HiQ Cortex

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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 metadata: {"openclaw":{"emoji":"🌱","requires":{"env":["HIQ_API_KEY"],"bins":["node"]},"primaryEnv":"HIQ_API_KEY","os":["darwin","linux","win32"]}}

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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)

1. Get your API key at https://www.hiqlcd.com

2. Add to ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "skills": {
    "entries": {
      "hiq-cortex": {
        "enabled": true,
        "apiKey": "sk_xxx"
      }
    }
  }
}

Or set environment variable: export HIQ_API_KEY=sk_xxx

3. 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 all databases
./search.js "polyethylene HDPE" --sources "HiQLCD"         # Only HiQLCD
./search.js "cement" --sources "Ecoinvent:3.12.0"          # Specific version
./search.js "aluminum" --sources "HiQLCD|Ecoinvent:3.12.0" # Multiple sources

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 available

partial — 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)

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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

Website: https://www.hiqlcd.com

Email: info@hiqlcd.com