Ecological footprint and biocapacity · Ecological footprint The ecological footprint is a measure...
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Transcript of Ecological footprint and biocapacity · Ecological footprint The ecological footprint is a measure...
Outline
• Definitions
• Global balance
• London• Ecological Footprint
• Biocapacity
• Balance
• Borough-level comparisons
• Conclusions
Ecological footprint
The ecological footprint is a
measure of human demand on
the Earth's ecosystems. It is a
standardised measure of
demand for natural capital
13.4 billion global hectares
2.2 global hectares per person
Human spending
Biocapacity
Biocapacity is the amount of
resources available to people at
a specific time and population.
It is a standardised measure of
the supply of natural capital
11.3 billion global hectares
1.8 global hectares per person
Nature’s interest
Global balance
We’re drawing down our
natural capital at a rate of 0.4
gha per person per year.
Sustaining this level of
consumption would require 1.2
planets
-2.1 billion global hectares
-0.4 global hectares per person
Nature’s interest
Human spending
United Kingdom’ ecologicalfootprint
318.6 million global hectares
5.4 global hectares per person
London’s ecological footprint
Housing
Transport
Food
ConsumerItems
PrivateServices
Gov't
46.2 million global hectares
5.47 global hectares per person
London’s biocapacity
Land typeTotal
biocapacity(gha)
Biocapacityper capita
(gha)
Arable farmland 87,000 0.01200
Managed grassland 114,000 0.01600
Forestry and woodlands 15,000 0.00200
Urban* 983,000 0.13300
Semi-natural vegetation 10,000 0.00100
Inland water 100 0.00002
Sea 60 0.00001
* The biocapacity of urban land was included to illustratepotential bioproductivity
1.2 million global hectares
0.16 global hectares per person
London’s balance
It would require
3.04 planets to support
London’s levels of
consumption globally
-45.0 million global hectares
-5.31 global hectares per person
Breakdown by London Borough
High correlation between EF and house prices
Footprint per capita (2004) Median house price (2013)
High correlation between EF and median income
Footprint per capita (2004) Gross annual pay (2013)
But low correlation between EF and satisfaction
Footprint per capita (2004) Life satisfaction score (2012-13)
Conclusions
• Ecological footprint is a way of expressingenvironmental sustainability in a meaningful way
• London’s footprint is too high to be sustainable(though not significantly above the rest of the UK)
• Ecological footprint is hugely influenced byaffluence…
Conclusions
• Ecological footprint is a way of expressingenvironmental sustainability in a meaningful way
• London’s footprint is too high to be sustainable(though not significantly above the rest of the UK)
• Ecological footprint is hugely influenced byaffluence… but money doesn’t buy satisfaction
