The Ecological Footprint of Mediterranean cities: Awareness creation and policy implications

Mediterranean cities, particularly Valletta, Athens, and Genoa, exhibit significantly higher per capita Ecological Footprints (EF) than their national averages, with Valletta leading at 5.3 global hectares (gha) per person. This study introduces a top-down MRIO-based model to consistently track EF across 19 Mediterranean cities, revealing food consumption as the primary driver in southern cities and transportation in northern ones. Unlike previous fragmented assessments, this approach ensures comparability, highlighting socio-economic factors like disposable income and infrastructure as key influencers. The findings underscore the resource demands of urban areas and offer actionable insights for sustainability policies, aiming to reinforce public achievements while addressing ecological challenges.

Baabou, W., Grunewald, N., Ouellet-Plamondon, C., Gressot, M., & Galli, A. (2017). The Ecological Footprint of Mediterranean cities: Awareness creation and policy implications. Environmental Science & Policy, 69, 94–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2016.12.013