-
iPoint
iPoint-systemsiPoint is your partner for Product Compliance and Sustainability
Ecological footprint – Definition
The Ecological Footprint as a sustainability indicator
The Ecological Footprint is an indicator and describes the area of the earth that we humans need to support our lifestyle.
For instance, we need land and natural resources on earth for the production of food or clothing, as well as for the disposal of waste.
The concept of the ecological footprint was developed in 1990, the method is represented today by the Global Footprint Network.
Distinction to CO2 Footprint and Life Cycle Assessment
While the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) shows the impact on the environment caused by the life cycle of a product in carbon dioxide (CO2), the Ecological Footprint does so in a calculated area (gha).
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) also considers environmental impacts, but in contrast to the Ecological Footprint, products and services are analysed. A Life Cycle Assessment is the systematic analysis and evaluation of the environmental impacts of products and services for their entire life cycle.
Limits of the ecological footprint
The ecological footprint refers only to resource consumption. Any associated pollution of the environment is not reflected. An increase in pollution with unchanged land consumption would not lead to a larger footprint.
Video: what is the ecological footprint?
Further information about the ecological footprint
The Global Hectare
The area of the ecological footprint is indicated with 'global hectares' (gha). A global hectare corresponds to a globally standardised, comparable hectare with average biological productivity. This measure allows different countries and areas of the planet to be compared with each other, even if they differ greatly from their natural conditions and ressources, e.g. deserts and forests.
Germany, for instance, has 1.6 global hectares according to the Global Footprint Network. However, we have a consumption of 4.9 gha, so there is a deficit. This means that we consume more resources than we actually have available.
Current situation and Earth Overshoot Day
Earth Overshoot Day is the day on which humanity has used up the natural resources that the earth can regenerate within a year. In 2021, Earth Overshoot Day was already on 29 July, whereas in 1990 it was still on 11 October. Even today, humanity with its current footprint would need 1.75 Earths to continue to live as it does today.
Earth Overshoot Day is calculated as follows: The natural resources produced by the earth during one year are divided by the ecological footprint of mankind multiplied by the number of days in the year.
We support you advancing your environmental performance
Umberto: Calculate environmental impacts
The ecological footprint shows how important it is to handle the earth's resources carefully and efficiently and to reduce climate and environmental impacts.
With the software Umberto, companies and organizations are able to increase their resource efficiency themselves by calculating their climate and environmental impacts.
Consulting: Let us determine your impacts
Our team of experts helps you determine the climate and environmental impact of your business and to increase your resource efficiency.
We will be very pleased to provide you with individual support step by step, from data collection to a complete analysis of climate impacts over the entire life cycle.
Related Topics
Sustainable production secures the natural foundations of life for future generations
The Product Carbon Footprint is the most established method for determining the climate impact of a…
An LCA is a systematic analysis of the environmental impact of a product over its entire life cycle.
Material flow cost accounting according to ISO 14051 is an instrument to identify the true costs of…
A Material Flow Analysis (MFA) considers material flows and collects information regarding their…
Environmental management serves to ensure sustainable environmental compatibility of products and…
Resource efficiency describes the relationship between resource use and output and is becoming…
A Product Environmental Footprint is a new method for measuring sustainability performance developed…