S8204). Next, the management server 200 acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity associated with the activity amount from the emission coefficient storage unit (S8205). Next, the management server 200 calculates the emissions based on the acquired emission coefficient and activity amount (S8206). Next, the management server 200 aggregates and outputs the emissions registered in the emission storage unit (S8207). In this way, you can easily enter activity levels consisting of multiple activities.

The input unit 220, acquisition unit 250, calculation unit 210, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The activity amount input enhancement function also includes the following configuration.
[Item AC6 (P108)]
an information processing system comprising: a memory unit (emission coefficient memory unit) that stores types of activities and emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions related to the activities, in association with each other; an acquisition unit (emission coefficient acquisition unit) that acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity from the memory unit; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions based on the emission coefficient and activity amount; and an input unit (activity amount input unit) that, when the activity amount consists of multiple activities, can input values related to each of the activities.
[Item AC7]
The information processing system according to item AC6, wherein when the amount of activity consists of at least a first activity and a second activity, the input unit sets a value related to the first activity as a fixed value and enables input of a value related to the second activity as a variable value.

<<Corporate Group Function (52nd Function)>>
While some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 51 is described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 52. Background technology involves estimating carbon dioxide emissions. While calculating emissions for one company, calculations for other companies may also be performed, and the emission factors used for calculating emissions for other companies may differ. Function 52 aims to provide technology that allows other companies to use emission factors other than the company's own. Furthermore, it allows activity data and emission factors to be freely used within a group or corporate group.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 52nd function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (emission coefficient memory unit, user information memory unit, group memory unit, group setting information memory unit, exchange rate memory unit), an execution unit 290 (authentication processing unit, management unit, activity amount conversion unit), an input unit 220 (reception unit), an acquisition unit 250 (emission coefficient acquisition unit), a calculation unit 210 (emission amount calculation unit), and a generation unit 260 (report creation unit).

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 is a first emission coefficient memory unit that stores a first emission coefficient (e.g., the parent company's emission coefficient) used to calculate a first greenhouse gas emission amount for a first business entity (e.g., a parent company as a first group). The emission coefficient memory unit stores information related to emission coefficients used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficient information can be stored by emission coefficient type. Emission coefficient information can include the type of emission coefficient, the type of activity amount, and the emission coefficient. The emission coefficient type can include a distinction between primary data and secondary data. Primary data is data collected by the business entity at its own responsibility. Secondary data is data from an industry average intensity database or industry standard data. For primary data, the emission coefficient type includes information identifying the business entity as well as an indication that it is primary data. For secondary data, the emission coefficient type can include the entity that compiled the data, the year, etc. For example, the type of activity amount can be "product" if the activity amount is the number of products, or "type of gasoline" if the activity amount is the amount of gasoline used. The emission coefficient storage unit may store information stored in the group setting information storage unit described below.

The user information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about users (hereinafter referred to as user information). The user information may include a user ID that identifies the user, a company ID (first group ID) that identifies the company (first group) to which the user belongs, and authentication information. The authentication information may be, for example, a password, a public key, or an electronic certificate. The first group may be, for example, a parent company. A group is a name that includes not only one company, but also multiple companies.

The group memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as group information) about a group (second group, hereinafter simply referred to as "group") that is different from the company to which the user belongs. The group information may include a group ID (second group ID, hereinafter simply referred to as "group ID") that identifies the group, and a user ID that identifies a user that belongs to the group. The second group may be, for example, a subsidiary or second-tier subsidiary, including a consolidated subsidiary or an equity-method affiliate.

The group setting information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 is a second emission coefficient storage unit that stores a second emission coefficient (e.g., a parent company's emission coefficient used for calculations at a subsidiary) used to calculate second emissions for a second business entity related to the first business entity (e.g., a subsidiary as a second group). The group setting information storage unit stores setting information related to groups. The group setting information storage unit can store emission coefficients and types of emission coefficients used to calculate emissions for the group, in association with a group ID indicating the group (emission coefficient table). The group setting information storage unit can store emission coefficients and types of activity amounts used to calculate emissions for the group, in association with a group ID (activity amount table). In other words, it is possible to set whether or not activity amounts entered by the user are to be used in calculating emissions for the group. For example, if emissions for automobiles are to be aggregated only when the automobiles are owned by the company, it is possible to set whether emissions such as gasoline consumption for vehicles owned by the company are to be used in the calculation, or whether emissions such as gasoline consumption for vehicles owned by other companies are to be used in the calculation. The activity amount table may set conditions for the activity amounts used to calculate emissions. Only activity amounts that meet the conditions can be used in calculating emissions, or can be excluded from the calculation of emissions. The group setting information storage unit can store items to be included in the emission report for the group in association with the group ID (report item table). The group setting information storage unit can store the aggregation period for the emission report for the group in association with the group ID (aggregation period table). The aggregation period can be set, for example, by the start and end months of the fiscal year. Note that functions other than storage in the group setting information storage unit can be executed by the execution unit 290.

The exchange rate storage unit stores the exchange rate to be used. The exchange rate storage unit can store an exchange rate for each group. The exchange rate storage unit can store the exchange rate to be used to calculate the emissions of that group, in association with the group ID.

<Functional department>
The authentication processing unit constituting the execution unit 290 authenticates the user. The authentication processing unit can authenticate the user based on the company ID. For example, the authentication processing unit can receive input of authentication information such as the company ID and information encrypted with a password or a private key from the user terminal 100, and authenticate the user based on the authentication information of the user information corresponding to the received company ID and the received authentication information. For example, the authentication processing unit can authenticate the user based on whether the received password matches the password in the user information, or whether information encrypted with a private key can be decrypted with the public key in the user information.

The reception unit constituting the input unit 220 receives input of activity levels from the user. For example, the reception unit receives input of activity levels related to a second business entity from the user. The reception unit can receive input of activity levels along with the designation of a group ID (second group ID).

The emission coefficient acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires the emission coefficient to be used in calculating emissions. For example, it acquires a second emission coefficient corresponding to the received activity amount related to the second business entity. The emission coefficient acquisition unit acquires the type of emission coefficient corresponding to the specified group from the group setting information storage unit, and can acquire emission coefficients corresponding to the acquired type of emission coefficient and the received type of activity amount from the emission coefficient storage unit. Furthermore, it can determine and set whether or not to use, among the emission coefficients corresponding to the activity amount entered by the user before acquisition, in calculating emissions related to the group. This determination and setting can be performed by the execution unit 290.

The emissions calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by an emissions coefficient. For example, it calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by a second emissions coefficient that is the same value as the first emissions coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can acquire the type of activity amount (or conditions) corresponding to the group ID from the group setting information, and calculate emissions by multiplying the activity amount (or activity amount that satisfies or does not satisfy the conditions) corresponding to the acquired type of activity amount by the emissions coefficient. The emissions calculation unit can also acquire items corresponding to the group ID from the group setting information storage unit, and aggregate emissions for each acquired item. The emissions calculation unit can acquire an aggregation period corresponding to the group ID from the group setting information storage unit, and aggregate emissions calculated based on the activity amount corresponding to the aggregation period.

The management unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 manages the first emission coefficient as the second emission coefficient. This is called the data linking function. Management involves viewing (confirming) and using (utilizing) the first emission coefficient deployed by the parent company. When there is a relationship between the first business entity and the second business entity, such as a group company, the management unit makes the first emission coefficient used by the first business entity viewable (confirmed) and usable by the second business entity. Function 52 shows an example in which the management unit manages emission coefficients, but it is also possible to manage the activity data, emissions, and other environmental information used by the parent company so that it can be shared and used by subsidiaries and second-tier subsidiaries.

The activity amount conversion unit constituting the execution unit 290 converts the activity amount expressed in foreign currency units into domestic currency units. The activity amount conversion unit reads the exchange rate corresponding to the specified group ID from the exchange rate storage unit, and can calculate the activity amount in domestic currency units based on the read exchange rate and the received activity amount (for example, by multiplying the activity amount by the exchange rate).

The report creation unit, which is part of the generation unit 260, creates a report on emissions. The report creation unit can create a report that includes the emissions for each item tallied by the emissions calculation unit.

Figure 83 is a diagram explaining operation 2 of the corporate group function. The management server 200 registers (stores) in the first emission coefficient storage unit a first emission coefficient used to calculate emissions related to a first business entity (S8301). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) in the second emission coefficient storage unit a second emission coefficient used to calculate emissions related to a second business entity related to the first business entity (S8302). Next, the management server 200 accepts input of the activity amount related to the second business entity from the user of the second business entity (S8303). Next, the management server 200 acquires a second emission coefficient corresponding to the activity amount accepted in S8303 (S8304). Next, the management server 200 calculates emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the second emission coefficient (S8305). Next, the management server 200 manages the first emission coefficient as the second emission coefficient (S8306). Note that S8306 may be executed in an earlier step.

In this way, with this information processing system, a second business entity related to a first business entity can calculate emissions using the first emission coefficient used to calculate the emissions related to the first business entity. Even if the second business entity is a different company from the first business entity, it can use the emission coefficient of a first business entity other than its own.

Figure 84 is a diagram explaining operation 3 of the corporate group function. The management server 200 accepts a group ID from the user (S8401), acquires the type of emission coefficient corresponding to the accepted group ID from the group setting information storage unit, and acquires the emission coefficient corresponding to the acquired type of emission coefficient from the emission coefficient storage unit (S8402). The management server 200 accepts an activity amount input from the user (S8403), acquires the type of activity amount corresponding to the group ID from the group setting information storage unit, narrows down the accepted activity amounts to those corresponding to the acquired type of activity amount (S8404), narrows down the emission coefficients corresponding to the activity amounts (S8405), and calculates emissions by multiplying the narrowed down activity amounts by the emission coefficients (S8406). The management server 200 acquires report items corresponding to the group ID from the group setting information storage unit (S8407), aggregates the activity amounts for the acquired items (S8408), and creates a report that enters the activity amounts for each aggregated item (S8409).

In this way, this information processing system can calculate emissions according to the emission coefficients and activity levels used, which are set for each group. It can also aggregate emissions according to the aggregation items, which are set for each group, and create reports.

Greenhouse gas emissions can also be calculated taking into account transactions within a group. To achieve this calculation, the emissions calculation unit does not aggregate emissions for transactions between companies belonging to the group for Scope 3 emissions under the GHG Protocol. The group memory unit can store company IDs indicating the companies belonging to the group in association with the group ID. When accepting input of activity amounts, the reception unit accepts the activity amounts along with information identifying the seller company and information identifying the buyer company. The group setting information memory unit can store conditions for the type of activity amount used in the calculation for each report item. For example, the group setting information memory unit can store a condition that, for Scope 3 emissions, both the seller and buyer companies do not belong to the group. The emissions calculation unit can refer to the group setting off memory unit for each report item and aggregate only emissions that match the conditions. For example, when aggregating emissions for each item, the emissions calculation unit can exclude emissions calculated based on activity amounts where both the seller and buyer companies belong to the group.

The business entities that make up the first and second groups are the parent company, subsidiaries, and second-tier subsidiaries. Subsidiaries and second-tier subsidiaries include consolidated subsidiaries and equity-method affiliates. In terms of corporate group functions, the business entities that make up the first and second groups are considered to be the corporate group.

The accounts of each company, including parent companies, subsidiaries, and sub-subsidiaries, are independent. This means that each company can manage its own account independently. Furthermore, each company can independently enter data, set up bases, set up users, etc. Furthermore, each company can set its investment ratio.

The corporate group has a data linking function provided by the Administration Department. The data linking function links and connects the parent company account (the account owned by the first group) to each group company's account (the account owned by the second group) as a recipient of data such as emission factors. The data linking function can also assign each group company to a base within the parent company account. The data linking function can also handle each group company's data in accordance with rules determined by the parent company account. Rules may include, for example, using the emission factors used by the parent company at subsidiaries, entering items determined by the parent company, using the application form (described below) determined by the parent company, and using templates determined by the parent company. Subsidiaries can share data with each other, and between subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries, without being restricted by the parent company's rules. This allows calculations to be performed without being bound by or interfered with by the parent company's rules.

The parent company's functionality allows it to create groups and invite each company (subsidiaries, etc.). The parent company can distribute (and check at each company) the emission coefficients and environmental indicator classifications used within the group to each company. The distributed emission coefficients, etc. can be used by all companies, including subsidiaries and below. The parent company can also aggregate the input data of each company within the group. This aggregation can take into account investment ratios as needed. Furthermore, the parent company can submit approval requests within the group and set the approval path for those requests. Note that subsidiaries cannot modify or change the approval path set by the parent company. Furthermore, the parent company can view and aggregate the input data of each group company. Group-wide applications and approvals and references and aggregations taking into account investment ratios are also possible. Note that subsidiaries can also view and aggregate the input data of their subsidiaries. Application and approvals between subsidiaries and subsidiaries and aggregations taking into account investment ratios are also possible.

Group administrators (also referred to as administrators), who are users with administrative privileges, can edit the group structure and each company's deployment master, and view each company's data. Group viewers, who do not have administrative privileges, can view the group structure, each company's deployment master, and each company's data. Users within subsidiaries can view and use emission factors deployed by the parent company. When printing reports, calculations can take into account investment ratios, etc., in accordance with the organizational boundary standards (group calculation methodology) set forth in the applicable guidelines.

The execution unit 290, the input unit 220, the acquisition unit 250, the calculation unit 210, and the generation unit 260 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 52nd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AZ1 (P075)]
an emission coefficient acquisition unit that acquires the second emission coefficient corresponding to the received activity amount; an emission calculation unit that calculates the second emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the second emission coefficient; and a management unit that manages the first emission coefficient as the second emission coefficient (viewing and using emission coefficients, etc. deployed by the parent company).
[Item AZ2]
an emission coefficient acquisition unit that acquires, from the group setting information storage unit and the emission coefficient storage unit, the type of emission coefficient of the emission coefficient that corresponds to the accepted second group ID and the emission coefficient that corresponds to the type of emission coefficient; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient.
[Item AZ3]
An information processing system according to Item AZ2, comprising: an exchange rate storage unit that stores the exchange rate in association with the second group ID; and an activity amount conversion unit that, when the activity amount is expressed in foreign currency units, reads out the exchange rate corresponding to the second group ID from the exchange rate storage unit and converts the activity amount into domestic currency units based on the read exchange rate and the activity amount.
[Item AZ4]
The information processing system according to Item AZ2, wherein the group setting information storage unit stores the type of activity amount used to calculate the emissions for the second group in association with the second group ID, and the emissions calculation unit acquires the type of activity amount corresponding to the second group ID from the group setting information, and calculates the emissions by multiplying the activity amount corresponding to the acquired type of activity amount by the emission coefficient.
[Item AZ5]
An information processing system according to item AZ2, wherein the group setting information storage unit stores items to be included in the emission amount report in correspondence with the second group ID, and the emission amount calculation unit acquires the items corresponding to the second group ID from the group setting information storage unit and aggregates the emission amount for each of the acquired items.

<<Corporate group application function>>
Next, we will explain the corporate group application function, which uses the aforementioned corporate group function. This corporate group application function can be combined with the embodiments of the first to fifty-second functions described above. In the background technology, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. There is a need to understand the status of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire supply chain. The corporate group application function aims to provide technology that can understand the status of greenhouse gas emissions. The corporate group application function also aims to provide a system in which a parent company manages the entire process of data collection, data checking, review, and disclosure for the entire group. The target data includes data on GHG emissions and other data related to environmental indicators, and this data can be referenced, confirmed, reported, and approved across the companies that make up the group.

Business entities use information processing systems to calculate and manage GHG emissions and environmental indicators. In corporate groups consisting of multiple companies, each company calculates its own data on GHG emissions and environmental indicators. Subsidiaries and subsidiaries that make up the group want to calculate GHG emissions and environmental indicators independently without interference from the parent company and report the results to the parent company. Meanwhile, parent companies want to collect (report) data on GHG emissions and environmental indicators calculated independently by their subsidiaries and subsidiaries at the granularity required for their company. They also want to collect (report) data for a specified period, not just data for a single month. With conventional systems, it was difficult to fulfill all of these requests. Another issue was the inability to report GHG emissions calculation results across group companies.

The corporate group application function is a function that assumes the use of the corporate group function of the embodiment described above. The corporate group function allows the parent company, subsidiary company, and sub-subsidiary company to each independently hold an account for using the GHG emissions calculation and visualization system, and to independently calculate GHG emissions.

The corporate group application functions are as follows:
(1) Each group company handles data in accordance with the rules set by the parent company account (tags, environmental indicator classification, approval route, etc.).
(2) Each group company will manage its own account independently.
(3) Emission factors will be managed so that they are used in common within the parent company, subsidiaries, and sub-subsidiaries.
(4) It is possible to collect data taking into account investment ratios and to apply and approve within the group.

The management methods for corporate groups are as follows:
(1) Parent companies, subsidiaries, and sub-subsidiaries are managed in a hierarchical structure, with their investment ratios and accounting classifications in place.
(2) The parent company sends an invitation to its subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries. The subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries that receive the invitation are added to the group.

The corporate group application function consists of a data collection function and a workflow function.

<Data collection function>
The data collection function is a function that allows the parent company to collect data on the entire corporate group.

(1) The parent company uses the generation unit to create an application form specifying the items to be collected. Specifically, the parent company uses the item setting unit to set (specify) the [Title], [Description], [Collection start date], [Collection end date], [Public/Private], and [Data to be collected (data category)], and then uses the generation unit to create the application form.

The application form will show the total number and the increase or decrease compared to the same period last year (+●kl/-●kl), and also has a section for adding the reason for the increase or decrease and other comments.
When specifying [collection target data (data category)], an anomaly detection unit (difference detection unit) can be set for each collection target data (data category).

The anomaly detection unit's anomaly value setting unit can set different values (set values, difference values) for each collection item, such as diesel oil and waste oil, as in the following example. It is also possible to set comparisons with the same month last year, the previous month, the previous week, and a specified period (a specified period from a certain time to a certain time, which can be multiple days, months, or years).
In the case of diesel, an alert will be issued if there is a 30% increase/decrease compared to the same month last year.
In the case of [Waste Oil], an alert will be sent if there is a 5% increase/decrease compared to the same month of the previous year.

(2) The application form is output (published) to subsidiaries and subsidiaries. It can be a company-wide application form, or a different application form can be published for each company. Application forms with an approaching deadline can be highlighted (usually with a white frame, which changes to a red frame a certain number of days before the deadline).

(3) Subsidiaries and second-tier subsidiaries enter the calculation data they hold into the application form by the deadline specified by the parent company. When the calculation data is entered, the difference detection unit will issue an alert if there is a ●●% increase/decrease compared to the same month of the previous year, as defined by the difference detection rule, and prompt the user to enter the reason for the difference. After the application form is completed, a pre-submission checklist will be displayed. The parent company can freely set the questions and content of the pre-submission checklist. Based on the keywords "diesel," "LNG," and "waste oil" from the calculation data managed within the system by subsidiaries and second-tier subsidiaries, calculation data can be automatically aggregated (entered) into the application form using AI processing.

The data collection function is configured as follows:
(1) The parent company will create an application form specifying the items to be collected: [diesel fuel], [LNG], and [waste oil].
(2) The application form is output (published) to the sub-subsidiary or subsidiary. At this time, the output unit notifies the sub-subsidiary or subsidiary that the data collection request has been published. The notification method may be such that the sub-subsidiary or subsidiary is notified when they log in to the system, or such that a notification email is sent to their email address.
(3) Subsidiaries and subsidiaries must compile the calculation data for minor items that they manage into calculation data for major items and enter it into the application form by the deadline specified by the parent company.

Specifically, by including the <Input Side> minor items shown below in the <Application Side> major items of the application form shown below, the granularity is changed from detailed data to large data, and the application is submitted. Note that the <Application Side> major items are not set by subsidiaries or sub-subsidiaries, but by the parent company using the major item setting section.

<Input side: GHG emissions>
(1) [Light oil atmospheric pressure fluidized bed boiler]
(2) [Light oil pressurized fluidized bed boiler]
(3) [Light oil boilers other than those listed above]
(4) [LNG combustion equipment not specified]
<Input side: Environmental indicators (waste)>
(5) [Harmless reuse of waste oil]
(6) [Sale of harmless waste oil]

<Applicant: "Diesel"area>
<Applicant side: "LNG"area>
<Applicant:"WasteOil"Area>

In the <Applicant's: "Diesel" area, enter the calculation data for (1) [Diesel oil, atmospheric fluidized bed boiler], (2) [Diesel oil, pressurized fluidized bed boiler], and (3) [Diesel oil, boiler other than the above]. Also, in the <Applicant's: "LNG" area, enter the calculation data for (4) [LNG, no specified combustion equipment]. Furthermore, in the <Applicant's: "Waste oil" area, enter the calculation data for (5) [Waste oil, non-hazardous, reuse] and (6) [Waste oil, non-hazardous, sale].

The calculated data entered into the "Diesel," "LNG," and "Waste Oil" major categories is aggregated for each collection item to calculate the total amount. For example, the "Diesel" category displays <Diesel total ●●kl>. Furthermore, the major category also displays the year-on-year comparison value as <Compared to the same month last year + ●●kl>. Additionally, when the increase or decrease compared to the same month last year exceeds a certain number, the reason for the increase or decrease is added to the major category. By including and displaying this information in the major category, the parent company can easily approve or deny approval by simply checking the total amount, year-on-year comparison, and reason included in the major category when approving.

In this way, the applicant can change the granularity of the aggregated data before submitting the application, so the parent company can approve the application without having to check detailed data that is not necessary for approval, reducing the amount of work required for approval.

<Workflow function>
The workflow function manages the entire process from data collection to acceptance (data check), review, and disclosure. Data collection is carried out by a sub-subsidiary, acceptance by a subsidiary, review by the parent company, and once review is complete, the data is disclosed to each company.

An overview of the workflow functions is shown below.
(1) Apply for/approve calculation data across multiple companies that make up a corporate group.
(2) According to the application route determined by the parent company, the calculation data flows from the sub-subsidiary to the subsidiary to the parent company. The application route is set on a company-by-company basis, and an application route is assigned to each company that makes up the corporate group.
(3) Between a subsidiary and a second-tier subsidiary, the subsidiary can freely set and decide the approver of the calculation data requested by the second-tier subsidiary in the approver setting section.
(4) When a subsidiary/second-tier company applies for calculation data to the workflow, the applied calculation data is locked to prevent the calculation data from being changed midway.
(5) You can enter comments as appropriate (comments about the application as a whole or comments about the details of the calculation data).
(6) After submitting a workflow application, the applicant and approver can exchange comments on the workflow as needed.

When data collection is requested from a subcontractor (a company with both its own capital and that of a competitor), the collected calculation data is apportioned by investment ratio. Alternatively, the items to be collected can be apportioned by investment ratio before collection. If a sub-subsidiary or subsidiary has two or more parent companies, for example, one parent company could be Parent Company 1 and the other parent company could be Parent Company 2. Set whether to disclose or add disclosure for each item to be collected. You can set it to disclose for Parent Company 1 and add disclosure for Parent Company 2, for example.

Next, we will explain the operating procedure for the corporate group application function. The operating procedure for the parent company is (1) pre-settings, (2) creating and publishing an application form, and (3) approval.

(1) The pre-settings are as follows:
(1-1) Set the approval route (application route) (1-2) Assign a route to each company in the group (1-3) Set the difference detection rules (1-4) Set the master (options) for answering the difference reason

(2) The application form will be created and published as follows:
(2-1) Define the data you want to collect on the application form. (2-2) Specify the activity master for GHG emissions and the category for environmental indicators. (2-3) Make the application form public so that subsidiaries can apply.

(3) The approval is as follows:
(3-1) Check and approve the application form submitted by the subsidiary

The operating procedure for subsidiaries is (1) create an application, (2) enter the reasons for the calculation and difference, and (3) submit the application.

(1) The application is prepared as follows:
(1-1) Enter data according to company rules. (1-2) When the time comes to apply, create a new application. (1-3) Select the application form and base created by the parent company to which the application is being made.

(2) The reasons for the calculation and difference are as follows:
(2-1) Data is automatically compiled according to the form specifications. (2-2) If a difference detection rule is found, an alert will be displayed and you will be required to enter the reason for the difference or correct the data. (2-3) Check and enter data for all locations and activities.

(3) The application is as follows:
(3-1) Once the alert message disappears, you can apply. (3-2) You can communicate with the approved company through comments.

Next, an example software configuration of the management server 200 for the corporate group application function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a memory unit 230 (base information memory unit), an execution unit 290 (application form registration unit, item setting unit, approver setting unit, group setting unit, period setting unit, abnormal value setting unit, application route setting unit, application unit, approval unit, management unit), an acquisition unit 250 (information collection unit), a generation unit 260 (application form generation unit), an input unit 220 (reception unit), and an output unit 240. The corporate group application function also includes the functions described in the corporate group function and other functions.

The base information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores at least the base information of the first business entity and the second business entity that make up the supply chain. The base information storage unit is the same as the base information storage unit described in the other functions section.

The application form registration unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, registers an application form that can be configured with specific fields into which environmental information can be entered. This application form is the application form generated by the generation unit.

The item setting unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 sets specified items. The item setting unit operates based on operations by the first business entity. Note that while the specified items can be set by the first business entity, they cannot be set by the second business entity.

The approver setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, checks the environmental information entered in the specified fields and sets an approver who will approve it. The approver setting unit operates based on operations by the first business entity.

The group setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, sets up a group of business entities consisting of a first business entity (parent company) and a second business entity (subsidiary company).

The period setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, sets the period for inputting environmental information by the second business entity.

The abnormal value setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, sets the range of abnormal values.

The application route setting unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, sets the application route according to the first business entity.

The application unit constituting the execution unit 290 applies for environmental information across multiple business entities. The application unit makes an application using an application form generated by the first business entity. The application unit makes an application using an application form generated by the first business entity that has a corporate group account set up. The application unit operates based on operations by the second business entity. The application unit submits (outputs) the application form into which environmental information has been entered by the second business entity to the first business entity. The output unit may also output the application form.

The approval unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 is where the first business entity approves the application form submitted by the second business entity (the first approval unit where the parent company approves). The approval unit is where the second business entity (subsidiary) approves the application form submitted by the second business entity (sub-subsidiary) (the second approval unit where the subsidiary approves).

The management unit constituting the execution unit 290 restricts application forms for which a corporate group account has been set up from being output to second business entities for which a corporate group account has not been set up. The management unit manages the entire process from data collection by the acquisition unit, acceptance (data check) by the analysis unit, review by the analysis unit, to disclosure by the output unit. When an application form is submitted by the second business entity (at the time of submission), the management unit locks the information (manages it so that it cannot be edited) so that the environmental information entered in the application form cannot be edited. When the application form is returned by the first business entity (after the time of return), the management unit unlocks the information so that the environmental information entered in the application form can be edited. The management unit can restrict the output (disclosure) of some or all specified items to some business entities in the group. The management unit can restrict the output (disclosure) of some or all environmental information to some business entities in the group.

The information collection unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 acquires (collects) information related to the environment of the group (the entire corporate group) including the second business entity from the first business entity (parent company).

The application form generation unit that constitutes the generation unit 260 generates an application form that allows users to set specific fields into which environmental information can be entered. The first business entity has the authority to generate the application form, but the second business entity does not.

The reception unit constituting the input unit 220 receives environmental information. The reception unit operates based on input operations by the second business entity. The input unit 220 enables the second business entity to input (receive) a second comment regarding the environmental information in the application form. The input unit 220 enables the first business entity to input (receive) a first comment regarding the environmental information input by the second business entity in the application form.

The output unit 240 outputs to the second business entity, among the application forms generated by the first business entity, those for which a corporate group account is set. The output unit 240 outputs a value indicating environmental information for a first period. The output unit 240 outputs a value indicating environmental information for a second period that is a period after the first period. The output unit 240 outputs a value indicating the difference (which may be a ratio) between the environmental information for the first period and the second period. The output unit 240 outputs an abnormality when the difference (which may be a ratio) between the environmental information for the first period and the second period exceeds the abnormal value range. The output unit 240 can output a common application form to related business entities (group companies consisting of a parent company, subsidiaries, subsidiaries, etc.). The output unit 240 can output different application forms to related business entities (group companies consisting of a parent company, subsidiaries, subsidiaries, etc.). The output unit 240 displays and outputs the application form with a predetermined effect or alert (warning) based on the period set by the period setting unit (e.g., three days before the set deadline). The output unit 240 can also output using a notification email. The output unit 240 displays and outputs a pre-submission checklist when environmental information has been entered into all of the predetermined items into which environmental information can be entered. The output unit 240 restricts the display and output of the pre-submission checklist when environmental information has not been entered into all of the predetermined items into which environmental information can be entered. Note that this restriction may also be implemented by the management unit. The output unit 240 can output a first comment to a second business entity when an application form is submitted by a second business entity (at a timing after the application timing). The output unit 240 can output a second comment to a first business entity when an application form is submitted by a second business entity (at a timing after the application timing). The first comment and the second comment can be input and output via a workflow. The first and second comments can be input and output for each major item on the application form.

Figure 85 is a diagram explaining the operation of the corporate group application function. The management server 200 registers (stores) the base information of the first and second business entities that make up the supply chain in the base information storage unit (S8501). Next, the management server 200 registers an application form that allows the user to set specific fields in which environmental information can be entered (S8502). Next, the management server 200 accepts the setting of the specific fields (S8503). When accepting the setting of the specific fields, the management server 200 restricts the second business entity from setting the specific fields (S8504). The specific fields can be set by the first business entity, but cannot be set by the second business entity. Next, the management server 200 accepts the environmental information (S8505). Next, the management server 200 accepts an approver who reviews and approves the environmental information entered in the specific fields (S8506).

As described above, this information processing system allows various data to be checked and approved using an application form based on the rules of the first business entity, thereby reducing the amount of approval work required.

The execution unit 290, acquisition unit 250, generation unit 260, input unit 220, and output unit 240 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The corporate group application function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AZ6 (P099)]
An information processing system comprising: a memory unit (base information memory unit) that stores base information of multiple business entities that make up a group; an application form registration unit that registers an application form for inputting environmental information; an item setting unit that can set specified items on the application form; an application route setting unit that can apply for the environmental information across the multiple business entities; and the specified items can be set by one of the multiple business entities, but cannot be set by another of the multiple business entities.
[Item AZ7 (Data collection function)]
an application form registration unit that registers an application form (an application form generated by a generation unit) that can set predetermined items into which environmental information can be input; an item setting unit that (for the first business entity) can set the predetermined items; an input unit that (for the second business entity) can input the environmental information; and an approver setting unit that sets an approver who checks and approves the environmental information input into the predetermined items, wherein the predetermined items can be set by the first business entity but cannot be set by the second business entity.
[Item AZ8 (Data collection function)]
The data collection function has the following functions:
(1) a group setting unit that sets a group of business entities consisting of a first business entity (parent company) and a second business entity (subsidiary company); and (2) an acquisition unit (information collection unit) that acquires (collects) information related to the environment of the group (entire corporate group) including the second business entity by the first business entity (parent company).
(3) A generation unit that generates an application form in which predetermined items can be set to input information related to the environment. (4) The first business entity has the authority to generate the application form, but the second business entity does not.
(5) An execution unit that makes an application using an application form generated by the first business entity. (6) An execution unit that makes an application using an application form generated by the first business entity that has a corporate group account set up. (7) An output unit that outputs an application form generated by the first business entity that has a corporate group account set up to a second business entity. (8) The management unit restricts application forms that have a corporate group account set up from being output to a second business entity that does not have a corporate group account set up.
(9) An output unit that outputs a value indicating environmental information for a first period. (10) An output unit that outputs a value indicating environmental information for a second period that is a period after the first period. (11) An output unit that outputs a value indicating the difference (which can be a ratio) between the environmental information for the first period and the second period. (12) An output unit that outputs an abnormality when the difference (which can be a ratio) between the environmental information for the first period and the second period exceeds the range of abnormal values. (13) An abnormal value setting unit that sets the range of abnormal values. (14) A period setting unit that sets the period for inputting environmental information by the second business entity. (15) The output unit can output a common application form to related business entities (group companies consisting of a parent company, a subsidiary, a subsidiaries, etc.).
(16) The output unit can output different application forms for related business entities (group companies consisting of parent companies, subsidiaries, sub-subsidiaries, etc.).
(17) The output unit displays the application form with a predetermined effect or alert (warning) based on the period set by the period setting unit (for example, three days before the set deadline).
(18) The output unit can also output using a notification email.
(19) The output unit displays and outputs a pre-submission checklist when environmental information is input into all of the predetermined items into which environmental information can be input.
(20) The output unit restricts the display and output of the pre-submission checklist if environmental information has not been entered into all of the specified items into which environmental information can be entered.
[Item AZ9 (Workflow function)]
The workflow function has the following functions:
(1) A group setting unit that sets up a group of business entities consisting of a first business entity (parent company) and a second business entity (subsidiary) as a group. (2) A management unit that manages the entire process from data collection by the acquisition unit, acceptance (data check) by the analysis unit, examination by the analysis unit, to disclosure by the output unit. (3) An application unit (output unit) that submits (outputs) an application form with environmental information entered by the second business entity to the first business entity.
(4) An approval department where the first business entity approves the application form submitted by the second business entity (the first approval department where the parent company approves).
(5) An approval department (a second approval department for the subsidiary) that approves the application form submitted by the second business entity (subsidiary)
(6) An application route setting unit that sets an application route by the first business entity. (7) The management unit locks the information (manages it so that it cannot be edited) when an application form is submitted by the second business entity (at the time of application) so that the information related to the environment entered in the application form cannot be edited.
(8) If the application form is returned by the first business entity (after the return timing), the management department unlocks the information so that the environmental information entered in the application form can be edited.
(9) The input unit allows the second business entity to input (accept) a second comment regarding the environmental information in the application form.
(10) The input unit allows the first business entity to input (accept) a first comment regarding the environmental information input by the second business entity in the application form.
(11) When the application form is submitted by the second business entity (at a timing after the application timing), the output unit can output the first comment to the second business entity.
(12) When the application form is submitted by the second business entity (at a timing after the application timing), the output unit can output the second comment to the first business entity. The first comment and the second comment can be input and output on the workflow. The first comment and the second comment can be input and output for the major items of the application form.
(13) The management department can restrict the output (disclosure) of some or all of the specified items to some business entities in the group.
(14) The Management Department may restrict the output (disclosure) of some or all of the environmental information to some business entities in the group.

In this way, this information processing system makes it possible to manage the entire process within a corporate group, from data collection to data checking, review, and disclosure. It also enables calculation reports with effective internal controls.

<<Solution provision functions (53 functions)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 52, particularly the solution matching function, will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 53. As background technology, solutions for reducing carbon dioxide are being introduced. There is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp what carbon dioxide reduction solutions are available. Function 53 aims to provide technology that can support the reduction of greenhouse gases.

<System Overview>
The information processing system relating to the 53rd function will be described below. This information processing system provides information (hereinafter referred to as solution information) on emission reduction measures (also called solutions) to users who are emitters of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.). A provider registers solution information for a solution, and users can view the solution information. Users can also contact the provider regarding the solution.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 53rd function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a solution storage unit, a user information storage unit, a provision unit, an input unit 220, a search unit, a user information transmission unit, and a billing processing unit.

The solution storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores solution information. The solution storage unit can store solution information in association with provider identification information (provider ID) that identifies the provider offering the reduction means. In this embodiment, the solution information may include information for identifying the solution (solution ID), provider ID, solution name, solution description, price, reduction amount, and implementation conditions. The solution name is the name of the reduction means (solution). The solution description is a description of the solution and may include, for example, text data, image data, audio data, etc. The price may be information used to determine the amount involved when a user adopts the solution. The price may be set as a unit price for each solution provision unit, or as an estimate of the standard implementation cost. The price may be specified within a range, such as a price range. The reduction amount may be information indicating the amount of greenhouse gas reduction expected by implementing the solution. The reduction amount may be set as a standard amount of greenhouse gas reduction per company when the solution is implemented, a standard value for the reduction amount per unit when a device is implemented, or a function that calculates the reduction amount according to various activity levels. It may also be the emissions intensity (primary data) when the solution is used. Conditions for implementation can be set for the emitter that implements the solution. The implementation conditions can specify, for example, the business or activity content and volume that the solution targets. Solution information can include the type of activity volume that is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the solution.

The user information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores information about users (emitting entities) (hereinafter referred to as user information). User information can include information identifying the user (or emitting entity) (user ID), the name of the user (or emitting entity) (user name), information about the business conducted by the emitting entity (business information), information about the equipment used in said business (equipment information), etc. User information can also include information identifying the type of activity amount (e.g., energy used in manufacturing, product components, waste, etc.) used to calculate the emitting entity's direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., electricity bill item name, component model number, waste disposal method name, etc.).

The providing unit constituting the output unit 240 provides solution information to the user. The providing unit can provide solution information in response to a request from the user terminal 100. The providing unit can, for example, read all or part of the solution information stored in the solution storage unit and send it to the user terminal 100. The providing unit can, for example, create screen information (which can be written in HTML, for example) for depicting the solution name, solution description, price, reduction amount, etc. of the solution information, and send the screen information to the user terminal 100. For example, when the management server 200 calculates and manages the emissions of an emitter, the providing unit may display the solution information along with the output of the emissions.

The input unit 220 can accept input of solution identification information (e.g., a solution ID) that identifies solution information from the user. The providing unit can read the solution information indicated by the accepted solution ID from the solution storage unit and transmit it to the user terminal 100. For example, the providing unit can display a list of solution names, the input unit 220 can accept the specification of a solution from the list, and the providing unit can provide solution information related to the specified solution. The input unit 220 can accept input of solution-related keywords from the user.

The search unit constituting the analysis unit 280 searches for solution information. The provision unit can provide the solution information searched by the search unit to the user (send it to the user terminal 100). The search unit can search the solution storage unit for solution information that matches the keywords received by the input unit 220. The search unit can, for example, search for solution information in which the keywords are included in the solution name, solution description, implementation conditions, etc. The search unit can provide the search results to the user (for example, send it to the user terminal 100). The search unit can, for example, search for solution information that is suitable for the user information based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit.

The search unit can estimate solution information or items included in the solution information by providing user information to a machine learning model (a regression model that predicts continuous values or a discriminant model that identifies data for each given class) created using, as training data, items included in the user information (such as business information, facility information, or information identifying the type of activity amount) and solution information indicating a solution suitable for the user (or the user's business) or items included in the solution information (such as a solution ID or solution name). The search unit can acquire the estimated solution information or solution information corresponding to the estimated items from the solution storage unit. In this case, the management server 200 can be equipped with a machine learning model storage unit that stores the machine learning model. Furthermore, if an API is provided by an external computer equipped with a learning model, the search unit may acquire an estimation result by providing the type of activity amount to the API.

The search unit can also process a generator using a large-scale language model (LLM) (which may be provided in the management server 200 or may use an API for generation AI provided by an external server) to generate an answer by providing the business information and/or facility information included in the user information and a question inquiring about methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the business information and/or facility information, and search the solution storage unit for solution information that is similar to or matches the answer generated by the generator using the large-scale language model (LLM). The similarity (matching) between the answer and the solution information can be evaluated, for example, by vectorizing the solution name and/or solution description included in the solution information and the answer, calculating the distance between them, and calculating the similarity so that the closer the distance, the greater the similarity.

In addition, the input unit 220 may acquire the amount of activity related to the user's (or the waste generator's) business and the type of activity, and the search unit may determine solution information appropriate for the type of activity.

If the solution information includes a type of activity amount that is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a solution, the search unit can search the solution information storage unit for solution information that corresponds to the type of activity amount received by the input unit 220. The search unit can, for example, search for solution information that includes a type that matches or is similar to the type of activity amount received by the input unit 220.

The search unit can estimate solution information or items included in the solution information by providing the received activity amount type to a learning model created by machine learning using, as training data, the activity amount type and solution information indicating a solution appropriate for that activity amount or items included in the solution information (such as a solution ID or solution name). The search unit can acquire the estimated solution information or solution information corresponding to the estimated items from the solution storage unit. In this case, the management server 200 can be equipped with a learning model that stores learning models. Furthermore, if an API is provided by an external computer equipped with a learning model, the search unit can acquire the estimation result by providing the activity amount type to the API.

Furthermore, the search unit can calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the type of activity amount based on the solution information and activity amount, and determine solution information suitable for the user based on the emissions amount. For example, if the solution information includes an emissions intensity, the emissions amount can be calculated by multiplying the activity amount by the emissions intensity. When multiple solution information pieces are searched, the search unit can suggest to the user a predetermined number of solution information pieces in ascending order of emissions amount. Furthermore, the input unit 220 may be configured to accept input of emissions amount along with the activity amount and type of activity amount, and to suggest only solution information whose calculated emissions are lower than the accepted emissions amount.

The search unit can also generate answers by, for example, providing a generator using a large-scale language model with questions inquiring about types of activity and methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in relation to those types of activity, and search for solution information that is similar to or matches the answers generated by the generator using a large-scale language model.

The user information transmission unit constituting the output unit 240 provides user information to a provider. The user information transmission unit can provide user information of the user to the provider of a solution specified by the user. For example, when the user information transmission unit receives a solution ID from the user terminal 100, it can obtain solution information corresponding to the received solution ID from the solution storage unit and transmit the user information corresponding to the user to the provider indicated by the provider ID included in the obtained solution information. The destination of the user information can be determined, for example, by providing the management server 200 with a provider information storage unit, which can manage the provider's contact information (such as an email address or a message destination address) in association with the provider ID.

The billing processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can perform processing to bill the provider that provided the user information for a referral fee. The billing processing unit can also perform processing to bill the provider identified by the provider identification information corresponding to the solution information stored in the solution storage unit for a listing fee.

<Operation>
FIG. 86 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200. The management server 200 reads all or part of the solution information from the solution storage unit and transmits a list of solutions based on the read solution information to the user terminal 100 (S8601). For example, the management server 200 can read only solution information whose introduction conditions included in the solution information are satisfied by the user information corresponding to the accessing user. The list of solutions can include, for example, a list of solution IDs and solution names. The list of solutions can also include a portion of a solution description corresponding to the solution name. The list of solutions can also include a price corresponding to the solution name. The list of solutions can also include a reduction amount corresponding to the solution name. The list of solutions can be provided sorted, for example, by price (e.g., lowest to highest). The list of solutions can also be provided sorted, for example, by reduction amount (e.g., largest to smallest).

Next, the management server 200 determines whether or not a keyword has been received from the user terminal 100 (S8602). If the management server 200 has received a keyword from the user terminal 100 (S8602: YES), it searches the solution storage unit for solution information that matches the keyword and sends a list of solutions based on the searched solution information to the user terminal 100 (S8603). On the other hand, if the management server 200 has not received a keyword from the user terminal 100 (S8602: NO), it proceeds to step S8604.

Next, the management server 200 determines whether or not it has received information specifying a solution from the user terminal 100 (S8604). If the management server 200 has received a solution specification (e.g., a solution ID) from the user terminal 100 (S8604: YES), it reads solution information corresponding to the specified solution ID from the solution storage unit and transmits the read solution information to the user terminal 100 (S8605). Next, the management server 200 reads user information corresponding to the user of the user terminal 100 from the user information storage unit and provides the read user information to the provider indicated by the provider ID included in the solution information (S8606). On the other hand, if it has not received information specifying a solution (S8604: NO), it terminates processing.

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to inform users of the solutions offered by providers.

The management server 200 can visualize emissions by emitter. For example, the management server 200 can acquire activity data and emission factors, and calculate emissions by multiplying the activity data by the emission factor. It can then aggregate the calculated emissions by scope and category as defined in the GHG Protocol, create screen information for displaying the aggregated results, and send this to the user terminal 100. The management server 200 can create screen information to display a list of solutions along with the aggregated results.

In addition, the operator can analyze the results of the emissions calculations described above, specify the solution(s) that they believe are appropriate for reducing these emissions, and input them into the management server 200. Information about the solution(s) selected by the operator can then be sent to the user terminal 100.

The solution information may include the publication date. The management server 200 can sort the list of solutions in order of publication date. The solution information may also include the last update date and time. The management server 200 can prioritize solutions whose last update date and time is within a specified period in the list of solutions.

The management server 200 can include in the solution information the number of views that the user has of the solution information. For example, when the management server 200 sends a list of solutions to the user terminal 100, it can increment the number of views included in the solution information related to the solution included in the list. For example, when a solution is specified by the user, the management server 200 can increment the number of views of the solution information corresponding to the specified solution. The management server 200 can create a solution list by reading out a predetermined number of solution information in order of most or least number of views. For example, it may display something like "Currently viewed by XX users." The management server 200 may include the number of views of solution information in the solution list.

The management server 200 may manage the number of applications for a solution. When the management server 200 accepts an application for a solution, it may send user information to the provider. The management server 200 may also be equipped with an application history storage unit that stores the application history of the solution (information that associates the solution ID, user ID, and application date and time). The management server 200 may count the number of application histories for the solution over a predetermined period (e.g., the past month), calculate the number of applications, and include the number of applications in the list of solutions.

The management server 200 may manage word-of-mouth reviews of solutions. The management server 200 receives word-of-mouth reviews (scores, likes, etc.) for solution information viewed from the user terminal 100 and stores the received word-of-mouth reviews. The management server 200 can prioritize solutions with good word-of-mouth reviews and present them to the user. For example, a list of solutions can be created in order of the aggregated word-of-mouth reviews. The management server 200 may also allow the user to specify multiple solution information (two is acceptable) and display the specified solution information for comparison.

The management server 200 may manage the user's past browsing history and output all solutions stored as browsing history or application history.

The conditions for introducing solution information can be set to specify industry and location. In this case, solutions that are appropriate for the user's industry and location can be presented to the user.

The management server 200 can manage multiple companies with capital ties. The management server 200 can identify providers with capital ties to the user, extract solution information related to the identified providers, and provide it to the user. Alternatively, solution information from providers with capital ties to the user may be displayed in a subordinated manner.

The solution information may also include specifications for how the solution information is displayed.

The management server 200 may prioritize displaying solution information related to providers for which an additional fee is paid.

The management server 200 may also provide rewards to users who apply for a solution via the management server 200.

When a solution contract is concluded between a user and a provider, the management server 200 may perform a process to charge the provider a specified percentage of the contract amount.

When a solution contract is concluded between the user and the provider, the management server 200 may send a message to that effect to the operator of the information processing system.

<Disclosures>
The 53rd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAA1 (P079)]
An information processing system comprising: a solution storage unit that stores solution information related to means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; a user information storage unit that stores user information related to users; a search unit that uses a machine learning model to search for the solution information suitable for the user information; and a provision unit that provides the searched solution information to the user.
[Item AAA2]
The information processing system according to Item AAA1, wherein the machine learning model is created using a first item included in the user information and a second item included in the solution information as training data, and the search unit estimates the second item by providing the first item included in the user information stored in the user information storage unit to the machine learning model, and searches the solution storage unit for the solution information corresponding to the estimated second item.
[Item AAA3]
An information processing system according to Item AAA1, wherein the search unit generates an answer by providing a generator using a large-scale language model with a first item included in the user information and a question inquiring about a method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for that item, and searches a solution storage unit for solution information similar to the answer generated by the generator.
[Item AAA4]
An information processing system according to Item AAA1, comprising an input unit that acquires types of activity amounts related to a business, and the search unit uses the machine learning model to search for the solution information that is suitable for the types of activity amounts.
[Item AAA5]
In the information processing system according to Item AAA4, the machine learning model is created using the type and items included in the solution information as training data, and the search unit estimates the items by providing the type of activity amount to the machine learning model, and searches the solution storage unit for the solution information corresponding to the estimated items.
An information processing system characterized by:
[Item AAA6]
An information processing system according to Item AAA4, wherein the search unit generates an answer by providing a generator using a large-scale language model with the type and a question inquiring about a method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to the type, and searches a solution storage unit for solution information similar to the answer generated by the generator.

<<Supplier Identification Function (54th Function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 53 is an embodiment of Function 54, which will be described in detail below. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are being estimated. It is necessary to understand the greenhouse gas emissions situation throughout the entire supply chain, and collaboration with business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain is necessary. Function 54 aims to provide technology that can understand business entities upstream and downstream in the supply chain.

<System Overview>
The following describes an information processing system related to the 54th function. This information processing system calculates greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.). This information processing system also aims to facilitate the collection of primary data (data measured by the business entity itself, data collected by interviewing other companies, etc.) by connecting system users. The following describes the information processing system.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 54th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a supplier information storage unit, an emission coefficient storage unit, an activity amount storage unit, a linkage information storage unit, a reception unit, a search unit, a provision unit, a linkage confirmation unit, an emission amount calculation unit, and a report creation unit.

The supplier information storage unit of the storage unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as supplier information) about business entities (hereinafter referred to as suppliers) that are upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the business entity to which the user belongs. Supplier information may include the name of the product (including services; the same applies below) provided by the supplier and information identifying the business entity that is the supplier (hereinafter referred to as business entity ID). Supplier information may also include product classification (which may be a hierarchy of major classifications, medium classifications, and small classifications, or may be a single classification). Supplier information may also include the supplier's name and contact information (e.g., an email address, a chat service account, a telephone number, etc.). Supplier information may include, for example, items such as the major classification "Ironworks," the medium classification "Steel," the small classification "Hot-rolled Steel," the product name "Steel A," the business entity ID "G001," and the supplier name "X Steel."

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient memory unit stores information including emission coefficients (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). The emission coefficient information can include the product name, the product classification, a business entity ID identifying the supplier providing the product, and an emission coefficient (primary data) for calculating the emissions from the supplier providing the product. Note that for a supplier and product combination for which a primary data emission coefficient is not available, the emission coefficient memory unit can include the product name and/or product classification and an emission coefficient from secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from the emissions of multiple companies providing the same type of product) in the emission coefficient information.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information related to activity amounts (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). Activity amount information can include information identifying the user (user ID), a business entity ID indicating the business entity to which the user belongs, the activity amount item name entered by the user, the activity amount, the name of the product corresponding to the entered item name, the product classification, and the business entity ID identifying the supplier providing the product. Activity amount information can also include the scope of the activity amount. For Scope 3, the activity amount information can include a category. For example, activity amount information can include items such as user ID "U002," business entity ID "G002," activity amount item name "Steel A," activity amount "100 kg," product name "Steel A," classification "Ironwork - Steel - Hot-rolled Steel," supplier business entity ID "G001," scope "Scope 3," and category "Category 1 (Purchased Products/Services)."

The linkage information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information regarding data linkage between business entities (hereinafter referred to as linkage information). The linkage information can include a pair of information (hereinafter referred to as business entity IDs) that indicates the two business entities that are linking. The emission coefficients (primary data) corresponding to the two business entities indicated in the linkage information can be mutually referenced. The activity amounts corresponding to the two business entities indicated in the linkage information may also be mutually referenced.

The reception unit constituting the input unit 220 receives from the user the activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions and the item name indicating the activity amount. The reception unit may, for example, receive the activity amount from an accounting system. For example, if the input data is accounting data, the account title and summary related to the journal entry can be used as the item name, and the amount can be used as the activity amount.

The search unit constituting the analysis unit 280 searches the supplier information storage unit for names that match the item names indicating activity amounts contained in the input data. The search unit can, for example, search the supplier information storage unit for names that match or are similar to the item names indicating activity amounts. The search unit may also search for supplier information that includes matching names. The search unit can also search for item names that match the received item name among the item names indicating activity amounts corresponding to other users that are stored in the activity amount storage unit, and search the supplier information storage unit for names that match the searched item.

The providing unit constituting the output unit 240 provides the user with information identifying suppliers corresponding to names that match the item names indicating activity amounts. A match between an item name indicating activity amounts and a name can be determined, for example, by whether the item name indicating activity amounts and the name are identical or similar. The providing unit can, for example, search for supplier information that includes a name that matches the item name indicating activity amounts.

The providing unit can provide the user with a business entity ID corresponding to an item name indicating activity amount that matches or is similar to the received item name indicating activity amount, among the item names indicating activity amount for other users stored in the activity amount storage unit. The providing unit can search the supplier information storage unit for a name that matches or is similar to the item name indicating activity amount.

The reception unit can also receive product classifications related to activity level along with the item name indicating the activity level.

The providing unit can also search for supplier information corresponding to a classification that matches the received classification if a name that matches the item name indicating the received activity amount is found, or if not found.

The linkage confirmation unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 confirms whether data linkage is possible. The linkage confirmation unit can inquire of the user whether data linkage is necessary between the supplier related to the supplier information provided and the business entity to which the user belongs. If the user desires data linkage with a supplier, the linkage confirmation unit can send the supplier a request (hereinafter referred to as a data linkage request) inquiring whether data linkage with the business entity to which the user belongs is possible, and receive a response from the supplier regarding whether data linkage is necessary. If the user desires data linkage and the supplier approves the data linkage, the linkage confirmation unit can create linkage information including the business entity ID indicating the business entity to which the user belongs and the business entity ID indicating the supplier, and register this in the linkage information storage unit.

The emission calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions by multiplying the received activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the name that matches the item name indicating the activity amount. The emission calculation unit can search the emission coefficient information storage unit for classification-including emission coefficient information, and calculate emissions by multiplying the received activity amount by the emission coefficient included in the searched emission coefficient information. The emission calculation unit can also aggregate the calculated emissions. For example, the emission calculation unit can aggregate emissions by GHG Protocol scope and/or category.

The report creation unit that constitutes the generation unit 260 can create reports on greenhouse gases. The report creation unit can create reports in formats such as PDF files, word processor files, and text files. The report creation unit can create documents related to the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions required, for example, by the Global Warming Countermeasures Act (Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures), the Energy Conservation Act (Act on Rationalizing Energy Use and Conversion to Non-Fossil Energy), and TCFD (Task Force on Financial Disclosure).

<Operation>
FIG. 87 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200. The management server 200 accepts input of activity amounts (and product names and categories) from the user (S8701), registers the activity amounts (S8702), and searches for supplier information corresponding to the product names or categories (S8703). Next, the management server 200 determines whether supplier information has been found as a result of the supplier information search (S8704). If supplier information is found (S8704: YES), the management server 200 provides the supplier information (which may be partial) to the user (S8705). The management server 200 may provide the supplier information along with a message such as "May be a business partner." On the other hand, if supplier information is not found (S8704: NO), the processing ends, but the management server 200 may provide a message such as "No business partners."

Next, the management server 200 inquires of the user whether or not to link with the supplier (S8706). Next, the management server 200 determines whether data is linked with the user (S8707). The management server 200 provides options, such as "Link data with this user" or "Do not link with this user," and can obtain the selection result from these options from the user terminal 100. If "Link data with this user" is selected (S8707: YES), the management server 200 can notify the supplier of a data linkage request (S8708). If the management server 200 receives approval for data linkage from the supplier (S8709: YES), it registers linkage information between the user's business entity and the supplier (S8710). Note that if "Do not link data with this user" is selected (S8707: NO), or if approval for data linkage is not received from the supplier (S8709: NO), the management server 200 terminates this process.

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment can provide users with suppliers related to the activity data entered to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it easier for users to collect primary data, allowing for more accurate calculation of emissions (especially Scope 3 emissions).

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment of the fifty-fourth function, business entities that may belong to the supply chain of the user's product registered by the user are provided. The management server 200 according to the second embodiment includes a supply chain information storage unit in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.

The supply chain information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information related to the supply chain (hereinafter referred to as supply chain information). The supply chain information can include a product classification (this is assumed to be a minor classification, but it can also be a major or medium classification) or product name, a product classification that exists upstream or downstream in the supply chain for that product, and information indicating whether the product is upstream or downstream in the supply chain. For example, supply chain information that includes a classification related to semiconductors and classifications such as semiconductor assembly, processing, and sales can be registered in the supply chain information storage unit.

In the second embodiment, the supplier information storage unit also registers supplier information about the business entity to which the user belongs.

The providing unit can search the supply chain information storage unit for supply chain information corresponding to the product classification included in the supplier information of the business entity to which the user belongs, obtain the upstream or downstream classification included in the searched supply chain information, search for supplier information corresponding to the obtained classification, and provide the searched supplier information to the user. For example, if a user of a semiconductor manufacturer registers supplier information for a semiconductor product, the providing unit can search for supplier information that assembles, processes, and sells semiconductors based on the registered product supplier information, provide supplier information for business entities that assemble, processes, and sell semiconductors to the user, and ask the user whether data integration is necessary, as they may be "downstream value chain partners." The acquisition can be performed by a function separate from the providing unit.

<Modification>
In the first embodiment, information on suppliers that offer products related to the activity amount is provided, and in the second embodiment, information on suppliers that offer products that may be located upstream or downstream in the supply chain of the product of the user's business entity is provided, but supplier information may also be provided based on location. For example, the supplier information may include an address, and supplier information located in the same region, prefecture, or city, ward, town, or village as the address of the business entity to which the user belongs may be searched for and provided.

In addition, a group information storage unit may be provided as a management unit for managing corporate groups, and business entity IDs indicating business entities belonging to the group may be managed. The group information storage unit may then identify business entities that belong to the same group as the user's business entity, search for supplier information related to the identified business entities, and provide the information to the user.

<Disclosures>
The 54th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAB1 (P081)]
An information processing system comprising: a supplier information storage unit that stores the name of a product or service and information identifying a supplier of the product or service; a reception unit that receives from a user an activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions and an item name indicating the activity amount; and a provision unit that provides the user with information identifying the supplier corresponding to the name that matches the item name.
[Item AAB2]
An information processing system according to item AAB1, comprising a search unit that searches the supplier information storage unit for a name that matches or is similar to the item name, and the providing unit provides the user with information that identifies the supplier corresponding to the searched name.
[Item AAB3]
An information processing system according to Item AAB1, comprising: an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating the emission amount by the supplier in association with the name; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the emission coefficient corresponding to the name that matches the item name by the received activity amount.
[Item AAB4]
The information processing system according to item AAB2 includes an activity amount storage unit that stores, in association with each other, information identifying the user, the received activity amount and item name, and the name corresponding to the item name and information identifying the supplier; the search unit searches for item names corresponding to other users that are stored in the activity amount storage unit and that match or are similar to the received item name, and searches the supplier information storage unit for the name that matches the searched item; and the provision unit provides, to the user, information identifying the supplier that corresponds to the searched name.

<<Primary data matching function (55th function)>>
While some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration further applicable to the embodiments of the first to fifty-fourth functions is described in detail below as an embodiment of the fifty-fifth function. As background technology, greenhouse gas emissions are estimated. When calculating greenhouse gas emissions, a calculation formula is used: activity amount (amount related to the scale of a business's activities) x emissions intensity (amount of greenhouse gas emissions per activity amount). Emission intensity data includes primary data, which is data collected by businesses on their own responsibility, and secondary data, which is data based on industry-average intensity databases or industry standards. Not all businesses calculate or collect primary data, posing a challenge in identifying which businesses possess primary data. The fifty-fifth function aims to provide technology that can identify businesses that possess primary data.

<System Overview>
The following describes an information processing system relating to Function 55. This information processing system manages whether or not a business entity (hereinafter referred to as a supplier) that provides a product (including a service; the same applies hereinafter) calculates or collects primary data, and enables a business entity (hereinafter referred to as a buyer) that purchases the product to identify suppliers that have primary data.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 55th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a primary data storage unit, a supplier identification unit, a supplier provision unit, a reception unit, a search unit, and an emission calculation unit.

The primary data storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information related to primary data (hereinafter referred to as primary data information). The primary data information includes information identifying suppliers that provide products and hold primary data on emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, information identifying the products provided by the supplier (for example, product number, model number, product name, etc.), and the emission intensity units (primary data) for the products provided by the supplier. Products can also be referred to as types of activity amounts. The primary data information may include product categories. Product categories can be Scope 3 categories in the GHG Protocol. The primary data information may include product types. Product types can be referred to as types of activity amounts (information that identifies activities).

The supplier identification unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 (which may also be referred to as the identification unit) references the primary data storage unit to identify suppliers that have primary data. In this embodiment, the primary data storage unit only registers the emissions intensity units for suppliers that have primary data, so the supplier identification unit can obtain primary data information for suppliers that have primary data by reading the primary data information stored in the primary data storage unit.

The supplier providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 provides information identifying the identified supplier to the buyer purchasing the product. The supplier providing unit can provide information identifying the searched supplier (e.g., the supplier's name, contact information, etc.). The supplier providing unit can, for example, send primary data information to the user terminal 100. For example, a supplier information storage unit that stores information about suppliers (the supplier's name, the person in charge for each product provided by the supplier, contact information, etc.) may be provided, and the supplier providing unit may read out the supplier information corresponding to the primary data information and send the supplier information to the user terminal 100 along with the primary data information. The supplier providing unit can display the corresponding emission intensity units in order of emission intensity size along with the information identifying the searched supplier.

The reception unit constituting the input unit 220 can receive a product category (emissions category) designation from the buyer. The reception unit can also receive a product type (activity type) designation from the buyer. The reception unit can also receive an emissions intensity designation from the buyer. The designated emissions intensity can be, for example, the emissions intensity (which may be primary data or secondary data) for the product currently being purchased by the buyer.

The search unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 searches the primary data storage unit for primary data information corresponding to the category of the received product. The search unit can also search the primary data storage unit for primary data information corresponding to the type of received product. The search unit can also narrow the search to primary data information with an emission intensity smaller than the emission intensity specified by the buyer.

The supplier providing unit can provide the primary data information (at least information providing suppliers and emission intensity units) searched by the search unit to the user terminal 100.

The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates greenhouse gas emissions. The emission calculation unit can accept input of the activity amount and the type of activity amount from the buyer and calculate the emission amount (first emission amount) by multiplying the accepted activity amount by the emission intensity unit corresponding to the accepted type of activity amount. The emission intensity unit corresponding to the type of activity amount may be secondary data. In this case, the management server 200 may be provided with a secondary data storage unit that stores standard values of the emission intensity unit (secondary data) in association with the type of activity amount. When primary data corresponding to the type of activity amount is registered in the primary data storage unit, the emission calculation unit can calculate the emission amount (second emission amount) by multiplying the accepted activity amount by the emission intensity unit of the primary data. The emission calculation unit can output the second emission amount together with information identifying the supplier corresponding to the primary data. For example, the emission calculation unit can transmit screen data for displaying the information identifying the supplier and the second emission amount to the user terminal 100 and output the screen data to the user terminal 100 so that the user terminal 100 displays a screen based on the screen data. The emission calculation unit may output the first and second emission amounts, allowing the buyer to simulate emissions when hiring a new supplier or changing suppliers.

<Operation>
88 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200. The management server 200 stores the emission intensity values for the suppliers for which the primary data is being calculated (S8801). The management server 200 receives a category or product type specification from the buyer (S8802). The management server 200 searches the primary data storage unit for primary data information corresponding to the received category or product type specification (S8803), sorts the search results in ascending order of emission intensity values (or ascending order of emission intensity values) (S8804), and transmits the sorted search results to the user terminal 100, allowing the user terminal 100 to display information regarding the emission intensity values of the suppliers and the products provided by the suppliers (S8805).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment provides buyers with information about suppliers who are calculating primary data, allowing them to understand which suppliers are calculating the primary data. This allows buyers to consider purchasing products from suppliers who are calculating primary data in order to improve their primary data ratio.

In addition, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to search for suppliers that calculate primary data by category or product type. Search results are displayed in order of emissions intensity, so buyers can consider purchasing from suppliers with low emissions intensity as a measure to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, for example.

<Disclosures>
The 55th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAC1 (P088)]
An information processing system comprising: a memory unit that stores information identifying suppliers who provide target items (goods or services) and who have primary data on emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, and the primary data on the emission intensity; a supplier identification unit that refers to the memory unit to identify suppliers who have the primary data on the emission intensity; and a supplier provision unit that provides information identifying the identified suppliers to buyers who purchase the goods or services.
[Item AAC2]
An information processing system according to item AAC1, characterized in that the memory unit stores the category of the product or service, information identifying the supplier, and primary data on the emission intensity in association with each other, and the information processing system is equipped with a reception unit that receives the category designation from the buyer, and a search unit that searches the memory unit for information identifying the supplier corresponding to the received category, and the supplier providing unit provides information identifying the searched supplier.
[Item AAC3]
An information processing system according to item AAC2, characterized in that the supplier providing unit displays primary data of the corresponding emission intensity units along with information identifying the searched supplier, in order of the magnitude of the emission intensity units.
[Item AAC4]
An information processing system according to item AAC1, characterized in that the memory unit stores the type of product or service, information identifying the supplier, and primary data on the emission intensity in association with each other, and the information processing system is equipped with a reception unit that receives a designation of the type from the buyer, and a search unit that searches the memory unit for information identifying the supplier corresponding to the received type, and the supplier providing unit provides information identifying the searched supplier.

<<Report creation support function (function no. 56)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 55 is described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 56. As background technology, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. In previous systems, it was difficult to create reports that did not conform to existing templates. Function 56 aims to provide technology that enables flexible report creation.

<System Overview>
The following describes the information processing system related to the 56th function. The required items for greenhouse gas reports may differ depending on the reporting destination. Furthermore, the same activity amount may not be applicable for calculation depending on the report. Furthermore, the emission coefficient to be used may differ depending on the reporting destination. The information processing system of this embodiment allows the user creating the report to externally specify which activity amount, which emission coefficient, and how to aggregate the report items to calculate the report, thereby enabling the user creating the report to flexibly create the desired report. Note that any report related to greenhouse gases may include information on at least one of the greenhouse gas activity amount, emission coefficient (basic unit), and emission amount. In this embodiment, the report is assumed to be created as an electronic file. The report may be created in formats such as PDF, XML, HTML, or a word processor. The report may be a report stipulated by laws such as the Energy Conservation Act, the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, or the Fluorocarbons Act, or may be a document created independently by a business entity.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 56th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an activity amount memory unit, an emission coefficient memory unit, a logic memory unit, a reception unit, an emission amount calculation unit, and a report creation unit.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information including activity amounts related to activities related to greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). Activity amount information may include an activity ID, activity name, time information, activity amount, and unit. The activity ID is information that uniquely identifies the activity amount information. Time information is information indicating the time when the activity was performed (information that specifies the period for which emissions are aggregated), such as a date or time. The activity name is the name of the activity. The activity name can represent the type of activity amount. The activity amount is the amount or number of times of the activity (for example, the number of products, transportation distance, usage time, etc.). The unit is the unit of activity amount (for example, items, km, hours, yen, etc.).

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores information including emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). The emission coefficient information may include an emission coefficient ID, a coefficient group ID, activity specification information, a gas type, an emission coefficient, and a unit. The emission coefficient ID is information for uniquely identifying the emission coefficient information. The coefficient group ID is information for identifying the group to which the emission coefficient belongs. For example, if the emission coefficient is primary data, the group of the emission coefficient may be information for identifying the company that calculated the emission coefficient. If the emission coefficient is secondary data, the group may be information indicating the entity that performed the aggregation and the version (e.g., the 2023 version of the emission coefficient established by the Ministry of the Environment). The activity specification information is information for identifying the activity to which the emission coefficient is related. The activity specification information may be the activity ID of the activity amount information or the activity name. The gas type is the type of greenhouse gas being calculated (e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O, etc.). In this embodiment, CO2 is assumed. The unit is the unit of the emission factor (e.g., tCO/kg).

The logic storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (hereinafter referred to as logic information) including logic for calculating emissions. The logic information may include a logic ID, report items, and logic. The logic may include logic for calculating an activity amount (hereinafter referred to as calculated activity amount) to be multiplied by an emission coefficient based on the activity amount corresponding to one or more activities. For example, the logic may total the activity amounts excluding activities whose activity names contain a specific character string, and calculate this as the calculated activity amount to be used to calculate emissions for a specific item (to be multiplied by an emission coefficient). For example, the logic may multiply the activity amount for a specific item by a specified percentage to obtain the calculated activity amount. For example, logic may be set such that 60% of gasoline costs are used for downstream transportation items and 40% are used for upstream transportation items.

The reception section of the input unit 220 receives from the user creating the report the specification of items to be included in the report, as well as the activities and emission coefficients required to calculate the emissions related to those items. Activities can be specified using activity specification information. Emission coefficients can be specified using activity specification information and a coefficient group ID.

If the receiving unit cannot search the activity amount storage unit for activity specification information (second activity specification information) included in the activity amount information that matches the received activity specification information (first activity specification information), it can perform an identification process between the received first activity specification information and the second activity specification information. The identification process can be performed, for example, by searching for first and second activity specification information whose similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The identification process can also be performed by machine learning. For example, a learning model can be created by machine learning using two pieces of activity specification information and information indicating whether they correspond as training data, and the receiving unit can apply the received first activity specification information to the learning model to estimate the corresponding second activity specification information.

If the receiving unit cannot search the emission coefficient storage unit for activity specification information (third activity specification information) included in the emission coefficient information that matches the received activity specification information (first activity specification information), it can perform an identification process between the received first activity specification information and the third activity specification information. The identification process can be performed in the same way as for the activity amount information described above. For example, it may search for information where the similarity between the first and third activity specification information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or it may apply the received first activity specification information to the learning model described above to estimate the corresponding third activity specification information.

The emissions calculation unit, which constitutes calculation unit 210, calculates greenhouse gas emissions. For each specified report item, the emissions calculation unit reads the activity amount corresponding to the specified activity from the activity amount storage unit, reads the specified emission coefficient from the emission coefficient storage unit, calculates emissions by multiplying the read activity amount by the read emission coefficient, and aggregates the calculated emissions to calculate the emissions for each item.

The report creation unit that constitutes the generation unit 260 creates report data. The report creation unit can create report data that enters the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit for each item included in the report (items accepted by the acceptance unit). The report data can be in any format, such as a PDF file, word processor file, or HTML file. The acceptance unit can accept the report format from the user, and the report creation unit can create report data in the accepted format. The report creation unit provides the created report data to the user terminal 100.

The reception unit can receive input from the user of logic for calculating emissions related to an item. The logic can be received for each item. The logic can include information that identifies the activity required to calculate emissions related to an item. The logic can also be configured to calculate emissions based on the activity amounts related to multiple activities. The logic can include information for calculating the activity amount used in the calculation based on the activity amounts related to the activities. For example, the activity amount related to a specific activity can be multiplied by a predetermined rate for that item and used to calculate emissions. For example, if a certain rate of the activity amount for transportation costs is allocated to upstream transportation and the remainder to downstream transportation, logic can be set to multiply the activity amount by that certain rate to calculate emissions related to the upstream transportation item. The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions for each item according to the logic.

<Operation>
89 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200. The management server 200 receives designation of report items and logic for each item from a user who wishes to create a report (S8901). The designation of logic includes designation of an activity and a designation of an emission coefficient. It is also possible to include designation of time information (an arbitrary period such as a month or a year).

The management server 200 calculates the emissions for each item according to the logic (S8902). If the logic only specifies an activity and an emission coefficient, the activity amount corresponding to the specified activity is read from the activity amount storage unit, the specified emission coefficient is read from the emission coefficient storage unit, and the read activity amount and emission coefficient are multiplied to calculate the emissions.

Activities may be specified by activity ID or activity name. Furthermore, if no activity amount information matching the specified activity name is registered in the activity amount storage unit, activity amount information matching the specified activity name can be searched for using a learning model trained by machine learning using two names indicating the same activity as training data. In this case, machine learning can be performed using not only the two activity names but also user attributes (industry, company name, business area, etc.), and the user attributes, the specified activity name, and the activity name in the activity amount information can be provided to the learning model to determine whether they indicate the same activity.

If an emission coefficient is specified using a coefficient group ID, emission coefficient information corresponding to the coefficient group ID and activity can be read from the emission coefficient storage unit. Again, if the specified activity does not match the activity-specific information in the emission coefficient information, a learning model like the one described above is used to determine whether the specified activity and the activity-specific information in the emission coefficient indicate the same activity. Among the emission coefficient information indicating the same activity, information that includes the coefficient group ID can be identified as the emission coefficient to use in calculating emissions. Furthermore, if time information is specified in the logic, activity amount information can be narrowed down to information that corresponds to (matches or includes) the time information. Furthermore, if an aggregation method is included in the logic, the calculated emissions can be aggregated according to that aggregation method. If an aggregation method is not included and emissions are calculated by multiplying multiple activity amounts by emission factors, the calculated emissions can be summed to determine the emissions to be included in the report.

The management server 200 creates report data that includes the calculated emissions for each item (S8903). The report data may be written in HTML, for example, or created as a word processor file or PDF file.

The management server 200 sends the report data to the user terminal 100 of the user who wishes to create the report (S8904).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it easy to create greenhouse gas reports in the format desired by the user.

<Data collection from external sources>
For example, the management server 200 may include an activity amount acquisition unit that automatically acquires activity amounts from an external data source. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire, for example, sales quantities, purchase quantities, inventory quantities, journal data, and the like as activity amounts from an external computer such as a sales management system or an accounting system. The activity amount acquisition unit can also collect activity amounts from, for example, a sensor or an IoT device in real time and store the activity amounts in the activity amount storage unit.

The management server 200 may also be equipped with an emission coefficient acquisition unit that automatically acquires emission coefficients from an external data source. The emission coefficient acquisition unit may, for example, acquire emission coefficients (primary data) calculated by a business operator from the business operator's computer. The emission coefficient acquisition unit may, for example, acquire emission coefficients (secondary data) from a computer (e.g., API, etc.) of a business entity, local government, country, etc. that provides secondary data on emission coefficients. The emission coefficient acquisition unit may periodically acquire emission coefficients and update the emission coefficient storage unit.

<AI prediction>
Furthermore, the management server 200 can predict future activity amounts, emission coefficients, and/or emissions based on past data using machine learning. For example, the management server 200 creates a prediction model using machine learning with past activity amounts, emission coefficients, and/or emissions as training data, and can infer predicted values of activity amounts, emission coefficients, and/or emissions by specifying a future date, period, etc. for the created prediction model.

<Dashboard>
Management server 200 may also display emissions data as a visual dashboard to facilitate intuitive analysis. For example, management server 200 may display emissions by activity, time period, greenhouse gas type, etc., in a graph or other format on the dashboard. Users may also slice and dice the data on the dashboard to perform detailed analysis.

<Offset proposal>
The management server 200 can also propose greenhouse gas offsets for the calculated emissions. For example, the management server 200 can be provided with a database of environmental values (credits) for offsetting, and can search for and propose to users environmental values that can be sold according to the amount of emissions.

<User Interface>
The management server 200 may also provide a user interface that allows logic to be created using a GUI. The user interface may display a list of selectable activities, allowing the user to select the activity required to calculate emissions for each item. It is also possible to select multiple items. The user interface may also display emission coefficients for each group, allowing the user to specify the group of emission coefficients to be used. The user interface may also allow the user to select calculation processes such as apportionment, unit conversion, and multiplication with other activity amounts. The management server 200 can create logic that describes the activity amounts and emission coefficients selected/input on the user interface and the calculation processes using these.

<Disclosures>
The 56th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAD1 (P089)]
an activity amount storage unit that stores an activity amount for each activity related to greenhouse gas emissions; an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating the greenhouse gas emissions; a reception unit that receives, from a user creating a report, designation of items to be included in the report, the activities and the emission coefficients necessary to calculate the emissions related to the items; and an emission calculation unit that refers to the activity amount storage unit and the emission coefficient storage unit, and calculates emissions for each designated item by aggregating values obtained by multiplying the activity amount corresponding to the designated activity by the designated emission coefficient.
[Item AAD2]
An information processing system according to item AAD1, characterized in that the reception unit receives input from the user of logic for calculating the emissions related to the item, and the emission calculation unit calculates the emissions for each item according to the logic.
[Item AAD3]
The information processing system of item AAD2, wherein the logic includes logic for calculating the activity amount to be multiplied by the emission factor based on the activity amount corresponding to one or more specific activities.

<<Activity amount type estimation function (57th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 56 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 57. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are being estimated. There is a problem in that it is time-consuming to register the data necessary for calculating emissions into the system. Function 57 aims to provide technology that allows easy input of data necessary for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

<System Overview>
The information processing system relating to the 57th function will be described below. This information processing system is intended to manage greenhouse gas emissions from emitters such as companies. This information processing system accepts input of activity data from the emitter or other emitters located upstream or downstream in the emitter's supply chain, and calculates emissions by multiplying this data by an emission coefficient. The information processing system of this embodiment manages which emission coefficient should be used for which activity data, allowing emissions to be calculated simply by inputting the activity data.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 56th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an emission coefficient storage unit, an activity amount storage unit, an emission amount storage unit, a user information storage unit, an activity amount input unit, an activity estimation unit, an emission coefficient acquisition unit, an emission coefficient input unit, an emission amount calculation unit, and a compilation unit.

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient memory unit stores information including emission coefficients (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). Emission coefficients may be primary data (data collected by the emitter itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement in the initial information source) or secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from emissions data from multiple companies offering the same type of product). The emission coefficient information may include the type of activity (activity) and emission coefficient associated with a company ID that identifies the emitter. Note that if primary data is not available, the emission coefficient information may include the type of activity and emission coefficient without including the company ID (or including a company ID that does not identify the emitter). The emission coefficient information may include the type of activity, the scope of the activity, the category of the activity, and the emission coefficient. The scope and category of the activity are assumed to be those of the GHG Protocol. The category may also be omitted. The activity type can take any form as long as it is information that can be used to identify the type (activity) of activity amount. For example, if an ID (activity ID) that uniquely identifies the activity is set in the data input to the management server 200 (hereinafter referred to as import data), the activity ID can be used as the type. For example, if accounting data is used as import data, account titles, summaries, etc. can be used as the type. In this case, the amount can be used as the activity amount.

The activity amount storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores activity amounts. In this embodiment, the activity amount storage unit stores information including activity amounts (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). The activity amount information can include a company ID, time information related to the activity amount, the type of activity, attribute information, and the activity amount. The time information can be set to any period, such as fiscal year, year/month, year/month/day, or date/time range. The attribute information can be various items related to the activity (for example, any items such as the supplier of products, related departments, and personnel).

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the calculated greenhouse gas emission amounts. The emission amount memory unit can store the company ID, time information, scope, category, and emission amount in association with each other.

The user information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about waste generators, such as companies to which users belong (hereinafter referred to as user information). The user information can include a company ID that identifies the company, the company's industry, the types and product names of products (including services; the same applies below) sold by the company, and product classifications (which may be hierarchical, such as major, medium, and minor classifications, or may be a single classification).

The activity amount input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts input of activity amounts. Examples of activity amounts include the number of products produced (units), the number of products purchased (units), the weight transported by logistics multiplied by the distance (ton-kilometers), and the amount of fuel consumed (liters) and monetary value (yen). The activity amount input unit accepts input of time information and activity amounts from the user, along with various activity-related items. Items may include, for example, item values related to activity amounts. For example, account titles and summaries may be used as activity amount item values. The activity amount input unit may receive import data from the user terminal 100. Import data may be, for example, data exported from an ERP system (export data) or data converted from export data. Import data may be, for example, CSV data, JSON data, or XML data. For example, with CSV data, it is possible to know which item corresponds to which type of data. Furthermore, with JSON data, XML data, and the like, the type of item of the set data may be tagged or set as an attribute.

The activity estimation unit that constitutes the estimation unit 270 estimates the type of activity (managed in association with an emission coefficient) that corresponds to the received activity amount. The activity estimation unit can estimate the type of activity by providing items included in the input data (e.g., imported data) to an estimation model. The estimation model can be a learning model that is trained by machine learning using the item values of past imported data and the types of activity amounts that correspond to those item values as training data.

The estimation model may be one that has been learned through machine learning not only from the item values and types, but also from the industry of the company to which the user belongs. In this case, the activity estimation unit can provide the received item values and the user's industry to the estimation model to estimate the type of activity amount.

The estimation model may be learned through machine learning from multiple item values and types contained in past import data. In this case, the activity estimation unit can provide the multiple item values contained in the import data and the user's industry to the estimation model to estimate the type of activity amount.

Also, when multiple pieces of import data have been received in the past, the item values included in one piece of import data, other item values included in multiple import data received at the same time, and the registered activity amount type may be learned through machine learning. In this case, the activity estimation unit can estimate the type of activity amount by providing the estimation model with the item values included in one piece of import data and the item values included in the other pieces of import data.

The emission coefficient acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires an emission coefficient corresponding to the amount of activity. The emission coefficient acquisition unit can read an emission coefficient corresponding to the company ID and type of activity from the emission coefficient storage unit. If the emission coefficient is managed by an external system, the emission coefficient acquisition unit may access the external system to acquire the emission coefficient.

The emission coefficient input unit constituting the input unit 220 accepts the input of emission coefficients. The emission coefficient input unit identifies the company ID indicating the emitter to which the user belongs (for example, it can accept input of a company ID. The user information storage unit can also store the company ID in association with information identifying the user, and obtain the company ID corresponding to the user from the user information storage unit). It can accept input of the type of activity amount and emission coefficient from the user, and register the company ID, type, and emission coefficient in the emission coefficient storage unit. If the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity amount related to the import data is not stored in the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission coefficient input unit can, for example, notify the user terminal 100 of this and accept the emission coefficient from the user terminal 100.

The emissions calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions based on the emission coefficient and activity amount. The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions for each piece of information received from the user (for example, each record included in the import data). The emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of activity estimated based on the activity amount items. If the unit in which the activity amount is expressed matches the unit assumed by the emission coefficient (tCO2/unit), the emissions calculation unit can calculate emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient. If the units do not match, the emissions calculation unit can also calculate emissions after performing unit conversion. The emissions calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit. The emissions calculation unit can register the company ID, time information such as the current date and time, the scope and category of the calculated emissions, and the calculated emissions in association with each other in the emissions storage unit.

The aggregation unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 aggregates emissions. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by scope. The aggregation unit can aggregate the emissions calculated by the emissions calculation unit by category.

<Operation>
FIG. 90 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200. The management server 200 externally accepts activity amounts and item values related to the activity amounts (S9001). For example, the management server 200 can accept CSV data uploads or form inputs from the user terminal 100. The management server 200 estimates the type of activity amount by providing the accepted item values to an estimation model (S9002), reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the estimated type of activity amount from the emission coefficient storage unit (S9003), and calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient (S9004). The management server 200 registers the calculated emission amount in the emission amount storage unit (S9005). The management server 200 can also aggregate and output the emission amounts registered in the emission amount storage unit (S9006).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to estimate activity from data related to activity levels and facilitate input.

<Disclosures>
The 57th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAE1 (P090)]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient for calculating an amount of greenhouse gas emissions in association with a type of activity amount related to the emission of the greenhouse gas; an input unit that receives the activity amount and an item value indicating the activity amount from a user; an activity estimation unit that estimates the type by providing the received item value to a learning model that has learned past item values and types through machine learning; and an emission calculation unit that calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the estimated type.
[Item AAE2]
An information processing system according to item AAE1, comprising a user information storage unit that stores the industry of the user for each user, the learning model having learned the item value, the type, and the industry through machine learning, and the activity estimation unit providing the received item value and the industry of the user to the learning model to estimate the type.

<<Supplier estimation function (58th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 57 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 58. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are being estimated. When calculating emissions related to Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol, it is necessary to understand which business entities (suppliers) located upstream or downstream in the supply chain are being collaborated with. Function 58 aims to provide technology that can identify business entities upstream and downstream in the supply chain.

<System Overview>
The following describes an information processing system related to Function 58. When calculating greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, etc.) emissions, particularly emissions that fall under Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol, this information processing system attempts to identify from which upstream or downstream business entity (hereinafter referred to as "supplier") in the supply chain goods (including services; the same applies hereinafter) have been procured (or services have been requested). The following describes the information processing system.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 56th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a learning model memory unit, an emission coefficient memory unit, an activity amount memory unit, a reception unit, an estimation unit 270, an emission amount calculation unit, and an output unit 240.

The learning model memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores a learning model (first learning model, hereinafter referred to as the supplier learning model) that estimates the supplier of a product based on information indicating the product (hereinafter referred to as the target item display information). The learning model memory unit stores a learning model (second learning model, hereinafter referred to as the product learning model) that estimates a product based on the target item display information indicating the product. The target item display information can be, for example, the name of the product provided by the supplier. The target item display information can also be, for example, image data such as a product logo or image. The target item display information can also be video data or audio data related to the product. The learning model can be created by machine learning. The supplier learning model can be created, for example, by learning target item display information, such as the name used for the product, and information identifying the supplier through machine learning. The product learning model can be created by using machine learning to learn, for example, target item display information such as the name used for the product and the product name used in this information processing system (this can be the product name registered in the emission coefficient storage unit described below or the product name managed in the product master. It can also be a product thumbnail image, product package image, product logo, or video data or audio data registered along with the product).

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The emission coefficient memory unit stores emission coefficients in association with suppliers and products or services. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient memory unit stores information related to emission coefficients (hereinafter referred to as emission coefficient information). The emission coefficient information may include the name of the product, the classification of the product, a business entity ID identifying the supplier providing the product, and an emission coefficient (primary data) for calculating the emissions by the supplier providing the product. Note that for a supplier and product combination for which a primary data emission coefficient is not available, the emission coefficient memory unit may include the product name and/or classification and an emission coefficient from secondary data (data other than primary data, for example, data standardized (statistically processed) from the emissions of multiple companies providing the same type of product) in the emission coefficient information.

The activity amount storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores information related to activity amount (hereinafter referred to as activity amount information). The activity amount information can include information identifying the user (user ID), a business entity ID indicating the business entity to which the user belongs, information representing the activity amount input by the user (hereinafter referred to as activity amount display information), the activity amount, item display information for the product corresponding to the input activity amount display information, the product classification, and a business entity ID identifying the supplier that provides the product. The activity amount information can include the scope of the activity amount. For Scope 3, the activity amount information can include a category. The activity amount display information can be, for example, the name of a product used by the user. The activity amount display information can also be, for example, image data such as a product logo or image. The activity amount display information can also be, for example, video data or audio data related to the product.

The reception unit constituting the input unit 220 receives activity amounts related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information that indicates the activity amounts. The reception unit can receive activity amounts and activity amount display information from the user terminal 100. The reception unit may be configured to receive activity amounts from, for example, an accounting system. For example, if the input data is accounting data, the account title and summary related to the journal entry can be used as the activity amount display information, and the amount can be used as the activity amount. The reception unit may create activity amount information including the received activity amounts and activity amount display information and register this in the activity amount storage unit.

The estimation unit 270 estimates a supplier corresponding to activity amount display information that represents the amount of activity. The estimation unit 270 can also estimate a product corresponding to activity amount display information that represents the amount of activity. The estimation unit 270 can estimate a supplier by providing activity amount display information that represents the amount of activity to a supplier learning model. The estimation unit 270 can estimate a product by providing activity amount display information that represents the amount of activity to a product learning model.

The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The emission calculation unit obtains the emission coefficient corresponding to the supplier estimated by the estimation unit 270 and the product estimated by the estimation unit 270 from the emission coefficient storage unit, and can calculate the amount of emissions by multiplying the obtained emission coefficient by the amount of activity received by the reception unit. If the emission coefficient corresponding to the supplier estimated by the estimation unit 270 and the product estimated by the estimation unit 270 is not registered in the emission coefficient storage unit, the emission amount may be calculated using the emission coefficient (secondary data) corresponding to the estimated product or its category.

The output unit 240 outputs information identifying the estimated supplier. The output unit 240 may also output information identifying the estimated product. The output unit 240 can also output the calculated emissions. The output unit 240 can also output the emissions for each scope (and category for Scope 3), for example. The output unit 240 can also output the emissions in various report formats, for example.

<Operation>
91 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200. The management server 200 receives an activity amount and its activity amount display information from the user terminal 100 (S9101), estimates a supplier from the received activity amount display information (S9102), estimates a product from the received activity amount display information (S9103), obtains an emission coefficient corresponding to the estimated supplier and product (S9104), and calculates an emission amount by multiplying the obtained emission coefficient by the activity amount (S9105). The management server 200 can output the estimated supplier, estimated product, and/or emission amount to the user terminal 100 (S9106).

In this way, the information processing system of this embodiment can estimate which supplier and which product the activity amount received from the user relates to. Furthermore, emissions can be calculated using the emission coefficients of the primary data corresponding to the supplier and product.

<Modification 1>
For example, in this embodiment, the estimated suppliers and products are used as is, but confirmation may be obtained from the user. In this case, the output unit 240 may output the suppliers and/or products estimated by the estimation unit 270 to the user terminal 100 before calculating the emissions, and receive input from the user as to whether the estimated suppliers and/or products are correct. Here, if the estimation is incorrect, the estimated suppliers and/or products may not be used. If the estimation is incorrect, input of the correct suppliers and/or products may be received from the user, and the received suppliers and/or products may be used.

<Modification 2>
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the learning model is provided in the management server 200, but a learning model managed by an external system (not shown) may also be used. For example, the learning model may be a large-scale language model, and an API provided by the external system may be invoked to query the large-scale language model and generate output. In this case, the estimation unit 270 can cause the learning model to output information identifying the supplier by providing the learning model with a prompt including the received activity amount display information and a question inquiring about a supplier that provides a product or service corresponding to the activity amount display information.

<Disclosures>
The 58th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAF1 (P091)]
An information processing system comprising: a receiving unit that receives from a user an activity amount related to greenhouse gas emissions and activity amount display information representing the activity amount; an estimation unit that estimates a supplier of a product or service by providing the activity amount display information representing the activity amount to a learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on target item display information representing the product or service; and an output unit that outputs information identifying the estimated supplier.
[Item AAF2]
An information processing system according to item AAF, characterized in that the learning model is created by learning the name used for the product or service and information identifying the supplier through machine learning.
[Item AAF3]
An information processing system according to item AAF2, wherein the learning model is a large-scale language model, and the estimation unit causes the learning model to output information identifying the supplier by providing the learning model with a prompt including the name and a question inquiring about the supplier that provides the product or service corresponding to the name.
[Item AAF4]
An information processing system according to item AAF1, characterized in that the learning model is created by learning images used as the product or service and information identifying the supplier through machine learning.
[Item AAF5]
the information processing system according to Item AAF, comprising an emission coefficient storage unit that stores emission coefficients for calculating the greenhouse gas emissions in association with the supplier and the product or service, wherein the estimation unit estimates the supplier by providing the activity amount display information that represents the activity amount to a first learning model that estimates the supplier of the product or service based on the target item display information that indicates the product or service, and estimates the product or service by providing the activity amount display information that represents the activity amount to a second learning model that estimates the product or service based on the target item display information that indicates the product or service, and comprises an emission calculation unit that calculates the emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient stored in the emission coefficient storage unit that corresponds to the estimated supplier and the estimated product or service.

<<Credit function (19th function)>>
Next, a region-specific credit function will be described as an additional example of the credit function described in the 19th function above. The region-specific credit function is applicable to the 1st to 58th functions described above. As background technology, carbon dioxide emission rights are traded. One issue is that it takes time and effort to decide which emission rights to purchase. This embodiment aims to provide technology that can support emission rights trading.

<System Overview>
The information processing system according to this embodiment aims to support the trading of greenhouse gas emission rights (for example, in Japan, the domestic system known as J-Credit is well known. Also, multiple emission rights may exist depending on the country or region. For example, there are the UN-led Kyoto Mechanism Credits (JI, CDM), the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), various domestic systems, and private-sector-led voluntary credits. Hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as emission rights). Note that emission rights trading is a comprehensive concept that includes emissions trading and emissions allowance trading, or a concept that is the same as or similar to these, and the same will be used hereinafter. The information processing system according to this embodiment provides emission rights that can be used for offsetting at the user's location to a user (hereinafter referred to as a user) who wishes to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to each of the owner terminal, user terminal, and invalidation server via a communications network. The communications network is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed using a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

The holder terminal is a computer operated by a user (hereinafter referred to as the "emissions credit holder") who has created an emission credit by reducing or absorbing greenhouse gas emissions. The holder terminal can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer.

A user terminal is a computer operated by a user of emission credits. A user terminal can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer.

The management server 200 is a computer that manages information related to emission credits and proposes emission credits to users. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing.

The invalidation server is a computer of an organization that issues emission credits and invalidates greenhouse gas emissions based on emission credits (for example, an organization that operates the J-Credit Scheme, etc.). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the invalidation process is performed by sending a request to invalidate an emission credit to the invalidation server (including, for example, sending a request for invalidation by email).

The hardware configuration of the owner terminal, user terminal, and invalidation server can also be the same as that of the management server 200.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an emission credit storage unit, an offset attribute storage unit, an invalidation information storage unit, a reception unit (input unit), an emission credit acquisition unit, a request reception unit, an invalidation processing unit, a location information acquisition unit, and a region identification unit.

The emission credit storage unit of the storage unit 230 stores information about emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission credit information). The emission credit information may include, in association with emission credit identification information (emission credit ID) that identifies the emission credit, the name of the emission meter (emission credit name), the attributes of the emission credit, the region (country/region) where the emission credit can offset greenhouse gas emissions, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas that can be offset by the emission credit (maximum offset amount), the minimum amount (minimum offset amount), the certification standards of a third-party certification organization, the country/region where the emission credit was created, the amount of emission credits that can be purchased, the year the emission credit was issued, and the rating of the emission credit (rating by a rating agency). The minimum offset amount determines the sales unit of the emission credit and can be set arbitrarily by the holder of the emission credit. For example, it may be in units of 1 ton, 50 ton, or 100 ton. Attributes may include methodologies related to emission credits (which specify the scope of application, calculation methods for emission reductions and removals, and monitoring methods for each technology that contributes to emission reductions and removals). Attributes may also include the type of emission credit. Countries/regions may be specified by address (country, city, town, village, etc.) or by latitude and longitude (which may be a single point, multiple latitudes and longitudes, or a geofence).

The offset attribute memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, in association with activity-specific information that identifies the activity. In this embodiment, the offset attribute memory unit stores rule-specific information that identifies rules related to reporting emissions, activity-specific information, and attributes in association with each other. Rule-specific information can be, for example, "Global Warming Act," "Energy Conservation Act," "Carbon Offset," "CDP Questionnaire," "SBT," or "RE100." Activity-specific information can be, for example, "fuel combustion" or "electricity use."

The invalidation information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information regarding the emission amount that the user wishes to offset (hereinafter referred to as invalidation information). The invalidation information can include an invalidation ID that identifies the invalidation information, rule-specific information, activity-specific information, and the emission amount that the user wishes to offset. The invalidation information can also include information indicating whether or not the management server 200 will automatically perform the invalidation process (automatic invalidation).

The reception unit that constitutes the input unit 220 can accept input of activity specification information that specifies the activity for which the user wishes to offset, and the amount of emissions related to the activity. In this embodiment, the input unit 220 accepts input of invalidation information. The input unit 220 can transmit screen information that displays an input form for invalidation information to the user terminal, and can receive data for each item of the invalidation information from the user terminal and accept the invalidation information. The input unit 220 can register the accepted invalidation information in the invalidation information storage unit.

The emission credit acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 identifies emission credits that can be presented in response to the invalidation information. The emission credit acquisition unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity-specific information included in the invalidation information, and can acquire emission credit specific information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the maximum offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions included in the invalidation information. Furthermore, if rule-specific information is set in the invalidation information, the emission credit acquisition unit can identify attributes that correspond to the rule-specific information and activity-specific information included in the invalidation information from the offset attribute storage unit.

The emission rights acquisition unit can present the identified emission rights to the user. The emission rights acquisition unit can, for example, send emission rights information to the user terminal.

The emission rights acquisition unit may search for invalidation information for which emission rights can be presented, for the emission rights information. For example, the emission rights acquisition unit may select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (if there is one invalidation information) or the total emission amount (if there are multiple invalidation information) included in the invalidation information is less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount for the emission rights information. The emission rights acquisition unit may also select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (if there is one invalidation information) or the total emission amount (if there are multiple invalidation information) included in the invalidation information is greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount. For example, for one emission rights information, the emission rights acquisition unit may select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (or the total amount) included in the invalidation information is less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount for the emission rights information and greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount, such that the total emission amount included in the invalidation information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or is at its maximum.

The request reception unit that constitutes the input unit 220 can receive invalidation requests from user terminals. The request can include information that identifies the invalidation information (e.g., an invalidation ID) and information that identifies the emission credits (e.g., an emission credit ID).

The invalidation processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing related to invalidating emissions using emission credits (hereinafter referred to as invalidation processing). As part of the invalidation processing, the invalidation processing unit can, for example, send an invalidation request containing information identifying the emission credits and invalidation information to the invalidation server. In this case, the operator of the management server 200 will perform the invalidation on behalf of the user. Note that the user may also perform the invalidation themselves.

For invalidation information where automatic invalidation is "false," the invalidation processing unit can perform the invalidation process in response to an invalidation request from the user terminal. For invalidation information where automatic invalidation is "true," the invalidation processing unit can perform the invalidation process without receiving a request from the user terminal. In this case, the invalidation processing unit can perform the sale process of the emission credits from the holder to the user prior to the invalidation process. Note that the sale process uses the processing used in a general trading system, so a description of it will be omitted here.

Furthermore, when invalidating multiple pieces of invalidation information using one emission credit, the invalidation processing unit can perform invalidation processing (for example, sending an invalidation request to the invalidation server) so that the activity-specific information and emissions contained in each piece of invalidation information are included in the invalidation notice.

The location information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires user location information. The user terminal can acquire information indicating the user terminal's location on a map (for example, this may be expressed by latitude and longitude, or by city, ward, town, or village, or by information identifying a beacon in a known location) using existing technologies such as GPS or beacons, and send it to the management server 200, which the location information acquisition unit can receive. The location information acquisition unit may send a request to the user terminal to acquire location information from the user terminal, or may receive location information periodically sent from the user terminal. The location information acquisition unit may identify the user's location by, for example, analyzing images from a surveillance camera capturing the user or user terminal, and create location information indicating the identified location.

The region identification unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 (which may also be referred to as the identification unit) identifies the region in which the user is currently located. The region identification unit, for example, acquires location information expressed in latitude and longitude, and can acquire the region (address, postal code, etc.) corresponding to the latitude and longitude by using a reverse geocoding API provided by the map server. Regions may include countries. The management server 200 may also be equipped with a region information storage unit that pre-stores shapes (geofences) that surround regions such as countries, regions, cities, towns, and villages, and the region identification unit may search the region information storage unit for geofences that include location information to identify the region.

The emission rights acquisition unit can narrow down the emission rights information to those corresponding to the region identified by the region identification unit and present the emission rights to the user. Whether the emission rights information corresponds to the region identified by the region identification unit may be determined based on whether the region matches or is similar to the "country/region" in the emission rights information, or based on whether the location information (latitude and longitude) is included in a geofence set for the country/region. Alternatively, the area (geofence) corresponding to the region in the emission rights information may be obtained from a map server, for example, by geocoding, and a determination may be made based on whether the location information is included in the obtained area.

<Operation>
Using FIG. 28, the processing for invalidation information for which the automatic invalidation is "false" will be described. The management server 200 accepts input of invalidation information from the user terminal and registers it in the invalidation information storage unit (S2801). The management server 200 acquires attributes corresponding to the rule-specific information and activity-specific information included in the invalidation information from the offset attribute storage unit (S2802), and searches the emission credit storage unit for emission credit information that corresponds to the acquired attributes and for which the emission amount of the invalidation information is greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount and less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount (S2803). Note that the management server 200 may specify a region corresponding to the location information acquired from the user terminal and narrow down the search for emission credit information to only emission credit information corresponding to the specified region. The management server 200 can transmit the searched emission credit information to the user terminal and present the emission credits to the user (S2804). The management server 200 may then perform a process of selling the emission credits to the user.

When the management server 200 receives an invalidation request from the user terminal (S2805), it performs invalidation processing using the emission rights related to the emission rights information based on the emission rights information and invalidation information specified in the request (S2806).

In this way, the management server 200 can present users with emission credits that can be used to offset emissions. The management server 200 can also invalidate emissions on behalf of users upon request.

Next, using Figure 29, we will explain the processing for invalidation information for which automatic invalidation is "true." The management server 200 accepts input of invalidation information from the user terminal and registers it in the invalidation information storage unit (S2901). The management server 200 acquires rules and activities corresponding to the attributes of the emission credit information from the offset attribute storage unit (S2902). The management server 200 reads invalidation information corresponding to the acquired rules and activities from the invalidation information storage unit, and selects, from the read invalidation information, a combination of invalidation information such that the total emission amount is equal to or greater than the minimum offsettable amount and equal to or less than the maximum offsettable amount (S2903). Here, the management server 200 can select a combination such that the total emission amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The management server 200 may also select a combination such that the total emission amount is maximized. The management server 200 can perform invalidation processing so that the activity-specific information and emission amounts included in each of the invalidation information included in the selected combination are included in the invalidation notice (S2904).

In this way, the management server 200 can automatically execute invalidation processing for emission amounts that users have requested be offset. Therefore, for example, invalidation information relating to emission amounts that are less than the minimum offsettable amount can be invalidated all at once. Furthermore, when offsetting emission amounts that are less than the maximum offsettable amount, invalidation can also be performed together with other invalidation information.

In this embodiment, one or more pieces of invalidation information are matched to one piece of emission rights information, but one or more pieces of invalidation information may also be matched to multiple pieces of emission rights information. In this case, for example, if there is a remainder (fraction) in the emissions of the invalidation information in units of the minimum offsettable amount, that fraction may be matched with other emission rights information.

For example, in this embodiment, the management server 200 automatically performs the invalidation process (acts as an agent for invalidation), but it may also be configured to simply present the user with the emission credits that can be used for invalidation.

It is also possible to add the following components: an emission rights information presentation unit, an emission rights acquisition unit, a trading history management unit, and a consulting information provision unit.

The emission credit information presentation unit constituting the output unit 210 presents the emission credit information acquired by the emission credit acquisition unit to the emission credit purchaser. Examples of presentation methods include sending the emission credit information to the emission credit purchaser's terminal 3 or presenting it to the emission credit purchaser on the information processing system of this embodiment. Examples of emission credit information presented to the emission credit purchaser include the name of the emission credit (project name), the selling price (purchase price) of the emission credit, the number of emission credits in stock, the country/region where the emission credits were created, the certification standard by the third-party certification organization, the year the emission credits were issued, and the rating of the emission credits. Examples of the name of the emission credit (project name) displayed include "Forest Protection in the United States" and "Agricultural Land Improvement through Biochar Utilization in the Kyushu Region of Japan." Examples of the selling price (purchase price) of the emission credits are displayed as $777/ton. Examples of the number of emission credits in stock are displayed as "100,000 tons." Examples of the country/region where the emission credits were created are displayed as "Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan" and "Illinois, United States." The certification standards from third-party certification organizations are displayed as, for example, "Verified Carbon Standard," "Gold Standard," or "American Carbon Registry." The year the emissions credits were issued is displayed as, for example, "2023" or "2021-2022." The emissions credit rating is displayed as, for example, "AA," "A," or "B." These displays are just examples, and the emissions credit information may also include the name of the emissions credit creating business, the trading volume (volume) within a specified period, past contract prices, and evaluations and reviews of the emissions credits by emissions credit purchasers.

Methods for displaying to the emission credit purchaser the emission credits screened by the emission credit acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 include a method of preferentially displaying emission credits with an inventory amount capable of offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions input by the emission credit purchaser into the input unit (emissions input unit), a method of preferentially displaying emission credits with a high rating, a method of preferentially displaying emission credits that are highly rated by the emission credit purchaser, a method of preferentially displaying emission credits created in areas close to the location of the emission credit purchaser, and a method of preferentially displaying emission credits that have a high affinity with the emission credit purchaser's products or services.

The trading history management unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, manages trading information (purchase date, purchase source, purchase price, purchased quantity, type of emission allowance, etc.) of emission allowances purchased by emission allowance purchasers. Emission allowance purchasers can view information about emission allowances they have purchased in the past at any time.

The consulting information providing unit that constitutes the output unit 240 provides advice, proposals, and planning information regarding the creation and purchase of emission credits to emission credit creating businesses and/or emission credit purchasers. For example, it provides information to emission credit creating businesses to support the creation of emission credits tailored to the needs of emission credit purchasers, such as trends in emission credits used for carbon offsetting, types of emission credits that are in high demand for use in carbon offsetting, market prices for emission credits (appropriate sales prices according to the type of emission credit), and attributes of emission credit purchasers using the information processing system related to this embodiment (business establishment, head office location, industry, information on products supplied, or information on services provided). In addition, the consulting information providing unit provides information to support the purchase of emission credits to emission credit purchasers, such as explanations of types of emission credits and suggestions for emission credits that meet the objectives and needs of carbon offsetting.

The information processing system according to this embodiment may be provided with an emission credit recommendation unit (not shown) in addition to the functional units described above. This emission credit recommendation unit recommends emission credits suitable for the emission credit purchaser from the information processing system side, based on the emission credit buying and selling information accumulated in the buying and selling history management unit. For example, it may notify the emission credit purchaser that "The same type of emission credit with a higher rating is now on sale from the creator of the emission credit purchased on ● month ● year 202X," or "The emission credit purchased on ● month ● year 202X is now on sale at a ●% discount from the original purchase price." (This notification may be sent on the information processing system, or to an email address registered by the emission credit purchaser.)

The information processing system according to this embodiment may be provided with not only the functional units described above, but also a functional unit (not shown) that links with an information processing system that calculates and visualizes greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental indicators (e.g., air quality, energy, water and sewage, waste and hazardous materials, and impact on ecosystems). This functional unit automatically inputs the greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental indicators that it has calculated into the information processing system according to this embodiment. This reduces the amount of work required for an emissions credit purchaser to input the greenhouse gas emissions to be offset. Furthermore, the emissions credit recommendation unit (not shown) described above may recommend emission credits that meet the objectives and needs of the emissions credit purchaser based on the greenhouse gas emissions data stored in the information processing system and the activity item data and activity amount data that form the basis for that calculation.

<Disclosures>
The present disclosure also includes the following configurations.
[Item S11 (P094)]
an emission rights storage unit that stores emission rights specification information that specifies emission rights that can offset greenhouse gas emissions and information that specifies areas in which the greenhouse gas emissions can be offset using the emission rights, in association with each other; a reception unit (input unit) that receives input of the activity for which a user wishes to offset; a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the user's terminal from the user's terminal; an area specification unit that specifies the area corresponding to the location information; and an emission rights acquisition unit that acquires the emission rights specification information that corresponds to the specified area and the received activity from the emission rights storage unit.
[Item S12]
The information processing system according to item S11, wherein the region is a country.
[Item S13]
The information processing system according to item S11, wherein the emission rights storage unit stores the emission rights specification information, information specifying the region, and the emissions that can be offset by the emission rights, in association with each other; the reception unit (input unit) receives input of the activity and the activity amount or the emissions related to the activity; and the emission rights acquisition unit acquires from the emission rights storage unit the emission rights specification information that corresponds to the specified region and the received activity, and that is equal to or less than the emissions calculated by multiplying the activity amount by an emission coefficient corresponding to the activity or the received emissions.
[Item S19 (P105)]
an emission rights information input unit that receives input of emission rights information from a business operator that creates emission rights to be used to offset greenhouse gas emissions; an emission rights information storage unit that stores the emission rights information; an emission rights attribute storage unit that stores attributes of the emission rights that can offset the greenhouse gas emissions related to an activity; an emission rights acquisition unit that acquires the emission rights information that can offset the greenhouse gas emissions input by the customer; an emission rights information presentation unit that presents the emission rights information acquired by the emission rights acquisition unit to the customer; and a buying and selling history management unit that manages the buying and selling history of the emission rights between the customer and the business operator that creates emission rights.
[Item S20]
An information processing system according to item S19, characterized in that it comprises a consulting information providing unit that provides the business operator with consulting information regarding the creation of the emission credits and/or consulting information regarding the purchase of the emission credits.

<<Credit function (19th function)>>
Next, a credit function related to local production for local consumption will be described as an additional example of the credit function described in the 19th function above. The credit function related to local production for local consumption is a configuration that can be applied to the 1st to 58th functions described above. As background technology, carbon dioxide emission rights are traded. One issue is that it takes time and effort to decide which emission rights to purchase. The present embodiment aims to provide technology that can support emission rights trading.

<System Overview>
The information processing system according to this embodiment aims to support the trading of greenhouse gas emission credits (J-Credits are assumed in this embodiment, but other emission credits can also be applied). It matches emission credits created through greenhouse gas emission reductions and absorption with the greenhouse gas emissions to be offset. The number of available J-Credits varies depending on the greenhouse gas emission activity. Furthermore, the number of J-Credits available for reporting varies depending on rules such as the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, the Energy Conservation Act, SBT, CDP, and RE100. Furthermore, the countries or regions in which emission credits can be used are limited. In addition, some businesses that offset carbon using agricultural emission credits (e.g., emission credits created by farmland use of biochar) or forest sink emission credits (e.g., emission credits created by afforestation, thinning, etc.) also have a need to use locally produced emission credits (e.g., emission credits created in the business's location). The information processing system according to this embodiment proposes available emission credits to users (hereinafter referred to as "users") who wish to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Locally produced credits are examples of emission credits that are locally produced and consumed.

The information processing system of this embodiment includes a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to each of the owner terminal, user terminal, and invalidation server via a communications network. The communications network is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed using a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

The holder terminal is a computer operated by a user (hereinafter referred to as the "emissions credit holder") who has created an emission credit by reducing or absorbing greenhouse gas emissions. The holder terminal can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer.

A user terminal is a computer operated by a user. A user terminal can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer.

The management server 200 is a computer that manages information related to emission credits and proposes emission credits to users. The management server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized using cloud computing.

The invalidation server is a computer of the organization that issues emission credits and invalidates greenhouse gas emissions based on the emission credits (the organization that operates the J-Credit Scheme). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the invalidation process is performed by sending a request to invalidate the emission credits to the invalidation server (including, for example, sending a request for invalidation by email).

The hardware configuration of the owner terminal, user terminal, and invalidation server can also be the same as that of the management server 200.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an emission credit storage unit, an offset attribute storage unit, an invalidation information storage unit, a user information storage unit, a reception unit (input unit), an emission credit acquisition unit, a request reception unit, and an invalidation processing unit.

The emission credit storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores information regarding emission credits that can offset greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as emission credit information). The emission credit information may include, in association with emission credit identification information (emission credit ID) that identifies the emission credit, the name of the emission credit (emission credit name), the greenhouse gas emission region (available region) where the emission credit can be used for offsetting, the region where the emission credit was created, the attributes of the emission credit, and the maximum (maximum offset amount) and minimum (minimum offset amount) amounts of greenhouse gases that can be offset using the emission credit. The available region may be identified by, for example, country, region, district, prefecture, city, town, or village. The minimum offset amount determines the sales unit of the emission credit and can be set arbitrarily by the holder of the emission credit. For example, it may be in units of 1 ton, 50 tons, 100 tons, or other units. The attributes may include the methodology related to the emission credit (which specifies the scope of application, calculation method and monitoring method of emission reductions and removals for each technology that contributes to emission reductions and removals). Attributes may also include the type of emission credit.

The offset attribute memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores attributes of emission credits that can offset emissions related to an activity, in association with activity-specific information that identifies the activity. In this embodiment, the offset attribute memory unit stores rule-specific information that identifies rules related to reporting emissions, activity-specific information, and attributes in association with each other. Rule-specific information can be, for example, "Global Warming Act," "Energy Conservation Act," "Carbon Offset," "CDP Questionnaire," "SBT," or "RE100." Activity-specific information can be, for example, "fuel combustion" or "electricity use."

The invalidation information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information regarding the emission amount that the user wishes to offset (hereinafter referred to as invalidation information). The invalidation information can include an invalidation ID that identifies the invalidation information, rule-specific information, activity-specific information, and the emission amount that the user wishes to offset. The invalidation information can also include information indicating whether or not the management server 200 will automatically perform the invalidation process (automatic invalidation).

The user information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about users (hereinafter referred to as user information). The user information may include information that identifies the user (user ID), the country in which the user is located, and the user's address.

The reception unit that constitutes the input unit 220 can accept input of activity specification information that specifies the activity for which the user wishes to offset, and the amount of emissions related to the activity. In this embodiment, the input unit 220 accepts input of invalidation information. The input unit 220 can transmit screen information that displays an input form for invalidation information to the user terminal, and can receive data for each item of the invalidation information from the user terminal and accept the invalidation information. The input unit 220 can register the accepted invalidation information in the invalidation information storage unit.

The emission credit acquisition unit that constitutes the acquisition unit 250 identifies emission credits that can be presented in response to the invalidation information. The emission credit acquisition unit references the offset attribute storage unit and the emission credit storage unit to identify attributes that correspond to the activity-specific information included in the invalidation information, and can acquire emission credit specific information that corresponds to the identified attributes and the maximum offsettable amount that is equal to or greater than the emissions included in the invalidation information. Furthermore, if rule-specific information is set in the invalidation information, the emission credit acquisition unit can identify attributes that correspond to the rule-specific information and activity-specific information included in the invalidation information from the offset attribute storage unit.

The emission rights acquisition unit can present to the user emission rights that are available in the user's location (address or residence). When an available area is set in the emission rights information, the emission rights acquisition unit reads the user information corresponding to the user from the user information storage unit, determines whether the country and/or address included in the read user information is included in the available area, and if it is included in the available area, can present the emission rights to the user. Whether the user's country and/or address is included in the available area can be determined using processing related to a general geographic information system. Note that the available emission rights may be presented to the user by an output unit (presentation unit), which is a part of the function of the emission rights acquisition unit.

The emission credit acquisition unit can present the identified emission credits to the user. The emission credit acquisition unit can, for example, transmit emission credit information to the user terminal. Note that the output unit (presentation unit) may present the identified emission credits to the user or transmit the emission credit information to the user terminal.

The emission rights acquisition unit may search for invalidation information for which emission rights can be presented, for the emission rights information. For example, the emission rights acquisition unit may select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (if there is one invalidation information) or the total emission amount (if there are multiple invalidation information) included in the invalidation information is less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount for the emission rights information. The emission rights acquisition unit may also select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (if there is one invalidation information) or the total emission amount (if there are multiple invalidation information) included in the invalidation information is greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount. For example, for one emission rights information, the emission rights acquisition unit may select a combination (which may be one) of invalidation information such that the emission amount (or the total amount) included in the invalidation information is less than or equal to the maximum offsettable amount for the emission rights information and greater than or equal to the minimum offsettable amount, such that the total emission amount included in the invalidation information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or is at its maximum.

The emission credit acquisition unit can recommend to the user emission credits that are produced locally for local consumption. For example, the emission credit acquisition unit can read user information corresponding to the user from the user information storage unit, and narrow down the displayed options to those in which the country and/or address included in the read user information is included in the creation region, or prioritize the displayed options to those in which the country and/or address is included in the creation region. The emission credit acquisition unit can also calculate the distance between the country and/or address and a representative point in the creation region (for example, the country's capital, the prefectural capital, etc.), and narrow down the displayed options to emission credits whose distance is within a predetermined value, or prioritize the displayed options to those in which the distance is within a predetermined value. Note that the display unit may perform the display, and the calculation unit may perform the calculation.

In this way, agricultural emission credits and forest sink emission credits can be procured from businesses or local governments as emission credits (hereinafter referred to as "regional emission credits"), and by matching the procured regional emission credits with businesses within the region where the regional emission credits were created, it is possible to promote the local production and consumption of high-quality credits that also take into consideration the co-benefits to the region and agricultural producers.

The request reception unit that constitutes the input unit 220 can receive invalidation requests from user terminals. The request can include information that identifies the invalidation information (e.g., an invalidation ID) and information that identifies the emission credits (e.g., an emission credit ID).

The invalidation processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing related to invalidating emissions using emission credits (hereinafter referred to as invalidation processing). As part of the invalidation processing, the invalidation processing unit can, for example, send an invalidation request containing information identifying the emission credits and invalidation information to the invalidation server. In this case, the operator of the management server 200 will perform the invalidation on behalf of the user. Note that the user may also perform the invalidation themselves.

For invalidation information where automatic invalidation is "false," the invalidation processing unit can perform the invalidation process in response to an invalidation request from the user terminal. For invalidation information where automatic invalidation is "true," the invalidation processing unit can perform the invalidation process without receiving a request from the user terminal. In this case, the invalidation processing unit can perform the sale process of the emission credits from the holder to the user prior to the invalidation process. Note that the sale process uses the processing used in a general trading system, so a description of it will be omitted here.

Furthermore, when invalidating multiple pieces of invalidation information using one emission credit, the invalidation processing unit can perform invalidation processing (for example, sending an invalidation request to the invalidation server) so that the activity-specific information and emissions contained in each piece of invalidation information are included in the invalidation notice.

<Operation>
Using Figure 28, we will explain the processing for invalidation information whose automatic invalidation is "false". The management server 200 accepts input of invalidation information from a user terminal and registers it in the invalidation information storage unit (S2801). The management server 200 acquires attributes corresponding to the rule-specific information and activity-specific information included in the invalidation information from the offset attribute storage unit (S2802), and searches the emission credit storage unit for emission credit information that corresponds to the acquired attributes and whose emission amount in the invalidation information is equal to or greater than the minimum offsettable amount and equal to or less than the maximum offsettable amount (S2803). The management server 200 can transmit the searched emission credit information to the user terminal and present the emission credits to the user (S2804). Here, the management server 200 may perform a process of selling the emission credits to the user.

When the management server 200 receives an invalidation request from the user terminal (S2804), it performs invalidation processing using the emission rights related to the emission rights information based on the emission rights information and invalidation information specified in the request (S2805).

In this way, the management server 200 can present users with emission credits that can be used to offset emissions. The management server 200 can also invalidate emissions on behalf of users upon request.

Next, using Figure 29, we will explain the processing for invalidation information for which automatic invalidation is "true." The management server 200 accepts input of invalidation information from the user terminal and registers it in the invalidation information storage unit (S2901). The management server 200 acquires rules and activities corresponding to the attributes of the emission credit information from the offset attribute storage unit (S2902). The management server 200 reads invalidation information corresponding to the acquired rules and activities from the invalidation information storage unit, and selects, from the read invalidation information, a combination of invalidation information such that the total emission amount is equal to or greater than the minimum offsettable amount and equal to or less than the maximum offsettable amount (S2903). Here, the management server 200 can select a combination such that the total emission amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The management server 200 may also select a combination such that the total emission amount is maximized. The management server 200 can perform invalidation processing so that the activity-specific information and emission amounts included in each of the invalidation information included in the selected combination are included in the invalidation notice (S2904).

In this way, the management server 200 can automatically execute invalidation processing for emission amounts that users have requested be offset. Therefore, for example, invalidation information relating to emission amounts that are less than the minimum offsettable amount can be invalidated all at once. Furthermore, when offsetting emission amounts that are less than the maximum offsettable amount, invalidation can also be performed together with other invalidation information.

In this embodiment, one or more pieces of invalidation information are matched to one piece of emission rights information, but one or more pieces of invalidation information may also be matched to multiple pieces of emission rights information. In this case, for example, if there is a remainder (fraction) in the emissions of the invalidation information in units of the minimum offsettable amount, that fraction may be matched with other emission rights information.

In this embodiment, the management server 200 automatically performs the invalidation process (acts as an agent for invalidation), but it may also be configured to simply present the user with the emission credits that can be used for invalidation.

<Disclosures>
The present disclosure also includes the following configurations.
[Item S14 (P098)]
an information processing system comprising: an emission rights storage unit that stores, in association with each other, emission rights specification information that specifies emission rights that can offset greenhouse gas emissions and area specification information that specifies areas in which the emission rights can be used; a reception unit (input unit) that receives an offset request from a user; a user information storage unit that stores the location of the user; and a presentation unit that, in response to the request, specifies the emission rights that can be used in the location from among the emission rights stored in the emission rights storage unit, and presents information indicating the specified emission rights to the user.
[Item S15]
An information processing system according to item S14, wherein the emission rights storage unit stores the emission rights specification information, the available area, and the creation area related to the emission rights, in association with each other; and the presentation unit, in response to the request, identifies the emission rights stored in the emission rights storage unit, whose location is included in the available area and whose location is included in the creation area, and presents information indicating the identified emission rights to the user.
[Item S16]
An information processing system according to item S14, wherein the emission rights storage unit stores the emission rights specification information, the available area, and the creation area related to the emission rights, in association with each other; and the presentation unit, in response to the request, identifies the emission rights stored in the emission rights storage unit and whose location is included in the available area, and when presenting information indicating the identified emission rights to the user, preferentially presents those whose location is included in the creation area.
[Item S17]
an input unit that receives a request for offsetting from a user; a user information storage unit that stores the location of the user; and a presentation unit that, in response to the request, identifies the emission rights stored in the emission right storage unit and whose location is included in the creation area, and presents information indicating the identified emission rights to the user.
[Item S18]
an input unit that receives requests for offsetting from users; a user information storage unit that stores the location of the user; and a presentation unit that, in response to the request, refers to the emission rights storage unit and presents information indicating the emission rights to the user, the presentation unit preferentially presenting those where the location is included in the generation area.

<< Viewer Emissions Offset Function (33rd Function) >>
Next, an offset function corresponding to the type of viewer terminal will be described as an additional example of the viewer emission offset function described in the above-mentioned function 33. The offset function corresponding to the type of viewer terminal is a configuration that can be applied to the above-mentioned functions 1 to 58. As background technology, there is a practice of determining emissions of environmental load factors such as carbon dioxide related to power generation. There is a problem in that it is difficult to calculate emissions by end users who are the recipients of goods or services. The present embodiment aims to provide technology that can estimate emissions by end users.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment is intended to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from viewers of content (including advertisements) distributed to the public mainly via the Internet. The information processing system of this embodiment also performs offset processing on the viewers' emissions.

The information processing system of this embodiment is configured to include a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicatively connected to the user terminal 100 and an external server via a communication network. The communication network is, for example, the Internet, and is constructed using a public telephone network, a mobile phone network, a wireless communication path, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.

The user terminal 100 is a computer operated by a user, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or personal computer. The user is someone who wishes to calculate the emissions generated by viewers viewing content, and may be, for example, an advertiser, video producer, advertising agency, or content distributor.

The external server is a computer that performs the offset process. The external server can perform the offset process by selling greenhouse gas offset rights (environmental value), such as J-Credits, for example.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an emission coefficient storage unit, an emission amount storage unit, a viewing time information storage unit, a viewer count information storage unit, a content information storage unit, a viewing information acquisition unit, an emission amount calculation unit, and an offset processing unit.

The emission coefficient memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient is assumed to be the amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit time due to viewing content. This can be determined, for example, from the power consumption of a personal computer, smartphone, or the like and the emission coefficient associated with that power consumption. The emission coefficient memory unit stores emission coefficients in association with the type of viewing client (which may be the type of hardware, such as a personal computer, smartphone, or television set, or the type of software, such as a browser or native app, or a combination of these).

The emission amount memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the greenhouse gas emissions of viewers of content. The emission amount memory unit can store the emission amount in association with the content ID that indicates the content and the date. Note that if the same content is distributed on multiple sites, multiple combinations of the same date, content ID, and emission amount may be registered. Note that the emission amount memory unit may store the content ID and emission amount in association with the site ID and date.

The viewing time information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for determining the viewing time of content (hereinafter referred to as viewing time information). In this embodiment, the viewing time information includes viewing time associated with information identifying the content (content ID), information identifying the site to which the content is distributed (site ID), the aggregation period (year and month), and the type of viewing client.

The viewer count information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information for determining the number of viewers of content (hereinafter referred to as viewer count information). In this embodiment, the viewer count information includes the number of viewers associated with information identifying the content (content ID), information identifying the site to which the content is distributed (site ID), the counting period (year and month), and the type of viewing client.

The content information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about the content (hereinafter referred to as content information). The content information includes a content ID that identifies the content, the type of content, and the distributor that is providing the content to viewers. A distributor can be, for example, an advertiser, a live broadcaster, a manufacturer, etc. A distributor may be any person that calculates, reports, and/or seeks to offset greenhouse gas emissions related to the viewing of content.

The viewing information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires information about viewers (viewing information). In this embodiment, the viewing information includes viewing time information, viewer count information, and device information. The viewing information acquisition unit can acquire, for example, from a video distribution service provider, content on a video distribution site, a period (year and month), and the viewing time and number of viewers for each viewing client. The viewing information acquisition unit can acquire, for example, from an advertising distribution service provider, the viewing time and number of viewers for each viewing client who viewed specific content for each site where an advertisement was provided, as well as the type of viewing client. Regarding the viewing time of advertisements, for example, standard viewing times may be set in advance for each type of advertisement, such as video (video advertisement) or still image (banner advertisement), or actual viewing time may be measured by analyzing access logs to web pages or using a program such as JavaScript embedded in the web page. The viewing information acquisition unit can register the acquired viewing time information in a viewing time information storage unit and register the acquired viewer count information in a viewer count information storage unit.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes calculation unit 210 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from viewing content. The emissions calculation unit reads the corresponding emission coefficient for each type of viewing client (terminal type) from the emissions coefficient storage unit, reads the viewing time and number of viewers corresponding to the content to be tallied, the aggregation period, and the terminal type from the viewing time storage unit and the viewing information storage unit, and multiplies the emission coefficient by the viewing time and number of viewers to calculate the amount of emissions related to viewers viewing content for each viewing client. The emissions calculation unit can also calculate the amount of emissions related to viewing content by aggregating the emissions calculated for each viewing client.

The emissions calculation unit may, for example, calculate emissions for a broadcaster such as a specific advertiser. In this case, the emissions calculation unit reads the content ID corresponding to the broadcaster to be tallied from the content information storage unit, reads the viewing information and number of viewers corresponding to the read content ID from each storage unit, reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the terminal type from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiplies these to calculate the emissions for each broadcaster and terminal type. The emissions calculation unit can also calculate the total emissions related to the broadcaster by aggregating the emissions for each terminal type. The emissions calculation unit can register the calculated emissions in the emissions storage unit.

The offset processing unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 performs processing related to offsetting emissions. Emissions can be offset, for example, by purchasing environmental value such as J-Credits on behalf of the user (the consumer of a product or service, or the business that provided the product or service). The offset processing unit can, for example, access an external server that trades environmental value and purchase environmental value using an API provided by the external server. The offset processing unit may purchase an amount of environmental value corresponding to the emissions each time, or the management server device 2 (or the entity that performs the proxy invalidation, such as the operator of the management server device 2 or the system operator) may purchase environmental value in advance and perform the proxy invalidation.

<Operation>
FIG. 92 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 200, specifically, the offset function corresponding to the type of viewer terminal. The management server 200 acquires and registers viewing information (viewing time information and viewer count information) (S9201). The management server 200 acquires a content ID corresponding to the target user from the content information storage unit (S9202), acquires viewing time information and viewer count information corresponding to the acquired content ID from the viewing time information storage unit and viewer count information storage unit (S9203), reads an emission coefficient corresponding to the device type included in the viewing time information and viewer count information from the emission coefficient storage unit (S9204), and calculates the emissions for each viewing client of the content by multiplying the emission coefficient corresponding to the device type by the number of viewers and the viewing time (S9205). The management server 200 can also calculate total emissions by adding up the emissions for each viewing client. The management server 200 can also perform offset processing (e.g., purchasing J-Credits) to offset emissions (S9206).

As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment makes it possible to calculate greenhouse gas emissions associated with viewing various types of content (including advertisements) provided via internet distribution, and also to offset those emissions.

In this embodiment, the viewing time for each piece of content is stored in the viewing time information storage unit, but it is also possible to store the standard viewing time for one viewing in association with the type of content. In this case, the emission calculation unit can obtain the viewing time corresponding to the type of content from the viewing time information storage unit and use it to calculate the emission amount.

In this embodiment, the number of viewers for each piece of content is stored in the viewer count information storage unit, but standard viewer counts may also be stored in association with the type of content and the site (or type of site). In this case, the emissions calculation unit can obtain the number of viewers for each site corresponding to the type of content from the viewer count information storage unit, and can calculate emissions for the viewing time for each site by multiplying the number of viewers corresponding to the site (or type of site) related to the viewing time by the emissions coefficient corresponding to the type of content.

<Disclosures>
The present disclosure also includes the following configurations.
[Item AG4 (P106)]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores an emission coefficient associated with the type of user terminal using which content is viewed, for calculating greenhouse gas emissions per unit time when the content is viewed; a viewing information acquisition unit that acquires the type of user terminal and the viewing time of the content viewed on the user terminal; and an emission calculation unit that reads out the emission coefficient corresponding to the type of user terminal from the emission coefficient storage unit, and multiplies the read-out emission coefficient by the acquired viewing time to calculate the emission amount associated with viewing of the content on the user terminal.
[Item AG5]
The information processing system according to item AG4, further comprising an offset processing unit that performs processing related to offsetting the calculated emission amount.
[Item AG6]
An information processing system according to item AG4, wherein the viewing information acquisition unit acquires the number of viewers for each type of user terminal, the viewing information acquisition unit acquires time information (e.g., viewing time information) for calculating the viewing time for each type of user terminal, and calculates the viewing time based on the acquired time information, and the emissions calculation unit calculates the emissions for each type by multiplying the viewing time by the corresponding emission coefficient.
[Item AG7]
An information processing system according to item AG4, characterized in that the viewing information acquisition unit acquires at least one of the viewing time and the number of viewers from a distribution server that distributes the content.

<<Conversion function of basic unit (8th function)>>
Next, a primary data ratio output function will be described as an additional example of the viewer emission offset function described in the eighth function above. The primary data ratio output function is applicable to the first to fifty-eighth functions described above. As background technology, carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. There is a need to grasp the greenhouse gas emission status throughout the entire supply chain. This embodiment aims to provide technology that can grasp the greenhouse gas emission status.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment is configured to include a management server 200. The management server 200 is communicably connected to another management server 200 via a communication network. Two management servers 200 are communicably connected to each other.

The management server 200 is a computer that outputs greenhouse gas emission status (emission coefficient (emissions intensity), activity volume, and emissions volume). The greenhouse gas emissions volume of a company can be calculated by multiplying the activity volume of the company (for example, the number of products produced) by the emissions intensity volume for that company. The management server 200 can also send its own emissions intensity volume (which may include activity volume and emissions volume) to other management servers 200, and can obtain other companies' emissions intensity volumes from those other management servers 200. This makes it possible to calculate emissions for the entire supply chain, including the company itself.

In this embodiment, each company exchanges the emissions intensity (primary data) calculated for its own company, allowing for the calculation of more realistic emissions.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an emissions intensity memory unit, a product information memory unit, a product usage information memory unit, an emissions intensity acquisition unit, an activity amount acquisition unit, an emissions calculation unit, an emissions output unit, a company information acquisition unit, an emissions intensity calculation unit, an emissions intensity transmission unit, a data ratio output unit, and a product-specific emissions calculation unit.

The emissions intensity memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores coefficients (called emissions intensity units) for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, corresponding to each company. The emissions intensity memory unit can store emissions intensity units and primary data ratios, corresponding to a company ID that identifies the company and a product ID that identifies the product (including services; the same applies below) provided by the company. Primary data is data collected by the company itself, obtained from direct measurement, or obtained from calculations based on direct measurement at the original source. Data other than primary data is secondary data. For example, secondary data is data that has been standardized (statistically processed) from the emissions of multiple companies that offer the same type of product. The primary data ratio is the proportion of emissions calculated using primary data out of the total amount of calculated emissions.

The product information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information about products (product information). The product information can include various information about the product, such as the product name, associated with a product ID that identifies the product. The product information storage unit is assumed to register product information for all products that the company provides to other companies.

The product usage information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores information (product usage information) about other products (hereinafter referred to as "product usage") that are used to provide the product. Product usage is, for example, raw materials used to produce the product. Product usage information can include a product ID that indicates the product, a product usage ID that indicates the product usage, a company ID that indicates the company that provides the product usage, and the amount of product usage (amount used) used for one product.

The emission intensity acquisition unit, which constitutes the acquisition unit 250, acquires emission intensity units calculated by companies (affiliated companies) that are located upstream or downstream in the supply chain. Affiliated companies are companies that provide products in categories defined in Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol. The emission intensity acquisition unit may accept emission intensity unit input from a user, but in this embodiment, it acquires emission intensity units from another management server 200. The management server 200 can provide a primary data ratio along with the emission intensity units. The emission intensity acquisition unit can update the emission intensity unit storage unit with the acquired emission intensity units and primary data ratio. The emission intensity unit acquisition unit can update the emission intensity units and primary data ratio corresponding to the company ID indicating the affiliated company related to the other management server 200 from which the emission intensity units were acquired and the product ID indicating the product purchased from the affiliated company to the acquired ones. When the emission intensity units of the secondary data are registered in the emission intensity unit storage unit, the emission intensity acquisition unit can set the primary data ratio to "0."

The activity amount acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires activity amounts related to products used by related companies. The activity amount can be, for example, the amount of products provided by related companies, such as the number of products, the amount of energy, or the distance traveled by logistics. The activity amount acquisition unit can acquire activity amounts related to related companies from the related company management server 200. The activity amount acquisition unit may be configured to accept input of the activity amounts of related companies from the user. The activity amount acquisition unit may also access, for example, an accounting system, a sales management system, an inventory management system, etc., and acquire the number (quantity) of products purchased from related companies as the activity amount.

The emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 reads out the emissions intensity units corresponding to the related company and product from the emissions intensity unit storage unit, and multiplies the activity amount of the related company (e.g., the amount of product used) by the read-out emissions intensity unit to calculate the emissions amount related to the product used by the related company. The amount of use used to calculate the emissions may be the activity amount of the related company (such as the number of products purchased) obtained by the activity amount acquisition unit by accessing, for example, an accounting system, sales management system, or inventory management system, or it may be received by the activity amount acquisition unit from the management server 200 of the related company.

The emissions output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output emissions for each associated company. The emissions output unit can output emissions for each associated company and product used. The emissions output unit can also output emissions intensity units for each associated company. The emissions output unit can output comparable emissions intensity units for multiple associated companies that provide the same product. The emissions output unit can output comparable emissions intensity units for an associated company that provides a certain product and an associated company that provides a substitute for that product. The emissions output unit may also output emissions intensity units for associated companies with which there is no transaction. In other words, it can also output comparable emissions intensity units for associated companies that are other providers of products used, or for associated companies that provide substitutes.

The company information acquisition unit constituting the acquisition unit 250 acquires the company's emissions and/or activity amounts. The company information acquisition unit can, for example, accept input of emissions and/or activity amounts. The company information acquisition unit may calculate emissions using well-known methods. The company information acquisition unit may acquire activity amounts (such as the number of company products sold) from, for example, an accounting system, sales management system, or inventory management system. The company information acquisition unit can acquire emissions and/or activity amounts for each product. The company information acquisition unit also acquires the amount of the company's emissions calculated based on primary data (referred to as company primary data emissions). Of the company's direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), for example, if Scope 2 emissions are calculated based on secondary data related to electricity charges, the company information acquisition unit can calculate the company's primary data emissions by excluding the emissions related to Scope 2 electricity use from the total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

If a product is used in multiple products, the company information acquisition unit acquires the amount of product used for each product (this can be acquired from an accounting system, sales management system, inventory management system, etc.), the activity amount acquisition unit calculates the activity amount of the product used for each product by apportioning the activity amount of the product used according to the usage amount for each product, and the emissions calculation unit multiplies the apportioned activity amount of the product used for each product by the emissions intensity of the product used to calculate the emissions related to the product used by the related company.

In addition, when the activity amount acquisition unit acquires activity amounts for multiple products used by an associated company collectively, the company information acquisition unit acquires the usage amount used for the multiple products procured from the associated company (this can be acquired from an accounting system, sales management system, inventory management system, etc.), and calculates the activity amount for the product and the products used corresponding to the products by apportioning the activity amount according to the usage amount for each of the acquired products, and the emissions calculation unit can calculate the emissions for the products used by the associated company by multiplying the activity amount for the product and the products used by the emissions intensity of the products used.

The emissions intensity calculation unit, which is part of the calculation unit 210, calculates the company's emissions intensity, based on the company's acquired emissions and activity data.

The emissions intensity transmission unit that constitutes the output unit 240 can transmit the company's emissions intensity to other management servers 200 (related company systems). The emissions intensity transmission unit may transmit the company's emissions intensity in response to a request from another management server 200, or may transmit the company's emissions intensity periodically or each time the company's emissions intensity is calculated.

The data ratio output unit constituting the output unit 240 can output primary data ratios related to emissions associated with the company's products. The data ratio output unit can calculate primary data ratios. For example, for each product used in a certain product, the data ratio output unit can calculate the emissions associated with the product used multiplied by the primary data ratio for that product (referred to as primary data emissions), add the company's emissions for that product (Scopes 1 and 2) to the total calculated primary data emissions for all products used to calculate the total emissions based on the primary data, and divide the calculated total by the emissions associated with that product (the total of Scopes 1 through 3) to calculate the primary data ratio for that product. For example, the data ratio output unit can obtain the product ID, usage amount, and company ID corresponding to the product ID identifying the company's product from the product usage information storage unit, obtain the primary data ratio corresponding to the company ID and product ID from the emissions intensity storage unit, and calculate the primary data emissions by multiplying the emissions of the product used (which may be the usage amount multiplied by the emissions intensity, or may be configured to accept input of emissions) by the primary data ratio. Additionally, if the data ratio output unit calculates the emissions emitted by a company using secondary data, it can add only the company's primary data emissions to the total primary data emissions of the products used.

The emission intensity acquisition unit can also acquire the emissions emitted by an associated company that provides a product used in one or more products from the management server 200 of that associated company. In this case, the emission intensity acquisition unit can calculate the emissions for each product by apportioning the emissions according to a predetermined standard. For multiple products that use the same product, the emission intensity acquisition unit can apportion the emissions of the product used based on the production volume of the product, etc. The emission intensity acquisition unit can calculate the emission intensity for the associated company's product used by dividing the emissions for each product by the amount of the product used.

The product-specific emissions calculation unit that constitutes the calculation unit 210 calculates emissions related to products (called PCF (Product Carbon Footprint)). If the emissions intensity acquisition unit is able to acquire the emissions intensity, the product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the first product-specific emissions related to the products used by multiplying the emissions intensity by the amount of product used. If the emissions intensity acquisition unit is unable to acquire the emissions intensity but is able to acquire the emissions related to all products used that have been provided to the company, the product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the second product-specific emissions by apportioning the emissions according to a specified standard. The product-specific emissions calculation unit can calculate the total value of the first product-specific emissions (emissions accumulated using the emissions intensity), the second product-specific emissions (emissions calculated by apportioning the emissions by organizational unit), and the company's direct or indirect emissions (emissions related to products acquired by the company information acquisition unit), and divide the calculated total value by the activity amount (e.g., the production volume of the product) to calculate the PCF.

<Operation>
FIG. 14 illustrates the process flow for displaying the emission intensity for each affiliated company. The management server 200 acquires the emission intensity from the management server 200 of the affiliated company (S1401). If the management server 200 is unable to acquire the emission intensity (S1402: NO), it acquires the emission amount for all the products used by the affiliated company provided to the company (S1403). If the emission amount is acquired (S1404: YES), the management server 200 calculates the emission amount for each product used by dividing the emission amount by a predetermined standard (e.g., the production volume of each of the company's products) (S1405), and calculates the emission intensity by dividing the emission amount by the usage amount of the product used (S1406). On the other hand, if the management server 200 is unable to acquire the emission amount (S1404: NO), it acquires secondary data for the products used (S1407). The management server 200 displays the emission intensity for each affiliated company in a comparable manner (S1404). This will enable companies to understand the emissions intensity of each related company upstream or downstream in their supply chain, and to identify related companies that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Next, the process flow for calculating PCF will be explained using Figure 15. If the management server 200 obtains the emissions for all used products provided to the company by related companies for each of the products used in the company's products (S1501: YES), it calculates the emissions for each used product by apportioning the emissions based on a predetermined standard (e.g., the production volume of each of the company's products) (S1502). If the emissions have not been obtained (S1501: NO), it calculates the emissions for each product by multiplying the emissions intensity (primary data or secondary data) by the usage amount (S1503). The management server 200 can sum the emissions for each product (S1504) and divide the total emissions by the activity amount related to the product (production volume, sales volume, etc.) to calculate the PCF (S1505). This makes it possible to calculate PCF using available data, whether it be emissions calculated using an emissions unit determined by LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) or other methods (emissions calculated using the cumulative method), or emissions calculated by dividing the company's total emissions by the number of products or sales, etc. (emissions calculated using the apportionment method).

<Disclosures>
The present disclosure also includes the following configurations.
[Item H12 (P020)]
an emission intensity acquisition unit that acquires a first emission intensity and a primary data ratio related to the first emission intensity for calculating a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions, calculated by an associated company that is a company that is at least one of an upstream and downstream company in a supply chain; an emission intensity memory unit that stores the first emission intensity and the primary data ratio for each associated company; a company information acquisition unit that acquires a second amount of emissions by the company; an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of usage of products provided by the associated company that are used in the company's products; and a data ratio output unit that calculates a primary data ratio related to the products by multiplying the first emission amount, obtained by multiplying the usage amount by the first emission intensity, by the primary data ratio, and adding the result to the second emission amount, and dividing the result by the first and second emission amounts, and outputs the calculated primary data ratio.
[Item H13]
An information processing system according to item H12, characterized in that the company information acquisition unit acquires the company's own primary data emissions calculated based on primary data within the company along with the second emissions, and the data ratio output unit calculates the primary data ratio for the product based on the first and second emissions and the primary data ratio, and the company's own primary data emissions.
[Item H14]
An information processing system according to item H12, wherein the activity amount acquisition unit includes an emission intensity calculation unit that acquires the activity amount of the company and calculates the company's emission intensity, which is the emission intensity of the company, based on the acquired company's emissions and the activity amount, and a transmission unit that transmits the company's emission intensity to the system of the related company.
[Item H15]
The information processing system according to item H12, wherein the activity amount acquisition unit acquires the activity amount of the related company from a system of the related company.
[Item H16 (P020D1)]
an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of usage of products provided by the associated company and used in the company's products; and an information processing system comprising: a first information acquisition unit that acquires a first emission unit and a primary data ratio related to the first emission unit for calculating a first amount of greenhouse gas emissions, the first emission unit and the primary data ratio being calculated by an associated company that is at least one of an upstream and downstream company in a supply chain; a memory unit that stores the first emission unit and the primary data ratio for each associated company; a second information acquisition unit that acquires the amount of usage of products provided by the associated company and used in the company's products; and the information processing system is characterized by: calculating the primary data ratio related to the products by multiplying the first emission amount, which is obtained by multiplying the usage amount by the first emission unit, by the primary data ratio, and adding the result to the second emission amount, and dividing the result by the first and second emission amounts; and outputting the calculated primary data ratio.

<<Information analysis function (59th function)>>
While some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration further applicable to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 58 is described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 59. Background Art: Greenhouse gas emissions and other emissions are calculated. To disclose the impact of climate change issues on their business in sustainability reports, businesses use information processing systems to calculate greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental indicators. However, there is a risk that the information being calculated may contain anomalous information that violates the regulations of each country. Function 59 aims to provide an information analysis function that can confirm whether information registered in an information processing system that processes information on greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental indicators contains anomalous information that violates the regulations of each country.

Businesses prepare and publish sustainability reports to inform stakeholders of how they address social issues such as the environment and human rights. The environmental initiatives in sustainability reports primarily explain information related to environmental indicators such as "GHG emissions," "air quality," "energy management," "water and sewage management," "waste and hazardous materials management," and "ecosystem impact." To disclose the impact of climate change on their business in sustainability reports, businesses use systems to calculate GHG emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) and other environmental indicators. Developed countries, including Japan, have regulations prohibiting the manufacture and sale of products that do not comply with chemical substance and safety standards. Such regulations exist in a wide variety, and there is a challenge in that it takes a significant amount of time and effort to review each one and determine whether a company's products violate the regulations. Function 59 aims to simplify this verification process and reduce the amount of time required.

<System Overview>
The following describes an information processing system related to the 59th function. This information processing system enables checking whether information registered in a system that calculates and visualizes information (data) related to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental indicators contains information that violates the regulations of each country. In this embodiment, the greenhouse gas emissions information included in E1 will be used as an example, but information on E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, S1, S2, S3, S4, G, and human rights DD can also be used.

An example software configuration of the management server 200 for the 59th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an environmental information storage unit, a determination information storage unit, an abnormality information storage unit, an acquisition unit, a reception unit, a confirmation unit, and an output unit.

The environmental information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 is a storage unit that stores information related to the environment. Environmental information includes information on E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, S1, S2, S3, S4, and G, and human rights DD information, and is also referred to as environmental information. Environmental information is information entered into the application form described above. Environmental information is information related to emissions, and is also information entered into the template described above. If the environmental information is activities related to the activity items of the environmental indicators or fifth activity information, the environmental information storage unit may be the same storage unit as the fifth storage unit.

The prescribed information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 is a storage unit that stores information related to prescribed regulations acquired by the acquisition unit 250. Prescribed regulations include national regulations, statutes, laws, rules, and regulations, such as chemical substance regulations and safety standard regulations. They may not be national regulations, but may be predetermined regional regulations. Information related to prescribed regulations is also referred to as prescribed information or normality information.

The anomaly information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 is a storage unit that stores anomaly information that violates a predetermined rule acquired by the acquisition unit 250. Anomaly information is information that violates a predetermined rule, information that conflicts with a predetermined rule, information that does not match a predetermined rule, etc., and may also be referred to as violation information. An example of anomaly information is information that violates acquired rule information learned by a learning unit of the information processing system. Learning may be machine learning using AI.

The acquisition unit 250 acquires information related to predetermined rules (defined information). The acquired defined information, for example, information on documents of national regulations and laws, is stored in the defined information storage unit, but defined information learned by a learning unit of the information processing system may also be stored. Learning may be machine learning using AI. Note that acquisition 250 may acquire abnormal information that violates predetermined rules, or may acquire abnormal information learned by the learning unit as information that is not defined information.

The reception unit that constitutes the input unit 220 receives information related to the environment. The reception unit operates based on input operations by a specified business entity. The input unit 220 allows a specified business entity to input (receive) information related to the environment into an application form. The input unit 220 allows a specified business entity to input (receive) information related to the environment into a template.

The confirmation unit that constitutes the analysis unit 280 confirms whether the environmental information contains abnormal information. The confirmation unit also confirms whether the value indicated by the environmental information containing abnormal information (the numerical value related to the environmental indicator) exceeds the normal range (prescribed value). The normal range varies depending on the environmental information. Note that confirmation also includes the concepts of analysis, judgment, determination, and check.

The output unit 240 outputs information on the results of the check by the check unit to the user terminal 100. If the results of the check by the check unit include environmental information that conflicts with the regulations or laws of each country, the output unit 240 outputs abnormality information or warning information as an alert to the user terminal 100. Furthermore, if the value indicated by the environmental information, for example, the amount of use of a specific hazardous substance, exceeds the specified regulated concentration value, the output unit 240 outputs abnormality information or warning information for the environmental information (amount of use of the specific hazardous substance) in question as an alert.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the 59th function will be described using FIG. 93 . The management server 200 receives environmental information (S9301). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) the received environmental information (S9302). Next, the management server 200 acquires predetermined information (S9303). Next, the management server 200 checks whether the environmental information includes abnormality information (S9304). If the environmental information does not include abnormality information (NO in S9304), the process proceeds to S9305. On the other hand, if the environmental information includes abnormality information (YES in S9304), information indicating that the environmental information is abnormal is output to the user terminal 100 (S9307). Next, the management server 200 checks whether the value indicated by the environmental information is within the normal range (S9305). If the value indicated by the environmental information is within the normal range (YES in S9305), information indicating that the environmental information is normal is output to the user terminal 100 (S9306). The user terminal 100 receives this information and displays an image indicating that the environment is normal, or may display nothing. On the other hand, if the value indicated by the environmental information is not within the normal range (NO in S9305), information indicating that the environmental information is abnormal is output to the user terminal 100 (S9307). The user terminal 100 receives this information and displays an image indicating that the environment is abnormal.

The 59th function is configured as follows:
(1) The information processing system is trained to learn the regulations (chemical substance regulations and safety standard regulations) and legal documents of each country. Learning can be done through machine learning using AI.
(2) When calculating GHG emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) and other information related to environmental indicators, the registered environmental information is checked to see if it contains any environmental information that violates the regulations or laws of each country. This check can be performed automatically by AI. If the check results in the inclusion of environmental information that violates the regulations or laws of each country, the information processing system outputs an alert. For example, it outputs an alert such as "This environmental information violates the ●● regulations of Country X" or "This environmental information may violate the ●● regulations of Country Y."

For example, in the case of calculating GHG emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) for the lifecycle phases (1. raw material procurement, 2. production, 3. distribution and sales, 4. use and maintenance, 5. disposal and recycling) of a large household electrical appliance (refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, etc.), information related to environmental indicators, such as the raw materials (material process) used in the manufacture of the large household electrical appliance in phase 1 (raw material procurement), environmental indicator classification, and activity level, is entered (registered) into a template or application form. If the entered (registered) information related to the environmental indicators, particularly the environmental indicator classification information, is analyzed (detected) by the information processing system as containing lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), etc., a warning is issued that this violates the RoHS Directive (Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment). Examples other than the RoHS Directive include food-related regulations in each country (regulations on pesticide and veterinary drug residues, food additives, and colorings).

In addition, if the information processing system analyzes (detects) that the usage amount of a substance classified as a specific hazardous substance exceeds the regulated concentration (threshold), an alert will be issued for the relevant environmental information.

With this functionality, it will be possible to determine whether the raw materials used in a product violate regulations in developed countries during the calculation process for environmental indicators such as GHG emissions.

Environmental information is information related to the environment, and is included in information related to environmental indicators, such as activity items related to environmental indicators and classifications of environmental indicators. However, some information (for example, activity items) entered as information related to emissions in the supply chain also falls under environmental information. Furthermore, each component in a BOM (bill of materials, which lists the components required to manufacture a product) also falls under environmental information. Furthermore, information on E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, S1, S2, S3, S4, G, and human rights DD information also fall under environmental information.

It can also be configured as follows: An information processing system can be provided that includes: first information (e.g., a TCFD report) including information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain (e.g., information to be included in a TCFD report); second information indicating the attributes of the business entities; an acquisition unit that acquires predetermined information; a generation unit that generates a report including environmental information based on information related to emissions by a second business entity (another supplier) that matches or is similar to the second information corresponding to the first business entity; a verification unit that verifies whether the environmental information includes any abnormal information that contradicts the predetermined information; and an output unit that outputs the results of the verification by the verification unit. In this way, if the content to be included in a report such as a TCFD report includes information that conflicts with national regulations, regulatory information can be easily verified.

The acquisition unit 250, output unit 240, input unit 220, and analysis unit 280 of the management server 200 may be executed by a system (mechanical system) with artificial intelligence that can learn on its own.

<Disclosures>
The 59th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAG1 (P102)]
An information processing system comprising: a reception unit that receives information related to the environment (environmental information); an environmental information storage unit that stores the environmental information received by the reception unit; an acquisition unit that acquires predetermined specified information (predetermined information); a confirmation unit that confirms whether the environmental information includes abnormal information that contradicts the predetermined specified information; and an output unit that outputs the results of the confirmation by the confirmation unit.
[Item AAG2]
An information processing system described in item AAG1, characterized in that the confirmation unit confirms whether the value indicated by the information related to the environment including abnormal information (a numerical value related to the environmental indicator) is within the normal range (exceeds a specified value).

<< Hierarchy setting function (60 functions) >>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 59 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 60. As background technology, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. While it is required to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide and other emissions for each component that constitutes a product, there is a problem in that managing the components that constitute the product becomes complicated. Function 60 aims to provide technology that can facilitate the management of the components that constitute a product.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 60th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a tier information storage unit, an emission amount storage unit, a setting unit, and a management unit.

The hierarchical information storage unit, which constitutes the storage unit 230, stores hierarchical information indicating the hierarchy of parts that make up a product. For example, it stores at least first hierarchical information indicating the first hierarchy of a specific part of the product and second hierarchical information for the specific part of the product indicating a second hierarchy lower than the first hierarchy. The product, for example, is a car. The specific parts are described using examples of an engine as the first part and a door as the second part, but other parts, such as the chassis of part S as the third part, are also included as specific parts. The hierarchical information ranges from hierarchical information 0 to hierarchical information N (N is a natural number). The hierarchy is such that a smaller number is lower than a larger number. For example, if the first hierarchical information is hierarchical information 2, the second hierarchical information may be hierarchical information 3 or hierarchical information 4. The storage unit (hierarchical information storage unit) stores part part numbers, part names, part quantities, part weights, weight units, and supplier part information corresponding to the hierarchical information, but this information may be stored in a different storage unit from the hierarchical information storage unit. Note that lower levels can also be referred to as upstream and higher levels as downstream.

The emissions memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 is a memory unit that stores the emissions over the life cycle of the target items for CFP calculation. The emissions memory unit is a memory unit that stores the CFP emissions, which are calculated by converting the greenhouse gas emissions emitted throughout the entire life cycle of the target items, from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling, into CO2. The emissions memory unit also stores the emissions related to the life cycle phases of the target items of business entities that are at least either upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The emissions memory unit also has the functions described in the other functions section.

The setting unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 sets the hierarchy of parts. The hierarchy is set by the user using the user terminal 100, using the hierarchy information. For example, if the product is a car, the hierarchy can be set as follows: The following example is an example of pre-parts configuration information, which will be described later.

Car (layer information 0)
<Component configuration of the first component, the engine>
Part X (Engine: Hierarchy information 1)
Component A (engine outer block: hierarchy information 2 as first hierarchy information A)
Component B (engine piston: hierarchical information 3 as second hierarchical information)
Part C (engine piston ring: layer information 4)
<Component configuration of the second part, the door>
Part Y (door: level information 1)
Component E (power window attached to door: layer information 2 as first layer information B)
Part F (Screw used for power window attached to door: Hierarchy information 3)

The management section that constitutes the execution unit 290 manages the hierarchy of the set parts. The management section manages the hierarchy of the parts based on the hierarchy information set by the setting section. For example, if there are two pieces of hierarchy information 2 related to a car, such as part A (engine outer block: hierarchy information 2) and part E (power window attached to the door: hierarchy information 2), these two parts are managed as being at the same level, and not as being at a higher or lower level.

If the setting unit sets component A first and then component E, and component B with hierarchical information 3 is set between components A and E, the management unit sets the hierarchical level of component B to a lower hierarchical level than component A. On the other hand, if the setting unit does not set component B between components A and E, the management unit manages the hierarchical level of component B so that it is not set to a lower hierarchical level than component A.

If the setting unit does not set part B between part A and part E, but sets part B after part E, the management unit will manage the hierarchy of part B so that it is set at a lower level than part E.

Furthermore, if the setting unit sets part E first and then part A, and part B is set between parts E and A, the management unit manages the hierarchy of part B so that it is set at a lower level than part E.

The management unit manages the hierarchy after the hierarchical information is set by the setting unit, and then manages the parts that make up the product with the hierarchical information deleted (erased). The information after the hierarchical information has been deleted by the management unit is called post-component configuration information, and the information before deletion is called pre-component configuration information. Both pre-component configuration information and post-component configuration information are part of the component configuration information. The component configuration information is information made up of information about multiple parts that make up a specific product. In other words, the component configuration information is also a parts bill that lists the component information needed to make a specific product (good). The component information is information attached to a specific part, and includes the hierarchy, component part number, component name, component quantity, component weight, weight unit, supplier information, etc. The pre-component configuration information is also referred to as component configuration information A, and the pre-component configuration information is also referred to as component configuration information B.

For example, the parts that make up a product are managed with the hierarchical information deleted as shown below. The example below is an example of post-component configuration information.

Car (product)
<Component configuration of the first part>
Part X (engine)
Part A (engine outer block)
Part B (engine piston)
Part C (engine piston ring)
<Component configuration of the second part>
Part Y (door)
Part E (power window attached to door)
Part F (Screws used for power windows attached to doors)

By deleting hierarchical information in this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of information about the parts that make up the product stored in the memory unit 230, and to ensure comfortable communication speeds with the user terminal 100.

Furthermore, when part B is set to be a lower part of part E, the management unit can determine that it is not a normal hierarchy (abnormal) for part B to be a lower part of part E based on the part part number, part name, part quantity, part weight, weight unit, supplier part information, etc. corresponding to the hierarchical information. When determining that there is an abnormality in this way, the management unit manages so that an abnormality signal is output from the output unit 240. While an example of output to the user terminal 100 is shown, output may also be to another information processing system. Note that when the management unit determines that there is an abnormality at the stage of managing the hierarchy after the hierarchical information has been set by the setting unit, it manages the parts that make up the product without deleting the hierarchical information.

The output unit 240 outputs the post-component configuration information with the hierarchical information deleted by the management unit to the outside. Here, the user terminal 100 is exemplified as the outside, but it may also be output to another information processing device (such as information processing device B). Note that the post-component configuration information with the hierarchical information deleted does not include hierarchical information about the components, but may include at least one or more (including all) of the following information: component part number, component name, component quantity, component weight, weight unit, and supplier information. The post-component configuration information with the hierarchical information deleted contains the order of the components before deletion (e.g., component A, component B, component C), but the management unit manages this order so that it does not change.

<Operation>
FIG. 94 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 60th function. The management server 200 registers (stores) hierarchical information (S9401). Next, the management server 200 sets hierarchical information for multiple parts related to the product (S9402). Next, the management server 200 manages the part hierarchy based on the set hierarchical information (S9403). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) the pre-component configuration information before the hierarchical information is deleted in the storage unit (S9404). Next, the management server 200 deletes the hierarchical information from the pre-component configuration information (S9405). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) the post-component configuration information with the hierarchical information deleted in the storage unit (S9406). Next, the management server 200 outputs the post-component configuration information with the hierarchical information deleted to the outside (S9407).

Part names and hierarchical information can be managed as pre-component information as follows. Note that pre-component information may also include supplier information.

Part name: Hierarchy information Product Z: Hierarchy information 0
Component A: Hierarchy information 1 (first hierarchy information A)
Component A1: Hierarchy information 2 (second hierarchy information)
Part A1-1: Hierarchy information 3
Component A1-1-1: Hierarchy information 4
Part A2: Hierarchical information 2
Part A2-1: Hierarchy information 3
Part A2-1-1: Hierarchy information 4
Part A2-1-2: Hierarchy information 4
Component B: Hierarchy information 1 (first hierarchy information A)
Component B1: Hierarchy information 2
Component B2: Hierarchy information 2

The hierarchical information can be deleted and managed as post-product information as follows. When deleting the hierarchical information, it is preferable to manage the part name and supplier information.

Part name: Supplier product Z: Supplier Z
Part A: Supplier A
Part A1: Supplier A1
Part A1-1: Supplier A-1-1
Part A1-1-1: Supplier A-1-1-1
Part A2: Supplier A2
Part A2-1: Supplier A2-1
Part A2-1-1: Supplier A-2 (same as part A2-1)
Part A2-1-2: Supplier A-1-1-2
Part B: Supplier B
Part B1: Supplier B (same as part B)
Part B2: Supplier B2

When part names and suppliers are linked, the manager of Product Z can request the CFP value from the business entity that had the lower-level hierarchical information before the hierarchical information was deleted. To do this, request information requesting the CFP value is sent to the business entity that has the lower-level hierarchical information. Each business entity that receives the request information can calculate and enter the CFP value and send it to Supplier Z. Supplier Z (Hierarchical Information 0) may output request information only to Supplier A (Hierarchical Information 1) and Supplier B (Hierarchical Information 1), who have the immediately lower-level hierarchical information, Hierarchical Information 1. In this case, Supplier A (Hierarchical Information 1) and Supplier B (Hierarchical Information 1) also send request information only to suppliers who have the immediately lower-level hierarchical information, Hierarchical Information 2. Furthermore, suppliers who have Hierarchical Information 2 can send request information to suppliers who have Hierarchical Information 3. Outputting request information in this way facilitates management of the original Supplier Z. The request information is the same as the part configuration information.

It is preferable that the last supplier, the lowest-level supplier, attaches a termination flag when sending information to higher-level suppliers. By adding the termination flag in this way, the highest-level supplier can recognize that the entire CFP calculation process has been completed.

<Disclosures>
The 60th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAH1 (P117)]
a hierarchy information storage unit that stores (at least) hierarchy information indicating a hierarchy of predetermined parts that constitute a product, the hierarchy information being first hierarchy information (for example, hierarchy information 2) indicating a first hierarchy of the product parts, and second hierarchy information (for example, hierarchy information 3) of the product's predetermined parts that indicates a second hierarchy lower than the first hierarchy, the first hierarchy information including at least first hierarchy information A and first hierarchy information B (when there are two pieces of hierarchy information 2, the parts in first hierarchy information A and the parts in first hierarchy information B are at the same hierarchy, not at a higher or lower hierarchy), and the first hierarchy information A is set first; and an emission amount storage unit that stores an emission amount corresponding to the product.
[Item AAH2]
an information processing system comprising: a hierarchical information storage unit that stores hierarchical information indicating a hierarchy of parts that constitute a product, the hierarchical information storage unit storing first hierarchical information indicating a first hierarchical level of a specified part of the product and second hierarchical information of the specified part of the product indicating a second hierarchical level lower than the first hierarchical level; and a management unit that manages the first hierarchical information so that, in a case where the first hierarchical information A is set first and then the first hierarchical information B, and the second hierarchical information is set between the first hierarchical information A and the first hierarchical information B, the management unit sets the hierarchical level of the parts based on the second hierarchical information to a level lower than the first hierarchical information A, while in a case where the second hierarchical information is not set between the first hierarchical information A and the first hierarchical information B and the second hierarchical information is set after the first hierarchical information B, the management unit sets the hierarchical level of the parts based on the second hierarchical information to a level lower than the first hierarchical information B.
[Item AAH3]
an information processing system comprising: a hierarchical information storage unit that stores hierarchical information indicating a hierarchical level of a specific part of the product, the hierarchical information being first hierarchical information indicating a first hierarchical level of a specific part of the product and second hierarchical information for the specific part of the product indicating a second hierarchical level lower than the first hierarchical level; and a management unit that manages the first hierarchical information so that, when the first hierarchical information A is set first and then the first hierarchical information B is set, and when the second hierarchical information is set between the first hierarchical information A and the first hierarchical information B, the hierarchical level of the part based on the second hierarchical information is set to a hierarchical level lower than the first hierarchical information B.
[Item AAH4]
The information processing system according to item AAH1, characterized in that the first hierarchical information A and the first hierarchical information B indicate the same hierarchical level, where the first hierarchical information A indicates the hierarchical level of part A, and the first hierarchical information B indicates the hierarchical level of part B.
[Item AAH5]
An information processing system according to item AAH1, characterized in that when second hierarchical information is not set between first hierarchical information A and first hierarchical information B, and second hierarchical information is set after first hierarchical information B, the management unit manages the hierarchy of parts based on the second hierarchical information to be set at a lower hierarchy than first hierarchical information B.
[Item AAH6]
An information processing system according to item AAH1, characterized in that the management unit erases the hierarchical information corresponding to the part after setting the hierarchy of the part based on the second hierarchical information to a lower hierarchy than the first hierarchical information A (after setting of all hierarchical levels has been completed).

<<Cooperation function between multiple information processing devices (61st function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 60 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 61. As background technology, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. While it is required to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide and other emissions for each component that constitutes a product, there is a problem in that managing the components that constitute the product becomes complicated. Function 61 aims to provide technology that can facilitate the management of the components that constitute a product.

<System Overview>
The information processing system of this embodiment includes an information processing device A serving as a management server 200 and an information processing device B serving as a management server 201 (not shown). The information processing device A is connected to the information processing device B via a communication network 300 so that they can communicate with each other. The information processing device A corresponds to the management server 200 of the embodiment described above, and the information processing device B has the same hardware and software configuration as the management server 200. In addition, a user terminal 100 is connectable to the information processing device A and the information processing device B via the communication network 300. The user terminal 100 is a terminal owned by a supplier of each part, and multiple user terminals 100 (user terminals 100 of multiple part suppliers) are connectable to the information processing device A and the information processing device B via the communication network 300.

Information processing device A is a computer that manages ESG information, including greenhouse gas emission status, and human rights DD information. For example, information processing device A can calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of a product by multiplying the activity volume of the product by the emission intensity for that product. Other ESG information can also be calculated and registered. The business entity (supplier) that manufactures and provides the product, and multiple business entities (suppliers) that manufacture and provide each of the components that make up the product, can each register ESG information such as emissions in information processing device A. Information processing device A can also transmit various ESG information stored in information processing device A to information processing device B.

Information processing device B is also a computer that manages ESG information, including greenhouse gas emission status, and human rights DD information. Information processing device B can transmit various ESG information stored within information processing device B to information processing device A. A business entity (supplier) that manufactures and provides a product and multiple business entities (suppliers) that manufacture and provide each part that makes up the product can share ESG information via information processing device B. Therefore, information processing device B is able to manage multiple products, etc. by acquiring ESG information such as CFP (Carbon Footprint of Product) emissions from multiple information processing devices. Information processing device B can also transmit various information stored within information processing device B to information processing devices other than information processing device A.

<Login to information processing device B>
Logging in to information processing device B is possible via information processing device A. First, the supplier uses user terminal 100 to apply for registration of company information, which is business information, to the management entity of information processing device B. An ID and password are provided by the management entity, and by entering this ID and password into information processing device A, it is possible to log in to information processing device B via information processing device A. The business information as business information includes the business name, public business identifier, internal business identifier, location, business attribute information, etc.

<Registration of business establishment of information processing device B>
The information processing device B manages the same information as the base information of the information processing device A as business establishment information. In other words, the information processing device B manages the base information registered in the information processing device A as business establishment information of the information processing device B. If a base is registered in the information processing device A, there is no need to register a base corresponding to a new business establishment. However, if a base is not registered in the information processing device A, the information processing device A registers a base corresponding to the new business establishment. When a base is registered in the information processing device A, the information processing device B acquires the base information using an acquisition unit and registers it as business establishment information. The information processing device B acquires information by outputting the base information in response to the base registration process from the information processing device A, but the information processing device B may acquire the base information directly from the information processing device B to the information processing device A. Note that when the base information of the information processing device A is changed, the business establishment information of the information processing device B is changed, and the business establishment information of the information processing device B cannot be changed without going through the information processing device A. The business establishment information of the information processing device B includes the base name, business establishment name, business establishment address, public business identifier, etc. in the base information of the information processing device A.

<Product and service registration>
Information processing device B manages the same information as the product information (first information) of the product/service of information processing device A as product information (second information) of the product/service. As with the registration of a business establishment, if a product/service has not been registered in information processing device A, a new product/service is registered in information processing device A. Information processing device B can manage product information of the product/service by registering the product information of the product/service of information processing device A in information processing device B. Note that if multiple products/services are registered in information processing device A, all of them can be registered in information processing device B, but it is also possible to select and register some of the products/services. When selecting and registering products/services of information processing device A, it is possible to change the product information of information processing device B. Changeable product information includes information such as part items, auxiliary items, activity amount, activity unit, and business establishment.

<Product list display>
When product information is registered in information processing device B, a list of products can be displayed on user terminal 100. This information processing system is designed so that a product list consisting of merchandise information and product information can be viewed on user terminal 100. The information that can be displayed includes both merchandise information registered in information processing device A and product information registered in information processing device B. Product information that is registered only in information processing device A cannot be displayed, and product information that is registered only in information processing device B cannot be displayed either. In other words, when information is registered in both information processing devices, merchandise information and product information can be displayed on user terminal 100 only if the merchandise information and product information correspond to each other.

The product list displays product information and product information. The displayed product information includes the product name, product code, and CFP information. The displayed product information includes the trace identifier, part item, auxiliary item, activity amount, activity amount unit, business name, and CFP information. Normally, one piece of product information corresponding to one piece of product information is displayed, but in special cases, multiple pieces of product information corresponding to one piece of product information can be displayed. In other words, in special cases, multiple pieces of product information can be registered in information processing device B for one piece of product information registered in information processing device A. This is because the CFP may differ when there are multiple conditions related to the manufacturing of a product, such as when the products are produced in different places. By configuring it in this way, information processing device B can manage CFP values more accurately and in more detail than information processing device A.

Such an information processing system is configured as follows: In an information processing system in which information processing device A, capable of storing information (product information) related to a target item (e.g., product Z) whose life cycle is to be calculated, and information processing device B, capable of storing information (product information) related to a target item (e.g., product Z) whose life cycle is to be calculated, can communicate with each other, information processing device B can store one piece of product information corresponding to one piece of product information related to one target item of information processing device A, and information processing device B can store multiple pieces of product information corresponding to one piece of product information related to one target item of information processing device A.

<Parts composition information>
Both information processing devices each store component configuration information in a component storage unit serving as the storage unit 230. Information processing device A stores pre-component configuration information (component configuration information A) in its component storage unit as component configuration information. Information processing device B stores post-component configuration information (component configuration information B) in its component storage unit as component configuration information. The component configuration information is managed by the manufacturer (supplier Z as the company) that produces and provides the product. The component configuration information does not include parts handled by the company itself, and can only cover component information for parts supplied by suppliers. Note that component information for parts handled by the company itself can also be included in the component configuration information.

<Example of pre-component information: Pattern 1>
In the case where a car is handled as a product of supplier Z and the car is composed of at least a first part, a second part, and a third part, the pre-composition information managed by information processing device A is shown below as pattern 1.
Car (product: supplier Z, hierarchical information 0)
<Component configuration of first part>
Part X (Engine: Supplier X, Hierarchy Information 1)
Part A (engine outer block: supplier A, hierarchical information 2)
Part B (engine piston: Supplier B, hierarchy information 3)
Part C (engine piston ring: Supplier C, hierarchy information 4)
<Component configuration of the second part>
Part Y (door: supplier Y, hierarchy information 1)
Part E (power window attached to door: Supplier E, hierarchy information 2)
Part F (Screws used for power windows attached to doors: Supplier F, Hierarchy 3)
<Components of the third part>
Part S (chassis: supplier Z, hierarchical information 1)

<Example of post-component configuration information: Pattern 2>
When a car is handled as a product of supplier Z and the car is composed of at least a first part, a second part, and a third part, the post-parts configuration information when part S handled by supplier Z is included is shown below as pattern 2.
Car (Product: Supplier Z)
<Component configuration of first part>
Part X (Engine: Supplier X)
Part A (engine outer block: Supplier A)
Part B (engine piston: Supplier B)
Part C (engine piston rings: Supplier C)
<Component configuration of the second part>
Part Y (Door: Supplier Y)
Part E (power window attached to door: Supplier E)
Part F (Screws used for power windows attached to doors: Supplier F)
<Components of the third part>
Part S (chassis: supplier Z)

<Example of post-component configuration information: Pattern 3>
When a car is handled as a product of supplier Z and the car is composed of at least a first part, a second part, and a third part, the post-parts configuration information when part S handled by supplier Z is not included is shown below as pattern 3.
Car (Product Z: Supplier Z)
<Component configuration of first part>
Part X (Engine: Supplier X)
Part A (engine outer block: Supplier A)
Part B (engine piston: Supplier B)
Part C (engine piston rings: Supplier C)
<Component configuration of the second part>
Part Y (Door: Supplier Y)
Part E (power window attached to door: Supplier E)
Part F (Screws used for power windows attached to doors: Supplier F)

Information processing device B can register either pattern 2 or pattern 3 of post-component configuration information. When the post-component configuration information includes part S handled by the same supplier, supplier Z, as in pattern 2, supplier Z can calculate the CFP value of part S and register the CFP value of part S in information processing device B. On the other hand, when the post-component configuration information does not include part S handled by the same supplier, supplier Z, as in pattern 3, supplier Z does not need to calculate the CFP value of part S, nor does it need to register the CFP value of part S in information processing device B. In the case of pattern 3, supplier Z may calculate the CFP of part S, but need not register the calculation result for part S in information processing device B. The CFP value for part S can be included in the CFP of product Z and registered in information processing device B, as explained in the CFP management function described below.

<Registration of CFP to information processing device B>
When registering the CFP of each part of a product as a target item in information processing device B, each supplier can register it via information processing device A. It is also possible to register it by directly inputting the CFP value into information processing device B.

<CFP management functions>
In either pattern of post-parts configuration information, supplier Z can register the total CFP value of the car including the CFP of part S.

In the case of pattern 2, supplier X of part X calculates the CFP of part X and registers it in information processing device B.
The supplier Y of the part Y calculates the CFP of the part Y and registers it in the information processing device B.
A supplier Z of a part S calculates the CFP of the part S and registers it in an information processing device B.
The supplier Z of the product Z calculates the CFP of the product Z and registers it in the information processing device B as the first total emission amount.

In the case of pattern 3, the supplier X of the part X calculates the CFP of the part X and registers it in the information processing device B.
The supplier Y of the part Y calculates the CFP of the part Y and registers it in the information processing device B.
A supplier Z of the part S calculates the CFP of the part S but does not register it in the information processing device B.
The supplier Z of the product Z calculates the CFP of the product Z and registers it in the information processing device B as a second total emission amount.

This information processing system includes a parts storage unit that stores multiple parts (parts X, Y, S, etc.) that make up a product (product Z) configured as follows: a parts storage unit that stores the emissions (CFP emissions) of the parts stored in the parts storage unit; and a management unit that manages the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit. The product is composed of at least a first part (part S) and a second part (parts X, Y, etc.), and the product is provided by a first business entity (supplier Z, the company itself), with the first part being provided by the first business entity (the company itself) and the second part being provided by a second business entity (suppliers X, Y, etc.). In a first case in which the first and second parts are stored in the parts storage unit of information processing device B, the first business entity registers a first emission amount of the first part in the emissions storage unit of information processing device B and also registers a first total emission amount related to the product. The second business entity registers a second emission amount of the second part in the emissions storage unit of information processing device B. The management unit of information processing device B manages the first total emission amount in this first case. On the other hand, in a second case in which the first part is not stored in the part storage unit of information processing device B but the second part is, the first business entity does not register the first emission amount of the first part in the emission amount storage unit of information processing device B, but registers the second total emission amount related to the product. The second business entity registers the second emission amount of the second part in the emission amount storage unit of information processing device B. The management unit of information processing device B manages the second total emission amount in this second case. The management unit of information processing device B manages the first total emission amount in the first case and the second total emission amount in the second case as the same value. The part storage unit and the emission amount storage unit are storage units located in both information processing device A and information processing device B. This information processing system makes it possible to manage the emission amount related to products regardless of whether the company's parts are registered in information processing device B.

<Parts composition information>
The component configuration information is also request information. Request information is information requesting CFP information from other companies. For example, a business entity having higher-level hierarchical information (e.g., supplier Z) sends request information to business entities having lower-level hierarchical information (e.g., supplier X and supplier Y). Each business entity that receives the request information calculates and inputs the CFP value and registers it in information processing device B.

Component configuration information can be imported from information processing device A to information processing device B. Information imported from information processing device A is pre-component configuration information, and information imported to information processing device B is post-component configuration information. When importing, information processing device A outputs component configuration information from which the hierarchical information of the pre-component configuration information has been deleted to information processing device B, but it is also possible to output the pre-component configuration information to information processing device B as is, delete the hierarchical information in the management unit on the information processing device B side, and register the component configuration information in the component storage unit of information processing device B.

<Requesting CFP registration from another company>
A request to have another company register the CFP value is made by outputting request information from the output unit 240 of the information processing device A of the business entity having the higher hierarchical information to the input unit 220 of the information processing device A of the business entity having the lower hierarchical information. The trigger for sending the request information is when the business entity having the higher hierarchical information operates the request button on the information processing device A.

<Linking request information and product information>
The management unit of the information processing device A of the business entity that has the lower hierarchical information that received the request performs a process of linking the request information with the product information. The management unit of the information processing device A of the business entity that has the lower hierarchical information that received the request checks the request information of requests whose response status is incomplete and links the request information with the product information. The request information is displayed visibly on the terminal of the business entity that has the lower hierarchical information, including the requester trace identifier, request message, response status, and transaction date information, along with a button for linking the company's product.

If product information is registered on information processing device B, the business entity that has the requested lower-level information can associate the request information with the product information by selecting a specific product from the list of registered products (by pressing the button to link their own product). Note that if they do not want to link their own product (reject the request), they can return the request by pressing the return button.

<New product information registration>
If the product information is not registered in information processing device B, the user presses the button to register the product in information processing device B to newly register the product information. New registration can be performed by the business entity that has received the request. Note that business entities that can make new registrations must have the authority to use information processing device A. If they do not have the authority, they cannot make new registrations, and CFP calculation and registration cannot be performed.

<CFP calculation>
The CFP calculation is performed using information processing device A. When performing the CFP calculation, the business entity that has the requested lower-level hierarchical information can select the product to be calculated and register CFP information, including the calculation name, country of production, region, calculation type, data collection period, physical quantity per product, and notes, in the memory unit of information processing device A. The same can be done by the business entity that made the request. Information processing device B cannot calculate CFP, but is configured to be able to register CFP. Therefore, by calculating and registering a CFP value on information processing device A, it can also be registered on information processing device B. Furthermore, information processing device B is configured to only store the latest CFP value. On the other hand, information processing device A is configured to be able to store CFP values for a predetermined period in the past (before updating).

<CFP collaboration>
The CFP information calculated by information processing device A can be linked to information processing device B. When calculating and registering a CFP value on information processing device A, the business entity having the requested lower-level hierarchical information presses a button to link to information processing device B, whereby the CFP information on information processing device A is output and input/registered to information processing device B. The CFP information includes information such as the product to be calculated, calculation name, country of production, region, calculation type, data collection period, physical quantity per product, memos, and CFP emissions entered when registering on information processing device A. Furthermore, when the CFP information and various other information are registered on information processing device B, information indicating that the CFP information has been linked by a lower-level supplier is output to the supplier that output the requested information. The upper-level supplier that output the requested information can confirm the registered CFP information.

CFP linkage can be performed for each supplier. When CFP information is output to a higher-level supplier, the output CFP emissions can be included and linked to information processing device B, but this linkage is not possible for the lowest-level supplier, as they are not higher-level suppliers.

Each supplier calculates the CFP as follows and outputs the information to the upper supplier.
Supplier Z: Calculate the CFP for product Z, which is a car.
Supplier X: Calculates "X", which is the CFP for part X, and outputs the information to upper-level supplier Z.
Supplier A: Calculates "A", which is the CFP for part A, and outputs the information to upper-level supplier X. At this time, the CFP emissions output is the sum of "A + B + C". Because it is a total value, the detailed values of B and C are not output.
Supplier B: Calculates "B", which is the CFP for part B, and outputs the information to upper-level supplier A. At this time, the CFP emissions output is the sum of "B + C". Because it is a total value, the detailed value of C is not output.
Supplier C: Calculate "C", which is the CFP for part C.
Supplier Y: Calculates "Y", which is the CFP for part Y, and outputs the information to upper-level supplier Z.
Supplier E: Calculates "E", which is the CFP for part E, and outputs the information to upper-level supplier Y. At this time, the CFP emission amount output is the sum of "E + F". Because it is a total value, the detailed value of F is not output.
Supplier F: Calculates "F", which is the CFP for part F, and outputs the information to upper-level supplier E.
Supplier Z: Calculates "S", which is the CFP for part S.

When CFP information is output from a lower-level supplier, each supplier registers the CFP emissions as follows.
Supplier Z: Register "X+A+B+C+Y+E+F+S".
Supplier X: Register "X" and "X+A+B+C".
Supplier A: Registers "A" and "A+B+C".
Supplier B: Registers "B" and "B+C".
Supplier C: Since there are no lower level suppliers, "C" is registered.
Supplier Y: Registers "Y" and "Y+E+F".
Supplier E: Register "E" and "E+F".
Supplier F: Since there are no lower level suppliers, "F" is registered.
Supplier Z: Register "S".

<Comparative display of CFP calculation results between information processing device A and information processing device B>
This information processing system is capable of calculating CFP using information processing device A at a specified supplier, and then comparing and displaying the CFP emissions of products and parts registered in information processing device A with the CFP emissions of products and parts registered in information processing device B. The comparison and display means that the CFP value of information processing device A is displayed in the left area of the screen of user terminal 100 of the supplier that calculated and registered CFP, and the CFP value of information processing device B is displayed in the right area, but this is not limited to this, and the values may be displayed separately in upper and lower areas. When comparing and displaying in a normal case, the CFP value registered in information processing device A and the CFP value registered in information processing device B will be the same value. When comparing and displaying in a special case, the CFP value registered in information processing device A and the CFP value registered in information processing device B will be different values. A special case is when CFP is calculated once using information processing device A, the results are shared with information processing device B, and then a downstream supplier who provides the parts recalculates the CFP and updates the CFP value.

For example, if supplier B of part B performs the calculation, the CFP value displayed on information processing device A of supplier B of part B is "B+C", the sum of "B", the CFP value of part B, and "C", the CFP value of part C. Then, "B+C", the CFP value of information processing device A, is displayed in the left area of user terminal 100 of supplier B of part B, and "B+C", the CFP value of information processing device B, is displayed in the right area.

A special case occurs when supplier C of part C updates the CFP of part C to the modified value "C1." In this case, the left area of user terminal 100 of supplier B of part B displays "B+C," the CFP value of information processing device A, and the right area displays "B+C1," the CFP value of information processing device B. In this way, the CFP value of information processing device A shows the value before the update, and the CFP value of information processing device B shows the latest CFP value. This configuration makes it easy for suppliers who manage the CFP to recognize whether the CFP value has been updated from the information initially registered.

When comparing and displaying CFP values, it is also possible to display the CFP for product pre-processing, the CFP for product manufacturing, the CFP for part pre-processing, the CFP for part manufacturing, etc.

Even if a downstream supplier of a component (a component of a product) updates the CFP value of a component while the product provider is receiving CFP certification from a third-party certification body (certification that the CFP calculation was performed in accordance with specified rules, and that the calculation method is valid and the calculation data is traceable), this information processing system allows information processing device A to retain the CFP value of the component (a component of a product) before the update and/or the CFP value of the product before the update, thereby allowing the CFP certification to continue for the CFP value before the update (eliminating the need to resubmit the CFP value to the third-party certification body). The information before the update is linked to a date. When the CFP value of information processing device B is updated, information indicating the update may be output to information processing device A. Information processing device A may also be configured to periodically (e.g., every 10 minutes) check with information processing device B to see if the CFP value has changed. Even if the value changes multiple times within a 10-minute period, information indicating the multiple updates can be obtained.

This information processing system, which has the function of comparing and displaying the CFP calculation results of information processing device A and information processing device B, is configured as follows: It includes an emissions calculation unit that is capable of calculating a first emission amount (e.g., "B" + "C") corresponding to a specified target item (e.g., part B and part C) and, after a specified period of time has elapsed since calculating the first emission amount, is capable of calculating a second emission amount (e.g., "B" + "C1") corresponding to the specified target item; an emissions memory unit that stores the calculated emission amount; and a presentation unit that presents the first emission amount and the second emission amount in a comparable manner. The emissions memory unit includes at least a first emission amount memory unit and a second emission amount memory unit. The first emission amount memory unit is the emission amount memory unit of information processing device A and stores the first emission amount. The second emission amount memory unit is the emission amount memory unit of information processing device B and stores the second emission amount. The emissions calculation unit, emission amount memory unit, and presentation unit are similar to those described in the other functions, so description thereof will be omitted. By configuring it in this way, the supplier who manages the CFP can easily determine whether the CFP value has been updated from the information initially registered.

This information processing system, which has the function of comparing and displaying the CFP calculation results of information processing device A and information processing device B, is configured as follows. It includes an emission calculation unit that can calculate a first total emission, which is the emission amount corresponding to a product composed of multiple parts, and that can calculate a second total emission, which is the emission amount corresponding to the product, a predetermined period of time after calculating the first total emission; an emission memory unit that stores the calculated emission; and a presentation unit that presents the first total emission and the second total emission in a comparable manner. The emission memory unit includes at least a first emission memory unit and a second emission memory unit. The first emission memory unit is the emission memory unit of information processing device A and stores the first total emission. The second emission memory unit is the emission memory unit of information processing device B and stores the second total emission. The emission calculation unit, emission memory unit, and presentation unit are similar to those described for the other functions, so a description thereof will be omitted. This configuration allows the supplier managing the CFP to easily determine whether the CFP value has been updated from the initially registered information.

The emissions memory unit of this information processing system further includes a parts memory unit that stores multiple parts (e.g., a chassis as part S, an engine as part X, etc.) that make up a product (e.g., a car as product Z), and a management unit that manages the emissions stored in the emissions memory unit. The emissions memory unit is capable of storing the emissions of multiple parts (e.g., CFP of the chassis, CFP of the engine, etc.) stored in the parts memory unit. The product is provided by a first business entity (e.g., supplier Z). The product is composed of at least a first part (e.g., a chassis as part S) provided by the first business entity and a second part (e.g., an engine as part X) provided by a second business entity (e.g., supplier X) different from the first business entity. When the second business entity updates the second emission amount for the second part (e.g., the CFP of the engine) after a predetermined period of time, the management unit manages the first total emission amount (the CFP of information processing device A is the unupdated CFP) and the second total emission amount (the CFP of information processing device B is the updated CFP) as different values, whereas when the first business entity updates the first emission amount for the first part (e.g., the CFP of the chassis) after a predetermined period of time, the management unit manages the first total emission amount (the CFP of information processing device A is the updated CFP) and the second total emission amount (the CFP of information processing device B is the updated CFP) as the same value. This configuration allows product suppliers to easily recognize that the CFP has been updated by the parts supplier.

The information processing system is also configured as follows: It comprises a parts storage unit that stores multiple parts (e.g., a chassis as part S, an engine as part X, etc.) that make up a product (e.g., a car), an emissions storage unit that stores the emissions of the multiple parts stored in the parts storage unit, and a management unit that manages the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit. The product is composed of at least a first part (e.g., a chassis as part S) provided by a first business entity (e.g., supplier Z) and a second part (e.g., an engine as part X) provided by a second business entity (e.g., supplier X). The product is provided by the first business entity. In a first case in which the parts storage unit stores a first part and a second part, the first business entity stores the first emission amount of the first part (e.g., the CFP of part S) in the emission amount storage unit and the first total emission amount related to the product (e.g., the CFP of the car in the first case), and the second business entity stores the second emission amount of the second part (e.g., the CFP of part X) in the emission amount storage unit. In a second case in which the parts storage unit stores the first part but not the second part, the first business entity does not store the first emission amount of the first part in the emission amount storage unit but stores the second total emission amount related to the product (e.g., the CFP of the car in the second case), and the second business entity stores the second emission amount of the second part in the emission amount storage unit. The management unit manages the first total emission amount in the first case and the second total emission amount in the second case as the same value. This configuration allows the supplier of the product to easily manage updates to the CFP from the supplier of the parts.

<Operation>
FIG. 95 is a diagram illustrating operation 1 of the 61st function. The management server 200 calculates a first emission amount, which is an emission amount corresponding to a predetermined target item (S9501). Next, the management server 200 calculates a second emission amount, which is an emission amount corresponding to the predetermined target item (S9502). Next, the management server 200 displays a comparison of the first emission amount and the second emission amount (S9503). Next, the management server 200 determines whether the emission amount of a specific second part (e.g., part C) has been updated (S9504). Note that S9504 is performed under the condition that the emission amount of a first part (e.g., part B) has not been changed. If it is determined that the emission amount of a specific part has been updated (YES in S9504), the management server 200 does not change the first emission amount, but changes the second emission amount and displays them for comparison (S9506). On the other hand, if it is determined that the emission amount of the specific part has not been updated (NO in S9504), the management server 200 displays the first emission amount and the second emission amount for comparison without changing them (S9505).

<Management when activity units are different>
A method for managing information when the activity amount units are different will be described. As described above, in this information processing system, it is possible to store multiple pieces of product information in information processing device B in association with product information related to one target item in information processing device A. The product information in information processing device B is composed of a trace identifier indicating the supplier and an activity amount unit, etc., but only one activity amount unit can be registered in association with one trace identifier. Therefore, if there are multiple suppliers providing product Z (multiple trace identifiers), and the activity amount units used by each supplier are different, it is necessary to store multiple pieces of product information in information processing device B in association with product information related to one target item in information processing device A.

For example, if the suppliers providing product Z are supplier Z1 and supplier Z2, two pieces of product information are registered in information processing device B as follows.
Product information: Trace identifier Z1 (supplier Z1), activity unit = "kg"
Product information: Trace identifier Z2 (supplier Z2), activity amount unit = "piece"

On the other hand, when managing CFPs with different activity amount units in information processing device A, multiple pieces of product information are not registered, but rather one piece of product information is registered in information processing device A.

<CFP Management>
Calculation of CFP for two pieces of product information with different activity amount units is performed by information processing device A. Information processing device A is capable of calculating CFP for trace identifier Z1 with an activity amount unit of "kg", and is also capable of calculating CFP for trace identifier Z2 with an activity amount unit of "pieces". When calculating CFP for different activity amount units in information processing device A, the calculation method is changed for one piece of registered product information and executed. When changing the calculation method and executing the calculation, CFP for trace identifier Z1 can be calculated by setting the unit in the calculation settings of information processing device A to "kg", and CFP for trace identifier Z2 can be calculated by setting the unit to "pieces".

Such an information processing system is configured as follows: It comprises an information processing device A capable of storing first information (product information) including at least the emissions of a target item (e.g., product Z) whose life cycle is to be calculated; an information processing device B capable of storing second information (product information) including at least the emissions of a target item (e.g., product Z) whose life cycle is to be calculated; and a management unit that stores and manages the first information and the second information in a predetermined correspondence state, wherein the management unit is capable of storing and managing a piece of first information of information processing device A in correspondence with a piece of second information of information processing device B, and is capable of storing and managing a piece of first information of information processing device A in correspondence with multiple pieces of second information of information processing device B. Note that the management unit is the management unit of information processing device A. With this configuration, information processing device B, which constitutes the information processing system, can manage CFP values in more detail than information processing device A.

Furthermore, the multiple pieces of second information in this information processing system are characterized in that second information A corresponds to the amount of activity in a predetermined unit (e.g., kg) and second information B corresponds to the amount of activity in a unit different from the predetermined unit (e.g., individuals). By configuring it in this way, information processing device B, which constitutes the information processing system, can manage CFP values in more detailed units than information processing device A.

Note that if there are multiple suppliers providing part X (multiple trace identifiers), and each supplier uses a different activity amount unit, multiple pieces of product information from information processing device B may be stored in association with product information related to a single target item from information processing device A.

For example, if the suppliers providing part X are supplier X1 and supplier X2, two pieces of product information are registered in information processing device B as follows.
Product information: trace identifier X1 (supplier X1), activity unit = "kg"
Product information: Trace identifier X2 (supplier X2), activity amount unit = "piece"

<Operation>
FIG. 96 is a diagram illustrating operation 2 of the 61st function. The management server 200 stores first information including at least the emission amount of the product (S9601). Next, the management server 201 stores second information including at least the emission amount of the product (S9602). Next, the management server 200 determines whether there is one piece of second information for one piece of first information (S9603). That is, in S9603, it determines whether there is multiple pieces of second information. If the management server 200 determines that there are not multiple pieces of second information (NO in S9603), it manages one piece of first information in association with one piece of second information (S9604). On the other hand, if the management server 200 determines that there are multiple pieces of second information in association with one piece of first information (YES in S9603), it manages multiple pieces of second information in association with one piece of first information (S9605).

<Disclosures>
The 61st function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAI1 (P111)]
An information processing system comprising: an emission amount calculation unit capable of calculating a first emission amount, which is an emission amount corresponding to a specified target item, and capable of calculating a second emission amount, which is the emission amount corresponding to the specified target item, after a specified period of time has elapsed since calculating the first emission amount; an emission amount memory unit that stores the calculated emission amount; and a presentation unit that presents the first emission amount and the second emission amount in a manner that allows them to be compared.
[Item AAI2]
An information processing system according to item AAI1, characterized in that the emission amount memory unit comprises a first emission amount memory unit in a first information processing device and a second emission amount memory unit in a second information processing device, and the first emission amount is stored in the first emission amount memory unit, and the second emission amount is stored in the second emission amount memory unit.
[Item AAI3]
An information processing system comprising: an emission calculation unit capable of calculating a first total emission amount, which is an emission amount corresponding to a product made up of a plurality of parts, and capable of calculating a second total emission amount, which is the emission amount corresponding to the product, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since calculating the first total emission amount; an emission storage unit that stores the calculated emission amount; and a presentation unit that presents the first total emission amount and the second total emission amount in a manner that allows them to be compared.
[Item AAI4]
An information processing system according to item AAI3, characterized in that the emission amount memory unit comprises a first emission amount memory unit in a first information processing device and a second emission amount memory unit in a second information processing device, and the first total emission amount is stored in the first emission amount memory unit, and the second total emission amount is stored in the second emission amount memory unit.
[Item AAI5]
the information processing system described in Item AAI3, comprising: a parts storage unit that stores a plurality of parts that constitute the product; and a management unit that manages the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit, wherein the emissions storage unit is capable of storing the emissions of the plurality of parts stored in the parts storage unit, the product is provided by a first business entity, and the product is composed of at least a first part provided by the first business entity and a second part provided by a second business entity different from the first business entity, and the management unit is capable of managing the first total emissions and the second total emissions as different values if the second business entity updates the second emissions related to the second part after the predetermined period has elapsed, and managing the first total emissions and the second total emissions as the same value if the first business entity updates the first emissions related to the first part after the predetermined period has elapsed.
[Item AAI6]
a parts storage unit that stores a plurality of parts that constitute a product; an emission storage unit that stores emissions of the plurality of parts stored in the parts storage unit; and a management unit that manages the emissions stored in the emission storage unit, wherein the product is composed of at least a first part provided by a first business entity and a second part provided by a second business entity, and the product is provided by the first business entity, and in a first case where the first part and the second part are stored in the parts storage unit, the first business entity stores a first emission amount of the first part in the emission storage unit and manages the first emission amount of the first part related to the product. and the second business entity stores a second emission amount of the second part in the emission storage unit, while in a second case in which the first part is not stored in the part storage unit but the second part is stored, the first business entity does not store the first emission amount of the first part in the emission storage unit but stores a second total emission amount related to the product, and the second business entity stores the second emission amount of the second part in the emission storage unit, and the management unit manages the first total emission amount in the first case and the second total emission amount in the second case as the same value.
[Item AAI7 (P112)]
An information processing system comprising: an information processing device A capable of storing first information (commodity information) including at least the amount of emissions for a target item (e.g., product Z) whose life cycle is to be calculated; an information processing device B capable of storing second information (product information) including at least the amount of emissions for the target item; and a management unit that manages the first information and the second information, wherein the management unit is capable of managing one piece of second information in correspondence with one piece of first information when there is one piece of second information, and is capable of managing multiple pieces of second information in correspondence with one piece of first information when there are multiple pieces of second information.
[Item AAI8]
An information processing system according to item AAI7, characterized in that the plurality of second information are second information A corresponding to an amount of activity in a predetermined unit (e.g., kg) and second information B corresponding to an amount of activity in a unit (e.g., individuals) different from the predetermined unit.

<<Unit conversion route setting display function (62 functions)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration further applicable to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 61 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 62. As background technology, greenhouse gas emissions in a supply chain are calculated. It is necessary to grasp information on environmental indicators, such as greenhouse gas emissions, but depending on the environmental indicator being grasped, the units used at the time of input and the units used at the time of aggregation may differ, resulting in a problem of cumbersome unit conversion work. Function 62 aims to provide technology that enables easy unit conversion when the units used at the time of input of environmental indicators differ from the units used at the time of aggregation.

When calculating greenhouse gas emissions, the focus is on how much greenhouse gas is emitted through economic activity. However, greenhouse gases are not the only thing that affect nature; there is also ESG information such as water pollution and fuel resources. This ESG information is managed using environmental indicators, and it is necessary to visualize the information on various environmental indicators. This embodiment provides a function that can flexibly handle everything from inputting information on specified environmental indicators to compiling it.

Function 62 is configured as follows: SETP1: Set the input value and input unit, with the initial input unit being kg and the aggregation unit being t. STEP2: Select unit conversion, and use the conversion factor to set the input unit of kg to the aggregation unit of t. By using unit conversion, an automatic conversion factor is assigned in the information processing system, and the aggregation results when set to "t" are displayed. In other words, this function displays a flow chart of how the input is calculated, aggregated, and converted into a converted value.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 62nd function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a unit setting unit, a unit conversion execution unit, a presentation unit, and a conversion coefficient setting unit.

The unit setting unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 can set the input unit for input values related to specific items of environmental indicators. The unit setting unit can also set the aggregation unit for aggregated values obtained by aggregating input values. The unit setting unit can set at least one of the input unit and aggregation unit, and may be able to set both. Units are "kg" or "t", and in this embodiment, the input unit is described as "kg" and the aggregation unit as "t".

The unit conversion execution unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, converts the input unit to the aggregation unit. For example, it converts the input unit "kg" at the time of input to the aggregation unit "t" at the time of aggregation. The input unit of an environmental indicator can be set arbitrarily by the user entering the input value, but if the input unit is specified, the input unit can be changed using the unit conversion execution unit. For example, if the specified input unit is "kg" but the user wants to input in "g," the unit can be changed from the first input unit of "g" to the second input unit of "kg." Furthermore, the aggregation unit of an environmental indicator is set to a specified aggregation unit, but can be set to a aggregation unit specified by the user managing the aggregated value. When an aggregation unit is specified in this way, the unit conversion execution unit can be used to change from the specified aggregation unit to the specified aggregation unit. For example, if the specified aggregation unit is "t" but the specified aggregation unit is "g," the unit can be changed from the first aggregation unit of "t" to the second aggregation unit of "g."

The presentation unit that constitutes the output unit 240 displays images of "Input unit = kg," "Conversion coefficient for unit conversion = ...," and "Tally unit = t" in a predetermined order on the user terminal 100 like a flow diagram. By displaying in this predetermined order, it is possible to present the flow of unit changes during unit conversion and the transition of conversion information such as conversion coefficients and conversion values.

The conversion coefficient setting unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 automatically sets conversion coefficients based on the input unit and aggregation unit settings. When converting units, the conversion coefficient setting unit reads the corresponding conversion coefficient from a conversion coefficient storage unit that stores information including conversion coefficients for unit conversion, and sets the conversion coefficient.

The conversion value setting unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 sets the input unit and aggregation unit, and automatically calculates and sets the conversion value based on the input value. The conversion value is automatically calculated by multiplying or dividing the input value by a conversion coefficient. In other words, the conversion value is the final value after performing unit conversion on the input value.

<Operation>
FIG. 97 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 62nd function. The management server 200 sets the input unit of the input value (S9701). Next, the management server 200 sets the aggregation unit of the aggregated value (S9702). Next, the management server 200 determines whether the input unit and the aggregation unit are different (S9703). If it is determined that the input unit and the aggregation unit are different (YES in S9703), the management server 200 sets a conversion coefficient and performs unit conversion from the input unit to the aggregation unit (S9704). On the other hand, if it is determined that the input unit and the aggregation unit are not different (NO in S9703), the management server 200 does not perform unit conversion and terminates this process. Next, the management server 200 displays the input unit, conversion coefficient, and aggregation unit in a predetermined order (S9705).

The flow in this embodiment is configured as follows: In this example, the flow starts from the left area of the display screen of the user terminal 100 and proceeds to the right area, but the flow may start from the top and proceed downward.
(1) Flow of Pattern 1: Input without conversion in the same unit as the default input unit. "Input unit = kg"=>"Default input unit = kg"=>"Conversion coefficient = 0.001 kg/t"=>"Default aggregation unit = t"=>"Conversion value = 33.333t"
(2) Flow of pattern 2 from kg to t: "Input unit = kg"=>"Conversion coefficient = 0.001 kg/t"=>"Initial setting aggregation unit = t"=>"Conversion value = 33.333 t"
(3) Flow of Pattern 3 where 1000t is t: "Input unit = kg"=>"Automatic conversion coefficient = 0.000001 kg/1000t"=> 1000t =>"Conversion coefficient = 22.1000t/t"=>"Initial setting aggregation unit = t"=>"Conversion value = 0.733326t"

The display area for "Input value = 33333" may also be set after (for example, to the right of) the display area for "Input unit = kg." By displaying it in this manner, it is easy to see how the input value (input value = 33333) was converted and what the final value (converted value = 33.333 t) became. The display area for "Input value" may also be set before (for example, to the left of) "Input unit = kg."

In addition, the font size of the number "33333" in "Input value = 33333" is set to be larger than the font size of the unit "kg" in "Input unit = kg." By displaying the font in this size, it is less likely that the user will make an error when entering a value.

Furthermore, if there are multiple unit conversion patterns, such as (1) to (3) above, one unit conversion pattern can be selected to perform the unit conversion.

An example of converting mass units from "kg" to "t" has been shown, but the same applies to unit conversions for distance, area, volume, temperature, speed, pressure, power, heat, angle, viscosity, magnetic flux, etc. Users can also customize the input and aggregation units themselves. In this case, for example, instead of simply converting between masses, they can convert to customized units. Note that when customizing aggregation units, if the other business entity (subsidiary) is using the corporate group application function, it is possible to change the unit of the second aggregation unit, but it is not possible to change the unit of the first aggregation unit, and the same applies to the input unit. If one business entity (parent company) is using the corporate group application function, it is possible to change both the unit of the first aggregation unit and the unit of the second aggregation unit, and the same applies to the input unit.

<Disclosures>
The 62nd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAJ1 (P121)]
An information processing system comprising: a unit setting unit that can set one or both of an input unit for an input value related to a predetermined item of an environmental index and an aggregation unit for an aggregated value obtained by aggregating the input values; a unit conversion execution unit that executes unit conversion from the input unit to the aggregation unit; and a presentation unit that displays the input unit, a conversion coefficient related to the unit conversion, and the aggregation unit in a predetermined order to present the transition in the unit conversion.
[Item AAJ2]
An information processing system according to item AAJ1, characterized in that it comprises a conversion coefficient setting unit that automatically sets a conversion coefficient based on setting the input unit and the aggregation unit.
[Item AAJ3]
An information processing system according to Item AAJ1, comprising: a memory unit that stores base information of a plurality of business entities that constitute a group; an application form registration unit that registers an application form for inputting information related to the environment; an item setting unit that can set specified items of the application form; an application route setting unit that can apply for the information related to the environment across the plurality of business entities; the specified items can be set by one of the plurality of business entities but cannot be set by another of the plurality of business entities; when the information related to the environment is input by one of the business entities, the aggregation unit (first aggregation unit) can be changed to another aggregation unit (second aggregation unit); and when the information related to the environment is input by the other business entity, the aggregation unit cannot be changed to another aggregation unit.

<<Management functions (63 functions)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 62 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 63. As background technology, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. While it is required to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide and other emissions for each component that constitutes a product, there is a problem that managing the components that constitute the product becomes complicated. Function 63 aims to provide technology that can facilitate the management of the components that constitute a product. Furthermore, it aims to provide technology that clarifies where a company's activities fit into the overall lifecycle by displaying complex supply chain activities as a lifecycle flow diagram.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 63rd function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a flow creation unit, an item composition information creation unit, an acquisition unit 250, and an output unit 240.

In this embodiment, the target item refers to a product, but it can also refer to a commodity (product) or a service. Items are described as parts, materials, and other components that make up a product, but other components of a product are also included in the category of items. Processes are the processes described in Function 47, etc.

The flow creation unit constituting the execution unit 290 can create a flow diagram showing the relationships between multiple items that make up a target item. In this embodiment, the target item is exemplified as product Z, a car, and the multiple items are exemplified as parts X, Y, S, etc. that make up product Z. This flow diagram is a diagram that includes parts information, but it is sufficient as long as it includes at least part names (a diagram that can display part names). This flow diagram may also be a tree-structured diagram that shows the relationships between parts indicated in part configuration information. The flow creation unit can create a flow diagram that includes the lifecycle process (steps of the lifecycle) of the target item. This flow diagram is a diagram that includes multiple items in the flow diagram described in the lifecycle flow function.

The flow creation unit can create a flow diagram showing the relationships between multiple items in a predetermined order. The flow creation unit can also create a flow diagram that includes the lifecycle processes of the target item in a predetermined order. A flow diagram that includes the lifecycle processes of the target item is also called a lifecycle flow diagram. The predetermined order is the order of the multiple part information that make up the item configuration information, and is an indicator of the relationship between the multiple part information.

The item composition information creation unit, which is part of the execution unit 290, can acquire information related to items from the flow diagram and create item composition information including information related to items in an order based on the flow diagram. Item composition information includes at least item names (e.g., part names). The acquisition unit 250 may acquire information related to items, and the item composition information creation unit may create item composition information using the acquired information related to items. Item composition information is information that sets information related to at least multiple items in a predetermined order. Item composition information may be the same as part composition information. The flow diagram of this embodiment displays multiple boxes that make up the flow diagram, each containing part names as information related to items. Item composition information may be part information, product information, or product information, or a combination of these. Item composition information is also referred to as a unit process, as described below.

The item composition information creation unit can obtain information related to the lifecycle processes of the target item (items related to the processes) from the flow diagram and create item composition information that includes information related to the items that make up the target item and information related to the lifecycle processes of the target item in an order based on the flow diagram. The information related to the items and information related to the lifecycle processes of the target item are referred to as unit processes, with the information related to the items being referred to as the first unit process and the information related to the lifecycle processes of the target item being referred to as the second unit process. The item composition information creation unit may also include items related to lifecycle phases. For example, if the item related to the lifecycle phase is "raw material procurement," the information related to the lifecycle processes of the target item is "raw material (item process)." Note that the information related to the lifecycle processes of the target item may also include CFP information, etc.

The output unit 240 outputs the flow diagram and item composition information so that the user can view it on the user terminal 100.

The item configuration information creation unit can also create item configuration information based on part configuration information. An example of part configuration information is shown below. This part configuration information is pattern 1 described in the 61st function.
<Parts composition information>
Product Z (Car: Supplier Z, Hierarchy Information 0)
Part X (Engine: Supplier X, Hierarchy Information 1)
Part A (engine outer block: supplier A, hierarchical information 2)
Part B (engine piston: Supplier B, hierarchy information 3)
Part C (engine piston ring: Supplier C, hierarchy information 4)
Part Y (door: supplier Y, hierarchy information 1)
Part E (power window attached to door: Supplier E, hierarchy information 2)
Part F (Screws used for power windows attached to doors: Supplier F, Hierarchy 3)
Part S (chassis: supplier Z, hierarchical information 1)

The item configuration information based on the part configuration information of pattern 1 is as follows. Note that this is also an example of item configuration information set in a predetermined order.
<Item composition information>
Product Z: CFP information: INPUT 3: OUTPUT 1
Part X: CFP information: INPUT3: OUTPUT1
Part A: CFP information: INPUT2: OUTPUT1
Part B: CFP information: INPUT2: OUTPUT1
Part C: CFP information: INPUT2: OUTPUT1
Part Y: CFP information: INPUT3: OUTPUT1
Part E: CFP information: INPUT3: OUTPUT1
Part F: CFP information: INPUT 4: OUTPUT 1
Part S: CFP information: INPUT 7: OUTPUT 1

Part information is information added to a specific part, and includes the part name, as well as hierarchy, part number, part quantity, part weight, weight unit, supplier information, etc. Product information includes product name, product code, and CFP information. Product information includes trace identifier, part item, auxiliary item, activity amount, activity amount unit, business name, and CFP information. CFP information includes information entered into management server 200 such as the product to be calculated, calculation name, country of production, region, calculation type, data collection period, physical quantity per product, notes, and CFP emissions.

Item composition information can also include INPUT information and OUTPUT information, as in the example above. INPUT information refers to the unit processes that make up one (single) OUTPUT. For example, if the OUTPUT is part F, part F is manufactured using iron, nickel, aluminum, and electricity, so it is INPUT 4. In the case of product Z, product Z is made up of parts X, Y, and S, so it is INPUT 3. Similarly, for other parts (OUTPUT), the number of unit processes required to manufacture that part becomes INPUT information. By displaying INPUT information in this way, administrators can easily see how many unit processes (INPUT) a single (single) item (OUTPUT) is made up of, making it easier to manage parts, etc.

For unit processes with two or more INPUT information, item configuration information can be expanded. Below is an example of part F (OUTPUT) that consists of four INPUTs.
<OUTPUT> Part F: CFP information: INPUT4: OUTPUT1
INPUT (No. 1): Iron: CFP information INPUT (No. 2): Nickel: CFP information INPUT (No. 3): Cobalt: CFP information INPUT (No. 4): Electricity: CFP information

The OUTPUT information is set to 1 because there is always one intermediate part (OUTPUT) for a unit process. Note that OUTPUT information can also be INPUT information. Part F, which was the OUTPUT in the above example, becomes the INPUT of part Y, which is the OUTPUT (intermediate part), as follows:
<OUTPUT> Part Y: CFP information: INPUT3: OUTPUT1
INPUT (No. 1): Part E: CFP information INPUT (No. 2): Part F: CFP information INPUT (No. 3): Oil: CFP information

In this way, one part (for example, part F) can be both OUTPUT information and INPUT information, making it easier to understand the connections and flow of parts without using a flow diagram, and making it easier to manage item configuration information.

If there are not enough INPUTs (unit processes) that make up the OUTPUT when the item configuration information is expanded, it is possible to add INPUTs.
<OUTPUT> Part Y: CFP information: INPUT4: OUTPUT1
INPUT (No. 1): Part E: CFP information INPUT (No. 2): Part F: CFP information INPUT (No. 3): Oil: CFP information INPUT (No. 4): Electricity: CFP information <= Added INPUT

Furthermore, when an INPUT unit process is added, the number of INPUTs corresponding to <OUTPUT> is automatically changed, making it easier to manage item configuration information.
<Item composition information (after changes)>
Product Z: CFP information: INPUT 3: OUTPUT 1
Part X: CFP information: INPUT3: OUTPUT1
Part A: CFP information: INPUT2: OUTPUT1
Part B: CFP information: INPUT2: OUTPUT1
Part C: CFP information: INPUT2: OUTPUT1
Part Y: CFP information: INPUT 4: OUTPUT 1 <= INPUT to be changed
Part E: CFP information: INPUT3: OUTPUT1
Part F: CFP information: INPUT 4: OUTPUT 1
Part S: CFP information: INPUT 7: OUTPUT 1

INPUTs (unit processes) can also be deleted or their contents changed. Furthermore, if the information in an INPUT is changed, the information in the OUTPUT, which is the same component, is also changed. Furthermore, if the information in an OUTPUT is changed, the information in the INPUT, which is the same component, is also changed. Furthermore, INPUTs (unit processes) can be moved or copied as INPUTs that make up other OUTPUTs.

The flow diagram and item composition information are displayed in separate display areas on the dashboard screen of the user terminal 100. When the user clicks on a part name, etc. in the flow diagram to select it, the unit process associated with the selected part name is selected and detailed information is displayed. Furthermore, when the user clicks on detailed information about a unit process to select it, the unit process that corresponds to which part name, etc. in the flow diagram is highlighted.

<Operation>
FIG. 98 is a diagram explaining the operation of the 63rd function. The management server 200 determines whether a flow diagram showing the relationships between multiple items that make up the target item has been created (S9801). If a flow diagram has been created (YES in S9801), the management server 200 acquires information related to the items from the flow diagram (S9802). Next, the management server 200 creates item composition information in the order based on the flow diagram (S9803). Next, the management server 200 outputs the flow diagram and the created item composition information to the user terminal 100 (S9804). On the other hand, if a flow diagram has not been created (NO in S9801), the management server 200 determines whether item composition information has been created (S9805). If item composition information has been created (YES in S9805), the management server 200 creates a flow diagram (S9806). Next, the management server 200 outputs the item composition information and the created flow diagram to the user terminal 100 (S9807). On the other hand, if the item composition information has not been created (NO in S9805), this process ends.

<Disclosures>
The 63rd function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAK1 (P120)]
An information processing system comprising: a flow creation unit capable of creating a flow diagram (life cycle flow diagram, including at least part names) showing the relationships between multiple items (parts X, Y, S) that make up a target item (a car that is a product); and an item configuration information creation unit capable of acquiring information related to the item (a first unit process, which may be part names, product information, or product information) from the flow diagram and creating item configuration information (a group of unit processes) (including information related to the item) in an order based on the flow diagram.
[Item AAK2]
An information processing system according to item AAK1, characterized in that the flow creation unit is capable of creating the flow diagram by including the life cycle process (life cycle process) of the target item, and the item composition information creation unit is capable of obtaining information related to the life cycle process of the target item (second unit process; items related to the process) from the flow diagram and creating the item composition information (including information related to multiple items that make up the target item and information related to the life cycle process of the target item) in an order based on the flow diagram.
[Item AAK3]
An information processing system comprising: an item configuration information creation unit capable of creating, in a predetermined order, item configuration information (a group of unit processes) including information (unit processes, which may be part names, commodity information, or product information) relating to a plurality of items (parts X, Y, S) that make up a target item (a car that is a commodity); and a flow creation unit capable of creating, based on the predetermined order, a flow diagram (life cycle flow diagram, including at least part names) that shows the relationships between the plurality of items (parts X, Y, S).
[Item AAK4]
An information processing system according to item AAK3, wherein the item composition information creation unit is capable of creating the item composition information (information including information related to a plurality of items that make up a target item) including information related to the stages of the life cycle of the target item (items related to processes) in the predetermined order, and the flow creation unit is capable of creating the flow diagram by including the stages (processes) of the life cycle of the target item in the predetermined order.

<< Bulk editing function (64th function) >>
While some of the above-described embodiments have been described, the 64th function is an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the first through 63rd functions, and will be described in detail below. The background to this is that legal amendments, such as the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, have resulted in the addition and refinement of calculation targets for carbon dioxide and other emissions, and the updating of emission intensity units. When these amendments are implemented, activities, emission intensity units, and other factors change, making it necessary to revise the registered data of already registered users. However, when registering data, these are individually and manually edited, which creates the problem of significant labor costs. Therefore, the 64th function aims to provide a technology that allows users to easily update registered data, such as activities and emission intensity units, by providing a function for editing registered data in bulk.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 64th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes an activity amount storage unit, an emissions intensity storage unit, an emissions calculation unit, an emissions storage unit, an identification unit, and an update unit.

The activity amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores activity amounts related to activities that emit greenhouse gases. In this embodiment, a wood atmospheric fluidized bed boiler (hereinafter referred to as a boiler) in Scope 1 is used as an example of a predetermined activity, but this is not limited to this and other activities are also included. The predetermined activity in this embodiment also includes activities whose emission intensity changes depending on the time of year, such as gasoline. The activity amount memory unit also has the functions described in other embodiments.

The emission intensity unit memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores emission intensity units for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this embodiment, the emission intensity units are exemplified by a first emission intensity unit and a second emission intensity unit, but are not limited to these and include other emission intensity units. The first emission intensity unit is, for example, the emission intensity unit for a boiler in January 2020. The second emission intensity unit is, for example, the emission intensity unit for a boiler in January 2024. The emission intensity unit memory unit also has the functions described in other embodiments.

The emission calculation unit constituting the calculation unit 210 calculates greenhouse gas emissions by multiplying the activity amount by the emission intensity. The emission calculation unit can calculate a first emission amount as of January 2020 by multiplying the activity amount of the boiler by a first emission intensity. The emission calculation unit can also calculate a second emission amount as of January 2024 by multiplying the activity amount of the boiler by a second emission intensity. The emission calculation unit also has the functions described in other embodiments.

The emission amount memory unit constituting the memory unit 230 stores the emission amount calculated by the emission amount calculation unit. For example, the emission amount memory unit can store multiple emission amounts, and can store the first emission amount and the second emission amount separately even when the activity is the same. Note that, when the activity is the same, the emission amount memory unit may be able to overwrite the first emission amount with the second emission amount and store them. Note that the emission amount memory unit also has the functions described in other embodiments.

The identification unit constituting the analysis unit 280 identifies a predetermined activity from the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit. The identification unit can also identify emissions corresponding to a predetermined activity from the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit. In other words, a predetermined activity or emissions corresponding to a predetermined activity can be identified from registered data (registered information) already registered in the storage unit 230, but identification can also be based on conditions. For example, if a first emission amount is calculated by multiplying the activity amount related to a boiler by a first emission intensity corresponding to the boiler, and then a second emission intensity is stored in the emission intensity storage unit, and the second emission amount is calculated by multiplying the activity amount related to the boiler by the second emission intensity corresponding to the boiler, the identification unit identifies the activity using the first emission intensity as a condition. The identification unit can then identify the activity of a boiler using the first emission intensity as a predetermined activity. In the above case, the identification unit can also identify the first emission amount corresponding to a boiler using the first emission intensity from the emissions stored in the emissions storage unit.

The user can set the identification conditions. The identification conditions include the emission intensity unit selected by the user (e.g., the first emission intensity unit), the period of the registered data (e.g., a period of 12 months from the present time), the base, scope, category (in the case of Scope 3), tag, GHG name, environmental indicator name, and registration date and time.

The user can also select from a list of registered data a specified activity for which the emissions intensity unit is to be changed, or emissions corresponding to the specified activity. The specification unit makes activities for which the user has customized the emissions intensity unit, as described below, unselectable. In this case, the output unit 240 outputs information that displays the emissions corresponding to the unselectable activities or specified activities in a state in which they cannot be selected on the user terminal 100 (for example, by displaying the text in a lighter color). In this way, the output unit 240 has a function to display only registered data for which the emissions intensity unit can be changed. Furthermore, when a customized emissions intensity unit is selectable, it is preferable that the specification unit restricts editing so that the first emissions amount related to the customized emissions intensity unit is not updated to the second emissions amount.

The update unit constituting the execution unit 290 updates the emission amount stored in the emission amount storage unit with a new emission amount. "Updating" may involve overwriting the first emission amount stored in the emission amount storage unit with the second emission amount, or erasing the first emission amount stored in the emission amount storage unit and then storing the second emission amount, or storing the first emission amount stored in the emission amount storage unit as old emission amount information corresponding to the boiler and storing the second emission amount information as new emission amount information corresponding to the boiler, and displaying the new emission amount information.

For example, the update unit updates the first emission amount stored in the emission amount storage unit to a second emission amount obtained by multiplying the activity amount related to the boiler identified by the identification unit by the second emission intensity corresponding to the boiler. Note that the change may be performed by the change unit instead of updating.

<Operation>
FIG. 99 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 64th function. The management server 200 registers (stores) the amount of activity in the activity amount storage unit (S9901). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) an emission intensity unit for calculating greenhouse gas emissions in the emission intensity unit storage unit (S9902). Note that the order of S9901 and S9902 may be reversed. Next, the management server 200 calculates the amount of emissions by multiplying the amount of activity by the emission intensity unit (S9903). This emission amount is the first emission amount. Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) the calculated first emission amount in the emission intensity unit (S9904). Next, the management server 200 determines whether to change the emission intensity unit (S9905). For example, it determines whether the user has issued an instruction to change the emission intensity unit from the first emission intensity unit to the second emission intensity unit. If it is determined that an instruction to change the emission intensity has been issued (YES in S9905), the activity related to the emission intensity that needs to be changed is identified (S9906). For example, when changing the emission intensity from a first emission intensity to a second emission intensity, a predetermined activity corresponding to the first emission intensity is identified. Note that the emission amount corresponding to the predetermined activity may be identified from the emissions stored in the emission storage unit. Next, the management server 200 calculates the emission amount by multiplying the activity amount of the predetermined activity identified in S9906 by the second emission intensity (S9907). This emission amount is the second emission amount. Next, the management server 200 updates the old emission amount (first emission amount) stored in the emission storage unit with the new emission amount (second emission amount) (S9908). On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction to change the emission intensity has not been issued (NO in S9905), this process ends.

Next, we will explain how to set the emission intensity. The method for setting the emission intensity is as follows.
(1) Check your activity. Here, check the amount of activity.
(2) Select an emission intensity unit. Select an emission intensity unit master or an emission intensity unit set by the user.
(3) Check the emission intensity.
(4) Check the amount of emissions. Check the amount of emissions based on the set emission intensity.

The example of an emission intensity unit is shown as master data stored in the information processing system, but it can also be set by the user themselves. For example, the user can create a calculation formula for the emission intensity unit and set it, or set it by directly entering the emission intensity unit value, allowing the user to custom set the emission intensity unit as desired. By custom setting the emission intensity unit in this way, it is possible to perform emission calculations in response to various requests.

In this way, users can customize and set emission intensity units, but registered data such as emission intensity units for these custom-set emission intensity units cannot be edited in the update section. In other words, the only registered data that can be edited, such as emission intensity units, is registered data that uses emission intensity units other than the customized emission intensity unit (master data emission intensity units). This makes it possible to prevent the disadvantages of editing registered data that should not be edited.

The information processing system also has an alert function. When a new emission unit (second emission unit) is released due to legal reforms such as the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, the alert function displays on each user terminal 100 a message indicating that the new emission unit has been published. The alert function causes the output unit 240 to output alert information to each user terminal 100, provided that the second emission unit has been registered in the information processing device.

In addition, the parent company can update the emission intensity, etc. of the registered data of its subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries. In this case, the output unit 240 may output alert information indicating that the emission intensity has been changed by the parent company.

In addition, due to legal reforms such as the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, emissions units that have been used up until now may no longer be used. In this case, emissions data corresponding to activities or specified activities that used the deleted emissions units will no longer be displayed in the list of registered data. Note that old data that used the registered first emissions units will simply no longer be displayed; the data itself will not be deleted.

The dashboard screen also has a comparison function (function no. 20) that can compare old and new data. For example, the first emissions using the first emissions unit are displayed as a bar graph on the left, and the second emissions using the second emissions unit are displayed as a bar graph on the right, allowing the old and new data to be compared. Even if an emissions unit is deleted, the old and new data can still be compared and displayed, but in this case the second emissions will be displayed as 0. Also, if a new emissions unit is added, the old and new data can still be compared and displayed, but in this case the first emissions will be displayed as 0.

So far we have explained the case where a first emissions unit is changed to a second emissions unit, but it is also possible to change a first activity to a second activity. In this case, when the user selects a first activity, the identification unit identifies the first activity, and the update unit changes it to the second activity specified by the user. It is also possible to change from a first global warming potential to a second global warming potential. The old first emissions are emissions that take the first global warming potential into account, but when changing to a second global warming potential, the emissions can be updated to second emissions based on the second global warming potential.

<Disclosures>
The 64th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAL1 (P119)]
an emission amount storage unit that stores an amount of activity related to an activity that emits greenhouse gases; an emission amount storage unit that stores an emission intensity unit for calculating an amount of greenhouse gas emissions; an emission amount calculation unit that calculates the emission amount by multiplying the amount of activity by the emission intensity unit; an emission amount storage unit that stores the calculated emission amount; an identification unit that can identify a predetermined activity (from the emission amount in the emission amount storage unit) when a first emission amount is calculated by multiplying the amount of activity related to the predetermined activity by a first emission intensity unit corresponding to the predetermined activity and then calculates a second emission amount by multiplying the amount of activity related to the predetermined activity by a second emission intensity unit corresponding to the predetermined activity; and an update unit that updates the first emission amount (stored in the emission amount storage unit) to the second emission amount (obtained by multiplying the amount of activity by the second emission intensity unit corresponding to the predetermined activity) related to the identified predetermined activity.
[Item AAL2]
An information processing system according to item AAL1, characterized in that, when the first emission unit is an emission unit arbitrarily set by a user, the update unit restricts the first emission amount from being updated to the second emission amount.

<<Report management function (65th function)>>
Next, although some of the above-described embodiments have been described, an example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of Functions 1 to 64 is described in detail below as an embodiment of Function 65. As a background, carbon dioxide and other emissions are calculated. The prior art system (JP Patent Publication No. 2007-164754) faces the problem of difficulty in creating reports that do not conform to existing templates. Therefore, Function 65 aims to provide technology that enables flexible report creation.

An example of the software configuration of the management server 200 for the 65th function will be described using Figure 3. The management server 200 includes a report type storage unit, an item information storage unit, a discharge-related information storage unit, an input unit, a conversion unit, a management unit, and an output unit.

The report type memory unit that constitutes the memory unit 230 stores the report type. Report types include reports that correspond to CDP, TCFD, the Energy Conservation Act, the Global Warming Act, and the Fluorocarbons Act.

The item information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230 stores items (hereinafter referred to as item information) to be included in a specified type of report. Item information is the items that should be included in reports pursuant to the Energy Conservation Act and the like, such as the emission year, classification of greenhouse gas substances, calculated greenhouse gas emissions, fuel type, and emission coefficients.

Multiple levels of weighting can be set for item information. For example, weighting levels A, B, and C can be set. Level A is the lightest weight, level B is a medium weight, and level C is heavier than levels A and B, although levels D and F, which are heavier than level C, can also be set. Item information corresponding to a weighting level C is information that should be included in the report more frequently than item information corresponding to levels A and B. By setting these weighting levels, it is easier to understand the priority of information that should be included in the report.

The emission-related information storage unit constituting the storage unit 230 stores information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities upstream or downstream in the supply chain. The information related to greenhouse gas emissions is information to be included in reports, and in this embodiment, for example, includes information indicating the fiscal year (e.g., 2024) as the emission year, information on the classification of greenhouse gas substances (e.g., CH4 (methane) or N2O (nitrous oxide)), information indicating the emission value (e.g., 100 tCO2) as the calculated greenhouse gas emission amount, information on the fuel type (e.g., diesel), and information indicating the emission coefficient (e.g., 2.6 tCO2/kl). The information related to greenhouse gas emissions is information input from the user terminal 100 via the input unit 220, but may also be information calculated based on the input information. The emission-related information storage unit also stores information related to greenhouse gas emissions described in other embodiments.

The input unit 220 inputs a group of information in which item information is set. In this embodiment, the input unit 220 inputs CSV data as the group of information, but the group of information may also be Excel data or data in another format, or multiple item information may be input manually. The multiple item information as the group of information is stored in a data table format consisting of multiple rows and multiple columns in an item information storage unit that constitutes the storage unit 230. Furthermore, the data table is configured differently depending on the type of report.

The information group includes information corresponding to the item information (for example, information related to greenhouse gas emissions), but may not include information corresponding to some of the item information. When the information group is stored in data table format, one column contains item information, and the column next to that column contains information corresponding to the item information.

The conversion unit that constitutes the execution unit 290 converts the group of information input by the input unit into a group of information in a specified format. In this embodiment, the conversion unit converts the input CSV data into XML data, but it may also convert into data in another format. The conversion unit also converts the corresponding information, described below, into XML data.

The management unit constituting the execution unit 290 associates item information with information stored in the memory unit 230 (e.g., information related to greenhouse gas emissions) and manages the correspondence information. In this embodiment, the management unit extracts and manages data corresponding to the input item information from the emission-related information memory unit. The extracted data includes information related to greenhouse gas emissions. The management unit manages correspondence information such as, for example, emission year = 2024, greenhouse gas substance classification = CH4, calculated greenhouse gas emissions = 100 tCO2, fuel type = diesel, and emission coefficient = 2.6 tCO2/kl.

When the weighting is at level C or higher, the management unit extracts a higher proportion of information corresponding to item information from the storage unit compared to levels A and B. In other words, the number of pieces of information corresponding to item information extracted when the weighting is level C or higher is greater than the number of pieces of information corresponding to item information extracted when the weighting is level A or B. In this way, the information processing system is able to extract a large amount of information corresponding to important item information such as level C.

The output unit 240 outputs correspondence information obtained by associating information related to greenhouse gas emissions with item information in the management unit to the outside. The correspondence information is data that can be input into other information processing devices, such as information processing device B, and is XML data converted by the conversion unit.

If the management unit is unable to match item information with information related to greenhouse gas emissions, the output unit 240 outputs the name of the item information that could not be matched to the user terminal 100. By outputting in this manner, the user can recognize which item could not be matched, and can manually input and correct the information corresponding to the item information using information processing device B or the like after inputting the XML data.

Furthermore, if the management unit is unable to match the item information with information related to greenhouse gas emissions and the item information is at Stage C, the output unit 240 can notify the user that editing is required after inputting the XML data (such as the name of the item information that could not be matched). This improves user convenience and allows the user to manually input information corresponding to the item information on information processing device B or the like after inputting the XML data. Note that if the weight is lower than Stage C, that is, Stage A or Stage B, it is preferable not to issue such a notification, but it may also be configured to issue a notification. Note that an AI function may be used to detect that the item information does not match information related to greenhouse gas emissions and that the item information is at Stage C, and notify the user that editing is required (such as the name of the item information that could not be matched).

This embodiment can also be combined with the third function, in which case it includes an emission coefficient storage unit, a scale information storage unit, an acquisition unit, an emission calculation unit, and a presentation unit.

The emission coefficient memory unit stores emission coefficients for calculating greenhouse gas emissions for each business entity.

The scale information storage unit stores scale information indicating at least one of sales scale and asset scale for each business entity.

The acquisition unit acquires activity data for business entities of a specified scale that constitute either the upstream or downstream parts of the supply chain.

The emissions calculation unit calculates the emissions from a business entity by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the business entity.

If an emission factor corresponding to the business entity is not registered, the presentation unit reads out scale information corresponding to the business entity from the scale information storage unit, references the scale information storage unit to identify other business entities whose scale information matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, reads out emission factors corresponding to the identified other business entities from the emission factor storage unit, and presents the read-out emission factors.

<Operation>
FIG. 100 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the 65th function. The management server 200 registers (stores) information related to greenhouse gas emissions by a specified business entity in the emission-related information storage unit (S10001). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) the report type in the report type storage unit (S10002). Next, the management server 200 registers (stores) item information in the item information storage unit (S10003). Note that the order of S10001 to S10003 is not limited to this. Next, the management server 200 inputs a group of information in which item information is set (S10004). Next, the management server 200 associates information related to greenhouse gas emissions with the item information (S10005). Next, the management server 200 manages the information in which information related to greenhouse gas emissions is associated with the item information as correspondence information (S10006). Next, the management server 200 outputs the correspondence information (S10007).

<Disclosures>
The 65th function also includes the following configuration:
[Item AAM1 (P122)]
an information processing system comprising: an emissions-related information storage unit that stores information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream in a supply chain; a report type storage unit that stores report types; an item information storage unit that stores items to be included in a predetermined type of report (e.g., item information in CSV data); an input unit that inputs an information group in which the items to be included in the predetermined type of report are set; a conversion unit that converts the information group input by the input unit into an information group in a predetermined format (e.g., XML format); the information group converted into the predetermined format can be an information group in which information related to greenhouse gas emissions corresponds to the items to be included in the predetermined type of report, and a management unit that corresponds the information related to greenhouse gas emissions stored in the emissions-related storage unit to the items to be included in the predetermined type of report and manages it as correspondence information; and an output unit that outputs the correspondence information.
[Item AAM2]
An information processing system according to item AAM1, characterized in that the items to be included in the report of the specified type have multiple levels of weighting, and information related to greenhouse gas emissions stored in the emission-related memory unit is associated with the items to be included in the report of the specified type according to the weighting.
[Item AAM3]
an emission coefficient storage unit that stores, for each business entity, an emission coefficient used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions; a scale information storage unit that stores, for each business entity, scale information indicating at least one of sales scale and asset scale; an acquisition unit that acquires activity amounts by the business entities of predetermined scale information that constitute an upstream or downstream part of a supply chain; an emission calculation unit that calculates the emission amounts by the business entities by multiplying the activity amount by the emission coefficient corresponding to the business entity; and a presentation unit that, when the emission coefficient corresponding to the business entity is not registered, reads the scale information corresponding to the business entity from the scale information storage unit, refers to the scale information storage unit, identifies other business entities that correspond to scale information that matches or is similar to the read-out scale information, reads the emission coefficient corresponding to the other identified business entity from the emission coefficient storage unit, and presents the read-out emission coefficient.

<<Modifications>>
An example of a configuration that can be further applied to the above-described embodiments of each function will be described below.

<Modification of Acquisition Unit>
The acquisition unit 250 prioritizes transition risk E1 and physical risks in the following order of priority: E1, E3, E4, S2, S3, S4, E5, E2, S1, and G, and collects information. The acquisition unit 250 can connect to an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, allowing for easy collection of internal data. The acquisition unit 250 can also collect external data. The acquisition unit 250 can color-code collected data. Examples of color-coding include standardizing data definitions, recognizing highly material data, unifying awareness, identifying double counting, and eliminating data. The acquisition unit 250 can link data. Examples of data linkage include collaborative editing within a team or with external consultants, outputting to external analysis partners via API, and connecting to financial accounting systems. The acquisition unit 250 can manage stakeholders. Examples of stakeholder management include restricting access to highly important information and managing schedules for creating disclosure documents.

The acquisition unit 250 enables real-time data synchronization between workers (including external consultants). Other benefits include: Communication history and other data can be tracked by topic. Scheduling is simplified between parties involved. Stakeholder information can be listed. Collected data definitions are standardized between parties, eliminating the need for returns. Work manuals and other processes are somewhat standardized. Information collection from a wide range of stakeholders can be made more effortless. Stakeholder list management becomes possible. Surveys, compilation, and integration become possible. Fixed-point observation becomes possible. Data definitions can be standardized between groups. Double counting can be eliminated.

The acquisition unit 250 has functions that can be executed in the following order.
(1) Register suppliers from which ESG information is to be collected and create a tree. This is done for each material business and product. This is called the supplier registration/structuring function.
(2) You can select which data you want to collect for disclosure and enter company/business information. This is called the premise/purpose input function.
(3) For each ESG area, a list of data sets that need to be collected is displayed, and a person in charge is assigned. This is called the function of listing collected data items and assigning a person in charge.
(4) The SAQ template is displayed and automatically distributed when a supplier is selected. This is called the hearing form template display/supplier selection function.
(5) Prompt data input with actionable UX. This is called the supplier input function.
(6) Progress can be tracked for each data item and each supplier. This is called the progress tracking function.
(7) The tabulation results can be displayed/output. This is called the data tabulation/output function.
(8) It is possible to link with the analysis unit 280 and the output unit 240. This is called a linking function to the analysis/dashboard.

<Modification of the analysis unit>
Although the analysis unit 280 is shown as being a single analysis unit, it may also be configured from multiple analysis units. For example, the analysis unit 280 may be configured from an analysis unit 280E1 for E1, an analysis unit 280E2 for E2, an analysis unit 280E3 for E3, an analysis unit 280E4 for E4, an analysis unit 280E5 for E5, an analysis unit 280S1 for S1, an analysis unit 280S2 for S2, an analysis unit 280S3 for S3, an analysis unit 280S4 for S4, and an analysis unit 280G for G. The analysis unit 280 may also be configured from an analysis unit for environmental information (analysis unit 280E for E1 to E5), an analysis unit for social information (analysis unit 280S for S1 to S4), and an analysis unit 280G for governance information. The output unit 240 is also referred to as the provision unit 240. The execution unit 290 is also called the solution unit 290 .

The analysis unit 280 analyzes the collected data.
(E1) If the collected data is E1 and the risk is physical, analyze chronic and acute risks based on climate change scenarios. Note that if the collected data is E1 and the type is transition risk, no analysis is performed.
(E2) When the collected data is E2, fixed-point observation and evaluation of the visualization of the improvement status are carried out.
(E3) If the data collected is E3, a water stress analysis will be conducted and interviews will be conducted with subsidiaries regarding their response status.
(E4) If the data to be collected is E4, perform LEAP analysis (TNFD framework).
(E5) If the data to be collected is E5, a circular economy assessment is performed in the inflow and outflow.
(S1) When the collected data is S1, a benchmark comparison analysis is performed.
(S2) If the data to be collected is S2, an evaluation of its conformity with the UN guidelines is carried out.
(S3) If the data to be collected is S3, authentication is obtained from a third party.
(S4) If the data to be collected is S4, a due diligence analysis based on the OECD Guidelines is carried out.
(G) If the data to be collected is G, an evaluation such as an internal audit is carried out.

The analysis unit 280 identifies prioritized data from the collected data. The analysis unit 280 prioritizes the data using the following three perspectives (1) to (3). Note that the perspectives are not limited to three.
(1) The data indicates a high workload.
This is a perspective that indicates that the data is subject to disclosure requirements regardless of materiality, that it is data for a new field (starting for the first time), or that it is data that involves frequent issues or tasks.
(2) The data is urgent. This is a perspective that indicates that the data is already under pressure to be disclosed under other frameworks (other EU laws/ISSB/TNFD/human rights DD, etc.) or that the data is of high priority in terms of management issues.
(3) The data has affinity with information processing systems. This is a perspective that indicates that the data can be used to collect information in the value chain and that the data can be used for data-driven analysis.

The resulting priority is as follows:
Result 1: The data related between viewpoint (1) and viewpoint (2) is the data of S1, which has a medium priority.
Result 2: The data related between viewpoint (1) and viewpoint (3) is the data of E5, which has a medium priority.
Result 3: The data related between viewpoint (2) and viewpoint (3) is the data of E2, which has a medium priority.
Result 4: The data related among all viewpoints are the data E1, E3, E4, S2, S3, and S4, and the data has a priority of high.

Data E1, E3, and E4 are natural capital data, while data S2, S3, and S4 are human capital data. The number of types of natural capital data and human capital data is the same, but when comparing the number of more detailed types, E1 data is classified into two types: E1 data for transition risks and E1 data for physical risks, so the number of types of natural capital data is greater than the number of types of human capital data. In this way, the analysis unit 280 can identify prioritized data (areas).

There are two types of human capital data: the company's own type and the type of data acquisition in the value chain (hereinafter referred to as VC). The company's own type includes breakdown of employees by country, number of employees by gender, number of employees in countries with 50 or more employees, employee information by contract type by region, employee definition and category, employee turnover rate, total number of unemployed workers, percentage of workers covered by collective bargaining agreements, definition of company's own workers covered by collective bargaining agreements, association with works councils and trade unions, information on social dialogue, definition of top management, gender of top management, paying workers an appropriate wage, identifying workers not receiving an appropriate wage, percentage of workers receiving less than an appropriate wage, calculation of minimum wage, fair wage benchmark, indicative reference value for minimum wage, social protection for life events, countries and types of employees without social protection, employees with social protection and Number of non-employed workers, percentage of disabled workers, gender breakdown, percentage of performance reviews, percentage of reviews agreed by management, average total training hours, average training hours by gender, employee categories, number of fatalities due to work-related injuries and work-related diseases, number and percentage of recordable work-related accidents, number of recordable cases of work-related diseases, number of days lost due to work-related injuries, work-related diseases and deaths due to disease, information on internal audits or external certifications, maternity leave/paternity leave/parental leave/carer's leave, wage gap, ratio of highest paid employee to median remuneration, gender wage gap, information on work-related grievances, incidents and claims, information on serious human rights impacts and incidents, incidents and/or grievances and actions taken, discrimination cases, serious cases related to human rights issues and incidents, etc.

The types of data collected in the VC include: significant impacts on value chain workers and policies, scope and form of policies, alignment with UN Guiding Principles, alignment with relevant policies, engagement with value chain workers, disclosure of the company's processes, reflection of value chain workers' perspectives, understanding the perspectives of specific worker groups, remediation processes for value chain workers, description of channels for value chain workers, tracking and monitoring of issues and effectiveness of channels, approach and process for redress for value chain workers, existence of third-party mechanisms, protection against retaliation, addressing specific adverse impacts on value chain workers, provision and ensuring effectiveness of redress, prevention of significant adverse impacts and relationship to other business pressures, reporting of human rights issues and incidents, summary of action plans and resources, effective management/tracking/assessment of significant impacts, etc.

Next, an example of an analysis using E4 data will be shown. The analysis unit 280 inputs the data points necessary for analysis, such as location information on business activities, business sector information, and business financial information collected by the acquisition unit 250, and performs the analysis. The analysis shown here is a LEAP analysis. This analysis is an analytical approach recommended by the TNFD and the ESRS, which references it, for verifying biodiversity risks. This analysis is conducted in four phases: (1) the business's connection with nature, (2) impact and dependency on nature, (3) assessment of risks and opportunities, and (4) goal setting and response.

The analysis results are output separately as quantitative and qualitative requirements. The output is output by the output unit 240.

Quantitative requirements include, for example, the number and area of material sites, TNFD/SDPI-based target setting, area of land permanently protected, area of land restored, number of sites with improved ecosystem integrity, LCA-based land use, changes in land cover over time (e.g., deforestation), changes in ecosystem management over time, changes in the spatial structure of the landscape, changes in the structural connectivity of ecosystems, financial impacts of risks/opportunities, and products and services at risk.

Examples of qualitative requirements include: alignment of strategy and business model, impact drivers and mitigation actions, explanation of biodiversity offsets, assessment of the resilience of the business model related to biodiversity and ecosystems, process for identifying significant impacts, risks and opportunities, disclosure of verified biodiversity and ecosystem scenarios, policy on restricting raw material sourcing, information on products derived from ecosystems, disclosure of biodiversity offsets, and policy on raw material sourcing.

Although an example of analysis in four phases has been shown, the four phases may be set as follows.
(Phase 1) Identify points of contact with nature throughout the supply chain and identify priority areas.
(1-1) Business footprint (1-2) Points of contact with nature (1-3) Analysis of priority areas (1-4) Impact analysis (Phase 2) Diagnose the dependencies and impacts of your company's business activities on nature.
(2-1) Identify relevant environmental assets and ecosystem services. (2-2) Identify dependencies and impacts. (2-3) Analyze dependencies. (2-4) Analyze impacts. (Phase 3) Based on the results of the assessment, assess significant risks and opportunities.
(3-1) Identify and assess risks (3-2) Mitigate and manage existing risks (3-3) Mitigate and manage additional risks (3-4) Assess materiality (3-5) Identify and assess opportunities (Phase 4) Prepare to address nature-related risks and opportunities and report to investors.
(4-1) Strategy and resource allocation (4-2) Performance measurement (4-3) Reporting (4-4) Publication

The analysis unit 280 acquires and analyzes data linked to the company and group companies. The analysis unit 280 acquires and analyzes pollution data, such as hazardous substance data for PRTR regulations, from the environmental database. The analysis unit 280 also acquires and analyzes data related to water, marine resources, and biodiversity, such as equipment information, location information, and financial data, from the asset management system and ERP. The analysis unit 280 also acquires and analyzes data related to the circular economy, such as recycled materials and reclaimed materials, from the procurement system and BOM/PLM. The analysis unit 280 also acquires and analyzes data related to human capital, such as wage data, executive data, and human rights data, from the human resources system and human rights database. The analysis unit 280 also acquires and analyzes third-party data. The analysis unit 280 acquires and analyzes data related to human capital, such as wage data, executive data, and human rights data, from the human resources system and human rights database. The analysis unit 280 also acquires and analyzes data from circular PFs. The analysis unit 280 also acquires and analyzes data from supplier sustainability reports, CDP, and ESG rating databases. Furthermore, the analysis unit 280 acquires and analyzes data from subsidiaries, group companies, and suppliers. Subsidiaries and group companies include, for example, Subsidiary AA, which is a subsidiary of Subsidiary A. Suppliers include, for example, Supplier AA, which is a lower tier below Supplier A. Subsidiaries and group companies acquire data from the analysis unit 280 via UX/UI. Subsidiaries and group companies also add or overwrite data to be output to the analysis unit 280.

Next, we will explain the operation DX and ESG data pipeline construction in the analysis unit 280. The analysis unit 280 receives disclosure request information from investors, rating agencies, business partners, national regulations, etc. At the front end, the analysis unit 280 reads disclosure items/requirements, sets up workflows for each disclosure recipient/purpose, and manages and creates a tree of suppliers. Next, the flow from the front end to the back end is where the analysis unit 280 stores and links ESG data. At the back end, the analysis unit 280 generates an ESG data table. The ESG data table is a data table that stores data such as E1, E3, E4, E5, and S1. At the back end, the analysis unit 280 stores the data collected at the front end in these tables, tags them with disclosure recipients/purposes, and uses these as keys to extract related data. In other words, it maps them to disclosure recipients/purposes. In this way, the requirements for each disclosure recipient/purpose are broken down into data items, making it possible to design tables for each ESG area. Next, the process moves from the back end to the front end, where the extracted data is output to the front end. At the front end, the analysis unit 280 uses the extracted data to create questionnaires and assist with responses (referencing past responses/industry practices), link collected data with disclosure destinations/purposes, extract data for each disclosure destination/purpose, and output this data for response and disclosure to investors, rating agencies, business partners, and national regulations. Examples of data sources from which the analysis unit 280 collects data include suppliers, subsidiaries/business companies, in-house systems, and third-party data.

The process for digitalization of ESG data collection and disclosure operations is as follows:
(1) Workflow for each disclosure recipient/purpose Workflows can be set for each investor and disclosure regulation, and progress can be managed by assigning an internal staff member to each task.
(2) Questionnaire creation and response support: Questionnaires can be created based on templates for each disclosure destination/purpose. Past responses and industry practices can be referenced, reducing the workload of responding.
(3) Linking collected data to disclosure destinations/purposes Data items collected not only from suppliers/subsidiaries but also from internal systems can be linked to disclosure destinations/purposes.
(4) Data extraction by disclosure recipient/purpose Data extraction by disclosure recipient/purpose is possible.

The ESG data pipeline is constructed as follows.
(1) Breaking down requirements for each disclosure recipient/purpose into data items The requirements for each disclosure recipient/purpose have been broken down into data items, and tables have been designed for each ESG area.
(2) Mapping with disclosure destination/purpose The data collected on the front end is stored in these tables and tagged with disclosure destination/purpose, making it possible to extract related data using these as keys.

<Modification of Output Unit>
The output unit 240 extracts data to be used for disclosure. It also determines which collected and analyzed data to use for which disclosure. It also saves data used for past disclosures and the calculation process. The output unit 240 outputs data to documents. This allows the person in charge to easily edit and output data. The output unit 240 is a dashboard for management. This dashboard allows for understanding KPIs. It also allows for common understanding among stakeholders. The output unit 240 performs business management. Examples of business management include alerts for material events and understanding differences through fixed-point observation. The output unit 240 discloses various reports. Types of reports include CDP, ISSB, GRI, RE100, the Act on Global Warming Countermeasures, CSRD, CSDD, etc. In this way, the output unit 240 has a consulting function by disclosing various reports.

Before the output unit 240 was installed, integrating scattered ESG data was a hassle, and even after integration, it was difficult to identify important items. KPIs important to the company could not be shared or tracked with relevant parties, and VC information was not even grasped (even if the data was available, it was not consolidated). By installing the output unit 240, it is now possible to share important items with relevant parties in an easy-to-understand manner. Real-time synchronization is also possible, and alerts can be output for differences. Furthermore, the way the data is displayed can be easily customized by the person in charge. VC information can be automatically collected from the output unit 240.

The execution unit 290 provides the solution to the buyer. The execution unit 290 can also provide the solution to a third party other than the buyer. A third party is, for example, a supplier.

At the output section 240, the following can be resolved:
(1) Strengthening ESG management: By strengthening ESG management from a medium- to long-term perspective, it is possible to achieve sustainable management.
(2) Strengthening ESG ratings: Strengthening the ratings set by the EU (SFDR Article 9 label compliance) and rating agencies (MSCI/Ecovalis/Moody's) will enable us to raise funds more competitively.
(3) Business risk management: (Separate from regulatory compliance) It is possible to accurately grasp the ESG risks of the business. In addition to transition risks, it is also possible to understand the business impact of biodiversity, physical risks, and human capital risks.
(4) Compliance with various regulations: Efficiently comply with regulations such as CSRD/CBAM/CS3D/TNFD/ISSB/CDP/Battery regulations.
(5) Providing information to business partners and investors: It is possible to efficiently respond to requests for ESG-related data from investors and major business partners who come to Ad-hoc.

The analyzer 280 can solve the following:
(1) Diverse ESG analysis: Highly specialized analysis needs to be carried out in a variety of areas, but this can solve the problem of the high costs involved with consulting.

The acquisition unit 250 can solve the following problems:
(1) Cost of data collection in VC: It is possible to improve the efficiency of ESG data collection in VC, which is labor-intensive and difficult to guarantee quality, while also promoting supplier engagement.

The output unit 240 can be used in cases such as strengthening ESG management, strengthening ESG ratings, business risk management, complying with various compliance requirements, and providing information to business partners and investors. The output unit 240 also has functions such as creating a dashboard of ESG material items, rating simulations (e.g., SFDR, MSCI), monitoring ESG risks by business unit, ESG scoring by supplier, data extraction and output according to business partner/investor/disclosure requirements, data feeds to external systems (e.g., Catena-X), automatic collaboration with the acquisition unit 250 and analysis unit 280, and difference detection. The analysis unit 280 has functions such as partner collaboration (API collaboration between each analysis PF and the acquisition unit 250 and output unit 240). Each analysis PF can also be built in-house. The acquisition unit 250 has functions such as questionnaires, setting data items (preparing templates for each purpose/disclosure), data entry assistance, validation, tracking, scheduling, and management of supplier information and aggregation results.

The present embodiment has been described above, but the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents are also included in the present invention. The present invention may also be a combination of multiple functions described above.

In the embodiments of each function, the calculation unit 210, input unit 220, output unit 240, acquisition unit 250, generation unit 260, estimation unit 270, analysis unit 280, and execution unit 290 of the management server 200 may be a system with artificial intelligence that learns on its own (a mechanical system).

An example of an information processing system is shown in the disclosure of embodiments of each function, but each process (step) of the information processing system can also be an information processing method executed by a computer and a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

100 User terminal 200 Management server

Claims (3)

an emission-related information storage unit that stores information related to greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter, emission-related information) by business entities that constitute the upstream or downstream of the supply chain;
a report type storage unit that stores the report type;
an input section for inputting a group of information in which items to be included in a predetermined type of report (hereinafter, "item information") are set;
an item information storage unit that stores the item information;
a management unit that is configured to set a weight indicating the priority of information to be included in a report for the item information, and extract the emission-related information corresponding to the item information from the emission-related information storage unit at a higher rate when the weight is a specific level than when the weight is a predetermined level that is lighter than the specific level, and manage the extracted emission-related information as corresponding information by correlating it with the item information;
an output unit that outputs the correspondence information;
An information processing system comprising : storing information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream of the supply chain (hereinafter referred to as emission-related information) in an emission-related information storage unit;
storing the report type in a report type storage unit;
A step of inputting a group of information in which items to be included in a predetermined type of report (hereinafter, "item information") are set;
storing the item information in an item information storage unit;
a step of configuring the device so that a weight indicating the priority of information to be included in a report is set for the item information, and when the weight is a specific level, the emission-related information corresponding to the item information is extracted from the emission-related information storage unit at a higher rate than when the weight is a predetermined level lighter than the specific level, and managing the extracted emission-related information as corresponding information by correlating it with the item information;
outputting the correspondence information;
An information processing method characterized by being executed by a computer. storing information related to greenhouse gas emissions by business entities that are upstream or downstream of the supply chain (hereinafter referred to as emission-related information) in an emission-related information storage unit;
storing the report type in a report type storage unit;
A step of inputting a group of information in which items to be included in a predetermined type of report (hereinafter, "item information") are set;
storing the item information in an item information storage unit;
a step of configuring the device so that a weight indicating the priority of information to be included in a report is set for the item information, and when the weight is a specific level, the emission-related information corresponding to the item information is extracted from the emission-related information storage unit at a higher rate than when the weight is a predetermined level lighter than the specific level, and managing the extracted emission-related information as corresponding information by correlating it with the item information;
outputting the correspondence information;
A program that causes a computer to execute the following.