Tokyo Metro's efforts to achieve a decarbonized society and sustainability management

- First, please tell us about your company's efforts toward decarbonization.

Tokyo Metro operates nine subway lines, mainly in Tokyo's wards, and is a company that plays a central role in the metropolitan rail network. It plans to list on the Tokyo Prime in 2024, and based on a three-year medium-term management plan starting in fiscal 2025, it is working to improve safety and Service, build new lines, introduce new technologies such as autonomous driving, and expand its urban and lifestyle creation business. In terms of the environment, the company is focusing on realizing a carbon-free society, having accelerated its target of reducing CO2 emission amount by 50% to fiscal 2027, and is aiming for a 53% reduction by fiscal 2030.

-- Could you briefly tell us about your role within Honda?

The Sustainability Promotion Department aims to improve the corporate value of the entire Tokyo Metro Group from a non-financial perspective, formulating sustainability management strategies that take into consideration environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and promoting environmental measures. In particular, we are primarily responsible for promoting efforts and information disclosure aimed at realizing a decarbonized, recycling-oriented society.

-- In this context, what Issue did you face in calculating GHG emission amount ?

Previously, activity data collected from each department in Excel was manually aggregated and tabulated, making management and processing extremely cumbersome. The task of aggregating huge amounts of data depended on the individual employee, making it difficult to notice input errors. In addition, detailed aggregation by location was difficult to perform using Excel, and in some cases values ​​were totaled by department, raising concerns about understanding the breakdown and missing data. Furthermore, with multiple files and versions scattered across the company, it took time just to check the latest version, making it difficult to realize the reduction effects.

GHG management that balances governance and operational efficiency without increasing the burden on the site

-- What was the background and purpose behind your consideration of introducing a GHG emission amount calculation tool?

The background to the consideration of implementation was largely influenced by the Company 's policy of speeding up and streamlining data collection for information disclosure such as SSBJ compliance and integrated reports, as well as obtaining third-party certification. Accordingly, it was necessary to improve the speed of data collection and aggregation across the entire group while also increasing the accuracy of the data. Another aim was to visualize the GHG emission amount of each group Company and raise awareness of emission amount.

-- Please tell us why you chose Zeroboard from among the many tools available.

Zeroboard offers a high degree of freedom, and the ability to flexibly customize the input screen was a major deciding factor. We were able to create an input interface to match the existing Excel spreadsheets that we had been using for aggregation, which allowed for a smooth transition without increasing the burden on our staff. In addition, the linking of evidence and access control made it easier to understand the source of data and update history, strengthening governance.

Visualization management on the system strengthens governance and improves overall transparency through trail management and access control

-- We understand that location location to accounting. What changes have occurred in the calculation and management of GHG emission amount since the system was introduced?

Since introducing Zeroboard, the compilation and management of GHG emission amount data has become significantly more efficient. Previously, it took about a week to collect activity data from each department and compile it in Excel, but now we can centrally manage data from 770 location , including group Company , and the compilation process can be completed in one day. As a result, the work time has been reduced to about one-seventh of what it used to be. Thanks to the trail upload function, the hassle and stress of having to go back and forth between multiple folders to check data has been eliminated, and the linking of data and trails has been standardized, eliminating the problem of only specific personnel being able to understand the situation.

- What effects has the implementation had on operations and the way your team works?

The new system allows for the bulk Export of location information and activity data, and also makes it possible to check the real-time progress of each location, which has resulted in more efficient overall management. Another major benefit is that the breakdown of data by location has become clearer, allowing inconsistencies and errors to be discovered and corrected early on. As a result, data accuracy has improved, the burden on the entire team has been reduced, and there is now more mental space to breathe.

- Have you also felt more secure in terms of information management?

Yes. Progress is visualized on the system, enabling effective governance management. We can always get the latest information in one place, and Settings and managing access restrictions is also very convenient. Only those who need it can access the system, which reduces the risk of information leaks, and we feel this is a major benefit. Furthermore, by enabling detailed data management on a location by-site basis, the risk of missing reports has been reduced, making it easier to see the reduction effects. As a result, we can now speed up the process of considering improvement measures.

Operational structure for efficiently managing GHG emission amount data from 770 location and key points for self-sustaining operation

-- How did you set up your operational structure, handling data from 770 location across the company?

Since all transactions are completed on Zeroboard, there is no longer any need for tedious tasks such as submitting documents via Excel or email with attached evidence.

In the first year of implementation, operations were conducted using a single regular account, but from the second year onwards, in order to strengthen governance and improve security across the entire group, the company switched to an account with consolidated carbon accounting functionality. As a result, it became possible to visualize the entire group, strengthen security and centralize the management system, significantly reducing operational effort and risk.

The benefit gained from switching to a consolidated carbon accounting account for the secretariat is that it has enabled us to visualize CO2 emission amount for each group Company . It is also the first time that the people in charge at each company have been able to visually confirm the results of their efforts, and we hope that this type of visualization will foster a common understanding within the organization, leading to an improved sense of purpose.

- After implementation, how did you go about establishing the system and rolling it out within the company?

Since the second year since implementation, the company has been calculating GHG emission amount in-house without using calculation support. When setting up a self-sustaining system, there was a risk of operational delays due to insufficient accumulation of system knowledge and Action skills. However, any unclear points can be quickly resolved by using the system's FAQs and Contact us point, and sharing answers within the team also leads to early resolution of Issue. In this way, a thorough support system and information sharing and cooperation within the team are key points supporting self-sustaining operation.

-- As a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, has Zeroboard been useful in terms of internal control and disclosure?

We also use it for disclosure in our integrated report and for EEGS registration (*1). Specifically, by using part of the XML source data Create tool for periodic reports under the Greenhouse Gas emission amount Calculation, Reporting and Disclosure System, we have been able to efficiently proceed with disclosure and investor responses. In this way, it not only contributes to data accuracy and centralized management, but also contributes to the practical aspects of obtaining third-party certification and complying with SSBJ disclosure requirements as a Company, accelerating disclosure and strengthening internal controls.

(*1) Application for and registration to the "Energy Conservation Act, Global Global Warming Countermeasure, and Fluorocarbons Act Electronic Reporting System"

Promoting data visualization and efficiency, and creating a system that can be used in management decisions - Promoting mid- to long-term decarbonization measures by visualizing GHG emission amount and streamlining data

- How do you plan to use Zeroboard in the future?

Currently, we are focusing on data management, but in the future we aim to fully utilize the report generation function(*2) and eliminate our reliance on CSV processing. In order to comply with the Energy Conservation Act, in fiscal 2025 we utilized the report data output function within the Zeroboard system, and referenced parts of the downloaded XML file to input it into EEGS(*1). In the future, we aim to upload the downloaded XML file directly to EEGS without CSV processing. We also hope to use visualization via the Dashboard to raise environmental awareness in each department.

(*2) Report Create function for EEGS integration within the Zeroboard system

-- What are your prospects for achieving long-term environmental goals and promoting group-wide initiatives?

In the long term, we are working to achieve our environmental goals by introducing energy-saving vehicles, adopting renewable Energy, procuring non-fossil fuel certificates, and implementing corporate PPAs.We are also taking a range of other initiatives, including installing solar power generation systems and power storage devices, optimizing voltage at substations, electrifying commercial vehicles, and promoting the introduction of renewable energy using ICT, with the aim of realizing a sustainable society across the entire group.

Regular feature updates reflecting user feedback ensure optimal GHG management at all times

-- Finally, do you have a message for companies that are also experiencing Issue in calculating and visualizing their GHG emission amount ?

Zeroboard has a "Feedback on functions / specifications" within the system, and I think it's great that the system is regularly improved based on user feedback. I also regularly participate in webinars that introduce features and useful tips distributed to members of the Community "All Aboard""All Aboard!", but it's hard to keep up with the speed of feature updates.

Although we have not yet reached a high level of utilization, we feel that cloud Service are effective in improving operational efficiency and calculation accuracy in response to the Issue of resource shortages in calculating and visualizing GHG emission amount . In addition, Zeroboard 's attentive support response leads to a sense of security and is a great support for the person in charge.

We recommend that you carefully consider your company's situation and needs, the period of use, and the benefits and costs.

*The support Contents will vary depending on the plan and options you choose.
At Zeroboard, we offer a variety of options to suit your needs, including holding study sessions and providing data entry services.