AIST-IDEA was released in 2010 by the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability at AIST, driven by the promotion of industrial technologies within environmental policy based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We have led the development of Japan’s premier life cycle inventory database and fostered international collaboration.
To meet the growing demand for environmental impact assessment, we are committed to continuously updating AIST-IDEA and enhancing its representativeness, comprehensiveness, completeness, and transparency. With growing global discussions on environmental impact assessment, new methodologies are emerging. In addition to improving the quality of AIST-IDEA, we strive to provide LCA-based recommendations for the development of new technologies, align AIST-IDEA with evolving environmental performance evaluation methods, including those shaped by European environmental regulations, and serve as a bridge between research institutions, organizations, and businesses both in Japan and abroad.
Features of AIST-IDEA
- At AIST and AIST Solutions, we strongly recommend using the latest version (Ver.3.5) of the AIST-IDEA database for LCA and Scope 3 assessments.
AIST updates the AIST-IDEA data annually to provide the most up-to-date version. Older versions (Ver.2.3 and earlier) developed by AIST may lack reliability and accuracy in GHG emission calculations due to outdated data, a limited number of product entries, and fewer types of assessable environmental impact categories.
- Versions and Coverage of AIST-IDEA Provided by AIST Solutions
●AIST-IDEA Standard Edition (Languages: Japanese, English)：Ver.3.1, Ver.3.2, Ver.3.3, Ver.3.4,Ver3.5（Japanese only）
*For updates and details on each version, please visit the IDEA Lab website. IDEA Lab
●AIST-IDEA Regionalized Edition (Languages) :
Ver.3.2 (Japanese): Covers China, Indonesia, and Global Averages
Ver.3.3 (Japanese, English): Covers Italy, France, UK, Germany, Turkey, South Africa, India, Thailand, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia, USA, Canada, Brazil, and Global Averages
For more details on international editions, please visit the IDEA Lab website. IDEA Lab
MESSAGE
TAKEMURA Fumio, ph. D.
AIST Solutions AIST-IDEA Project Producer:
Utilizing AIST-IDEA for Efforts Toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050 and Environmental Impact Assessment
In response to global warming and climate change, many countries are working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Japan is also implementing various measures to achieve carbon neutrality (CN) by 2050, with energy and resource efficiency being among the most critical initiatives. However, determining whether an approach genuinely conserves energy and resources requires a comprehensive life-cycle perspective of the entire system. This analysis relies on GHG emission factors, which are essential coefficients for accurate calculations. By multiplying GHG emission factors by activity levels and summing the results, overall GHG emissions or a carbon footprint (CFP) can be calculated.
AIST-IDEA is a database comprising approximately 5,600 datasets that compile various emission factors. Developed based on domestic statistics, it covers nearly all economic activities in Japan, ensuring high comprehensiveness, representativeness, completeness, and transparency. Additionally, the database is not limited to CFP calculations but also supports a wide range of environmental impact assessments.
We sincerely hope that AIST-IDEA will serve as a valuable tool in your efforts toward carbon neutrality and environmental impact evaluation.
TAHARA Kiyotaka, ph. D.
IDEA Laboratory Director
Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability
Department of Energy and Environment
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Enhancing Data Representativeness, Comprehensiveness, Completeness, and Transparency to Meet Growing Needs for Environmental Impact Assessment
AIST-IDEA was released in 2010 by the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability at AIST, driven by the promotion of industrial technologies within environmental policy based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We have led the development of Japan’s premier life cycle inventory database and fostered international collaboration.
To meet the growing demand for environmental impact assessment, we are committed to continuously updating AIST-IDEA and enhancing its representativeness, comprehensiveness, completeness, and transparency. With growing global discussions on environmental impact assessment, new methodologies are emerging. In addition to improving the quality of AIST-IDEA, we strive to provide LCA-based recommendations for the development of new technologies, align AIST-IDEA with evolving environmental performance evaluation methods, including those shaped by European environmental regulations, and serve as a bridge between research institutions, organizations, and businesses both in Japan and abroad.
Regarding the Use of AIST-IDEA
Application Process
STEP-1 Application and Application Process 
STEP-2 AIST-IDEA End User License Agreement
▶Basic Terms for Using AIST-IDEA Provided by AIST Solutions
AIST-IDEA End User License Agreement
STEP-3 Quotation and Application Regarding Purchase Patterns »
▶For applications submitted on or after February 1, 2025 (Customer numbers start with "C")
STEP-4 Invoices
* Invoices will be issued by our contractor, BOD Co., Ltd., approximately two weeks after account activation. The invoice will be sent as a PDF via email.
* Starting July 16, 2024, all users will receive a delivery note along with the invoice for their purchase.
Regarding Purchase Patterns
Authorized Distributors
| TCO2 Inc. |  |
| Sustainable Management Promotion Organization (SuMPO) |  |
| LCA Expert Center Co., Ltd. |  |
Inquiries
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the price of AIST-IDEA?
AIST-IDEA End User License Agreement »
2. What are the payment terms for purchasing AIST-IDEA (e.g., end-of-month billing, payment by the following month)?
End User License Agreement »
3. Is the payment account name "AIST Solutions"?
[Bank Account Details]
| Account Name | BOD Co., Ltd. |
| Bank | MUFG Bank, Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Branch (Branch Code: 568) |
| Account Type | Ordinary |
| Account Number | 0118826 |
| Account Name (Kana) | カ）ビーオーディー |
*Please note that transfer fees are the responsibility of the customer.
4. What is the invoice number for AIST Solutions?
BOD Co., Ltd.'s Qualified Invoice Issuer Number:T6013301039989
BOD Co., Ltd. handles AIST-IDEA license fee collection on behalf of AIST Solutions.
5. Which Qualified Invoice Issuer Number should we use, AIST Solutions or BOD Co., Ltd.?
6. Can you issue a delivery note?
7.Will the purchased data be delivered as electronic data or on physical media such as a DVD?
8. We would like to use both Japanese and English versions. Do we need to apply separately for each?
Note: The supported languages for AIST-IDEA International Version are as follows:
Ver. 3.2: Japanese
Ver. 3.3: Japanese and English
If you wish to use the AIST-IDEA International Version (languages: Japanese and English), additional fees will apply.
9. When will the customer number be issued? Also, can the customer number from the LCA Promotion Consortium membership period be used?
Once the completed Excel file is submitted to the secretariat, you will receive a confirmation email for your completed application along with your customer number.
Please note that customer numbers previously issued under the LCA Promotion Consortium cannot be used.
10. Regarding the usage limit of three individuals per license within the same organization: Our administrative staff is responsible for the procedures, but they will not use AIST-IDEA themselves. The actual users will be three individuals within the organization. In this case, is it acceptable to provide the name and email address of the administrative staff in the account information sheet?
11. How many users can use AIST-IDEA under a single license?
An Excel file was sent as a request for account information to apply for AIST-IDEA. If we purchase one license, how many accounts should we list?
IDEA Lab
The IDEA (Inventory Database for Environmental Analysis) Laboratory was established in April 2017 within the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability in National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). As a collaborative research group, the IDEA Laboratory conducts projects both independently and across various departments. The primary focus of the lab is to develop the AIST-IDEA, implement technical evaluations, and establish methodologies through international collaborations. It is composed mainly of researchers from the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability and is involved in research and development.
If you have any questions about AIST-IDEA, please reach out via the following form:
AIST-IDEA Contact Form