Zeroboard Announces New Solutions Specifically Tailored for the Logistics and Construction Industries

〜 GHG emissions calculation solution for industries that are difficult to cover throughout the supply chain ～

Zeroboard, Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Michitaka Tokeiji, “the Company”), is pleased to announce that on top of the calculation functions for the manufacturing industry centering on the automotive and chemical fields that we have focued on for some time, the Company has begun development of new solutions, “Zeroboard Logistics” for the logistics industry and “Zeroboard Construction” for the construction industry to support industry-specific calculation and visualization of GHG emissions, with their official release scheduled by the end of 2023.

The GHG emissions calculation and visualization cloud service “zeroboard,” developed and provided by the Company, can calculate GHG emissions derived from energy use by the user (Scope 1 and 2) and supply chain emissions by those other than the user (Scope 3). The platform is currently used by more than 1,800 companies. In addition, we provide a data linkage function that significantly reduces the labor required to collect actual data (primary data) from suppliers for emissions intensity used in Scope 3 calculations. We believe that this function will lead to GHG emission reductions involving suppliers and contribute significantly to the realization of a decarbonized society. In order to enhance our support for decarbonized management, we have begun developing solutions specifically for the logistics and construction industries, where multiple subcontracting structures make it difficult to calculate the entire supply chain.

Why Logistics, Why Construction

The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) identifies “transportation” and “building materials” as sectors that would be significantly affected by climate change on an international scale. In Japan, the transportation sector accounts for about 18% (1) of total emissions by industry sector and about 30% (2) of total emissions from building operations, making decarbonization of both sectors an important issue. In addition, the following needs are emerging from shippers for logistics companies and from clients of construction companies.

・From Shippers to the Logistics Operators
Calculation and disclosure of emissions per shipper and per route: visualization of Scope 3 Category 4 (upstream logistics) and Category 9 (downstream logistics) for shippers
・From Clients to the Construction Operators
Calculation and disclosure of emissions per building: visualization of Scope 3 Category 2 (purchase of capital goods), Category 11 (use of products) and Category 13 (leasing) for the client

（*1）Source: “Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Transportation Sector”, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s website
（*2）Source: “Environmental Disclosure Guidelines” by Japan Federation of Construction Contractors

Challenges in the Logistics and Construction Industries

・Logistics Industry
Shipment of goods from the original shipper can take a variety of patterns, including multiple logistics providers before being delivered to the destination, and delivery by section through a logistics center. In order to accurately calculate GHG emissions, it is necessary to collect information from contractors involved in such shipments. However, the types of data held by shippers, logistics providers, and subcontractors are not in the same format or comprehensive, and the industry’s traditional practice, which is most often done by paper-based communication, makes it difficult to convert into soft data.

・Construction Industry
A number of operators are involved in each stage of a building’s life cycle, including design, construction, operation, demolition, and disposal. Especially in the construction phase, which is the Scope 1 and 2 of a construction operator, many subcontractors work on site, so there are challenges in collecting data for each type of process, each type of construction, and each subcontractor.

Conceptualization of a Solution Product

・For Logistics Industry “zeroboard logistics”
We are developing a data linkage function that can accommodate multiple subcontractor structures, and a function that enables individual calculations for each distribution center, transportation type, and shipper, as well as multifaceted and company-specific calculations, tailored not only to transportation, but also to storage. We also plan to support not only domestic logistics but also international logistics, and are considering linking with TMS (Transport Management System, an information tool for total management of transportation and delivery of goods from the distribution center to the destination) and NACSS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System, an online platform to handle customs clearance and other relevant administrative agencies and related private sector operations for ships and aircraft entering and leaving ports and for cargo to be imported or exported).

・For Construction Industry “zeroboard construction”
First, we will develop a function for accurate and timely calculation of GHG emissions per building unit by linking data with the construction operator’s management system and IoT devices, and by collecting data from daily work reports to calculate and visualize GHG emissions for the entire construction site on a date and time basis. We are also considering to include PR and public relations activities for construction companies during the construction period, as well as functions that contribute to the management and improvement of emissions.

About zeroboard

A cloud service for calculating and visualizing the GHG emissions from corporate activities and originating from the supply chain, based on the GHG Protocol*1 international standards.

• Calculating supply chain emission amount(Scope 1- 3(*4)) and emission amount for each product, which requires huge amounts of data processing.
• With a highly legible dashboard, GHG emissions reduction management and cost-performance simulation functions
• In addition to international disclosure formats such as for the GHG Protocol, output is also available in report formats for Japanese environmental laws
• User-friendly controls requiring no specialized knowledge
• The validity of the system has been guaranteed by an international auditing and certification body (verification in accordance with 3(*5))

(*3) GHG Protocol: International standard for calculating and reporting GHG emission amount. (*4) Scope 1 1-3: Classification of the scope of calculation and reporting of GHG emission amount by businesses (Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions in a company's own business activity, Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions generated by the use of electricity, heat, and steam supplied by other companies, Scope 3: GHG emissions in the supply chain related to business activity other than those mentioned above).
(*5) ISO14064-3: Specifications and guidelines for validating and verifying GHG-related claims established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Company Overview

・Zeroboard Inc. ｜ Zeroboard Inc.（ zeroboard ）
Address: SPROUND, 22nd floor, Shinagawa Intercity Building A, 15-1 Konan 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: CEO Michitaka Tokeiji
Established: August 24, 2021 Service : Development and provision of " zeroboard ," a cloud Service for calculating and visualizing greenhouse gas emission amount ; consulting on electricity and environmental value; branding and campaign support

[About recruitment]
We are looking for members who will work with us to build Service for a decarbonized society. There are a wide variety of positions available, including business, engineering, and corporate positions. If you are interested in our business, products, or team, please Contact us.
For inquiries regarding recruitment: recruit@zeroboard.jp

For inquiries regarding installation: info@zeroboard.jp
For inquiries regarding reporting or interviews, please contact: pr@zeroboard.jp