In 2015, Earth Overshoot Day fell on 6 August, marking the point in the year when humanity had used up all the ecological resources the planet could regenerate that year.
By 2020, the date moved to 22 August, delayed due to the global slowdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this was a short-lived reprieve.
Fast forward to 2024, and Earth Overshoot Day shifted back to 1 August – a sign we were returning to pre-pandemic levels of overconsumption. And now, in 2025, we’ve hit a worrying new milestone: 24 July. That’s the earliest it’s fallen in years—clear evidence that our global resource use continues to spiral upward.
Why It Matters
Every day after 24 July, we are living beyond our ecological means – consuming more food, water, timber, and emitting more CO₂ than the Earth can sustainably provide or absorb.In 2025, humanity is using resources 1.8 times faster than the planet can regenerate them. That means we would need 1.8 Earths to support our current lifestyles sustainably.
What Does the Future Look Like?
If current trends continue:
- By 2030, Earth Overshoot Day could fall as early as June.
- By 2050, we may be using the equivalent of three Earths, with Overshoot Day potentially occurring in May—or even earlier.
This trajectory reflects a combination of population growth, rising consumption, and the slow adoption of sustainable practices. It paints a stark picture of what lies ahead unless meaningful change occurs now.
Is the UK Doing Any Better?
According to Earth Overshoot Day data:
- If everyone lived like the average person in the UK, Overshoot Day would fall on 20 May.
- If like the average person in Singapore, it would be 26 February.
- If like the average person in Uruguay, it would fall on 17 December—a remarkable contrast.
Why the Differences?
Singapore’s early Overshoot Day is driven by:
- Heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports,
- Energy-intensive industries,
- High consumption and international trade.
The UK performs better due to:
- A growing share of renewable energy in the electricity mix,
- Slightly more moderate consumption patterns.
Uruguay is a sustainability success story:
- Over 95% of electricity comes from renewables,
- Lower consumption levels per capita.
Who Are the Biggest Consumers?
These countries and regions top the list for global resource use:
- China
- United States
- European Union (incl. Germany, France, Italy, etc.)
- India
- Russia
- Japan
- Brazil
- Indonesia
The first three alone account for over half of global ecological consumption. By 2030 and 2050, China and India are expected to increase their share significantly, with Africa’s consumption also rising.
It’s sobering reading for anyone who cares about the direction of our planet.
What Can Be Done?
There is hope. These projections are not set in stone. We can #MoveTheDate by:
- Reducing individual and national carbon footprints,
- Scaling renewable energy,
- Investing in circular economies,
- Making sustainable choices around diet, transport, housing, and consumption.
Every business, government, and citizen has a part to play.
Take Action Today
Don’t let us allow Overshoot Day to come and go unnoticed. As an individual:
- Start by calculating your personal ecological footprint
- Switch to renewable energy providers
- Advocate for policy change
- Choose sustainable products and services
- Talk about it – awareness drives action
What Can Companies Do to Help Delay Overshoot Day?
- Reduce supply chain emissions – Cut carbon and resource use across sourcing, production, and distribution.
- Improve energy efficiency – Upgrade equipment, buildings, and operations to use less energy.
- Switch to renewable energy – Power offices, factories, and data centres with solar, wind, or other clean sources.
- Adopt circular economy practices – Design products for durability, reuse, repair, and recycling to minimise waste.
- Minimise waste – Reduce packaging, implement recycling programs, and avoid single-use materials.
- Report transparently – Share sustainability goals and progress openly to drive accountability and trust.
- Invest in green innovation – Develop new sustainable products, technologies, and services.
- Source responsibly – Choose suppliers who follow environmental and ethical standards.
- Align profit with purpose – Make sustainability part of their core business strategy—not just an add-on.
Together, we can secure a liveable future for all.
