Environment and society
Ecological footprint

Ecological footprint and biocapacity in global hectares per person - In the international comparison 1963–2003

Definitions/Comments: Ecological footprint: A scientific method for determining in what areas and how heavily humans impact on the environment. The method employs the magnitude of the uses of, and stresses on, natural capital, such as crop cultivation or energy and wood consumption, to calculate the area that would be required to provide these resources in a sustainable manner (hypothetical area requirement in global hectars). For the calculation of the ecological footprint in Switzerland: see von Stokar et al. (2006). Biocapacity: ability of the environment to produce raw materials and break down pollutants (biological productivity of an area). Global hectare: one hectare with productivity equal to the average productivity of the biologically productive hectares on earth.

Source: Global Footprint Network (www.footprintnetwork.org).

Data for the indicator or in excel.

Description and explanation in the corresponding chapter of the Social Report 2008.