Among the integrated programmes of actions for the sustainable use of resources, the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park has launched a project relating to the carbon footprint.

The original definition refers to the statistical calculation of the impact on the environment of the consumption of one person, of one territory, of one nation. According to quite complicated calculations, we obtain units of spatial measure which translate how much of the planet we consume, depending on our lifestyle.

On an international level it has been observed that local communities depend on natural resources for their prosperity. However, present-day patterns of use of these resources are having an impact on the environment, and moreover they are damaging ecosystems, not only on a global, but also on a local level.
In 2005, the European Commission proposed the “Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” with the purpose of separating economic growth from the deterioration of the environment thanks to a more sustainable use of resources and the reduction of impacts on the environment.

The ecological footprint conveys particularly effectively the concept of carrying capacity, making the connection between the consumption of natural resources and their capacity for regeneration.

Through this perspective the Park wishes to become involved in this sector with the “The Ecological Footprint & Co. Project: an Integrated Programme of Actions for the Sustainable Use of Resources”.

The aim of his initiative, partially financed by the PAT, is to define useful land use strategies which will promotion of the territory of the Park and valorise local economies.

Links on the ecological footprint

Living Report WWF : The Living Planet Report is a document published every two years by the WWF. It analyses the state of health of the planet. This report calculates the Living Planet Index which evaluates the riches of life on Earth. In the past few years the calculation of the ecological footprint and the water footprint have been added to that of the living planet index.

Global Footprint Network : the Global Footprint Network (GFN) consists of a group of researchers whose aim is to spread the concept of the ecological footprint throughout the world,especially inside institutions, in order to put an end to the overexploitation of natural resources and to bring our economy back on the track of sustainable development.

(source: www.parcopan.org )

For more information:
www.parcopan.org