| Purpose | Evaluate potential environmental impacts across the full life cycle of product | Evaluate the amount of GHG from the main emission sources |
| Focus | Life cycle perspective (e.g., cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave) | Sectoral (e.g., waste, agriculture, transportation) |
| Procedure and methodology | ISO 14040 series (ISO 14040, ISO 14044) in accordance with other documents | IPCC Guidelines (1996 GL, 2006 GL, 2019 Refinement) in accordance with other supplementations published by IPCC |
| Coverage | Broad range of environmental impacts (greenhouse gases, acidification, water depletion, etc.) | Greenhouse gases |
| Expressed unit | Functional unit (e.g., kg CO2-eq/kg meat) | CO2-eq/year |
| Typical use | Product level, with current increase for organizational level | Regional level, national level |