Designing a Blockchain Token Distribution Model to Encourage Action on Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Abstract

One way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is to encourage consumers to become more environmentally conscious. There are examples where consumers' GHG-reducing behavior is converted into points, and trees are planted according to the points collected. In other cases, blockchain is used to prove agricultural products' origin and distribution routes. This study proposes a model in which blockchain tokens (Web 3.0-based tokens) corresponding to GHG reductions are distributed along with the distribution of low-carbon agricultural products to encourage consumers to take environmentally conscious actions through the tokens. The proposed model facilitates the visualization and verification of consumers' environmental actions caused by the distribution of tokens, by using non-fungible tokens (NFTs). A reference implementation of the proposed model and its preliminary experiments have revealed several issues that need further investigation for social implementation. The proposed model could be suitable as a Web 3.0 educational tool, since it is non-monetary and there is no risk of economic loss.