6 Ways To Make Your Travel More Eco-Friendly
By Annie Button
With travel a big part of everyone’s lives during the summer holidays and throughout the year, the impact the shared passion we have for travelling has on the planet remains a constant and ongoing concern.
With World Tourism Day approaching on the 27th of September, it's an opportunity to reflect on the impact travel has on the environment in general and question if you can change any day-to-day habits to make a difference. You have the potential to alter your travel and become a responsible tourist on your next overseas trip or if you’re planning to explore a destination closer to home in the near future.
Ahead of World Tourism Day, the key is to raise awareness about the economic, social, and environmental impact of travelling. This article, therefore, explores six ways to make your travels eco-friendly, from respecting natural environments, investing in sustainable gear, and supporting conservation projects while you’re away.
What is Responsible Tourism? Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel
With climate change and environmental degradation becoming increasingly pressing issues, the way you travel can have a significant detrimental impact. As well as the obvious heavy-duty emission count from air travel, badly-managed tourism leads to:
- Environmental degradation from overcrowding and the erosion of natural landscapes
- Increased carbon emissions from transportation
- Overuse of natural resources
- Pollution and waste generation
However, it is possible to be mindful of your actions and support sustainable practices to mitigate the wider issue of over-tourism. The proven negative effects of mass tourism, overcrowding and irresponsible tourism has become a topical one this year, which, in a sense, has helped to raise awareness about the problem.
Numerous articles this summer from local protests in Barcelona and other coastal pockets of Spain, and Marbella to safeguard beaches from high tourist numbers. According to reports, some of the worst destinations for over tourism include Amsterdam, Phuket, and Venice, but less popular destinations such as Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Italy’s Tuscan countryside are also under threat.
Responsible tourism is about making conscious choices that minimise negative impacts on the environment and support local communities who want to make a positive stance.
For instance, if you’re visiting Denmark, sign up for their local initiative CopenPay and combine a trip there with eco-friendly choices in return for travel-based rewards, such as a free boat trip in return for picking up litter while exploring Copenhagen's stunning canal network. Meanwhile, avoid cruise ships to Venice or travel by inter-rail, and visit less populated places.
Eco-Conscious Activities and Sustainable Travel Initiatives
While you’re away, whether that’s a far flung destination abroad or a staycation in the UK, integrate sustainable actions into your travels. If you’re walking in the countryside, it’s important to stay on public rights of way and bridle paths to help prevent erosion and protect fragile ecosystems.
Likewise, if you love outdoor swimming and travel the world to enjoy and experience the therapeutic benefits of cold water swimming, be mindful about any beaches, lakes, rivers, or other natural swim spots you venture to for an exhilarating dip.
There are many programmes that protect environments and preserve wildlife both here and overseas, from birds and hedgehogs to badgers and other native species. If you love water and have a few hours to spare on your next UK coastal holiday, sign up for a beach clean-up with Surfers Against Sewage. Initiatives like these work to ensure waters are unpolluted, safe to swim in, free from plastic pollution to protect marine life and their natural habitats.
You can participate in other conservation-led projects that allow you to give back, travel, and gain unique insights into local ecosystems. Look for reforestation initiatives or wildlife monitoring schemes, either at home or in a country you’re planning to visit. Some other opportunities include:
- Participating in community-based renewable energy projects
- Assisting with sustainable agriculture
- Joining science projects related to climate research
How to Respect Nature When Travelling: Eco-Friendly Tips
One of the fundamental aspects of eco-friendly travel is showing respect for the natural environments we visit. The ‘Leave No Trace’ policy is supported by national organisations like Wilderness England. This fantastic and widespread initiative has been praised for encouraging tourists and locals alike to respect natural environments they visit in the UK and abroad.
Therefore, when you next travel, try to adhere to these seven key principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials: Sustainable Gear and Packing Tips
The clothes, camping equipment, and sustainable gear you use on your travels and on outdoor activities can have a significant environmental impact. Therefore, investing in sustainable and 'planet positive' clothing, toiletries, and on the go essentials are a major step towards being an eco-friendly traveller.
Look for clothes and accessories that are made from recycled or sustainable materials such as:
- Recycled polyester
- Organic cotton
- Hemp
- Bamboo
- Merino wool
These materials often have a lower environmental footprint compared to conventional alternatives. If you choose high-quality gear, it will last longer, be more durable and therefore, reduce waste and the need for replacements.
Additionally, use reusable, recycled, and sustainable items when you travel, such as reusable water bottles, bags, and lunch boxes & food containers. You can reduce single-use plastic waste and by choosing better packaging will also minimise harmful chemicals entering ecosystems.
Choosing Sustainable Transport Options for Low-Carbon Travel
The choice you make when you travel at home or abroad can have a big impact on your carbon footprint. Following this year’s general election, Labour, as the incoming Government, made some big manifesto pledges to support sustainable travel, which will hopefully incentivise and support lower impact travel, these included:
- Reforming the railways and improving rail connectivity across the north of England.
- Supporting the transition to electric vehicles by accelerating the roll out of charge points, and restoring the phase-out date of 2030 (currently 2035).
- Opening up more local bus services.
But until we start seeing these changes, there's plenty you can do yourself that will not only reduce your impact but also save you money. Opt for low-carbon transport by cycling to work or on local trips and taking trains or buses rather than flights on shorter distances.
If you are considering changing your car, look to invest and switch in electric or hybrid vehicle purchases or rentals when you're hiring a vehicle overseas.
If flying is unavoidable or you can’t avoid it because of a business trip or travel abroad, consider carbon offsetting. While not ideal, this can help mitigate the impact of your air travel by supporting renewable energy or reforestation projects. You might want to think about the concept of ‘slow travel’ which means spending more time in fewer destinations, therefore reducing your reliance on carbon-heavy transport and, by default, lowering emissions.
Greener Events and Sustainable Tourism: How to Travel Responsibly
If you are travelling to a major sports tournament or popular concert, you should see whether they are being organised in a sustainable way, whether their eco-friendly claims are valid, and consider how you can travel there in a greener way.
This summer’s Paris Olympics was praised for flying the sustainability flag, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) promoting the climate credentials of the Paris Games. Visitors, too, were encouraged to visit Paris and watch the Games in an eco-conscious way with innovative solutions for energy, food, venues, transport and digital services. Arguably, this makes them one of the greenest Olympics ever, and in doing so, might help to inspire sport and event organisers to follow suit.
Meanwhile, and in the same vein, Massive Attack promoted a popular and eco-friendly festival in Bristol as one of the most sustainable gigs ever. The concert provided vegan-only food offerings, a ban on plastics, umbrellas, and stalls against fast-fashion and advocating climate change. Attendees were even encouraged to travel by train to the concert with a bar reserved to them on arrival as an incentive.
By incorporating eco-friendly practices into all your travels, you can enjoy exploring while minimising your environmental impact. So, with World Tourism Day in mind, think about how to be a more responsible tourist on your next adventure. Remember, small action counts, so check out our quick and easy guides to learn more about the things you can swap in your life, from make-up pads and accessories and practical tote bags for your next trip away.
About the author
Annie is a freelance writer specialising in sustainable lifestyle and business development.
Having been featured in a variety of eco publications she is passionate about using her writing skills to help others live more eco-friendly lifestyles.
Visit Annie’s website to find out more.