## 3 Materials and Methods
### Ecological Footprint Dataset  
The Ecological Footprint data used in this study was obtained from the Global Footprint Network website [15]. From this database, the global hectares (gha) amount of total Ecological Footprint (EF) from 1961 to 2022 was acquired. The database provides distinct quantities for 184 countries regarding crop land, forest land, grazing land, fishing grounds, built-up land, and carbon components, presented in global hectares (gha). Figure 3 illustrates the worldwide Ecological Footprint amount formed by the proportions of these components. Figure 3: Distribution of total Ecological Footprint components worldwide by year (1961–2022). Figure 2: A conceptual framework for the forecasting of EF. Figure 3 highlights significant results by illustrating the overall proportion of EF components worldwide. Between 1961 and 2022, the carbon footprint constitutes more than 50% of the total EF, emerging as a significant component of the Ecological Footprint. Cropland, the second-largest contributor, follows the carbon footprint, and these components together shape a substantial portion of the overall EF, defining the general outlook of the Ecological Footprint. Additionally, it is observed that the built-up land component has a lower impact level compared to other components. This indicates that the contribution of construction and urban areas to the Ecological Footprint is lower than other components. Figure 3 improves the comprehension of environmental impacts by illustrating the relationships among the components of the Ecological Footprint from 1961 to 2022 and showcasing the sustainability performance of these components. The general information regarding the features that constitute the EF components in the dataset is provided below [16]:  
_Carbon_ is one of the six footprint components present in the dataset used in the study. Constituting approximately 55.7% of the total Ecological Footprint, it measures CO2 emissions resulting from fossil fuel usage. The carbon footprint reached its highest value in the year 2022 (12.456 billion gha), and upon examining 62 years of data (1961-2022), the average carbon footprint is observed to be 7.957 billion gha (global hectares). The continual increase in carbon footprint each year, reaching 12.456 billion gha in 2022, signals a concerning development in terms of environmental sustainability. Currently, the carbon footprint constitutes the most significant portion of humanity's overall Ecological Footprint. These elevated values reflect the rising use of fossil fuels and associated CO2 emissions [17]. The intensive use of fossil fuels can worsen problems like global warming, climate change, and environmental imbalance [18]. _Crop Land_ comprises approximately 19% of the total worldwide EF between 1961 and 2022. The average cropland footprint over 62 years is approximately 2.72 billion gha. Crop Land, representing agricultural land, significantly influences the determination of the carbon footprint and contributes to carbon emissions. This agricultural land supports food production for human consumption, animal feed, oilseeds, and other agricultural products [19]. Soil cultivation, alteration of vegetation cover, and agricultural practices result in the release of carbon into the atmosphere [20]. Therefore, cropland is a component considered in carbon footprint calculations and emphasizes the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. The management of this area focuses on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing soil carbon, contributing to environmental sustainability. _Grazing Land_ is an area used for raising animals for meat, milk, leather, and wool products. The Ecological Footprint of this category is calculated by comparing the amount of animal feed in a country to the total feed required for all animals in that year. It is assumed that the remaining demand for animal feed comes from grazing land [21; 22].