China Ecological Footprint Report 2012
The fastest growing individual component of China’s Ecological Footprint is the carbon footprint (Figure 1.8). In 2008, the carbon footprint of China accounted for 54% of the national Ecological Footprint, while it was only 10% of the national Ecological Footprint in 1961.
This represents an increase of more than 1.5 billion gha. The situation is similar across most countries. Globally, the carbon Footprint increased by 284% between 1961 and 2008, rising from 36% to 55% of the total Ecological Footprint.
Figure 1.8 Components of China’s Ecological Footprint, 1961-2008 The past 50 years have witnessed a steady but moderate growth in the total non-carbon components of China’s per capita footprint and a notable growth in the carbon footprint. In terms of composition, carbon accounted for 10% of the Ecological Footprint of China in 1961; 35% in 1998; 41% in 2003; and 54% in 2008. From 2003 to 2008, China’s per capita carbon footprint increased by 76%. Data source: Global Footprint Network, 2011
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