Environment and society
Ecological footprint

Composition of the ecological footprint in % by country 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).

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.