Ecological footprint

The Ecological Footprint (EF) measures how sustainable a person's, country's, or company's consumption is. It captures how much land and water is needed to produce what they use and absorb the waste they generate.

Humanity's footprint on Earth

Global consumption has exceeded what the Earth can regenerate since around 1970, over fifty years of overuse. Each year, this is marked by Earth Overshoot Day, the date when humanity's consumption for that year outpaces the planet's capacity to replenish itself.

Differences across the world

Consumption patterns vary significantly by country. Wealthier nations and lifestyles tend to place the greatest pressure on natural resources, with countries such as the US, Qatar, and Luxembourg, along with high-income Scandinavian countries like Sweden, often cited as examples.

Calculating an ecological footprint

The calculation compares how much people consume against the Earth's "biocapacity," its ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste. Reducing an ecological footprint means bringing consumption back within that regenerative capacity, while also protecting biodiversity alongside human needs.

What drives a larger footprint

Several factors push footprints higher: deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable agriculture, and overfishing. Many fish stocks today are red-listed and at risk of collapse as a result.

Reducing your own footprint

Individuals can lower their footprint by using less energy, choosing public transport over driving, and shifting what they eat. Eating a lot of meat, for example, tends to result in a higher footprint than a more plant-based diet. A good starting point is understanding your carbon footprint, the greenhouse gas portion of your overall impact.

Calculate your personal carbon footprint here.

Reducing the global footprint

Global initiatives such as Move the Date work to push Earth Overshoot Day later in the year, by promoting policy and lifestyle changes that reduce humanity's collective footprint.