Follow Hong Kong Investment Immigration and Life in Hong Kong: According to a report from Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong on August 20 (Reporter Niu Qi), the "Hong Kong Ecological Footprint Report 2013" released by WWF-Hong Kong on the 20th shows that Hong Kong's per capita "ecological footprint" ranks 26th globally. If the entire global population lived like the people of Hong Kong, it would require the resources of 2.6 Earths.
The "ecological footprint" is a measurement tool used to gauge human demand on the Earth's biosphere regeneration capacity (i.e., "biocapacity"). This demand is determined by the resources consumed per person and the land area required to absorb carbon dioxide emissions. The higher the "ecological footprint" value, the greater the consumption of Earth's resources.
The report shows that Hong Kong's per capita "ecological footprint" is 4.7 global hectares, which is approximately 150 times greater than Hong Kong's actual sustainable capacity of 0.03 global hectares, resulting in an ecological deficit that ranks ninth globally.
The report indicates that Hong Kong residents consume the most Earth resources through goods, with consumption of goods alone accounting for about one-quarter of the "ecological footprint." The report estimates that if the overall global situation does not improve, by 2050, the resources of 3 Earths will be required to meet the needs of the global population.
WWF-Hong Kong's Ecological Footprint Project Manager, Cheung Chi-wah, stated that Hong Kong must be prepared to adapt to new rules of the game; otherwise, it may become increasingly constrained by global market price fluctuations and supply disruptions.