Flying less will reduce your carbon footprint, but there are many other ways you can have a more positive impact when you travel.
With every holiday company seemingly banging on about its eco-credentials, it can be difficult to cut through the greenwash.
The good news is that a few simple swaps can result in not only a greener getaway but also a more authentic travel experience. Here are seven tips to consider for your next trip.
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1. Avoid overtourism
The deluge of visitors to Venice is threatening its very survival, along with rising sea levels due to climate change. Destinations such as Barcelona, Prague and Dubrovnik are also buckling under the strain of their popularity.
The presence of too many people can erode coastlines, as well as damage landmarks and vulnerable ecosystems. So why not think outside the box when brainstorming your next destination? For example, Which? members rated Kefalonia as their favourite Greek island. It received the full five stars for peace and quiet, outperforming busy hotspots such as Santorini and Mykonos.
If you’ve got your heart set on a tourist honeypot, avoid peak season. You’ll be cutting queue times at restaurants and attractions, and supporting the local economy when it’s most in need.
2. Travel slow
‘Slow’ travel has become a bit of a buzzword of late, but it simply means resisting the urge to overwhelm your holiday itinerary. After all, who wants to return home more exhausted than when they left?
You’re never going to see everything. So instead of rushing from one destination to the next, take time to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Rather than taking several city breaks a year, you could opt for one long trip – meaning fewer carbon-intensive flights. You may decide to travel by rail or sea, or choose carbon-free transport when you get there, such as walking, cycling or kayaking.
Slow travel is not just better for the environment: it can also help you get under the skin of a destination.
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3. Choose green hotels
A hotel bedroom can emit up to 15 tonnes of carbon a year – that’s five and a half times more than the average UK household.
Before you book, have a look at the hotel’s website to see what efforts they’re making to reduce their impact. Do they have a green policy, for example? Do they mention recycling facilities, energy use, or how they source their food?
The ‘How to find us’ page should also include instructions on getting there by public transport. Specialist sites such as Fairbnb.coop, Green Pearls and Green Traveller can help you find sustainable properties that make the grade.
4. Support the local economy
Tourism can bring in a lot of income, creating jobs and helping develop local infrastructure and public services.
If you take a cruise or an all-inclusive holiday, the majority of your travel pounds will be swallowed up by big international corporations. Instead, choose home stays or dine in local restaurants where possible.
Hiring a local guide is another way to help, while providing a unique insight into the places you visit. For escorted tours, choose a provider that’s doing their bit to support grassroots initiatives.
For example, Which? Recommended Provider Exodus Adventure Travels helps support children’s homes and supply clothing, blankets and food in Nepal, among other initiatives.
Choosing local will make your travel experience more authentic – and it’s likely to be cheaper too.
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5. Eat local and seasonal
Buffets can result in huge amounts of food waste, especially in hotels in remote locations that often have to fly their ingredients in.
Even UK hotels are said to produce an estimated 79,000 metric tonnes of food waste each year, according to the campaign group Sustainable Travel International. That’s equivalent to the weight of eight Eiffel Towers.
Where possible, choose locally grown and seasonal produce. It’s more sustainable, and it will taste better for not being frozen and transported hundreds of miles.
Reducing your meat intake will also help: producing 1kg of beef creates 59.6kg of greenhouse gases, versus less than 1kg created by peas and nuts.
Read more about the carbon footprint of your diet
6. Pack light (but carry reusables)
The average person only uses around three-quarters of the items they pack for a holiday, according to retailer Next.
A heavier plane, train or taxi will burn more carbon – something to consider when you’re squeezing that extra pair of jeans into your suitcase.
However, a few clever items – such as a reusable drinking bottle and a foldable shopping bag – can reduce your reliance on single-use plastic.
At your destination, you can easily find places to refill your water bottle on the go, using resources such as Refill or Tap Map — or even searching ‘free water tap’ on Google Maps (we found it works better in your web browser than on the Google Maps app).
Consider bringing your own earphones too. The single-use ones dished out on planes (and wrapped in plastic) provide terrible sound quality and often end up in landfill.
7. Leave no trace
As well as disposing of all rubbish properly – and recycling where possible – this rule also extends to leaving what you find. So no collecting of shells, plants or other natural objects along the way.
You should also only observe wildlife from a distance. Never feed animals, as this can change their behaviour in unnatural ways.
Avoid any wildlife facilities that force animals to perform for entertainment or allow elephant riding. And do not pay to have your photo taken with a captive animal.
