The ecological footprint is one of the most prominent tools used to measure environmental sustainability, and its rise in academic and policy debates since the early 1990s has been remarkable. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, the authors critically examine the claims made of the Ecological Footprint and how it has been applied in practice.Offering an up-to-date account, this book provides a unique insight into the ways in which environmental knowledge is used within organizations, and how it is able to carry authority in policy making processes. It further discusses the changing status of the Ecological Footprint and the growth of other footprint tools, such as the Carbon Footprint.This book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying human geography, ecology, environmental science and urban studies. National and international policy makers concerned with developing sustainable strategies, measuring the environmental impact of key policy decisions and selecting indicators to measure progress towards sustainable development, will also find this to be a useful read.