The majority of holidays are, unfortunately, not the most sustainable for the environment, as they often involve various harmful practices. However, it does not mean that you should avoid having holidays all together. There are many ways in which you can lower your carbon footprint, so you can have a memorable trip, while doing your bit to protect our planet. Here are some key tips:
Travelling options
A staycation, which is essentially a holiday in your home country, is of course the most environmentally-friendly option, as it requires minimal travelling. However, most people will not feel content with that, yearning to explore new destinations.
For travel abroad, train is the best form of transport, producing just 14% of the emissions compared to flying. If you are travelling within Europe, trains can be incredibly convenient and practical, as well as allow you to sit back and enjoy the views along the way. Alternatively, you may also opt for intercountry bus services.
If you must fly, try to make the smartest choices possible. Direct flights, for instance, produce less carbon emissions than making stops, as take-off use the most fuel. Certain airlines are also more eco-friendly than others, continuously looking for ways to reduce their footprint.
Exploring your destination
Once at your destination, choose to explore it by foot as much as possible. Contrary to what many think, this does not limit the amount of things you can see! Walking holidays and Camino de Santiago trips are a great example of this. The Camino route from Sarria in Spain, for instance, takes you through a number of historic attractions and breathtaking nature viewpoints in the space of 7 days, only by foot.
Public transport is the next best option when walking isn’t practical. Many cities have bus or train networks that will connect you to major attractions. Renting a bike or an e-scooter is also a sustainable option, which helps you get around faster.
Supporting local communities
Always prioritise local businesses for any kind of shopping, whether it’s food markets for local produce or craft shops for souvenirs. Not only are you cutting the miles that these products have to travel and, therefore, the emissions they produce, but you are also likely to get higher-quality stuff for your money.
This also goes for eating out. Try to avoid chain restaurants and cafés, instead going to independent cafés and family-run restaurants. These places are typically sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms and go through less single-use plastic, as the food does not undergo lots of travelling.
Low carbon activities
There are so many fun activities you can do on your holiday, which also create minimal environmental impact! Hiking, canoeing, horse-riding, kayaking, guided city tours… Whatever your hobbies or interests, there are endless options that do not require powered transport or other carbon-heavy resources. So, it is all about making the right choices and planning ahead.
Final thoughts
Small decisions you make on your holiday add up, from switching to more sustainable modes of travel to picking greener activities. By doing so, you are helping protect the destinations you love for future generations to enjoy!
