Interested in eco travelling? We’ve got some tips for you!
Travelling is about discovering new cultures, exploring extraordinary places, relaxing and being able to immerse yourself in the beauty of our planet. Unfortunately, tourism has an increasingly large ecological footprint, with 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly caused by transport.
So, is it possible to travel while being eco-responsible? Definitely.
Here you will find out how to travel ecologically with our 10 tips for an eco friendly trip.
Eco travelling tip #1: Reduce transportation time
Transportation is a very important factor that will necessarily affect the carbon footprint of your trip. For example, reducing a plane trip by just five hours reduces carbon dioxide emissions by one ton. Therefore, if you want to do as much as possible for the environment by eco travelling, try to limit the distance of your travels! Take the opportunity to discover the surrounding countries, or even explore Canada and its many spectacular places.
If you have to fly, prioritize direct flights. In general, taking multiple planes to get to your destination rather than just one results in a much higher total flight time and therefor a larger carbon footprint.
Eco travelling tip #2: Carpool during your trip
If possible, for an eco-friendly trip, you might also reconsider your decision to rent a car to get around your destination.
Taking public transport or carpooling avoids generating more greenhouse gas emissions. Opting for this option can also add to your experience by immersing yourself in the local culture.
Eco travelling tip #3: Eat local
Eating local is a great tip for environmentally friendly travel. When arriving at your destination, try finding out what is in season, such as vegetables and fruits. Research what’s local and discover the typical dishes of the region. Local products are much less polluting than imported products since they do not require as much transport.
It should also be noted that eating local is not a very big sacrifice, since you can discover all the delicious flavours of the place!
Eco travelling tip #4: Reduce your waste production
When we travel, we often produce more waste than at home: utensils, take-out meals, water bottles, straws, plastic bags, etc.
To change your consumption habits while eco travelling, bring zero-waste essentials. Several reusable accessories can follow you on a trip and do not take up much space in your luggage. For example, you could carry a water bottle, reusable straws and bags with you.
Obviously, it is difficult to produce no waste at all, even during an eco friendly trip, but even the smallest actions count.
Eco travelling tip #5: On the road, like at home
Breaking the routine and going on a trip is certainly pleasant! On the other hand, the ecological habits that you have at home must follow you! Whether you stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or hostel, you can continue to do daily green actions.
Here are some examples: Consuming less hot water by reducing the duration of your showers, limiting the use of the dryer in laundromats and turning off the lights when you leave.
Discover 23 ecological ways to reduce your carbon footprint in order to implement some during your environmentally friendly travels.
Eco travelling tip #6: Preserve the environment
Eco friendly travel isn’t just about carpooling and recycling. It is also important to preserve and respect the environment in which you are travelling into.
To do this, always follow the instructions of the places you visit. If you go hiking in a park, always stay on the trails to avoid damaging the protected areas or endangered plants.
Some places also have other particularities, such as Hawaii. If you visit these paradise islands, the law prohibits you from using sunscreens containing certain chemical agents (Oxybenzone and Octinoxate) since these are responsible for coral bleaching.
In short, eco travelling also means to find out about the specific behaviours to adopt so as not to affect the ecosystems of the region visited.
Eco travelling tip #7: Responsible tourism
It is always possible to choose tour companies that have good environmental practices if you want to do an eco friendly trip.
When planning your trip, look for green hotels that promote renewable energy and sustainability.
If you purchase activities and excursions, look for companies that promote ethical practices, contribute to their community, respect wildlife and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
When it comes to air travel, some companies even offer carbon offset programs to make your flight carbon neutral.
Eco travelling tip #8: Choose an ecological destination
Several countries are making considerable efforts to become a green destination, and they make the perfect eco travelling destinations. Choosing one of these destinations for your next trip is a great contribution to preserving our planet and a great way to encourage green and sustainable initiatives.
Here are some eco friendly destinations:
- Costa Rica
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Iceland
Eco travelling tip #9: Be a vegetarian when you travel
You probably already know that the meat industry is a huge polluter. Half a pound of beef requires an equivalent of 25 showers of water. By choosing vegetarian food while travelling, you will reduce your ecological footprint during your trip and also save a few dollars!
Eco travelling tip #10: Make a carbon neutral trip
Last but not the least tip for eco travelling: Make your trip carbon neutral. Carbonneutrality.ca can help you calculate your carbon footprint and become carbon neutral. This way, you can compensate for the carbon dioxide emissions generated by your travels.
Whether you are an individual, an organization, a political party or a company, it is possible to compensate for your trips, whether local or overseas.
Here are some tips that you can put in place for more ecological trips!
Find out here how to travel guilt-free by becoming carbon neutral with our online resource.
Have a good trip!