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Local Authorities and Ecological Footprint

Ecological Footprinting is a tool that can help local authorities and their partners work towards and achieve genuinely sustainable communities.

Ecological Footprint results are now freely available for local authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales

The results provide local areas with a key sustainable development indicator which can be used to help:

• provide evidence and data to inform policy, projects, local strategies and agreements
• monitor change and evaluate progress over time
• analyse scenarios to determine targets and predict footprint reductions
• improve decision making and enhance partnership working
• facilitate comparisons of performance between areas
• stimulate debate and provide information for public awareness and education

How can I access them?

The Ecological Footprint results have been developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute for each local authority area throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Results for Northern Ireland are expected towards the end of 2006. The data along with a summary report and supporting presentation is available for free from www.sei.se/reap. (Select "Download")

For further information, please register your interest by completing our online enquiry form:

>> Click here

How can local authorities use the Ecological Footprint?

The Ecological Footprint is already widely used across the UK by different levels of Government. It is used as an indicator and educational tool for various service areas including performance management, Best Value, community planning, sustainability appraisal, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and a whole range of environmental strategies. To find out more about Ecological Footprinting and how it can be used in your local authority area please access the links to the 'How to' guide and Frequently Asked Questions below:

If you would like to receive more information please contact us or visit our frequently asked questions.

New resource

16 February 2006

Ecological Footprint results for each local authority area throughout England, Scotland, and Wales have now been developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute as part of the Ecological Budget UK, a project funded by BIFFAWARD and run by WWF-UK. The results are now freely available for every local authority area in England, Scotland and Wales. Learn more or access Taking the first step, a resource for local authorities.

Ecological Footprint Taking the first step: A 'How to' guide for local authorities (1.3 MB)