"Jibungoto Planet" is an app jointly developed with the National Institute for Environmental Studies, allowing individuals to visualize their carbon footprint. This app helps users understand their impact on climate change based on their lifestyle and choose specific decarbonization actions in numerical terms.

A carbon footprint represents the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted throughout the lifecycle of a product or service, from the procurement of raw materials, production, and distribution, to disposal or recycling, converted into CO2 equivalents. In other words, it allows us to "visualize" the CO2 emissions we generate.

In Japan, household consumption accounts for about 60% of the total carbon footprint. To achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, a sustainable "decarbonized lifestyle" that minimizes the impact on climate change is necessary.

With global attention on the severe impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ecosystem destruction, Japan is also experiencing abnormal weather patterns like large typhoons, heavy rains, and intense heat days over 35°C. To mitigate these significant impacts, it is crucial to limit the global average temperature rise to below 1.5°C.

reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050

. Currently, the average annual carbon footprint per person in Japan is about 7 tons. To meet the target, it must be reduced to about 

Jibungoto Planet features questions across four categories: housing, food, transportation, and consumer goods. By answering these questions, users can determine their annual carbon footprint based on their lifestyle. The app then displays the potential CO2 reduction of various decarbonization actions, ranked by effectiveness. Sharing one's carbon footprint results and chosen decarbonization actions can serve as a declaration of commitment to those actions.

While similar services have been implemented mainly overseas, there were no services tailored to the Japanese lifestyle. Unlike many English-based international services that use foreign data and algorithms, Jibungoto Planet uses data and algorithms based on Japan's unique quantitative evidence (scientific basis) to propose effective reduction actions quantitatively.

Calculation Algorithms Based on Japanese Data and Lifestyle

Jibungoto Planet calculates users' carbon footprints based on answers to lifestyle-related questions, using algorithms developed by the National Institute for Environmental Studies based on Japanese data and lifestyle characteristics.

Proposing Specific Decarbonization Actions Numerically

The app compares each user's calculated carbon footprint with the Japanese average and proposes specific reduction actions quantified in 'kilograms.' Users can also share their selected actions on social media to declare their commitment to behavior change.

Open-Source Development for a New Ecosystem

The platform's source code is openly provided under the MIT License, allowing use for commercial purposes. Companies and public institutions can utilize this code to develop and release customized tools that support decarbonized lifestyles.

Jibungoto Planet was developed primarily through Code for Japan's civic tech development event, "

." The project began in November 2021 and was held about ten times until its release in August 2022. Over 20 people, including five engineers and other designers and idea contributors, participated. Continued open-source development aims to build a system where anyone can contribute to creating tools that support a decarbonized society.

Over 1,000 Users and 2,500 App Uses in Three Months

Since its release at the end of August 2022, Jibungoto Planet has garnered significant interest, with over 2,500 app uses within three months. Approximately 45% of users answered all questions across the four categories and selected decarbonization actions.

Understanding one's emissions is the first step in reducing carbon footprint. Many people have begun taking action inspired by Jibungoto Planet.

Users range from teenagers to those in their 70s, indicating broad interest in environmental issues. More responses came from men, and the highest usage was from the Kanto region, followed by Kansai, Tohoku, and Kyushu.

Average Stay Time of Over Four Minutes Per User

Analytics data shows that the average stay time per user is over four minutes. The result page, displaying the carbon footprint, retains users for about a minute, indicating they carefully review their carbon footprint. Users spend 15-20 seconds on each question page, suggesting a smooth answering process.

Supporting a Decarbonized Lifestyle for a Sustainable Society

Jibungoto Planet is developed as open-source software, allowing anyone to use it per the license. Future plans include providing APIs to integrate with various services, creating an ecosystem for carbon footprint reduction.

Companies can link this information with smart meters, IoT appliances, household budgeting apps, gamification, GPS-based behavior suggestions, and health management apps.

Public institutions can use it for environmental awareness, policy formulation, and workshops, such as decarbonization citizens' assemblies, to promote behavioral changes towards climate change.

Development continues with additional features and UX improvements. Communication is conducted on Code for Japan's Slack. Interested individuals can join the 

 channel. For those not yet part of Code for Japan's Slack, check the 

Development of the Carbon Footprint Visualization Project "Jibungoto Planet" Civictech Live#25

Jibungoto Planet has been featured in several external media outlets:

https://www.businessinsider.jp/post-259972

https://withnews.jp/article/f0221105000qq000000000000000W0dy10701qq000025219A

https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/mrt/213153?display=1

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQCB4FD1QCBPLBJ001.html

https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230225/k00/00m/040/133000c

https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/213153

https://coop-sustainableaction.jccu.coop/learn/decarbonized/

'Jibungoto Planet' is an app jointly developed with the National Institute for Environmental Studies that visualizes an individual's carbon footprint.

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