Namibia lives at the expense of the earth from today

Namibia has reached its 'Overshoot Day' today. This is according to an annual overview compiled by the Global Footprint Network organisation. From 1 January until today, Namibia has lived sustainably. From today until the end of the year, the country will consume natural resources that will no longer be regenerated this year.

In order to be able to compare all countries despite unequal resources, the calculation of the 'Country Overshoot Days' refers to the resources of the entire earth. Using Namibia as an example, this means in concrete terms: If every citizen of the world lived like the average Namibian, the earth's naturally renewable resources would be used up today.

After all, Namibia is above average in the (s)hit list of sustainability. The global 'Earth Overshoot Day' was already reached on 1 August. Incidentally, one day earlier than last year (2 August), while Namibia kept its day (19 August).

The mining industry, Namibia's strongest economic sector, is likely to be particularly affected. Tourism, on the other hand, is very focussed on sustainability, as the EcoAwards Namibia initiative shows.

Qatar at the bottom of the sustainability table

The citizens of Qatar (11.02.) are the most overexploitative of natural resources, although they appear to be improving (2023: 10.02.). Places 2 to 5: Luxembourg (20.02. / 14.02.), United Arab Emirates (4.03. / 13.03.), USA (14.03. / 13.03.) and Canada (15.03. / 13.03.).

The most sustainable top 5 have all deteriorated considerably compared to 2023: Ecuador (24 Nov / 6 Dec) and Indonesia (24 Nov / 3 Dec), Iraq (15 Nov / 24 Nov), Jamaica (12 Nov / 20 Dec) and Guatemala (18 Oct / 14 Nov).

As global citizens, Germans consume a year's worth of resources on 2 May. That was two days earlier than 2023 (4 May), but still much later than the Austrians (7 April / 6 April). The French will follow on 7 May (5 May), the Italians on 19 May (15 May), the Swiss on 27 May (13 May) and the British on 3 June (19 May).

Global Footprint Network always publishes its Earth and Country Overshoot Overviews at the beginning of the year. The calculations are based on data from the previous year. Partners are renowned research institutes worldwide.

Sven-Eric Stender