#Japan #decarbonization #e-dash #Hara Village

e-dash Takes Action for Decarbonization in Hara Village

e-dash Inc., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has received a contract from Hara Village in Nagano Prefecture to implement the "Energy Cost Reduction Support Model Project through Decarbonization Management for SMEs." This initiative aims to assist local businesses by utilizing e-dash's technology to visualize energy usage and CO₂ emissions, primarily focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The overall goal is to develop plans that lead to cost and emission savings.

Background of the Initiative

Hara Village has set its sights on becoming a model for a carbon-neutral community, often referred to as a “beautiful village for future generations.” In light of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, the village has actively promoted measures to reduce these emissions. As part of this effort, Hara Village has formed collaborations with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and financial institutions. They are planning a series of presentations and information-sharing events aimed at fostering a collaborative framework for local decarbonization initiatives.

Despite these local efforts, fluctuating global oil prices and general inflation due to geopolitical tensions have placed immense pressure on local businesses. In response, Hara Village has embarked on the “Energy Cost Reduction Support Model Project” to facilitate the transformation of local SMEs toward sustainable management practices and efficient energy use.

As part of this project, e-dash will contribute by assisting with the visualization of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions for two local businesses.

Support Overview

1. Visualization of Energy Use and CO₂ Emissions:
The e-dash platform enables companies to easily upload their energy bills, allowing for a clear, month-by-month visualization of their energy consumption, costs, and CO₂ emissions. By utilizing this straightforward process, businesses can quickly grasp how much energy they are consuming and how much CO₂ they are emitting.

2. Support in Creating Emission Reduction Plans:
Based on the data gathered, e-dash will assist each participating business in setting concrete and effective targets for reducing their emissions and energy use.

3. Professional Suggestions and Support for Action Implementation:
To further the established plans, e-dash will offer tailored recommendations that could include guidelines on government-led energy efficiency audits, available subsidies, and insights into the benefits of decarbonization management. This consultative support aims to help businesses transition smoothly into actionable steps.

Participating businesses will receive these support services free of charge until the end of February 2027, fulfilling e-dash’s mission of facilitating Hara’s vision for a carbon-neutral community and sustainable regional development.

Quote from Hara Village Officials

In a statement, Yoshimasa Miyasaka from Hara Village’s Environmental Division expressed, “In the coming fiscal year, we plan to put into action the 'Hara Village Global Warming Countermeasure Plan' along with a roadmap towards achieving real zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We aim to engage collaboratively with residents and businesses while enhancing our decarbonization efforts.”

Miyasaka continued, “This endeavor reflects our commitment to preserving our beautiful village. We want Hara to remain a place where people want to live, visit, and do business. We hope that by providing visualization of CO₂ emissions, businesses will feel confident taking their next steps toward decarbonization.”

With the collaboration of local partners like the Suwa Shinkin Bank and Haras Shoko Association, the village is dedicated to gathering voices from the community and adapting approaches suitable for local needs. This initiative seeks to promote decarbonization efforts naturally, integrating them into both everyday lives and business activities.

About Hara Village

Hara Village is located in the Nakagawa area of Nagano Prefecture and is characterized by its scenic beauty and rich natural environment. Positioned between the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains and Lake Suwa, the village operates at altitudes ranging from 900 to 1,300 meters. Hara is actively engaging in measures to reduce environmental impact as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

For further details, please visit the Hara Village website here.

About e-dash

e-dash is a cloud service designed for the calculation and management of CO₂ emissions. By providing consulting on calculations and disclosures, as well as reduction solutions, e-dash supports companies engaged in decarbonization holistically. For more information about e-dash, visit their corporate website here.