The ecological footprint is calculated by taking into account the waste generated during and after the use of natural resources, ensuring that it is disposed of in a way that does not harm the environment. Earth Overshoot Day is determined by dividing the planet’s natural resource capacity by the ecological footprint and multiplying the result by the number of days in the year.

The Global Footprint Network (GFN) measures how much of Earth’s annual natural resources humanity consumes each year and announces that year’s Earth Overshoot Day.

Each country’s individual overshoot day is calculated separately based on national levels of resource consumption. According to GFN data, developed countries reach their overshoot day earlier in the year compared to developing or least-developed countries.

The first global overshoot was recorded in 1971, when humanity had already consumed the year’s natural resources by 25 December. With the exception of 2020, when a decline in resource use was observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global overshoot day has occurred earlier each year compared to the previous one.

As of 2023, Earth Overshoot Day fell on 2 August, while Türkiye consumed its natural resources earlier, on 22 June.