Earth Overshoot Day
Earth Overshoot Day marks the point in the year when humanity has consumed all the natural resources that the Earth can regenerate within that year. From this day onward, our resource consumption exceeds the planet’s ecological capacity.
Earth Overshoot Day is calculated each year by the Global Footprint Network. The calculation is based on the comparison of two key indicators:
- Earth’s biocapacity – the ability of soils, forests, oceans, and other ecosystems to regenerate natural resources
- Humanity’s ecological footprint – the global consumption of resources through food, energy, consumption, and mobility
When is Earth Overshoot Day 2025?
The earlier Earth Overshoot Day falls within a year, the more severely humanity is overusing the planet’s natural resources. In Germany, this day is projected to fall as early as May 3rd in 2025. If the entire global population consumed at the same rate as Germany, the Earth’s renewable resources for the entire year would already be depleted by this date.
What can companies do?
- Measure and reduce CO₂ emissions – for example, through PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) and CCF (Corporate Carbon Footprint) analyses
- Set science-based climate targets – e.g. aligned with SBTi criteria
- Increase energy efficiency – across production, processes, and infrastructure
- Evaluate the supply chain – using primary data and environmental indicators
- Promote circular solutions – through recyclable products and materials
Earth Overshoot Day highlights the urgent need for companies to develop resource-efficient and future-ready business models. Especially in the context of sustainability reporting, climate strategies, and decarbonization goals, it underlines the importance of rethinking traditional approaches. It also symbolizes key areas of action such as Scope 3 reduction, circular economy, sustainable supply chain management, and science-based climate targets.
