Okayama University's OI-Start Hosts Second CFP Nexus Working Group Focusing on Carbon Footprint Innovation

The Second Meeting of the CFP Nexus Working Group at Okayama University

On July 31, 2025, Okayama University, led by President Yasuaki Nasu, hosted the second working group session of the "Carbon Footprint Nexus Working Group (CFP Nexus WG)" in the Co-Creation Innovation Lab KIBINOVE located on the Tsushima Campus. This initiative is part of the Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start), which aims to foster collaborations between academia, industry, government, and finance, focusing on creating value through carbon footprint management.

The CFP Nexus WG's primary goal is to strengthen the competitiveness of local companies and promote Green Transformation (GX) through collaborative efforts. Approximately 50 participants attended the event, including business representatives, researchers, students, and financial institution members.

The meeting began with a presentation from Ryofu Nagata, President of Metal One Ryowa Co., who shared insights into the steel distribution industry's approach to achieving carbon neutrality. He detailed the company's implementation of a visual system to monitor energy usage—specifically regarding electricity consumption, which significantly contributes to total emissions. By optimizing equipment operation hours, the company successfully reduced electricity usage by 40,000 kWh annually, demonstrating effective progress towards sustainability goals. Ryofu emphasized the importance of collaboration with other local companies and educational institutions to be a company that fulfills regional needs while aiming to be a "100-year enterprise".

Following this, Toshifumi Nakai from the Sustainable Management Promotion Organization (SuMPO) introduced a "Circular Economy (CE) × Decarbonization Support Package." This initiative proposes a strategy to address inefficiencies created by varying customer specifications through a shared and generalized approach in design and management, ultimately reducing both environmental impact and costs. By combining the quantification of emissions via the Carbon Footprint (CFP) and evaluating resource circularity through CE indicators, companies can propose environmental value to their clients.

The session concluded with an introduction to the easy-to-use "CORD" database focusing on CFP and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emissions data by Mai Ima, also from SuMPO. CORD is designed to be user-friendly, allowing even those without specialized knowledge to utilize it for calculating LCA and Scope 3 emissions, garnering considerable interest from attendees.

This working group showcased not only CO2 measurement efforts but also a significant shift towards business transformation and the co-creation of new value through CFP initiatives. Okayama University is committed to continuing collaboration with regional companies and support organizations, emphasizing practical strategies for decarbonization and innovation. The university's ongoing initiatives focus on establishing itself as a regional core and distinct research institution, aligning with local needs and international sustainability goals.

Understanding Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions (converted to CO2 equivalent) released across the entire lifecycle of a product or service—from raw material procurement to disposal and recycling. The concept is vital in guiding consumers and businesses toward more sustainable practices. (Source: Carbon Footprint Guidelines, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry | Ministry of the Environment)

OI-Start Overview

The Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start) is a collaborative effort among industry, academia, and government focused on creating innovation primarily through digital technology. It seeks not only to foster individual capacities but also to enhance business productivity and retention of youth within the region by promoting collaborative platforms across various sectors. Managed by Okayama University, OI-Start strives for transformative impacts on local enterprises and community engagement in sustainable practices.

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