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An Axiomatic Characterization of a Generalized Ecological Footprint

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Kuhn

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Chemnitz University of Technology)

  • Radomir Pestow

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Chemnitz University of Technology)

  • Anja Zenker

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Chemnitz University of Technology)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose an axiomatic characterization of ecological footprint indices. Using an axiomatic approach, we de?ne a set of axioms to represent the properties considered appropriate to ecological footprint measures in general. It can be shown that there exists a generalized index which is unique up to a strictly increasing function of the world land area appropriated to satisfy human needs. As an implication, the well-known compound-based footprint index used by the Global Footprint Network can be characterized as a speci?cation of the generalized index, only if proportionality in world land area use is additionally assumed and the norm is arbitrarily ?xed, in terms of global hectares. Instead, we ?nd that the applied methodology of normalization and standardization in the aggregation procedure of footprint indices is completely dispensible. In this respect, the proposition of generalized and axiomatically characterized indices for the measurement of the ecological footprint of human activity may be considered as the main contribution of the paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Kuhn & Radomir Pestow & Anja Zenker, 2019. "An Axiomatic Characterization of a Generalized Ecological Footprint," Chemnitz Economic Papers 033, Department of Economics, Chemnitz University of Technology, revised Aug 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:tch:wpaper:cep033
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    File URL: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/wirtschaft/vwl1/RePEc/download/tch/wpaper/CEP033_Generalized_Footprint.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Andrew Ferguson, 1999. "The Logical Foundations of Ecological Footprints," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 149-156, June.
    4. Wackernagel, Mathis & Onisto, Larry & Bello, Patricia & Callejas Linares, Alejandro & Susana Lopez Falfan, Ina & Mendez Garcia, Jesus & Isabel Suarez Guerrero, Ana & Guadalupe Suarez Guerrero, Ma., 1999. "National natural capital accounting with the ecological footprint concept," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 375-390, June.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ecological Footprint Index; Axiomatic Foundation; Measurement Theory; Overshoot Day; Sustainable Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation

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