#Japan #Wakayama #e-dash #GX Promotion

e-dash Collaborates with Wakayama Prefecture

e-dash Inc., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has been awarded the "Decarbonization Management Promotion Operation" for the fiscal year 2023 by Wakayama Prefecture. The initiative aims to robustly support local businesses in taking their first steps toward decarbonization, while also reinforcing collaboration with regional support organizations to cultivate the groundwork for green transformation (GX) across the prefecture.

Background and Objectives

In today's landscape, decarbonization is not just a concern for large corporations but has become an essential management issue for the entire supply chain. Businesses in Wakayama Prefecture face urgent challenges, such as requests for emission data from their trading partners and rising energy costs, both of which can significantly impact their sustainability. However, many companies are struggling to take actionable steps due to a lack of know-how and resource constraints.

Decarbonization now transcends mere environmental measures; it represents a crucial business strategy that can enhance competitiveness and create new business opportunities. In response to these mounting challenges, Wakayama Prefecture aims to strengthen support for local businesses transitioning to decarbonized management and to foster a substrate for promoting GX throughout the region. e-dash has been entrusted with managing this initiative, which involves operating a portal for businesses to access up-to-date information, conducting seminars, and providing individualized support to companies within the prefecture.

Overview of Support Initiatives

e-dash will provide several forms of support targeted at businesses in Wakayama Prefecture, including:

1. Operation of the Business Portal "G³DRIVE"
This portal will feature the latest information on decarbonization management, along with examples of pioneering initiatives taken by local companies. It will serve as a resource to inspire businesses to enhance their operations by addressing requests from the supply chain and improving energy efficiency.

2. Online Seminars on Decarbonization Management
To encourage businesses to take their first steps towards decarbonization, an online seminar will be held:
- Introductory Session:
- Date: June 18 (Thursday) from 15:00 to 16:30
- Topics: Trends in Japan and abroad, case studies of businesses implementing these practices, and the importance of visualizing emissions.
- Registration link: Registration Form
- Practical Session:
- Schedule: TBD (Details to be announced)
- Topics: Specific initiatives regarding energy conservation and productivity improvement will be shared.

3. Customized Proposals Based on Business Needs
e-dash will engage with small and medium-sized enterprises in localized meetings or online discussions, assessing their current decarbonization efforts, and identifying any obstacles they face in implementation. During these discussions, information about Wakayama Prefecture's policies and subsidy programs will be provided, along with guidance on calculating greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) using e-dash tools. For interested companies, support for Scope 3 assessment, energy efficiency diagnostics, and obtaining SME version SBT certification will also be offered.

Additionally, e-dash plans to hold study sessions and information sharing meetings for local support organizations. This will help strengthen a framework for advancing decarbonization management throughout Wakayama Prefecture and demonstrate the benefits that businesses stand to gain from such initiatives.

Through this project, e-dash aims to help businesses in Wakayama Prefecture view decarbonization as an opportunity for growth, contributing to the sustainable development of the local economy and enhancing industrial competitiveness.

Comments from Wakayama Prefecture

Mr. Yusei Tamura, Deputy Chief of the Growth Industry Promotion Division, Wakayama Prefecture:
"As we strive towards a carbon-neutral society by 2050, Japan is likely to implement an emission trading system targeting large emitters starting from 2026, based on the GX Promotion Law. Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to mandate the disclosure of emission data in securities reports among listed companies, making it crucial for businesses to understand and reduce emission figures across their supply chains. Local companies are feeling the pressure to respond to such requests while also facing challenges related to rising energy prices and a lack of practical experience. This initiative will deploy various programs to promote decarbonization management among local businesses and strengthen collaborations with regional support entities, laying the groundwork for GX throughout the prefecture."

About Wakayama Prefecture

• - Capital: Wakayama City, 640-8585, 1-1 Komatsubara-dori, Wakayama Prefecture
• - Overview: Comprising 30 municipalities, Wakayama is surrounded by the rich ecosystem of the Kii Peninsula's mountains and seas. The region is known for its long-standing fruit cultivation as well as a prominent industrial area focused on oil, steel, and chemicals. Wakayama is committed to robustly promoting the decarbonization of its key industries while leveraging its forest resources and aiming for a carbon-neutral future by 2050.
• - Website: Wakayama Prefecture Official Site

About e-dash Inc.

• - Company Overview:

- Date Established: February 7, 2022
- Shareholders: Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Mizuho Innovation Frontier Co., Ltd.
- Location: 6th Floor, Akasaka JEBL, 4-8-18 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo
- CEO: Toma Yamazaki

• - Corporate Website: e-dash Corporate Site
• - Business Activities:

- Development and operation of the CO2 emission visualization platform "e-dash"
- Operation of the carbon credits marketplace "e-dash Carbon Offset"
- Support for collecting, analyzing, and implementing ESG data in supply chains via "e-dash Survey"
- Carbon footprint calculation services under "e-dash CFP"
- Media for accelerating carbon neutrality: "accel."
- Search site for environmental measures in domestic businesses: "accel.DB"