CarbonWise

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  This is how the web app looks - bottom half - BEFORE

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  This is how the web app looks - top half - BEFORE

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  This is how the web app looks - AFTER entering values and calculating result, breakdown and recommendations.

Inspiration

Small businesses are a vital part of New Zealand’s economy but often lack simple tools to understand and reduce their carbon footprint. I was inspired to create CarbonWise to empower these businesses with easy-to-use, data-driven insights that can help them contribute to climate goals without complexity or jargon.

What it does

CarbonWise is a web-based AI tool that estimates the monthly carbon footprint of SMEs based on simple inputs like electricity consumption, fuel use, flights, waste, and water usage. It uses real emission factors from New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment to calculate emissions and provides a clear breakdown along with actionable tips to reduce their impact.

How we built it

I built CarbonWise using Bolt, leveraging its form-based UI capabilities combined with embedded emission factor calculations. The project uses lightweight ML/rules-based logic running entirely in-browser for fast feedback. I integrated NZ-specific emission data and designed a clean, responsive interface to maximize ease of use.

Challenges we ran into

One challenge was sourcing accurate and up-to-date emission factors specific to New Zealand. Another was balancing detailed input with simplicity — ensuring the tool remains accessible for busy small business owners while providing meaningful results. Designing a clear, visual breakdown of emissions within Bolt’s environment also required creative UI solutions.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

I successfully created a fully functional prototype that estimates carbon footprints accurately using real-world data, all within a simple web tool. The clear category breakdown and tailored reduction tips make the tool actionable. Building this without external backend services, fully within Bolt, was also a rewarding achievement.

What we learned

I deepened my understanding of New Zealand’s emissions landscape and how to translate technical environmental data into practical insights. I also gained hands-on experience with Bolt’s no-code AI capabilities, learning how to combine data inputs, calculations, and UI design efficiently in one platform.

What's next for CarbonWise

Next steps include expanding input categories, adding multi-month tracking for progress visualization, integrating exportable reports, and potentially linking with NZ business sustainability programs. I aim to make CarbonWise a go-to climate action tool for SMEs across New Zealand and beyond.

Built With

• and-logic-javascript-?-for-custom-client-side-scripting-and-interactivity-within-bolt-html/css-?-to-design-and-style-the-user-interface-for-a-clean
• bolt
• chart.js
• css3
• html5
• javascript