Carbon credit for global warming measures Attention due to rapid increase in demand Utilized by domestic and overseas companies

Against the backdrop of increasing momentum for global warming countermeasures, attention is focused on a private-sector-led mechanism called "carbon credit," which is a type of greenhouse gas emission transaction.

The market size has nearly quadrupled in five years, and domestic and foreign companies are moving toward utilization.

"Carbon credit" is a mechanism to issue the amount of greenhouse gas reduction generated by forest protection and planting as "credit" so that it can be bought and sold with other companies.

Demand for credits is increasing as more companies aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to virtually zero, and according to a summary by a UK research firm, last year's worldwide credits issued were 223 million carbon dioxide. It became tons and increased 3.8 times in 5 years.

Currently, the average price per ton is about $ 5, and it is predicted that the price will increase up to 10 times by 2030 due to further demand growth in the future.

The expansion of the carbon credit market is expected to lead to the development of technology for efficiently absorbing carbon dioxide, such as the management of forests and agricultural lands using IT. But it's starting to move.

On the other hand, there are also issues such as whether the amount of greenhouse gas reduction can be properly evaluated, and international discussions are underway to create common standards.

Expectations for expansion of the US market

In the United States, under the Biden administration, which emphasizes environmental policy, carbon credit is also described as a "new gold rush" and is attracting high expectations.

Rick Clifton, a farmer in Midwest Ohio, has begun to plant unharvested rye and other crops from approximately 1200 hectares of vineyards after harvesting soybeans in the fall until spring when the vineyards are unused.

We sell the amount that can be reduced because it has the effect of keeping carbon dioxide in the soil in the form of credits.

Clifton said, "You can nourish the soil and store carbon. Someone wants to buy what I worked on," he said, saying that he could get $ 175,000 in five years and about 19 million yen in Japanese yen. Then there is no reason not to work on it. "

In addition, giant IT companies are moving toward expanding carbon credits.

Microsoft has set a goal of reducing its carbon dioxide emissions and leveraging carbon credits to bring emissions to a real negative level in 2030.

In addition to investing in a Swiss company that not only becomes a credit buyer but also a facility that directly recovers carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it also directs funds to businesses that generate credit by collaborating with forest management and agribusiness companies one after another. I am.

We plan to improve the efficiency of forest management by utilizing our own business, such as analyzing satellite images with AI = artificial intelligence.

Elizabeth Wilmot, Carbon Program Manager at Microsoft, said, "Developing technology to remove carbon dioxide is important but costly. Well-funded companies move first to grow the still small carbon credit market soundly. I have to let you do it. "

He added, "As seen in the heat waves on the west coast, the climate change problem is urgent and must move now. We see it as an opportunity for business to develop while aiming for a climate-resistant economic society." ..

Some companies are embarking on business in Japan

In light of the global trend, some companies in Japan are starting to embark on businesses that generate carbon credits.

ENEOS Holdings, the largest oil wholesaler, has invested in environment-related companies one after another, of which in March it invested in a startup company that handles forest management systems.

Then, we started a survey to improve the efficiency of carbon dioxide absorption in the idle forest of a group company in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and to credit the reduction.

In the survey, a 100-hectare forest is photographed from the sky with a drone to investigate the type and density of trees, and a rucksack-type equipment is carried on the back to walk in the forest to grasp the thickness and amount of trees in three dimensions. ..

By analyzing the data, it is possible to efficiently determine the parts that need to be maintained in order for the forest to absorb more carbon dioxide.

Tomohiro Ohma, Group Manager, Future Business Promotion Department, ENEOS Holdings, said, "As an energy supplier, it is difficult to completely eliminate emissions, and carbon credits are needed at the end. I wanted to make it turn around. First of all, I would like to aim to make one achievement. "

Expert "Chance for Japanese companies"

Regarding the expansion of the private carbon credit market, mainly overseas, Mizuho Research & Research Institute consultant Hideharu Naito said, "It is also useful for developing new technologies to reduce carbon. It will be used by many target companies, and if demand increases further, the current amount of credit supply will not be sufficient. "

On top of that, "It is desirable for Japanese companies to not only buy credits but also to create credits in order to achieve their goals. Overseas are the first to take the lead, but Japanese companies with related technologies such as carbon capture and storage are the first. There are many, so there is a chance to spread the technology. "