You love traveling and exploring the world, but you’re committed to making smarter choices and you take the urgency of the climate crisis seriously. Unfortunately, air travel alone accounts for about one-fifth of global carbon emissions, with the broader travel and tourism industry adding even more to the impact. That’s a pretty significant impact.
Now, you’re not some reckless billionaire celebrity racking up carbon emissions with frequent private jet flights, but you do indulge in the occasional holiday abroad, and shunning air travel altogether is just not realistic. So, what’s a responsible, travel-loving global citizen to do? Here are 9 easy steps to help you travel more sustainably.
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Accommodations
When selecting accommodations, consider homestays for a more authentic local experience or opt for hotels and hostels that genuinely champion sustainability. Be cautious of marketing buzzwords and potential greenwashing. To ensure a property’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, check for reputable certifications like LEED, Green Key, or EarthCheck, which verify adherence to strict environmental standards covering energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management.
2. Use Public Transportation When Available
Not all destinations have equally efficient or safe public transportation options, unfortunately, leaving travelers with no choice but to rely on taxi cabs, rental cars, or rideshares. However, where public transit is available, take full advantage of it. Highly developed cities like Amsterdam, Singapore, and Tokyo offer exceptional and reliable bus and railway systems. If the weather and your health permit, walking or biking are also wonderful ways to explore.
3. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
Carrying a refillable water bottle is a simple yet impactful choice, especially considering the enormous waste generated by single-use plastic bottles and just how unnecessary it is. Many places around the world offer perfectly safe drinking water. Europe, in particular, boasts some of the best-tasting and highest-quality tap water globally, with Scotland, Switzerland, Norway, and Finland topping the list. In fact, Europeans are often baffled by tourists who insist on buying bottled water. However, it’s important to note that not all destinations have potable drinking water, so be sure to check travel advisories for each location. Safety first!
4. Support Local and Sustainable Food
Partaking in local cuisine is one of the best things to do while traveling. The global food and dining industry readily embraces sustainability, offering a wide array of options, from humble street food to Michelin-starred establishments across various destinations. Explore farmers’ markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and local eateries that prioritize fresh, seasonal, and sustainably sourced ingredients.
5. Use Travel eSIM for Connectivity
Technology and innovation are key to a truly sustainable future, and there’s no better example than eSIM technology. It takes a lot of resources to produce physical SIM cards, from the mining of natural resources, the packaging, and the distribution, all of which contribute to enormous environmental waste. eSIMs eliminate the need for all that. Previously, traveling internationally meant paying through the nose for roaming or buying a new SIM card for every new country you visit. Now, with a travel eSIM, you can switch networks seamlessly—even across regions, like with Europe eSIM. It’s a smarter, more affordable, and more ethical way to stay connected while traveling.
6. Use Digital Itineraries and Tickets
Speaking of technology, embrace paperless travel. Using digital tickets and itineraries is not only more convenient; it also reduces paper waste. E-tickets and booking confirmations are also more accessible, easier to update, and impossible to lose.
7. Be Mindful of Wildlife
Many tourist activities, like swimming with whale sharks or riding elephants, are centered around thrilling interactions with local wildlife. However, some of these experiences can be exploitative to animals and disruptive to their ecosystems. When traveling, commit to doing no harm. Choose only activities or tour operators that follow sustainable practices and actively contribute to wildlife protection.
8. Avoid Fast Fashion and Buy Local
For many people, shopping is a key part of traveling. If that sounds like you, but you care about ethical consumption, skip fast fashion and choose locally made products from indie brands or those sold in community markets instead. Reject mass-produced goods whenever possible, especially for travel souvenirs. Opting for handmade items by local artisans also helps preserve cultural traditions. So, the next time you’re shopping while traveling, think local and make a choice that benefits both the planet and the communities you’re visiting.
9. Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Ever considered purchasing carbon offsets? Purchasing carbon offsets basically involves investing in projects that reduce carbon emissions, effectively compensating for the carbon impact of your activities, including travel. This option isn’t just for big industries; individuals can participate too. Organizations like Terrapass and Gold Standard, among many others, offer opportunities to invest in initiatives designed to counter or mitigate climate harm. These projects include renewable energy efforts, reforestation initiatives, and sustainable agriculture practices. Before purchasing offsets, research and choose reputable organizations that operate with transparency and accountability. Many will allow you to track where your money goes and the positive impact it creates. By committing to offset your carbon footprint from your travels, you can enjoy your holiday eco-guilt-free.
The growing accessibility of travel has done the world a lot of good. It opens doors to new cultures, landscapes, and perspectives, helping us connect and embrace our shared humanity. However, it comes at a high cost to the planet. There is no single solution to the environmental challenges we face; a problem of this magnitude requires a multitude of approaches and buy-in from everyone and every industry. This is why personal choices matter. The steps mentioned above may seem small—not even a drop in the bucket of global carbon emissions—but making sustainability mainstream and eco-consciousness second nature is what will lead to collective impact. Every effort counts, no matter how small, as each one is a step closer to fostering a culture where sustainability is a top-of-mind consideration in every aspect of our existence and every decision we make.
As you plan your next adventure, remember that being a conscious traveler not only enriches your experiences but also helps preserve the beauty of our world for future generations.
