Travel wiser: A beginner’s guide to sustainable travel

It’s a sentiment that many experts within the travel sector agree on. If we are to continue enjoying this extraordinary world around us, both travellers and the travel industry, must adapt to be more sustainable in actions and infrastructure. The message from Intrepid Travel and The Future Laboratory’s A Sustainable Future For Travel recent report supports this. It reads: “At this pivotal moment in climate history, lack of action from the travel industry will see catastrophic and fatal trends continue to develop… If there is a lack of action to tackle the climate crisis, by 2040 many of the world’s favourite destinations will be forced to go virtual.”

While a lot of emphasis relies on transformative measures within the industry, there is a powerful voice that can also support positive change – the voice of the traveller.

Rather than centring our own narrative, sustainable travel means considering the needs of the environment and people, alongside our holiday (Alamy)

There are many buzzwords associated with travelling considerately. However, the meaning behind these phrases is similar. It is about travelling in way that doesn’t negatively impact the climate and environment, as well as the communities and people we visit. For many years, the emphasis around sustainable travel was based on reducing plastic pollution, respecting wildlife by not visiting establishments that use animals for entertainment, not adding to over-touristed regions, and being considerate of different cultures. While all of those are still important, there is now the even more pressing issue of a fast-changing climate. Coupled with a growing privatised market that means communities aren’t benefitting from tourism as they should, change is needed more than ever.

To do this, we need to re-envision how we see travel. Rather than centring our own narrative, we can consider the needs of our hosts and the planet alongside our hopes for a fun-filled holiday. All it takes is a little thoughtful planning.

Saving long-haul travel for a less regular treat and enjoying short-haul or domestic breaks that are accessible by train or ferry can reduce your carbon footprint dramatically (Alamy)

The most powerful way you can make a difference when travelling is to reduce your carbon footprint. Wherever you choose to go, your transport will likely account for the majority of your CO₂emissions. By simple maths, that means travelling shorter distances and in a way that uses less fuel will make a big difference.

If you travel often, contemplate swapping long-haul air travel for short-haul or domestic breaks that are accessible by train or ferry. Perhaps even plan a holiday where you can get around on foot or by bicycle. Saving long-haul travel for a less regular treat will not only make that big trip feel all the more special, but it will allow you to explore the wonderful places on your doorstep while also significantly reducing your carbon footprint.

Travelling off peak means avoiding crowds, lower hotel rates – and you’ll be contributing to a more secure tourism economy (Alamy)

If you’re not restrained by school holidays, travelling out of peak season can be a more enriching experience for everyone involved. Firstly, you’ll avoid the crowds at popular sights – allowing you to fully enjoy the atmosphere. Secondly, hotel rates, food prices and activity fees often drop in shoulder and low seasons – so you’ll be spending less. For local people who work in tourism, who tend to be seasonal workers, income outside of busy periods is much valued and needed. By travelling outside of those peak times, you will be helping to create a year-round tourism economy.

If you do fly, help to compensate your carbon footprint by supporting and experiencing local regenerative initiatives (Alamy)

Did you know that, according to pre-pandemic reports, only an estimated 6-7% of the world travel on an airplane? Even more surprising is that approximately 2% of the world’s eight billion people travel regularly. If you do fly, consider these simple things: Firstly, take offs and landings emit the most emissions, so you can reduce your impact by flying direct. Keep track of your carbon footprint by measuring your flight emissions through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) carbon calculator. It’s a humbling task and might encourage you to reduce emissions when you can.

Staying for longer will make the most of the return flights. In addition, you can support a local regenerative initiative while there – one that puts money to wildlife protection, nature conservation and rewilding projects while also giving you an experience to remember. A little research before you go can shine a light on the projects worth backing, or a reliable tour operator can offer suggestions. Likewise, community projects can greatly benefit from your support.

Regular fliers could also think about shifting habits at home, such as eating less meat and using less heating during the winter months where possible. These changes will also work to lower your carbon footprint in the here and now, and matter greatly.

Stopping off along the way and introducing more than one destination to your journey will bring a far more adventure (Alamy)

It’s time to bring back that old phrase, ‘It’s not destination but the journey that matters’. This couldn’t be truer today. While it can take a few more days, your emissions will reduce greatly. Travelling overland is most effective when journeying within the UK and Europe. Domestic train travel in Britain is said to produce around six times less emissions than air travel. Taking the bus emits nine times less. Similarly, a direct Eurostar adventure from London’s St. Pancras Station to Paris’ Gare Du Nord produces 90 per cent less carbon than the equivalent plane journey – and removes the hassle of getting to the airport three hours in advance to deal with check-in and security queues. Travelling within Europe has also never been more efficient – with many of the train mainland services, including sleeper trains, being electric and running on time.

Pre-book your ticket and you simply need to be on the platform 30 minutes to an hour before your departure. Opting to stop off along the way to break up the journey and introduce more destinations will bring a far more adventure and excitement to any trip. The benefits really are truly inspiring.

Opting for community-owned accommodation over all-inclusive resorts and chain hotels means your hard-earned money goes to the community (Alamy)

Another impactful way to be more sustainable is to stay in community-owned accommodation over large resorts and chain hotels. It means your hard-earned money is going back to the people who are hosting you and need it most. Plus, such boutique hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and homestays tend to be more conscious of their environmental footprint – meaning there is likely to be measures in place to ensure energy is saved, consumables are sourced locally and food waste is minimal.

That, of course, doesn’t mean you have to forgo the luxury of a nice hotel. The main thing is to avoid all-inclusive options which harbour profits within the pillars of the hotel, not allowing money to seep back into the surrounding communities. Likewise, avoid all-you-can eat buffets that encourage wastage with leftovers that end up in landfill.

Do opt for places that employ local staff, have a clear sustainability policy on their website that goes beyond not washing the room linen everyday (let’s face it – none of us wash our bedsheets and towels everyday anyway) and promote their good ethics in detail. If you’re not sure, send them an email to ask about the credentials. A genuinely responsible business will have a clear response.

A huge 73% of clothes produced globally end up as landfill, so avoid shopping for new clothes and accessories especially for your trip (Alamy)

Plan your trip in the same way you would plan a local day out. Carry reusable shopping bags, water bottles, cups, toiletries – even Tupperware and cutlery – mean you don’t need to use single-use plastics locally. For places where tap water can be risky, consider picking up a filter system that you can reuse for years to come. Coral-friendly sunscreen is a good call if you’re planning on snorkelling or Scuba diving. Avoid the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can be harmful to marine life.

Most importantly is to consider your clothing. A huge 73% of clothes produced globally end up as landfill, so avoid the pre-trip or in-trip splurge and pack what’s already in your wardrobe. Remember, less weight in your luggage means less fuel burned to transport you to your destination. It might seem like a small thing, but if everyone packed less – what a difference it would make.

Carry appropriate clothing for the region you are visiting. A little bit of pre-trip research can ensure you’re well prepared. It is common practice all over the world, from Vatican City to Uganda, Spain to Pakistan, to cover shoulders and knees when visiting religious buildings such as churches or mosques. Wearing loose-fitting clothing in more religious regions, such as parts of the Middle East, India and Indonesia, shows respect for the culture you’re visiting.

Take the time to learn the history behind here you are visiting, leave stereotypes behind and embrace community-owned businesses (Alamy)

Once you arrive in your chosen region, be ready to enjoy the everyday lifestyle of a wonderful new place whatever it may look like. Remember, films, brochures and social media paint picture-perfect scenes that are not always conducive to reality. Endeavour to form your own opinion, leaving behind the stereotypes, and experiencing regions with fresh eyes. Bear in mind the history of a country – particularly one linked to colonisation – can be quite confronting to read or hear about. Still, this is the reality of the people who live there, so do take the time to learn about the past. Events, good and bad, have shaped the places we see today and modern life is woven together by what has come before.

Always put aside a budget for tips at restaurants, bars and hotels, to ensure those making your stay pleasant are directly benefits from your presence. This includes attendants who might not be cleaning your room everyday. By offering a tip, they have a chance to counter-balance the often low wages of the job.

Exploring with a local guides can showcase the intricacies of a life that only the locals know about. Eating and drinking in locally-owned establishments are great ways to get to know regional cuisines. Even better, you’re likely to get talking to people who live in-situ. You might even make some wonderful new friends who can share the remainder of your adventure.