Methodological contribution for calculating Ecological Footprint at a municipal level

Abstract

Currently the extent of impacts occurring at the municipal level is unknown. Advancing small-scale Ecological Footprint (EF) estimation is relevant as this indicator is useful to guide environmental policies and for evaluating the effectiveness of implemented strategies. This investigation aims to the development of an estimation methodology of the EF of consumption associated to manufactured goods at a municipal level, in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area context. The applied methodology includes: (1) a characterization of the municipalities by types defined according to socioeconomic similarities and differences; (2) analyse which factors are best suited for estimating EF of municipal manufactured products, according to specialized PE sources. The resulting clusters of municipalities follow different patterns associated with specific consumption levels. The study concludes that the EF associated with the consumption of manufactured goods at the municipal level can be estimated using two conversion factors: Gross Available Family Income, to estimate imports; and Gross Value Added of the industrial sector, to estimate the exports. The methodology developed here can serve local administrations and other land managers, as well as planning professionals and sustainability managers.