Improved Ecological Footprint Model and Its Application in Assessment of Regional Sustainability

Ecological footprint model, brought forward by Rees and Wackernagel, is an important and effective way to measure sustainability. Its validity is recognized in measuring global sustainability and regional equity. But it is faulty to be used in evaluating regional sustainability for that the ecological footprint theory is based on global ecosystem and there is footprint outflow in interregional transportation of natural resource. Introducing consumptive ecological footprint and productive ecological footprint may help to solve the problem, for the latter can be taken as the, indicator of regional sustainability. The study engages in calculation of productive ecological footprint, consumptive ecological footprint and available bio-capacity per capita claimed of Jinin, one typical coal-mining city. Comparison among those three indicators demonstrated that Jining city run with an unsustainable way, which is not only due to ecological occupancy of itself but also for more outflow of ecological footprint. Therefore regions whose development relies on input of mineral, resources should bear responsibilities of ecological restoration in producing area.