Discover the secrets to being climate positive while exploring the world with insights from sustainable travel expert Juliet Kinsman. Beyond reducing carbon emissions, learn how to make a positive difference in the social and economic aspects of destinations dependent on tourism. Gain invaluable advice on maximizing your impact for a sustainable and fulfilling travel experience.
How to be an eco-traveller
According to Standard.co.Uk, a group of travel and conservation experts has joined forces to provide valuable guidance on becoming an eco-traveller. These knowledgeable individuals, including Juliet Kinsman, a renowned sustainable travel advocate, offer a range of tips and strategies to empower individuals to minimize their environmental footprint while exploring the globe.
Richard Hammond, founder of greentraveller.co.uk and author of ‘The Green Traveller: Conscious Adventure That Doesn’t Cost The Earth,’ advises travellers to view the journey itself as part of the adventure. By investing time in planning overland connections, travellers can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Hammond suggests alternative modes of transportation such as overnight sleeper trains and ferries to reach destinations, citing examples like the Penzance-Isles of Scilly route or overland travel to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland via rail and ferry connections.
Judy Kepher Gona, from Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda, highlights the importance of supporting local communities, especially in less economically developed countries. By consciously spending money within these communities, travellers can provide a lifeline to climate-vulnerable destinations. Gona stresses the significance of leaving cash in the hands of local people, as it directly contributes to their survival amidst the loss and damage caused by the climate crisis.
Danielle D’Silva, Head of Sustainability at Booking.com, encourages travellers to prepare and avoid plastic during their journeys. With research indicating that only 54% of British travellers currently use refillable water bottles, D’Silva urges others to cut down on plastic waste by carrying their own bottles. By doing so, travellers can reduce their reliance on single-use plastic water bottles, particularly when visiting hot countries where hydration is essential.
Justin Francis, co-founder and CEO of Responsible Travel, emphasizes the importance of flying less and staying longer in destinations. Recognizing the need for emissions reduction until low-carbon aviation becomes commercially viable, Francis suggests opting for deeper travel experiences instead of multiple short trips. By extending stays and ensuring that the economic value of travel benefits local communities and nature, travellers can maximize the positive impact of their visits. Francis also encourages slow-travel adventures, promoting land or water journeys and exploring nearby destinations via train for shorter breaks.
Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science at UCL and author of ‘How To Save Our Planet: The Facts,’ urges travellers to find happiness and enrichment through meaningful experiences rather than material possessions. Maslin emphasizes the significance of spending quality time with loved ones, as interactions with friends, colleagues, and family often bring greater joy than material goods. By traveling slowly and seeking contentment from these meaningful experiences, individuals can create lasting memories while minimizing their carbon footprint.
Vicky Smith, founder of Earth Changers, focuses on supporting environmental conservation through impact-driven volunteering. Addressing the apparent contradiction of flying to aid the climate, Smith highlights the urgent need for support in climate-affected regions like Madagascar. By participating in responsible volunteer projects that aid fragile ecosystems and involve local communities, travellers can contribute to tackling the climate crisis, promoting biodiversity, and building healthier ecosystems. Initiatives such as reforestation, edible-insect farming for food security, and research on rare species benefit both local populations and the environment.
Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, advises travellers to speak up for sustainable practices. Durband highlights a common challenge faced by eco-conscious travellers in hotels where their efforts to conserve energy are undermined. He encourages individuals to report such incidents through guest satisfaction surveys or by informing management. Durband stresses the importance of voicing concerns and not remaining silent, as silence can be interpreted as consent. By speaking up, travellers can advocate for greener practices and foster positive change within the industry.
Zina Bencheikh, MD of EMEA Intrepid Travel, suggests empowering women through travel spending, particularly in developing countries. Bencheikh explains that access to education and family planning enables women to make choices that slow population growth, relieving stress on ecosystems. By supporting women-empowering businesses, travellers can contribute to this solution. Bencheikh recommends researching destinations online or joining women’s travel groups to find female suppliers prioritized by B Corp-certified travel companies. Inclusive trips, such as Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions, not only provide financial support but also establish valuable connections for the women travellers meet.
Dr Willy Legrand, Professor at IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany, advocates for off-season travel. By visiting destinations outside peak tourist periods, travellers can alleviate the strain on local resources and infrastructure caused by sudden influxes of visitors. In addition to easing the burden on communities, off-season travel offers a more authentic experience. Legrand suggests spending more time in off-the-beaten-track locations to reduce emissions from transportation and provide crucial support to local economies.
Charlie Cotton, founder of Ecollective, emphasizes the importance of normalizing climate-related questions when engaging with travel companies. Cotton acknowledges that everyone, including climate activists, has a carbon footprint, but encourages taking action to reduce its impact. By asking questions about emissions reduction plans and the carbon footprint of trips, travellers can raise awareness and push for change. Even if initial responses seem uncertain, the act of asking can lead to a ripple effect of positive transformation.
JoAnna Haugen, founder of Rooted Storytelling, suggests choosing activities with an active environmental learning component. Travellers can look for outfitters offering environmental “add-ons,” such as guided hikes involving citizen science or scuba-diving excursions that incorporate coral-reef restoration. Alternatively, travellers can proactively engage in eco-friendly practices, such as picking up garbage along beaches, hiking trails, and waterways. These actions allow travellers to enjoy their holiday activities while demonstrating love and care for the natural landscapes they encounter.
Julia Watson, expert in nature-based technologies and author of ‘Lo—TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism,’ highlights the importance of supporting indigenous peoples and their wisdom. As custodians of 80% of the world’s biodiversity, indigenous communities play a critical role in protecting the environment. Watson suggests reading books by indigenous authors to gain a broader perspective and supporting indigenous organizations financially. This support helps defend territories, assist communities, and enables the exchange of knowledge derived from centuries of living in harmony with nature.
Shivya Nath, blogger at The Shooting Star, advocates for favouring establishments where positions of authority are held by locals rather than expats. Nath stresses the importance of ensuring that local employees are paid fair wages, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions where vulnerable communities bear the brunt of extreme weather events. By supporting businesses that empower local populations and promote socio-economic uplift, travellers can drive positive change and help build resilient host communities.
Maudie Tomlinson, from The Conscious Travel Foundation, encourages travellers to share their experiences on social media, praising tourism businesses that prioritize climate-friendly practices and holding them accountable when they fall short. By voicing concerns about issues like food waste or celebrating sustainable initiatives, travellers can raise awareness and encourage improvement. Tomlinson also suggests expressing travel expectations on platforms like TripAdvisor to stimulate consciousness and motivate businesses to embrace sustainable measures.
Dan and Audrey, co-founders of Uncornered Market, propose taking a few minutes at the end of each travel day to reflect on the environmental impact of one’s actions. By considering transportation choices, meals, energy use, and other factors, travellers can increase their awareness of both negative and positive contributions.
