How are the Local Authority Area Footprints calculated?
Previously, a method was used to calculate the Ecological Footprint which involved the collection of local data for resource and energy consumption. This is not only time intensive and costly but there were also fundamental problems with data availability and unclear boundaries. Therefore, a new method has been developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute.
The new calculations are based on a well established method called ‘environmentally extended input-output analysis’ and involve the conversion of expenditure data into Ecological Footprints. As data on local household expenditure is more easily available, local Footprints can be established faster, cheaper and on a broader scale.
The following diagram depicts the methodology.
New input-output-based method: good data availability, well defined study boundaries and consumption categories, consistent with economic National Accounts from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
For more information on the ACORN data and method used please download: Reducing Wales Ecological Footprint (Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York; published by WWF Cymru, Cardiff, UK; March 2005)
For further information download: “Towards Standardisation of the Ecological Footprint – Keeping the Calculation Method Up-To-Date” (SEI).