4 Ways To Be A More Sustainable Traveler

Being sustainable while travelling around the world is easier than you think. Sustainability and caring for the planet are more important than ever before and making simple changes or doing small actions can help you to be more eco-friendly.

Before travelling anywhere, look at this checklist to ensure you have everything you need and are prepared for your holiday.

1. Choosing your destination

Choose somewhere that values sustainability and is already making conscious efforts to be more ethical. Here are some of the top sustainable countries in the world…

1. Sweden

• Sweden is the most sustainable country in the world. This country has the highest renewable energy usage and the lowest carbon emissions. When visiting here, you can expect to see electric buses, ‘smart roads’, and urban farming. Sweden also excels in its sustainable transportation around the country.

2. Switzerland

• Switzerland is committed to preserving water and its wastewater plant cleans 90 million litres of water on a daily basis. They aim to have 100% renewable energy and already, 75% of their power comes from renewable sources. The Swiss love nature and you can expect to see breathtaking scenery when visiting here.

3. Japan

• Japan really take eco-tourism into consideration. They encourage things like seasonal eating and locally sourced food. Their public transport is one of the best in the world. The shinkansen, AKA the bullet train, is a high-speed railway network that connects most major urban centres in Japan. Tourists are encouraged to use this rather than domestic flights to leave less of a carbon footprint.

Some other countries also trying to be more sustainable like; Norway, Finland, Denmark and New Zealand. When you have chosen your destination it is useful to sign up to email alerts for the specific country, just to be sure you’re aware of any changes if they were to happen. This can be regarding Covid, or changes to current situations.

2. Consider how you get there

Flying

Sometimes the only way to reach your destination is by flying. However, there are a few things you can do to be that little bit more sustainable. Be sure to check out what you can/cannot take out of the UK and into the UK here to make sure you don't get caught out.

• Offset your carbon emissions.

  • This means you pay a small fee for the carbon footprint your flight produces. This then goes towards carbon reduction projects. For example, reforestation.

• Pack lightly.

  • The heavier your bag, the more fuel the plane will have to use.

• Eco-Conscious Airlines

Some airlines have specific policies and goals in place to be more environmentally friendly. Researching your airlines and choosing the right one can make a big difference.

Train

Take in the beautiful sites around you

• Sitting on a train allows you to look at the journey you are taking, and the places you are going through. It allows you to see some beautiful landscapes.

• Europe - great system

  • Europe has a great rail system where you can visit many different cities and countries very easily

• Fewer carbon emissions

  • Trains emit between 66 and 75 per cent fewer carbon emissions

3. Book eco-conscious accommodations

• Use eco-friendly booking sites for accommodation. There are many websites out there that can help you find places that are more eco-friendly. Some can even help you calculate your carbon footprint and include eco-ratings on how sustainable they are.

• Choose an accommodation that gives back to the local economy.

4. Limit energy use and conserve water

Simple things can really make a huge difference. One thing is taking a reusable water bottle. Many cities nowadays have water stations to refill your water, or instead of constantly buying plastic bottles you can refill with filtered water or one big bottle.

Reusing your towel more than once. A lot of hotels and accommodations now encourage guests to reuse their towels and linen. This uses less water, reduces wastage and protects the water and its resources in order to reduce the shortage. You can also take shorter showers to conserve some water.

Only using energy such as lights, and electricity, when needed, is another way you can be sustainable. Make sure you also unplug all plugs and electricals when not in use.