Analysis of ecological footprint and capacity of Hebei Province for the year 2006

By using ecological footprint model and data on Hebei Province for 2006, the ecological footprint, production and ecological capacity of the province were calculated. From the study, per-capita ecological capacity, ecological footprint, production footprint, ecological deficit and ecological footprint intensity of the province are estimated to be 0.468 3 ghm², 2.189 7 ghm², 3.436 3 ghm², 1.721 4 ghm², 4.675 8 respectively. Ecological footprint diversity indexes on the basis of ecological footprint and ecological capacity for Hebei Province are respectively 0.837 4 and 0.988 0. Also social development indexes based on ecological footprint and ecological capacity for the study area are 1.833 8 and 0.462 7 respectively. Ecological footprint for 104 yuan GDP is 1.290 9 ghm². Ecological trade deficit and ecological overshot in the region are respectively -1.246 6 ghm² and 2.794 3 ghm². The findings suggest that the ecological and socio-economic systems of Hebei Province are under ecological overshot and deficit, meaning that current development strategies in the province are unsustainable. Inner industrial structures must be adjusted and new energy consumption mechanisms developed for the realization of ecological sustainability and healthy economy.