5 easy ways to cut your travel carbon footprint
From switching to a greener mode of transport to eating local produce, here’s how to tread a little lighter on your travels – while still having fun.
In 2018, a study revealed that the global tourism industry might have a bigger carbon footprint than we first thought. Tourism is responsible for 8% of total carbon emissions worldwide, according to the report conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney and published in the journal Nature Climate Change. That’s around three times higher than initially estimated.
Which is bad news for climate-conscious travelers. As pressure mounts on corporations and governments to reduce their emissions, and recent headlines about the Amazon wildfires leave us in shock, many of us are trying to reduce our personal carbon footprint. While some have gone as far as vowing not to fly for a year or committing themselves to only traveling within their own country, these options aren’t feasible for everyone.
Fortunately, not all holidays were created equal. From how much you pack to what you eat, every action has the potential to lighten your load on the planet – plus, you might even save money and challenge yourself to new experiences along the way.
1. Opt for a sustainable destination
When it comes to planning your next holiday, the destination is the first thing to consider – bear in mind that the further you travel, the higher your carbon footprint will be. Yet traveling closer to home might just open you up to the treasures that can be found on your doorstep.
If your heart’s set on distant shores, it’s still possible to be green. In March 2019, sustainable tourism foundation Green Destinations named the ‘World’s Top 100 Sustainable Destinations’, awarding for various categories. Factors like combating climate change, protecting natural habitats and avoiding mass tourism were considered when creating the rankings.
Ljubljana, Slovenia took home the ‘Best of Cities’ award while Portugal was recognized as the ‘Best of Europe’. The little-known Republic of Guyana in South America was awarded ‘Best in Ecotourism’, while Palau, an island in the western Pacific, ranked top overall. Although making climate-conscious decisions when you’re out there will go a long way, choosing a sustainable destination might make it easier to do so.
2. Explore eco-friendly transport options
Now you’ve decided where to go, how best to get there? Unless you’re going to take a leaf out of Greta Thunberg’s book (No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference) and hop on a zero-carbon yacht, your options probably come down to the following: train, bus, ferry, car or plane.
As a rule of thumb, if you can avoid flying, do. For those traveling in Europe, Eurostar is your friend. The super-speedy train service has an online calculator showing how much greener it is: for example, by taking the train rather than plane on a return trip from London to Paris, you’ll cut your emissions by 90%. But it’s not just for city breaks. Eurostar has added top ski resorts like Val Thorens, Val d'Isère and Méribel to its offering this winter, while rural gems like Aix-en-Provence in France are a short bus ride from Eurostar stops like Marseille.
In North America, bus travel is both sustainable and inexpensive. Greyhound buses serve 2,400 destinations across the continent, 1,100 of which are in Canada. By traveling on a bus, you’ll reduce your emissions by 85% compared to using a car and 77% compared to flying. What’s more, you’ll be left with more spending money when you get there.
While bus travel is hardly the quickest way to get around, it can be rewarding. Rather than zooming over entire countries at thousands of miles an hour, you can take in gradual changes in the landscape, and might even catch some stunning sunrises and sunsets along the way.
3. If you really must fly…
Sometimes flying is unavoidable. As a general rule, the further you fly, the longer you should spend at your destination. Choose direct flights where possible, since planes burn the most fuel during take-off, so you’ll cut your emissions by taking one flight instead of two. Traveling in economy class and taking less luggage will also help reduce your carbon footprint.
Your choice of airline may make a difference, too. The Airline Index 2018, created by environmental group Atmosfair, compares the energy efficiency of different airlines. The top performers included TUI Airways, LATAM Brazil, Japan Airlines and Air France. At the other end of the spectrum, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways ranked worst.
Carbon offsetting is another option to consider. This is where you donate to projects that take carbon out of the atmosphere – such as tree planting or renewable energy – therefore ‘offsetting’ your carbon footprint. It’s a booming industry, with 4.8 million tons of carbon offset last year, according to conservation finance company Forest Trends.
Yet it’s a controversial topic. On one hand, some campaigners argue that offsetting sends the message that people can ‘buy’ their way out of their carbon footprint, rather than reducing it. What’s more, certain schemes like tree-planting, especially on a larger scale, can end up having more pros than cons – such as displacing communities.
On the other hand, smaller-scale projects run by independently verified organizations can be extremely effective. For example Gold Standard, a carbon offset site established by the WWF and other NGOs, runs a number of projects which are subjected to rigorous third-party monitoring and verification – so they’re proven to be sustainable. These include biomass power development in India, installing fuel efficient cooking stoves in Rwanda or forest regeneration in Ethiopia.
The upshot? If you’re willing to do your research and put your money into a good offsetting scheme, it’s definitely worth it.
4. Lay your head down at a green hotel
According to research by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the accommodation sector accounts for around one-fifth of emissions from tourism. With heating and air conditioning, pools, restaurants and bars all contributing to emissions, it’s clear that the perks many of us take for granted are having an impact on the planet.
Fortunately, many hotels are now prioritizing sustainability – without compromising on luxury. Try searching for accommodation on Green Pearls, a platform that partners with eco-friendly hotels which prioritize hospitality, authentic local experiences, ecological awareness and the ability to participate in green projects.
If you’re on a smaller budget, don’t fret. Hotel search engine Ecobnb has you covered with its range of green options, with everything from tree houses to carbon-neutral mountain retreats and rustic farmhouses on offer. Ecobnb estimates that, on average, you’ll save 8kg of carbon dioxide, 295 trees and 302 liters of water each day simply by staying at one of its resorts.
However, exercise caution when looking for eco accommodation. Unfortunately, greenwashing is a common phenomenon, where brands capitalize on growing demand for sustainability by labeling themselves as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘low-impact’, ‘green’ and the like – without actually putting any sustainable initiatives in place.
The best way to avoid falling victim to greenwashing is by doing your research. Does the hotel use renewable energy, serve local food or run any energy-efficient schemes? Does it partner with the local community? As a rule of thumb, opt for smaller-scale resorts, which tend to have a smaller impact on the surroundings.
5. Eat like a local
As any foodie traveler will tell you, gorging on local delicacies can be the best part of a trip. Not only does the produce taste amazing – whether Cypriot halloumi, Japanese sushi prepared with freshly caught fish or locally-grown Italian tomatoes – eating local is better for the planet.
Generally speaking, the fewer food miles your dinner travels, the lower its carbon footprint. When dining out, look for smaller, independent restaurants which are frequented by locals – TripAdvisor will come in handy. If you’re eating in, head to local markets and independent shops and try to scout out produce that’s in season before succumbing to the supermarkets.
Another way to reduce your food’s footprint is by cutting down on meat. Cutting meat and dairy can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by 73%, according to a 2018 study by researchers at the University of Oxford. But even if you’re not veggie or vegan, having a few meat-free meals during your holiday will make a difference. Resources like happycow allow you to find veggie and vegan restaurants in 180 countries across the world, as well as showing those that have meat-free options.
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