Earth overshoot day

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date each year when humanity's demand on nature exceeds what the Earth can regenerate in that entire year. From that day until 31 December, we're using up ecological resources faster than the planet can replenish them.

The 2026 date

As of 2026, Earth Overshoot Day fell on July 30, according to the Global Footprint Network. That means humanity was using nature about 73% faster than ecosystems can regenerate, equivalent to needing 1.73 Earths to sustainably support how much we consume. The date moves each year, so check the Global Footprint Network for the current figure.

The trend

Between 2015 and 2026, Earth Overshoot Day moved from mid-August to late July. The exact date shifts slightly from year to year, partly reflecting real changes in consumption and partly reflecting updates to how the underlying data is calculated, but the overall direction over that decade was earlier in the year, not later.

How it's calculated

Earth Overshoot Day is calculated as: Earth's biocapacity divided by humanity's ecological footprint, multiplied by 365. Biocapacity is the planet's ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste. When our footprint is smaller than the planet's biocapacity, the day moves later in the year. When it's larger, the day moves earlier.

Moving the date

The Global Footprint Network runs a Move the Date campaign, encouraging policy and lifestyle changes that push Earth Overshoot Day later in the calendar year. Learn more about what shapes your own impact on our ecological footprint page.