How to Minimise Your Environmental Impact While Travelling

Are you looking to do your bit to reduce your carbon footprint when on holiday and at home?

Surveys show that over 80% of global travellers are prioritising sustainability as the effects of global warming become ever-concerning. Follow these tips to minimise your environmental impact while travelling so you can enjoy exploring the world with a clean conscience. 

1. Go for Green Transport

Transportation is one of the most significant contributors to carbon emissions in the travel sector, so opting for more sustainable options can greatly reduce your environmental footprint. 

Consider taking trains or buses for short-to-medium distances. This is generally more energy-efficient than flying and won’t take too much longer. For example, travelling by train from London to Paris emits around 90% less CO2 than flying the same route and takes just 60 minutes more.

Another option is to hire or buy an electric or hybrid vehicle and use this to get about. Having your own set of wheels means total independence and flexibility, and the charging infrastructure across the UK and Europe is increasingly reliable for convenient journeys. You’ll find that some campervan insurance providers offer discounts for low- or no-emission vehicles as an incentive.

You could also opt for slow travel holidays where you explore one area in detail on foot or by bike. This gives you an intimate experience of your surroundings and can boost mental wellness. 

2. Choose Sustainable Stays

The other major player in the environmental impact of your holiday will be where you stay. 

Choosing eco-conscious hotels where an effort is made to use renewable energy and conserve natural resources will significantly benefit the local area and minimise your carbon footprint. You could go the whole hog with wildlife retreats offering a back-to-nature experience or look for standard accommodation with sustainability certification and a solid set of eco-initiatives. 

How you behave at the accommodation will have an effect too. Limit the length of your showers to reduce water use and turn off lights, fans and air-conditioning units when not needed.

3. Pack Intelligently 

Planning your packing intelligently might not seem relevant but it’s a key part of travelling sustainably. 

Taking a capsule wardrobe means lighter luggage which reduces your fuel consumption and emissions, especially when flying. It will make it easier for you to use public transport or get around on foot, too.

What you carry with you can make your trip much greener as well. Remove the need to buy plastic water bottles by bringing a reusable one: you can find options with an in-built filter if you’re concerned about the cleanliness of local water. You should also bring shopping bags and other handy accessories like utensils from home to minimise single-use plastic waste.