footprinting

English

Etymology

footprint +‎ -ing

Noun

footprinting (uncountable)

1. Any of several techniques for the identification of a member of a class of things, based on some distinguishing feature.
2. Assessment of the ecological impact of human activities.
   • 2020 June 19, Thomas Wiedmann, Manfred Lenzen, Lorenz T. Keyßer, Julia K. Steinberger, “Scientists’ warning on affluence”, in Nature Communications, volume 11, number 3107, →DOI:

     We review and summarise those studies that holistically assess the impact of human activities, in the sense that impacts are not restricted to the home, city, or territory of the individuals, but instead are counted irrespective of where they occur. Such an assessment perspective is usually referred to as consumption-based accounting, or footprinting.