Research Progress and Model Modification of Ecological Footprint

Ecological footprint model is an important and effective way to measure sustainability,which based on the results of many ecological-economic studies in the 1970s.However,due to its inherent weakness,such as partial to ecological index,static state of ecological footprint calculation,partial to items of calculation,and failure to provide a cohesive analytical tool for sustainability management,many foreign scholars modified ecological footprint model according to its shortcomings.Today,overseas study on the ecological footprint model focus on nine research fields,namely,ecological footprints relating to different food consumption patterns,ecological footprints associated with different household income and spending,ecological footprints of international trade,ecological footprints exchange relief international debts,ecologically unequal exchange in trade activities,ecological footprints of circular economy,ecological footprints of energy supplies,ecological footprints by national economy progress,ecological footprints of passenger and commodities transportation systems,ecological footprints of special industries.Base on the review of the latest achievements and frontiers of overseas study,this paper suggests that the further research of ecological footprint model should be strengthened in four aspects: 1) calculation of time series ecological footprint and exploration of the relation between the ecological footprint and sustainable development;2) comparison of different dimensions of ecological footprint among regions;3) expansion of the application of ecological footprint in environmental,social and economic fields;4) modification and improvement of the ecological footprint model in China.