Which aspect does an ecological footprint take into account?

An ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of an individual, community, organization, or activity by considering both the resources consumed and the waste produced. This comprehensive assessment includes the total area of land and water ecosystems required to produce the resources consumed and to absorb the wastes generated, including carbon emissions. By incorporating both aspects—resource consumption and waste assimilation—the ecological footprint provides a clearer picture of sustainability and helps identify the balance (or imbalance) between demand on Earth's ecosystems and the ability of those ecosystems to regenerate. This dual focus enables better understanding of environmental pressures and informs sustainable practices and policies.