| name | hiq-cortex |
| description | Find carbon emission factors for any material or process. 1M+ LCA datasets (HiQLCD, Ecoinvent, CarbonMinds). AI-powered BOM carbon footprint calculation and material comparison. |
| homepage | https://www.hiqlcd.com |
| requirements | ["env:HIQ_API_KEY","command:node"] |
| platforms | ["darwin","linux","windows"] |
| metadata | {"openclaw":{"emoji":"🌱","requires":{"env":["HIQ_API_KEY"],"bins":["node"]},"primaryEnv":"HIQ_API_KEY","os":["darwin","linux","win32"]}} |
HiQ Cortex — LCA Data Search & Carbon Footprint AI
Find carbon emission factors for any material, product, or process — covering China's full industrial system (HiQLCD), global data (Ecoinvent), and chemicals (CarbonMinds). Calculate carbon footprints from Bills of Materials. ISO 14040/14044 compliant.
Privacy & Security
This skill reads HIQ_API_KEY from your environment and sends queries to x.hiqlcd.com only. No other data is collected or transmitted.
MCP Server (Cursor / Claude Desktop / Claude Code)
If you use Cursor, Claude Desktop, or Claude Code, you can skip this skill and connect directly via MCP:
{
"mcpServers": {
"cortex": {
"url": "https://x.hiqlcd.com/api/deck/mcp",
"headers": { "X-API-Key": "sk_xxx" }
}
}
}
Two tools available via MCP: search_lca_data (structured JSON) and run_cortex (natural language AI assistant).
Setup (OpenClaw)
-
Get your API key at https://www.hiqlcd.com
-
Add to ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:
{
"skills": {
"entries": {
"hiq-cortex": {
"enabled": true,
"apiKey": "sk_xxx"
}
}
}
}
Or set environment variable: export HIQ_API_KEY=sk_xxx
- Install (first time only):
cd ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/hiq-cortex && npm ci
Tools
1. Search LCA Datasets
Search databases for emission factors. Returns structured data with GWP values, dataset links, region, and data quality.
./search.js "stainless steel 304"
./search.js "polyethylene HDPE" --sources "HiQLCD"
./search.js "cement" --sources "Ecoinvent:3.12.0"
./search.js "aluminum" --sources "HiQLCD|Ecoinvent:3.12.0"
Available --sources: HiQLCD, Ecoinvent, CarbonMinds, HiQLCD-AL. Omit for all.
Example Output
Status: found
Summary: Found stainless steel 304 datasets.
Verified: 3 Restricted: 2
=== stainless steel 304 ===
--- market for steel, chromium steel 18/8, hot rolled ---
Key: a15b4954-808b-307f-8ad9-d58fd7e30597_3.12.0
Source: Ecoinvent 3.12.0
Region: GLO
Unit: kg
Fit: high
GWP100: 5.23 kg CO2e
Link: https://www.hiqlcd.com/dataset/Ecoinvent/3.12.0/CUT_OFF/a15b4954-...
Output Fields
- Name: Full dataset name
- Key: Unique identifier (
{UUID}_{version})
- Source/Version: Database and version (e.g. Ecoinvent 3.12.0)
- Region: Geographic scope (GLO=Global, RER=Europe, CN=China, US=USA)
- Unit: Functional unit (kg, kWh, MJ)
- GWP100: Carbon footprint in kg CO2e (restricted datasets require authorization)
- Fit: Match quality (high/medium)
- Link: Detail page on HiQLCD platform
Status Values
found — All results availablepartial — Some datasets are restricted (Ecoinvent paid data)not_found — No matching datasets
2. Ask LCA Questions
Natural language AI assistant for LCA, carbon footprint, sustainability. Supports calculations, comparisons, and research.
./ask.js "calculate carbon footprint for 100kg steel + 50kg aluminum"
./ask.js "compare environmental impact of PET vs HDPE"
./ask.js "what are the main contributors to cement carbon footprint?"
./ask.js "explain cut-off vs consequential system models"
./ask.js "中国钢铁行业的平均碳排放因子是多少？"
The assistant can:
- Calculate carbon footprints from BOM (Bill of Materials)
- Compare materials and suggest lower-impact alternatives
- Search and interpret Ecoinvent/HiQLCD datasets
- Answer LCA methodology questions (GWP, system boundaries, allocation, ISO 14040/44)
- Research sustainability topics, EPDs, and industry reports
When to Use
- User asks about carbon footprint, emission factors, GWP, or LCA
- User wants to find environmental impact data for materials or processes
- User mentions Ecoinvent, HiQLCD, or life cycle assessment
- User has a Bill of Materials and wants carbon footprint calculations
- User asks about sustainability, ISO 14040, EPD, or carbon neutrality
- User mentions Chinese supply chain, CBAM, battery passport, or Scope 3 emissions
- User asks about China-specific emission factors vs global averages
When NOT to Use
- General chemistry or material science questions unrelated to environmental impact
- Financial carbon credits or carbon trading (this tool covers physical carbon footprint)
About HiQ
HiQ is a full lifecycle data platform providing LCA databases, tools, and API services for carbon footprint assessment.
Databases
| Database | Coverage |
|---|
| HiQLCD | China's domestic LCA database — 25+ industries (energy, steel, non-ferrous metals, building materials, photovoltaics, batteries, new energy) |
| HiQLCD-AL | Specialized aluminum industry carbon footprint database |
| Ecoinvent | Global LCA database — 100+ countries, 18,000+ datasets |
| CarbonMinds | Chemicals & plastics carbon footprint database |
All data compliant with ISO 14040 / ISO 14044 / ISO 14067 and the ILCD framework. Compatible with openLCA and SimaPro.
Services
- Cortex AI Assistant — Natural language LCA Q&A, BOM carbon footprint calculation, data analysis: https://carbonx.hiqlcd.com/cortex
- HiQLCD Platform — Browse, compare, and export LCA datasets: https://www.hiqlcd.com
- CarbonX — Carbon footprint management platform: https://carbonx.hiqlcd.com
- API & MCP — Programmatic access for system integration and AI agent workflows
- Blockchain Verification — Traceable LCA data provenance
All Integration Options
| Method | Endpoint | Best For |
|---|
| Web App | https://carbonx.hiqlcd.com/cortex | Browser — no install, ready to use |
| This Skill | CLI scripts (search.js / ask.js) | OpenClaw agents |
| MCP Server | https://x.hiqlcd.com/api/deck/mcp | Cursor, Claude Desktop, Claude Code |
| REST API | https://x.hiqlcd.com/api/deck/search | Backend services, automation pipelines |
Contact
