Mathis Wackernagel

Founder, President, Global Footprint Network

Skoll Awardee

Biography

Mathis Wackernagel co-created the Ecological Footprint in the early 1990s with his Ph.D. advisor Prof. Rees at the University of British Columbia. Now he is President of Global Footprint Network (www.footprintnetwork.org) which he founded in 2003 with Susan Burns. Together with its partners, Global Footprint Network focuses on bringing about a sustainable human economy in which all can thrive within the means of our one planet. Since 2003 this international think-tank has engaged with more than 50 nations, 30 cities, and 70 global partners to deliver scientific insights for policy and investment decisions. With their annual Earth Overshoot Day (www.overshootday.org), they annually reach over 4 billion media impressions. Mathis’ awards include the 2018 World Sustainability Award, the 2015 IAIA Global Environment Award, the 2012 Blue Planet Prize, the 2012 Binding-Prize for Nature Conservation, the 2012 Kenneth E. Boulding Memorial Award, the 2011 Zayed International Prize for the Environment, an honorary doctorate from the University of Berne, and the 2007 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.