Abstract
In the face of growing challenges related to climate change, environmental degradation, and limited natural resources, the assessment of the environmental impact of various economic sectors is becoming increasingly important. Agriculture, as one of the key branches of food production, significantly contributes to environmental degradation, water resource consumption, and ecosystem transformation. In this context, the concepts of Environmental Footprint (EF) and Water Footprint (WF) are particularly important, serving as tools for the quantitative assessment of the pressure exerted by agricultural production on the environment. The environmental footprint encompasses various impact indicators, such as greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication, acidification, abiotic resource consumption, and biodiversity loss. The water footprint, on the other hand, focuses on quantifying freshwater use throughout the product life cycle, considering blue, green, and grey water. The combined use of these tools allows for a comprehensive analysis of the impact of agricultural practices on the natural environment and the identification of areas requiring improvement towards sustainable development. Consequently, they help shape environmental policies and sustainable resource management strategies. The aim of this article is to present current methods for assessing environmental and water footprints in agricultural production and to discuss the main factors influencing their values. The article also presents the current state of research in this field and practical examples of how these tools are applied in evaluating different farming systems.