WO2022011411A1

WO2022011411A1 - System and method for monitoring the carbon impact of an individual

Info

Publication number: WO2022011411A1
Application number: PCT/AU2021/000046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jesse Mackenzie
Original assignee: Jesse Mackenzie
Priority date: 2020-07-15
Filing date: 2021-07-15
Publication date: 2022-01-20

Abstract

A computer-implemented system for effecting purchases that assesses available options including details regarding the carbon impact of the purchases, the system including one or more databases maintained by a central server for storing details relating to products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers, a location of stores associated with each registered retailer, manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product, one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, the one or more processors configured to receive, from a first user device, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest to a user, the one or more processors generating a response and transmitting same to the first user device with a selection of one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query, receive, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user, determine, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase, and transmit details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and carbon impact associated with the purchase of the one or more selected products displayed on the first user device.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING THE CARBON IMPACT OF

AN INDIVIDUAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for accessing the carbon impact of an individual, particularly with respect to the individual’s choices regarding purchases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Global warming is the gradual increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants. Global warming occurs when CO2 and other greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation thereby increasing the atmospheric temperature of the Earth. This is commonly known as the “greenhouse effect”.

[0003] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a report in 2018 which states that human activities are estimated to have caused approximately 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels, with a likely range of 0.8 to 1.2°C. The report also states that global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate.

[0004] Human activities such as burning fossil fuels using coal-burning power plants to generate electricity is reported to be the largest source of heat-trapping pollution, producing, for example, about two billion tons of CO2 in the United States every year. The transportation sector is generally reported to be the second-largest source of carbon pollution which generates, for example, about 1.7 billion tons of CO2 emissions in the United States per year.

[0005] The effects of global warming are reportedly causing immediate and direct changes to the planet including warmer weather leading to more frequent and longer droughts, rising sea levels as a result of melting glaciers and ice caps, and more frequent and extreme weather events including bushfires, cyclones and floods. Absorption of CO2 and heat by the oceans is also leading to acidification of same thereby impacting marine life, bleaching coral reefs and causing severe storm events of greater severity.

[0006] The “carbon footprint” of an individual, organization or community is defined as the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of that particular individual, organization or community. Awareness amongst individuals regarding their own carbon footprint, or the carbon footprint of their community, is increasing and, as a result, many individuals are taking active steps to decrease their carbon footprint by, for example, altering travel arrangements to travel lesser distances in their motor vehicles, planting a garden, line-drying their clothes as compared with using an electric clothes dryer and avoiding, or eliminating, meat consumption. However, many individuals are still unaware of the impact their daily activities have on their personal carbon footprint, and hence, are unaware of the negative impact those daily activities have on the climate and the environment.

[0007] Additionally, despite an increased awareness regarding the importance of managing personal carbon footprint, many individuals elect not to take steps to decrease their carbon footprint either because they have no choice other than to continue to engage in activities resulting in a high carbon footprint, or because they are unaware of the extent to which their daily activities contribute to their overall carbon footprint. In this regard, a significant contributor to an individual’s carbon footprint relates to their purchase of goods including groceries, fashion, homewares, electrical goods etc. where the carbon impact can vary depending upon the amount and/or source of the purchased goods.

[0008] The IPPC released a statement in 2020 that the average annual carbon footprint of an individual residing in the United States is 16 tons, whilst in Australia it is 15 tons which both compare poorly with the global average of 4 tons. To avoid further significant and rapid rises in the Earth’s atmospheric temperature, the IPPC has estimated that the global annual carbon footprint should not exceed 2 tons/individual by 2050.

[0009] Accordingly, there exists a need for a system and method that enables individuals to understand and effect a reduction in their carbon impact with respect to their purchases. Such a system and method increases individual awareness regarding personal purchasing choices and the impact of same upon the environment and climate and affords the individual the opportunity to alter their purchasing decisions to reduce their contribution to global warming.

[0010] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any suggestion, that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented system for effecting purchases that assess available options including details regarding the carbon impact of the purchases, the system including one or more databases maintained by a central server for storing details relating to products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers, a location of stores associated with each registered retailer, manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product, one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, the one or more processors configured to receive, from a first user device, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest, the one or more processors generating a response and transmitting same to the first user device with a selection of one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query, receive, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user, determine, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase, and transmit details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and carbon impact associated with the purchase of the one or more selected products displayed on the first user device.

[0012] In an embodiment, when the energy source used in the manufacture of the products is electricity, the source of the electricity is also specified (i.e., whether coal or gas, or some renewable means including wind, thermal, solar or hydro).

[0013] In an embodiment, the system may be used as a self-education tool, namely, a tool that provides users (consumers) with a range of reporting options to enable the user to learn from their purchases and understand the carbon emission impact associated with their purchasing choices. [0014] In an embodiment, the system application provides a user (consumer) with a carbon impact balance so that the user is able to understand the annual carbon impact associated with the purchasing choices effected by the user.

[0015] In an embodiment, the system application may provide users (consumers) with a recommended carbon impact representing a target for the user to achieve, or at least improve, the user’s purchasing choices to reduce carbon emissions associated with same and thereby reduce the annual carbon impact regarding their purchasing decisions.

[0016] In an embodiment, the one or more processors are also able to receive, from the first user device, details of one or more actions that reduce the balance of their carbon impact. For example, a user may enter details regarding the planting of a tree or cycling to work (instead of driving) with each activity having an associated carbon credit. The system may also record and store information in the one or more databases regarding carbon credits associated with various activities and calculate a reduction in the user’s total carbon impact according to the information received from the first user device relating to the user’s activities and any carbon credits associated with such activities.

[0017] In an embodiment, the system may also provide users (consumers) with a total of all savings with respect to carbon emissions arising from improved selection of products thereby enabling the users to understand their contribution to a collective total saving with respect to carbon emissions associated with purchased products, or products purchased from particular registered retailers.

[0018] In an embodiment, the system includes a learning component to compare the purchase price of products with the location of the source of manufacture, distribution points and final delivery locations. The learning component may assist the user to make choices regarding their purchase of products that will most likely lead to the user achieving the goal of reducing carbon emissions associated with their choice of purchased products from retailers to achieve a pre-defined carbon impact threshold.

[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for effecting purchases that assess available options including details regarding the carbon impact of the purchases, the method including, storing, in one or more databases maintained by a central server, details relating to, products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers, a location of stores associated with each registered retailer, manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including, a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product, receiving, by one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, from a first user device, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest, the one or more processors generating a response and transmitting same to the first user device with one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query, receive, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user, determining, by the one or more processors, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase, and transmit details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and the carbon impact associated with the purchase of the one or more selected products displayed on the first user device.

[0020] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors of a computing device to perform the actions of, storing, in one or more databases maintained by a central server, details relating to, products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers, a location of stores associated with each registered retailer, manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including, a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product, receiving, by the one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, from a first user device, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest, the one or more processors generating a response and transmitting same to the first user device with one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query, receive, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user, determining, by the one or more processors, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase, and transmitting details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and the carbon impact associated with purchase of the one or more selected products from the subset of one or more retailers to be displayed on the first user device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system for monitoring the carbon impact of an individual with respect to their purchases in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram associated with the server component of the system illustrated in Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables multiple retail stores to interface with the server component of the system illustrated in Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables a user to download and install a software application and subsequently login, or register, to use the software application for interacting with the system illustrated in Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables the user to create an order in respect of an item or items and be provided with the purchase price and carbon impact associated with the purchase of the item or items.

[0027] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables fulfilment and shipment of the order by the retail store.

[0028] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables the user to view and track their total carbon impact with respect to their purchasing choices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention relates to at least a computer-implemented system and method for monitoring the carbon impact of an individual (150) and, in particular, providing a platform that allows users (150) to understand and compare the impact their purchasing decisions have on the environment and global warming.

[0030] In this regard, the present invention utilizes one or more servers (20) for storing details relating to products (50) available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers (130), including one or more of a location (45) of stores associated with each registered retailer (130), manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase including a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, and transport data.

[0031] The server (20), in addition to being configured to store the above mentioned data, is operable to receive, from a device (160) associated with user (150) seeking to order a product or products, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest. The server (20) is further operable to generate a response and transmit same to the user device (160) with a selection of one or more products (235) from the products available for purchase that match the search query. The server (20) then receives from the user device (160) a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user, and determines based upon the selected products (235) and manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact (320) associated with purchasing each selected product (235) from each registered retailer (130). The user (150) may then be provided with details relating to one or more retailers (130) able to provide the selected products (235), including the purchase price and the carbon impact associated with the purchase of the one or more selected products from the one or more retailers (130).

[0032] In this way, the server (20) may calculate the carbon emissions associated with each purchase, allowing users (150) to better understand and reduce their carbon impact. The skilled addressee will appreciate that such a platform not only provides the abovementioned benefits to consumers (150) but also allows low emission retailers (130) to compete on factors other than price in relation to their products. [0033] Figure 1 is divided into segments which are further expanded in Figures 2 to 7. In particular, segment 200 of Figure 1 shows the server (20) with which an application (170) operating on user device (160) is configured to communicate. This is expanded in Figure 2 and the skilled person would appreciate that the steps described above may be performed using the application (170) operating on the user device (160), i.e. one or more of those steps performed by one or more processors associated with the user device (160), or using the server (20), i.e. functionality and/or storage associated with the server (20). In general, the server (20) will provide the functions that cannot be provided locally on the user’s device (160), as described in greater detail below.

[0034] Segment 300 of Figure 1 shows how multiple retail stores (130A, 130B) may interact with the central server (20), as expanded in Figure 3. Segment 400 shows the user (150) downloading and installing the application (170) and subsequently logging into the application (170), which is expanded in Figure 4. Segment 500 of Figure 1 shows the user (150) selecting the items that they prefer to order (235A, 235B, 235C), reviewing order options, and placing orders, as expanded in Figure 5. Segment 600 of Figure 1 shows the retail store (130) receiving and fulfilling the order, which is expanded in Figure 6. Finally, segment 700 of Figure 1 shows how the user (150) can track their total carbon impact at any one time, which is expanded in Figure 7.

[0035] As mentioned above, Figure 2 shows in greater detail the components of segment 200 from Figure 1. In particular, Figure 2 shows the server component (20) which includes infrastructure (10) on which the solution of the present invention operates. The infrastructure (10) may be local or cloud-based. The central server (20) may include functionality and/or storage (with access to locally or remotely stored data) including:

• register (30) of user accounts relating to users (150) of the application (170), each user account including a user profile containing information relating to the user, including but not limited to the user’s name, location, contact information, and credentials such as username and password. Each profile may also contain specific details such as credit card or other financial details that will assist the user (150) in making payments in respect of product orders;

• repository (35) of user locations including delivery addresses (210) selected by the user at the time of registration or subsequently during an order, and which can be stored as Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates; • repository (40) of details relating to retailers and/or stores associated with each retailer, i.e. information relating to retailers that supply products which can be ordered by the user (150) using the application (170);

• repository (45) of store locations, i.e. the GPS coordinate locations of each of the retail stores from which products may be purchased and where orders are collected for subsequent delivery to the user location (35);

• repository (50) of products available for purchase, e.g. multiple catalogues of products associated with each of the registered retailers;

• repository (60) of orders, i.e. orders for products as created by the registered users (150);

• functionality (70) for calculating, using an algorithm or model, the carbon emissions (320) associated with each product order (60);

• functionality (80) for processing product order payments by the user (150); and

• functionality (90) for calculating a tally of all carbon emissions relating to all orders pertaining to a particular user account, which may take into account additional emissions including emissions not captured by the application (170) but manually entered by the user (150), providing the user with a complete picture regarding their carbon footprint.

[0036] Figure 2 also shows that the server (20) is configured to enable communication (110) with the user device (160) and in particular the application (170) operating on the user device (160) by use of a data communications network such as the internet or similar network. Figure 2 also shows that the server (20) is configured to enable communication (120) between the central server (20) and one or more computer systems, such as servers (140), associated with each retail store (130), as described in greater detail below with respect to Figure 3.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates how multiple retail stores (130A, 130B) may interact with the server (20). In this regard, store (130A) and subsequent store (130B) shown in Figure 3 may interface their product inventory and order/sales systems with the central server (20). For example, each store (130A, 130B) may have a respective server (140A, 140B) which may be configured to interface product and inventory levels, prices, and carbon emission data associated with the production, supply, and/or delivery of the goods they are selling to the server (20). The servers (140A, 140B) will also receive orders (70) from server (20) for fulfilment and delivery.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a user device (160), and in the alternative a laptop browser (165), each of which may be operated by the user (150) to install the application (170), which may be achieved by downloading the application (170) from an applicable application store. The user (150) may create an account on the application (170) and account information may be stored in the user account register (30). The user account may capture information sufficient to enable the user (150) to be correctly identified. The process which enables the user (150) to login or register to use the application and start making orders is indicated by arrow (180). The devices (160, 165) may include any suitable display that provides an interface for the user (150) to input and/or view information, including to make orders, view carbon emission information, maintain their user profiles and to edit information as required.

[0039] Figure 5 shows, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a user 150 utilizing the application (170) on user device (160) to cause the location of the user, i.e. delivery location (210), to be recorded by the application (170). The delivery location (210) is shown as a GPS coordinate which is captured by the user device 160, but could be manually entered. Also shown is the subsequent creation of an order using order creation interface (220). The interface (220) enables the user (150) to select the items that they prefer to order, which is achieved by firstly entering a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest, receive a listing of products available for purchase that match the search query, and subsequently select items (e.g. items 235A, 235B, 235C) for purchase. The application interface (220) may also enable the user to select a preferred quantity of each item.

[0040] Data that is received by the application (170) and/or server (20), such as the delivery location (210) and the items selected for purchase (235A, 235B, 235C), may be input into a particular computer algorithm or model to estimate the carbon emissions (320) associated with the purchase of each particular item. In this regard, Figure 5 shows an additional interface (240) in which the application (170), through the use of the intelligent algorithm or model (e.g. by utilizing a machine learning model), will estimate the carbon emissions as well as additional details including the cost of the item selected, delivery timeframes, etc.

[0041] The delivery location (210), which the user (150) either confirms (i.e. based on a recorded GPS location of the use device) or manually enters as described earlier, may be used to assist lowering the carbon impact associated with the purchase by locating retail stores within a threshold vicinity of the location and by utilizing delivery mechanisms that have a lower carbon impact. In this way, where different options for the supply of the items exist, the application (170) will either automatically select the optimal solution or at least display the various options to the user so that the user (150) can make an informed purchasing decision.

[0042] Figure 5 illustrates a further user interface (250) in which different order options are displayed for selection which the user (150) can review and which provides the user (150) with a single interface upon which the user (150) can fully appreciate the cost and associated carbon emissions for each of the products selected. In other words, the user (150) can review the different purchasing options and make an informed purchasing decision, and once a decision is made, the user (150) may complete the order by confirming the order and making a payment by credit card or any suitable online payment mechanism.

[0043] As mentioned above, a suitable intelligent algorithm or model may be utilized to perform the carbon emission calculation. In addition to the previously mentioned data inputs (data relating to destination location and the products ordered), additional data may be entered which may result in a more accurate estimate of carbon emissions. For example, in addition to the delivery location and products orders, additional data may include the delivery location (210), a location of a store fulfilling the order, manufacturing information associated with the product available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including a location of manufacture and energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product, etc.

[0044] When the energy source used in the manufacture of the products is electricity, the source of the electrical power may also be specified and displayed on the interface (250), i.e. whether the source of the electricity is coal or gas or a renewable means such as wind, thermal, solar or hydro.

[0045] Figure 6 illustrates the process of fulfilling an order including transmitting details of an order received from user device (160) to a server (140) associated with a retail store (130) corresponding with the order. Once the order is received, the retail store (130) initiates packing and delivery the ordered goods to the user (150). Figure 6 also shows additional steps associated with fulfilment, i.e. steps that that may also contribute to the carbon impact associated with the order, including production (280) of the ordered product, shipping (290) of the product, and delivery (310) of the order by delivery driver (315). By recording data associated with each of the steps and entering same into the carbon impact emission calculator (algorithm), a total carbon impact (320) associated with the order may be determined upon delivery (330) of the order to the user (150) at the delivery location (210). Figure 6 further illustrates an additional interface (270) associated with application (170) on user device (160) which enables the user (150) to track the progress of their order.

[0046] Whilst Figure 6 relates to fulfillment of an order, it is to be understood that a similar real-time calculation of carbon emissions will occur even when an order is yet to be placed. For example, when a user is utilizing application (170) to shop for products for potential purchase, a real-time indication of the carbon impact associated with each order is displayed in order to provide the user (150) with an indication regarding the likely carbon impact associated with the purchase, and enable the user to make an informed purchase decision.

[0047] After one or more orders are made using the application (170), the user (150) may be interested in further understanding their complete carbon impact. In this regard, Figure 7 shows how the user (150) can view their total carbon impact at any time in order to determine their cumulative carbon impact and further, to determine which purchases contributed the most or least emissions. Users (150) at this point can also add emissions data that may not have been captured by the application (170) at the time of the previous calculation, and the application (170) may be configured to recalculate carbon impacts associated with previous purchases accordingly. Such emission data may relate to utilities, transport and any other aspect which may enable a user to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their carbon impact. [0048] The application (170), and in particular the summary interface shown in Figure 7, may provide the user (150) with a carbon impact balance so that the user (150) is able to understand the carbon impact associated with the purchasing choices effected by the user (150) during a predetermined time period such as, for example, purchases over a full month or year.

[0049] Recommendations may also be generated and provided to the user (150), including recommendations that improve the user’s purchasing choices to reduce carbon emissions and thereby reduce the annual carbon impact regarding their purchasing decisions. In this regard, the user (150) may be provided with recommended carbon impact goals representing a target for the user (150) to achieve. The recommendations may include, for example, a recommendation that the user (150) plant a tree or cycle to work instead of driving. Each recommended activity may be displayed to the user (150) alongside an associated carbon credit, and the carbon credits may also be factored into the user’s total carbon impact, i.e. such credits will result in a reduction in the user’s total carbon impact. Information relating to the user’s activities and associated carbon credits may be manually entered by the user, or automatically monitored by one or more hardware components associated with the user device (160).

[0050] The user (150) may be provided with a total of all carbon emission savings arising from an improved selection of products, thereby enabling the user (150) to understand their contribution to a collective total saving with respect to carbon emissions associated with purchased products, or products purchased from particular registered retailers.

[0051] The algorithm and/or machine learning model may also be trained based upon feedback by the user (150) in relation to purchases of certain products, and any impact that such purchase has on the user’s total carbon impact. For example, if it is determined that purchasing a particular product from a particular retailer resulted in a higher cost and/or higher carbon impact as compared with purchasing the same product from an alternate retailer, by training the algorithm and/or model accordingly future requests for orders may result in more appropriate order options being presented to the user (150) that will most likely lead to the user (150) either spending a reduced amount of money or achieving certain goals in relation to reducing carbon emissions associated with their choice of products. The system may also include a learning component to compare the purchase price of products with the location of the source of manufacture, distribution points and final delivery locations, and the utilization of such a learning component may assist the user in achieving a pre-defined carbon impact threshold.

[0052] It is to be understood that the user device (160) could be a smartphone, tablet computer, or any other type of portable computing device. The user device may include a display that provides an interface for the user to input and/or view information. For example, a user could interact with the device using a program executed on the computer, such as a text-based chat program, a voice-based communication program, and/or a video-based communication program. Alternatively, in some cases, the user device (160) could be a telephone (e.g. a cell phone, etc.).

[0053] The central server (20) may be a single computer, the partial computing resources of a single computer, a plurality of computers communicating with one another, or a network of remote servers (e.g., cloud). The one or more servers can house local databases and/or communicate with one or more external databases.

[0054] The user device (160) may communicate with the server (20) over a network. In some embodiments, the network may be a wide area network ("WAN"), e.g., the Internet. In other embodiments, the network may be a local area network ("LAN"). For example, in a more remote location far from a metropolitan area, the Internet may not be available. In yet other embodiments, the network may be a combination of a WAN and a LAN. In embodiments where the user device (160) is a phone (e.g., a landline or a cell phone), the communication may pass through a telecommunications network and/or a wide area network.

[0055] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant field of technology that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as detailed in the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0056] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or step, or group of features or steps, but not the exclusion of any other feature or step or group of features or steps.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A computer-implemented system for effecting purchases that assesses available options including details regarding the carbon impact of the purchases, the system including: one or more databases maintained by a central server for storing details relating to: products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers; a location of stores associated with each registered retailer; manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including: a location of manufacture; energy sources consumed during manufacture; transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product; one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, the one or more processors configured to: receive, from a first user device: a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest to a user, the one or more processors generating a response and transmitting same to the first user device with a selection of one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query; receive, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user; determine, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product: a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase; and transmit details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and carbon impact associated with the purchase of the one or more selected products displayed on the first user device.

2. A computer-implemented system according to claim 1, wherein when the manufacturing information relating to the energy sources consumed during manufacture of the products includes electricity, a source of the electricity is also specified.

3. A computer-implemented system according to either claim 1 or claim 2, the one or more processors configured to determine and display a carbon impact balance on the first user device.

4. A computer-implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, the one or more processors further configured to determine and display on the first user device a recommended carbon impact representing a target carbon impact for the user to achieve.

5. A computer-implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, the one or more processors further configured to receive, from the first user device, details of one or more actions that reduce the balance of the carbon impact determined by the system.

6. A computer-implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, the one or more processes further configured to: record and store information in the one or more databases regarding carbon credits associated with various activities, and calculate a reduction in the user’s total carbon impact according to the information received from the first user device relating to the user’s activities and any carbon credits associated with such activities.

7. A computer-implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, the one or more processors further configured to determine and display total carbon emission savings arising from improved selection of products by the user.

8. A computer-implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, the system further including a learning component to compare the purchase price of products with the location of the source of manufacture, the distribution points and final delivery locations.

9. A computer-implemented method for effecting purchases that assesses available options, the options including details regarding the carbon impact of the purchases, the method including: storing, in one or more databases maintained by a central server, details relating to: products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers, a location of stores associated with each registered retailer, manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including: a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product; receiving, by one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, from a first user device, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest to a user; generating, by the one or more processors, a response and transmitting same to the first user device with one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query; receiving, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user; determining, by the one or more processors, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase; and transmitting, by the one or more processors, details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and the carbon impact associated with the purchase of the one or more selected products displayed on the first user device.

10. A computer-implemented method according to claim 9, further including specifying, when the manufacturing information relating to the energy sources consumed during manufacture of the products includes electricity, a source of that electricity.

11. A computer-implemented method according to either claim 9 or claim 10, further including determining, by the one or more processors, a carbon impact balance and displaying same on the first user device.

12. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , further including determining, by the one or more processors, a recommended carbon impact representing a target carbon impact for the user to achieve, and displaying same on the first user device.

13. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further including receiving, from the first user device, details of one or more actions that reduce the balance of the carbon impact determined by the system.

14. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further including: recording and storing information in the one or more databases regarding carbon credits associated with various activities, and calculating, by the one or more processors, a reduction in the user’s total carbon impact according to the information received from the first user device relating to the user’s activities and any carbon credits associated with such activities.

15. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further including determining and displaying total carbon emission savings arising from improved selection of products by the user.

16. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, further including comparing the purchase price of products with the location of the source of manufacture, the distribution points and final delivery locations.

17. A computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors of a computing device to perform the actions of: storing, in one or more databases maintained by a central server, details relating to: products available for purchase from a plurality of registered retailers, a location of stores associated with each registered retailer, manufacturing information associated with the products available for purchase, the manufacturing information with respect to each product including: a location of manufacture, energy sources consumed during manufacture, transport data in relation to transport of the product from the location of manufacture to any distribution points associated with the registered retailer of the product; receiving, from a first user device, a search query including a nomination of one or more products of interest; generating a response and transmitting same to the first user device with one or more products from the products available for purchase that match the search query; receiving, from the first user device, a selection of one or more of the available products of interest to the user; determining, based upon the selected one or more products and the manufacturing information relating to each selected product, a carbon impact associated with purchasing each selected product from each registered retailer that offers the selected product for purchase; and transmitting details of one or more retailers from the plurality of registered retailers able to provide the one or more selected products, the details including the purchase price and the carbon impact associated with purchase of the one or more selected products displayed on the first user device.

18. A computer-readable medium according to claim 17, wherein when the manufacturing information relating to the energy sources consumed during manufacture of the products includes electricity, a source of the electricity is also specified.

19. A computer-readable medium according to either claim 17 or claim 18, the plurality of instructions further causing the computing device to determine and display a carbon impact balance on the first user device.

20. A computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 17 to 19, the plurality of instructions further causing the computing device to determine and display on the first user device a recommended carbon impact representing a target carbon impact for the user to achieve.

21. A computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 17 to 20, the plurality of instructions further causing the computing device to receive, from the first user device, details of one or more actions that reduce the balance of the carbon impact determined by the system.

22. A computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 17 to 21, the plurality of instructions further causing the device to: record and store information in the one or more databases regarding carbon credits associated with various activities, and calculate a reduction in the user’s total carbon impact according to the information received from the first user device relating to the user’s activities and any carbon credits associated with such activities.

23. A computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 17 to 22, the plurality of instructions further causing the device to determine and display total carbon emission savings arising from improved selection of products by the user.

24. A computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 17 to 23, the plurality of instructions further causing the device to compare the purchase price of products with the location of the source of manufacture, the distribution points and final delivery locations.