Carbon footprint: life-cycle analysis or macro-economic approach?

The carbon footprint seeks to associate with the goods and services consumed, all the greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated by their production and use, including those emitted abroad. Two estimation methods are used: life-cycle analysis and macro-economic modeling. These two methods do not serve the same purpose, and are based on different methodologies that make it difficult to compare their results. There are two main approaches to calculating carbon footprints: - 'micro' analyses, based on the life-cycle analysis of goods or services. These are used to establish a 'Carbon balance^R' type GHG emissions balance, based on emissions factors; - macro-economic modelling based on international monetary data, the aim of which is to associate GHG emissions with a country's final demand (consumption in the broad sense). In both cases, the aim is to estimate all GHG emissions associated with the consumption of goods, services or activities, whether produced domestically or imported