With the deepening study of sustainable development,the theory of ecological footprint(EF) has become a focus in the quantitative research of it.As a methodology for micro-analysis of EF,the component-based EF(CEF) can be used to estimate the consumption degree of resources in micro-units conveniently and visually,so as provide the theoretical foundation for the formulation of sustainable development strategy.In this thesis,the basic concept,way of classification,methodology,advantages and shortcomings of the CEF will be stated. Meanwhile,the difficulty in acquiring data and equivalences in China should be considered too.It is indicated that ecological footprint theory and component-based methodology will be wildely used in future.