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)

About HiQ

HiQ is a full lifecycle data platform providing LCA databases, tools, and API services for carbon footprint assessment.

Databases

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

Contact

• Website: https://www.hiqlcd.com
• Email: info@hiqlcd.com