Ecological footprint

In order to assess the environmental impact of human activity, the ecological footprint is an indicator that estimates the land area needed to meet human needs, given the way of life and the resource intensity of each unit of goods and services. It takes into account built-up areas, forest, fishing grounds, grassland and pasture, cultivated land, and the areas needed to absorb the CO2 from burning fossil fuels and to absorb, store and treat waste.