Earth Overshoot Day:
The day we break the planet’s budget
Imagine living off borrowing from August to December. That’s essentially what happens every year on Earth Overshoot Day, which is when humans’ demand for ecological resources exceeds what the planet can regenerate in a year. From this point onwards we’re in environmental debt, as we borrow from the future to fuel the present. How did we get here, and how do we change course before the environmental crash?
Richard Dowling, allmanhall’s Sustainability Manager, explores what this means for us…
What is Earth Overshoot Day?
Earth Overshoot Day is an annual event that marks when humans have used up the volume of ecological resources, or natural capital, that the Earth can generate in a single year. Natural capital refers to the planet’s stocks of resources which generate naturally, including forests, water, air, soil, fossil fuels, and biodiversity
The Global Footprint Network, which is an independent, non-profit think tank, came up with the idea of Earth Overshoot Day. They collaborate with over 80 well-renowned organisations, including WWF and UNEP, while they also regularly publish sustainability material to raise awareness of humanity’s unsustainable consumption patterns. From Earth Overshoot Day onwards each year, humanity is in an ecological deficit as we use up the Earth’s resources and emit greenhouse gas emissions.
When is Earth Overshoot Day?
The date Earth Overshoot Day lands on each year generally changes, as the rate at which we use resources continues to increase. Because of this, the Global Footprint Network announces the date on June 5th of each year, which also coincides with World Environment Day. The calculation entails dividing the Earth’s biocapacity (what the planet can provide) by humanity’s ecological footprint (what we consume), before multiplying that figure by 365 (the number of days in a year).
Back in 1973, Earth Overshoot Day occurred on 27 December, which means that we were not far away from a resource surplus. However, the date falls on 24 July in 2025, which is one week earlier than 2024. The figure below from the Global Footprint Network displays how the Earth Overshoot Day has arrived earlier and earlier over the last 50 years
This isn’t surprising given that our rate of resource extraction is more than three times higher than it was in the 1970s, and fossil fuel use has increased by 45%.
Notably, the extraction and processing of fuels, materials, and food is particularly resource intensive, accounting for over half of global emissions and over 90% of our biodiversity loss. allmanhall has previously explored the dangers of the decline in biodiversity and ecosystem service provision, including the loss of clean air, fresh water, stable food systems, and a habitable climate.
This is a reminder of how unsustainable our consumption patterns are, and that we have no choice but to use less resources and consume more sustainably. If we don’t start planning a controlled transition to a sustainable economy now, then nature will force us into chaotic, involuntary change as ecosystems start to collapse. Environmental systems are deeply interconnected; crossing just a few critical thresholds could trigger severe and lasting economic consequences.
The bigger picture: planetary boundaries
The planetary boundaries framework is often used to help explain the extent of each of our environmental problems, as well as how they are all connected. A good example is that of climate change, as the rate at which we are currently emitting greenhouse gas emissions has us in a situation that is outside the safe operating space for humanity. As the figure below shows, we’re currently transgressing six of the nine boundaries to varying extents.
While this is an alarming situation, some comfort can be taken from the fact that three of the boundaries haven’t been transgressed yet. In particular, the Montreal Protocol represents a rare example of an international agreement relating to the environment that has been successful, given current rates of stratospheric ozone depletion.
Ozone depletion used to be a substantial environmental problem, due to historical use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol products like hairspray, cleaning products, and deodorants. The Montreal Protocol phased out the use of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances, which has resulted in the recovery of the ozone layer.
Similar levels of legislative success will be needed to make progress across all planetary boundaries.
A global issue with unequal footprints
The Global Footprint Network has also calculated overshoot days for individual countries to illustrate differing ecological footprints. Some notable examples include:
• Qatar: 6 February
• United States: 13 March
• United Kingdom: 20 May
• Uruguay (the best performing country): 17 December
This essentially means that if everyone on Earth lived like the average Qatari citizen, the planet’s annual resources would be exhausted by the start of February.
This contrasts significantly with Uruguay, who are the best performing country, largely due to 98% of their electricity grid being powered by renewable sources. The UK is attempting to follow suit here with the new Government’s 2030 power sector decarbonisation target. In addition to being a pre-requisite for a net zero economy, power sector decarbonisation is also essential for national security and to escape volatile fossil fuel markets.
These country comparisons are a useful way to understand the differing consumption rates, and although there are also other factors at play, the general trend is that wealthier countries have higher resource footprints. Notably, research has suggested that no country meets the basic needs of its citizens, including food security, at a sustainable level of resource use.
Rethinking growth and consumption
Research shows that while it’s often challenging to engage wealthier countries and households, it’s essential for them to reduce their resource use if we want to maintain a stable global economy. This is especially important in the food and services sectors, where cutting back consumption of the top 10 20% could lead to substantial environmental improvements. A big part of the solution involves rethinking our values and behaviours, as well as recognising that a growing GDP doesn’t always mean people are happier or better off.
Although technology and efficiency improvements have a role to play, attempting to rely on them alone without consumption changes is unlikely to be successful. In fact, history shows that technological progress often leads to more consumption which cancels out the benefits of efficiency. This is a phenomenon called the rebound effect, and relying solely on technological innovation would be complacent. What we really need is more open discussion about these issues, especially since it’s unlikely we can keep growing the economy without also using more resources.
What can you do to consume more sustainably?
Although systemic change is necessary, our individual consumption choices can start to create the level of change we need to see. Here are a few ways to reduce your ecological footprint:
• Choose low-impact transport like walking, cycling, or public transport
• Eat less meat and dairy
• Conserve water and energy
• Choose products with lower carbon and ecological footprints
The Global Footprint Network also offers a tool to help you calculate your own ecological footprint, which provides great suggestions for living more sustainably. This is worth sharing with friends and family, given that those who are aware of our environmental and economic problems are far more likely to make sustainable consumption choices
Living within our means is not just important financially. If we continue to increase the planet’s ecological deficit, then nature will inevitably collect its debt.
As an EcoVadis Gold-rated food procurement company, allmanhall is well-placed to help catering teams and food service operations make a real difference by aligning with legislation and sustainability goals to reduce your ecological footprint at an organisational level.
Our sustainability team can offer guidance on ingredient sourcing with our sustainability dashboards, menu planning with The Brighter Burger and our plant-based Hero Recipes, as well as food waste reduction. All of this goes a long way towards helping to reduce your ecological footprint.
Please do contact us if you need support achieving your sustainability goals.