How to use IDEA data in Scope 3 3 calculations? Preparing for the future of emission amount calculations

As a result of efforts to comply with the disclosure standards set by SSBJ, there has been increased activity both domestically and internationally regarding supply chain emission amount, and the need for Scope 3 3 accounting is growing.

There are two ways to calculate this: collecting primary data (actual measurements) or using secondary data (databases based on industry averages, etc.), but because primary data is difficult to collect and involves a large workload, it is more common to use secondary data. There are several types of secondary data, but AIST-IDEA*1 is the one used by companies that undertake volume-based calculations.

*1 The official name will be changed to AIST-IDEA in April 2024.

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Essential for precise Scope 3 3 calculations! The AIST-IDEA database, recommended by the Ministry of the Environment

Inventory database "AIST-IDEA"What is it?

Inventory data is the data that records the environmental impact generated throughout a product's life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to disposal.

AIST-IDEA, developed under the initiative of the National Institute of Advanced Industry and Technology, is a database that stores a huge amount of inventory data. It is an accumulation-based data that reflects resources and Energy at each stage of the life cycle, and the following features support its high accuracy:

[Transparency] The input and output data that forms the basis of the data are made public, and the process is designed to be visible.

[Comprehensiveness] Contains 5,600 data sets, covering almost all economic activity in Japan.

[Completeness] It is possible to evaluate 18 environmental impact areas, such as ozone layer depletion and the generation of hazardous chemicals.

[Representativeness] Reflects average domestic Manufacturing methods and Service based on Japanese statistical data, including the Japan Standard Industry Classification.

As of April 2025, the version of AIST-IDEA available is version 3 (the latest version is version 3.5).

The Ministry of the Environment once ran a special license distribution program, and many companies used coefficients from the previous generation Ver. 2 series. However, with this distribution program now discontinued and official support for Ver. 2 ending at the end of July 2024, it is recommended that companies switch to Ver. 3.

The actual situation of Scope 3 3, Category 3 and 5, for which IDEA use is particularly recommended

Scope 3 covers all GHG emission amount except for Scope 1(direct emissions from the company) and Scope 2(indirect emissions from the use of purchased Energy ).

When calculating Scope 3, which is divided into 15 categories, the Emission factor and Intensity to be used for each category are selected in accordance with guidelines issued by the government. For Category 3 and 5, it has been recommended to obtain IDEA coefficients separately and calculate them. Although the latest guidelines now publish alternative values, it is preferable to use the latest IDEA coefficients in light of the quality of the Emission factor.

For all companies and industries
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What measures should be considered now?

IHow to use the DEA correctly

AIST-IDEA data is provided under a one-year license. The Ver. 2.3 (special license) distributed by the Ministry of the Environment also has a one-year usage period, so it is important to correctly understand and handle the contract and usage periods.

AIST-IDEA can be renewed up to three months before the contract expiration date, so if you need to continue using it, be sure to renew your contract early.

It is important to continue working on Scope 3 calculations and keep track of trends. The highly reliable AIST-IDEA is an essential database for calculations, and we believe that maintaining it so that it can be used correctly will be a step toward decarbonization measures with an eye to the future.

The industry's first system standard installation, "AIST AIST-IDEA Zeroboard Limited Package"

Even if you feel the need for AIST-IDEA, there are probably many people in charge who are hesitant to purchase the full package and the cost burden.

The Zeroboard limited package consists of only about 400 items that are convenient for calculating supply chain emission amount out of the IDEA database, which is usually sold as a set containing about 5,300 items primarily for LCA purposes, and has been supervised by our LCA experts. The construction of a database independently supervised by IDEA and the standard inclusion of IDEA's GHG emission amount calculation tool are both industry firsts.

The preset IDEA database is automatically updated with the latest coefficients when the version is updated, making it a package that supports user companies' calculations in terms of operational efficiency as well.

Zeroboard's unique system, which specializes in governed data management, will support user companies in operating AIST-IDEA and improving data quality.

For all companies and industries
Zeroboard
Solutions that calculate and visualize GHG emission amount across the entire supply chain, and collect data between group companies and from suppliers
View Details

throughout the supply chain
GHG emission amount calculation/visualization,
For centralized management of environmental items
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[Reference source]

What are supply chain emission amount? (Ministry of the Environment)https://www.env.go.jp/earth/ondanka/supply_chain/gvc/files/SC_gaiyou_20230301.pdf

Guide to calculating supply chain emission amount using primary data - "Calculating Scope 3 emission amount that reflect reduction efforts" - (Ministry of the Environment)
https://www.env.go.jp/earth/ondanka/supply_chain/gvc/files/tools/1ji_data_v1.0.pdf

What are Scope 3 emission amount? (Ministry of the Environment)https://www.env.go.jp/earth/ondanka/supply_chain/gvc/estimate_03.html

Emission intensity for calculating greenhouse gas emissions of organizations throughout the supply chain (Ver. 3.5) (Ministry of the Environment)https://www.env.go.jp/earth/ondanka/supply_chain/gvc/files/tools/unit_outline_V3-5.pdf

Emission intensity Database (Ministry of the Environment)https://www.env.go.jp/earth/ondanka/supply_chain/gvc/estimate_05.html