The International Ecological Footprint Learning Lab connects academic, private, public, and non-profit institutions to devise a research agenda concentrated on quantifying human pressures on the environment through Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity metrics. The partnership’s research agenda has been cooperatively devised to include the partner’s interests, skills, and expertise. The findings and solutions will be collectively disseminated through partner channels structured around a comprehensive knowledge mobilization plan.
There are four main research areas identified in the partnership research agenda. These research areas are intended to be broad in scope and allow for research to overlap between them.
National Applications
Research within this area will relate to the production of the National Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts (NEFBA). Improving and innovating on the methodology for producing the accounts and deriving the data. Additionally, other applications of Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity data, methods, and research at national and international levels.
Research Topics and Questions
- Include wetlands (and/or other land cover types) as providing Biocapacity in the NEFBA
- Revise the average forest carbon sequestration rate in the NEFBA
- Derive spatially explicit equivalence factors in the NEFBA
Community Applications
This research area relates to individuals and groups of people, aiming to understand how the data generated can be applied and communicate useful outcomes. This applies to geographical communities and communities created through mutual interests and values. Additionally, research in this area will investigate how Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity can be used to provide recommendations for insight into long-term behaviour change.
Research Topics and Questions
- Creating a methodology blueprint of community-specific Ecological Footprint calculators
- What are the most effective spatial analysis techniques for examining land-use change and ownership?
- How do different types of land use and land ownership affect the Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity ratio among countries?
Responsive Scaling
Research in this area concerns applying Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity at different geographical scales and exploring different scaling methodologies. This also relates to Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity being applied to different social aggregations and attributions. Additionally, research in this area is investigating the incorporation of geomatics data and earth observation data.
Research Topics and Questions
- What is the proportion of the Ecological Footprint of consumption by tourists compared to residents in countries that have high tourism levels?
- How can remote sensing imagery and data be incorporated into Biocapacity methodology to improve the data and spatial resolution, particularly the built-up land component? How can this help with sub-national derivations of Biocapacity?
- What is the capacity of intensively managed ecosystems to provide specific goods and services?
Models and Metrics
Research in this area will investigate the application of Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity data to various modelling software and other international metrics. Additionally, examining the possibilities and constraints related to economics, sustainability, well-being, development, and sustainability goals including net-zero emissions.
Research Topics and Questions
- Investigate how carbon footprint and ocean sequestration align with other global reporting metrics
- Generate Ecological Footprint metrics that align with the System of Environmental and Economic Accounting (SEEA)
- Creation of a database of embodied Ecological Footprint for man-made materials
As an IEFLL partner, if you have a research question you want added to the research agenda, please fill out the template below.