Aug 8, 2023
Aug 8, 2023
The Green x Digital Consortium (Secretariat: Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association [JEITA]), in which ABeam Consulting Ltd. participates, has conducted a successful proof-of-concept experiment linking CO2 data for exchange throughout a virtual supply chain as part of its efforts to bring visibility to supply chain CO2 data.*1
The latest proof-of-concept experiment is Phase 2 of the first trial of its kind in Japan aimed at achieving cross-industry CO2 emissions data exchange on a global level. It follows the successful Phase 1 proof-of-concept experiment on CO2 data linkage between different solutions in January 2023.
ABeam Consulting has been participating as a solution provider for this pilot project since Phase 1, with its Cyanoba service, a joint offering with PID Inc. While referring to the results of the Phase 1 CO2 data linkage test among solutions of 15 companies, we participated in this Phase 2 proof-of-concept test by incorporating actual CO2 data acquisition and calculation together with a total of 32 companies including users.
Cyanoba, the solution provided by ABeam Consulting, is a GX management tool with the ability to centrally manage energy usage/emissions data along with cost information, and is expected to contribute to the Green x Digital Consortium's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 through initiatives for digitalization and the creation of new business models. This solution is expected to make it possible to accurately track the reduction efforts of companies working to cut CO2 emissions through collaboration across supply chains.
■Details of this Proof-of-Concept Experiment
A total of 32 companies from the Green x Digital Consortium, including ABeam Consulting, participated in the Phase 2 proof-of-concept experiment, which included CO2 data calculation practices. Specifically, a virtual supply chain consisting of three layers, for basic materials, processed materials, and products, was constructed using personal computers as the subject product, with each participating company located on its respective layer. Calculations of CO2 data were performed based on the CO2 Visualization Framework formulated by the consortium's Working Group on CO2 visualization (led by Kazu Inagaki, NEC Corporation), and linkage of CO2 data among solutions was based on the Technical Specifications for Data Exchange.*2 In calculating CO2 data throughout the process from materials on through to finished products, passing between different companies and different solutions, we have succeeded in calculating (and thereby visualizing) CO2 data for final products based on the common understanding of all companies in the supply chain.
As a result, we demonstrated that even if multiple companies in a supply chain use different CO2 data visualization solutions, they can calculate CO2 data using shared methods and formats as a "common language" enabling them to pass CO2 data through the supply chain from upstream to downstream by linking up multiple solutions. The spread of the CO2 Visualization Framework and Technical Specifications for Data Exchange used in this study is thus expected to lead to the early realization of supply chain CO2 data visualization, since it will enable user companies to make a wider range of choices when introducing solutions, and also allow companies that provide solutions to streamline their development by eliminating the need for individual coordination with other companies.
■Efforts of ABeam Consulting Phase 2
ABeam Consulting was responsible for CO2 data calculation and linkage of basic materials and processed materials within the virtual supply chain. We had user companies actually apply Cyanoba to the task, and demonstrated that it is possible to calculate CO2 emissions related to basic materials and processed materials, and to link such data across multiple solutions.
ABeam Consulting will continue beyond this project with our contributions to efforts to solve social issues by helping companies achieve both GX and business growth through the use of data and digital technologies in the decarbonization field.
CO2 data
Refers in the press release and in the CO2 Visualization Framework to CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions (expressed as kg CO2e, etc.) as stipulated by the IPCC. Includes greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide.
Carbon visualization framework and technical specifications for data exchange
The carbon visualization framework comprises a document outlining a methodology for using data technologies to calculate and share carbon data (disclose data quality) exchanged within the supply chain with the aim of realizing carbon data distribution based on primary data that reflects supplier companies’ emissions reduction efforts. The technical specifications incorporate the approaches of the WBCSD PACT’s Pathfinder Network and Pathfinder Framework along with unique elements based on Japan’s domestic systems and the needs of companies participating in the Consortium. Preparations are currently underway to disclose the framework and the specifications to the general public.
Carbon visualization framework:
https://www.gxdc.jp/pdf/CO2_VisualizationFrameworkEdition_1.0_en.pdf
Technical Specifications for Data Exchange:
https://www.gxdc.jp/pdf/data01.pdf
WBCSD Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT)
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development comprises a coalition of CEOs from around 200 companies aiming to realize sustainable development. The WBCSD is the main convener of the GHG Protocol. PACT was set up under the auspices of the WBCSD to boost emissions transparency in the value chain and accelerate decarbonization. It defines the necessary methodologies and technical specifications for emissions data exchange, which it releases in the form of the Pathfinder Framework and the Pathfinder Network Technical Specifications. The Green x Digital Consortium participates in the PACT ecosystem.
Website: https://www.carbon-transparency.com/
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