Top tips for lower carbon travel

There’s lots you can do to redce the carbon impact of your travels – check out some of the ideas below!

 

Booking your trip:

  1. Consider who you book your travel with. Research which companies which are best for reducing their carbon emissions.
  2. Fly economy. Traveling first or business class has been found to increase emissions by up to three times (World Bank).
  3. Fly direct and fly light. The majority of emissions from air travel come from take-off and landing. The less weight carried the less fuel needed so don’t pack extras if you won’t really need them.

IAG (the airline group that owns British Airways) advises:

“Our passengers can contribute to improving our operational fuel efficiency too, simply by travelling light. The less weight we carry, the less fuel we need. If all our passengers carried just 1kg less, (about the weight of a pair of jeans), we could avoid nearly 30,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year!”

  1. Fly from your closest airport to reduce the distance travelled.
  2. When booking your ticket, you can opt to offset your journey. If you have already booked, use this link to offset.

 

Leaving home

  1. Plan your meals (both pre-travel and whilst away) to reduce your food waste.
  2. Unplug! Unplug electronics and turn off your lights and heating before you leave.

 

Going to the airport

  1. Avoid taxis. Car share or use public transport.
  2. Bring keep cups and reusable water bottles. You can also pack your own food for the plane!
  3. Plan your trip to avoid rush hour.

While you’re there

 

Accommodation:

  1. Consider where you stay. Stay with ethical and environmentally conscious organisations.
  2. Continue to switch off and unplug appliances. Turn the air conditioning/heating off when you go out and don’t keep it on all night.
  3. Reuse towels if you are staying in a hotel.
  4. Be water conscious too!
  5. The local collection system might be different but continue to recycle wherever you are.

Wine and Dine:

  1. Eat local. Buy locally-sourced, seasonal foods. A great way to do this is by visiting farmers markets.
  2. Meat free. Why not try a day or two meat free on your trip to reduce your carbon footprint?
  3. If you are self-catering, plan your meals to avoid food waste at the end of your trip.
  4. If you are buying food at local supermarkets, look for products with the least packaging
  5. Take a refillable water bottle to avoid single use plastic.

Other:

  1. Use public transport. Immerse yourself in the culture and use the public transport. Enjoy your new surroundings and try alternative forms of transport where possible; walk, cycle or even scoot!
  2. Be aware of souvenirs to reduce unwanted waste.