Ecological footprint and biocapacity The view from London Jamie Bull [email protected] 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 Human spending the Earth's ecosystems. It is a standardised measure of 13.4 billion global hectares 2.2 global hectares per person demand for natural capital Biocapacity Biocapacity is the amount of resources available to people at Nature’s interest a specific time and population. It is a standardised measure of 11.3 billion global hectares the supply of natural capital 1.8 global hectares per person Global balance We’re drawing down our natural capital at a rate of 0.4 Nature’s interest gha per person per year. Human spending Sustaining this level of consumption would require 1.2 -2.1 billion global hectares -0.4 global hectares per person planets United Kingdom’ ecological footprint 318.6 million global hectares 5.4 global hectares per person London’s ecological footprint Consumer Items Food Private 46.2 million global hectares Services 5.47 global hectares per person Transport Gov't Housing London’s biocapacity Total Biocapacity Land type biocapacity per capita (gha) (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 illustrate potential 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 -45.0 million global hectares consumption globally -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 expressing environmental 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 by affluence… Conclusions • Ecological footprint is a way of expressing environmental 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 by affluence… but money doesn’t buy satisfaction.