Reducing Your Carbon Footprint as You Travel
Author: Annie Button, Freelance Writer
Read time: 5 minutes
Flooglebinder are travel experts and a certified B Corporation with tour experience in over 75 countries. We curate sustainable bespoke adventures that incorporate sustainability, conservation and wellness. As a BCorp organisation we use business as a force for good, meet the highest standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency, whilst tracking and monitoring our social and environmental impact.
For the intrepid traveller with a passion for adventure, there is no better way to awaken the senses and the soul than by taking a foreign excursion.
“all we have to do is be a bit more resourceful in our emissions and take a more considered approach”
How can keen explorers of the world satisfy their travel cravings while treading lightly on a planet we so desperately need to protect? Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but all the long drives, long-haul flights and luxury resorts come at a cumulative environmental cost that’s hard to offset responsibly. The tourism industry itself is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions, which is hard to ignore.
However, with some smart eco-friendly changes and tweaks to our habits, we can still travel responsibly and sustainably without compromising the quality of our trips.
Travel in More Environmentally-Conscious Ways
As travellers, we have a duty now to be more mindful of our carbon footprint and cutting our carbon emissions further seems quite daunting to some. However, it is easier to accomplish than you might think. It doesn’t mean we have to abstain from travelling ever again - far from it. Tourism is a thriving industry in many countries (contributing 7.6% to global GDP in 2022) so it brings plenty of economic and social benefits to both the country and traveller; all we have to do is be a bit more resourceful in our emissions and take a more considered approach.
For many of us, adopting sustainable travel practices has almost become second nature at times; we’re all capable of bringing reusable water bottles, turning off lights when not in rooms, and being sensible with our use of air conditioning units. Many of us know the problem of e-waste and why it’s important to invest in cameras from a company committed to recirculating materials. You can document your travels and not put any equipment to waste.
Here are some practical tips for being more sustainable as you embark on your next trip.
Go Easy on Your Luggage
An easy way to reduce emissions is to pack lighter. The heavier your luggage, the more weight that the plane or vehicle has to carry, and thus, more fuel is used. Whatever your trip, whether it’s a holiday or a part-time overseas working excursion, make sure to be smart when it comes to packing clothing, accessories and necessities. As far as clothing is concerned, consider choosing versatile items that can function as both work attire and leisurewear.
If you’re taking a shorter trip, give yourself the target of trying to take carry-on luggage only and avoid checking baggage altogether. It’s been suggested that, as an example, CO2 emissions could decrease by 7,257kgs if 200 passengers took carry-on baggage only (SustainableTravel.org).
Avoid Plastic As You Pack
Look for small solutions and alternatives to plastic before you embark on your travels and when you’re away. Reducing your plastic use requires making conscious choices even before you leave but by implementing simple yet impactful changes, you can make a real difference. Consider embracing plastic alternatives by buying reusable travel items like steel water bottles, refillable cosmetic bottles and non-plastic containers. If you avoid any single-use items your efforts can help to combat plastic usage.
“make sure to be smart when it comes to packing clothing, accessories and necessities”
Take Public Transport
The idea of driving across destinations far away from home doesn’t appeal to everyone, which is why it’s reassuring to know that taking public transport vehicles like buses, trams or trains is the more eco-friendly option. Many popular cities are heavily pedestrianised and offer convenient foot travel, so walking, cycling or taking electric scooters are also better options than getting taxis or driving a rental car.
Making your own way and taking public transport where necessary gives you the added advantage of witnessing the local culture more personally. If you are planning to document your travels through photos and videos, you can capture some stunning images of your surroundings without the added worry of managing a fuel-emitting car.
Make Your Food Choices More ‘Local’
When your insatiable appetite rears its head (for food, not travel), try to spare a thought for your environmental choices rather than convenience.
Try to eat at restaurants, brasseries and bars that source ingredients from farms in the local or region; in turn, you will find the food will generally be fresher and tastier. Doing this creates more of a demand for local produce and reduces the carbon footprint required to transport ingredients and products over longer distances.
If you’re going to be in self-catering accommodation, allow yourself time to explore local food markets, stalls and shops, as this will support the local economy and also broaden your horizons to fresh, local cuisines, recipes, and culinary traditions. As a general rule of thumb, try to eat less meat and opt for more plant-based options, which offer greater environmental benefits and can still be delicious and nutritious.
“Turn off the lights, TV, and air conditioning or heating systems when you’re not in your room”
Conserve Resources
The issue of soaring utility bills has prompted many people to conserve energy at home, but while voyaging abroad, it’s your accommodation that shoulders this responsibility. It’s easy to be less concerned about energy usage while travelling as you aren’t footing the bill directly, however, every device you use has an environmental impact in some capacity.
Whether at home or abroad, you should follow some simple conservation tips when in your accommodation. Turn off the lights, TV, and air conditioning or heating systems when you’re not in your room. If you don’t plan on refrigerating any items during your stay, turn the unit off or unplug it completely.
Reuse towels and linen instead of getting them washed and changed every day, as the cleaning of the fabrics will utilise water and energy. By all means, get them changed, but consider extending your use by a few extra days. Similarly, while hotels want to create memorable customer experiences, you don’t need your room cleaned and vacuumed every day either. Reduce the amount of resources used for regular housekeeping as well.
Reconsider Your Flying Habits
It’s easy to shun the idea of flying altogether as a way to reduce travel emissions. However, it’s unavoidable, and what’s more, eliminating air travel completely would be detrimental to millions of jobs and the tourism industry as a whole. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider some viable alternatives.
If you are travelling to a destination that’s close to home, you may be able to conserve more resources by taking alternative travel than flights. Chartering buses, trains, or recreational vehicles may be more viable, eco-friendly alternatives, particularly if you’re travelling in large groups.
If you do travel by plane, one way to reduce your emissions is to book a direct, non-stop flight. These require less fuel than itineraries with one or more stops along the way, and it also eliminates the need for lengthy layovers in airports. Planes release the most carbon during landing and takeoff, so taking a longer flight over multiple shorter ones is technically more sustainable.
Donate to Carbon Offset Programmes
Air travel is still a particularly prevalent topic when discussing tourism, travel and carbon emissions. However, offsetting flight emissions is a way that many passionate individuals can make meaningful changes and take accountability for their carbon footprint.
If you can feasibly donate to offsetting programmes and organisations that calculate emissions from your trip and simultaneously invest in reforestation or renewable energy initiatives to counterbalance the impact, you will be making a huge difference. Even the smallest donations go a long way.
It’s no secret that travel enriches us culturally and broadens our horizons, but it also comes at an environmental cost. Follow the above guidance during your next trip to still reap all the benefits of a rewarding and rejuvenating trip while being more sustainable. The more frequently you can adopt the above habits as a conscious voyager, you will be able to explore the furthest corners of the world with complete peace of mind.
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