Sustainable travel is the key to finding a balance between cultural discovery and leaving a minimal environmental impact. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, commercial aviation is responsible for close to three percent of global carbon emissions – so whether it’s business or pleasure, simple yet smart behavioural changes en route to your final destination make all the difference. Take these ten tips to the terminal to travel more consciously.
Enjoy the slower journey
Where possible, opt for modes of public transport like the train or bus and enjoy the slower scenic route you may have otherwise missed. Once you’ve touched down, swap a taxi transfer for foreign subways, trams and ferries to put your navigational skills to the test.
Planning a slower route combats a significant proportion of your environmental footprint. By using platforms like Terra Pass you can calculate your carbon and adjust your itinerary accordingly. For example, Eurostar found a return trip to Paris via plane would produce 244 kilograms of carbon dioxide versus 22 kilograms on a train – a carbon saving of 91 percent.
Offset your carbon
Carbon offsetting schemes work to compensate a proportion of emissions produced by the aviation industry.
Choose from a select number of airlines including Qantas, KLM and Air Canada who now provide direct offsetting services that include re-forestry projects or investment in renewable energy.
Alternatively, do so independently through Carbon Fund, Terra Pass and Climate Care. Plus, you can purchase luggage, insurance or currency from companies like Goodshop which donate a percentage of proceeds to environmental organisations like the Natural Resources Defence Council.
You can use booking platform Sky Scanner to discover which flight options are more environmentally sound via their greener choice label. This is a useful tool which is calculated by aircraft model, the number of seats on the plane and total distance travelled. Journeys only receive the greener choice mark if they have a carbon footprint below the route’s average by at least four percent. Remember – your footprint will be higher if you’re travelling in older aircrafts or premium or first class due to the less efficient use of space.
Go to a green airport
Some terminals are more sustainable than others and have worked to reduce their environmental impact throughout operations. London City Airport intelligently offsets all activities from runway lighting to electricity and is the first airport in the capital to ban single use plastic straws. Elsewhere, Heathrow’s infrastructure has been awarded as carbon neutral and Nottingham’s East Midlands Airport is recognised globally for its recycling and noise pollution initiatives.
Where possible, go directly to greener airports and avoid transfers. Fuel consumption during take-off stands at close to 20 percent of total fuel used throughout a flight, so reducing the number of aeroplane services you take will produce lower overall emissions.
Lighten your load
When it comes to packing, practice the philosophy of less is more to reduce your carbon footprint. The lighter your baggage, the more buoyant the aircraft and the less fuel required to carry it. If you’re up for the minimalist challenge, plan your wardrobe effectively and only take hand luggage.
Go paperless
Airport check in systems now accept e-tickets so you can refrain from printing flight itineraries, boarding passes and visas in a bid to minimise waste. This is important for conscious travel as First Mile, a UK based recycling company, report a single sheet of A4 paper has the water footprint of five litres. Whilst recycling rates are high for paper, download documents digitally to save the trees, ink and energy.
Bring your own toiletries
Forgo the single use plastic bags provided by the terminal and invest in a durable transparent toiletry bag. London Stanstead Airport estimates over 11 million of the 100 millilitres plastic bags are handed out annually through security which highlights the issue. Purchase miniature pots to decant your skincare from home and make sustainable swaps from liquids to bars. Effective planning can prove economical as it saves the expense of purchasing plastic miniatures of bathroom essentials in the airport.
Ditch the wipes
Substitute single use sanitary and face wipes in favour of reusable muslin cloths. The majority of wipes purchased in supermarkets are un flushable and non-biodegradable which leaves them in water systems for hundreds of years. They create clogging that is responsible for 80 percent of blockages in UK sewers and many developing countries you may travel to lack the infrastructure to dispose of these responsibly.
Remember your refillables
Packing your refillable water bottle and coffee cup works to reduce your plastic footprint and promotes zero waste behaviours abroad. Environmental journalist Lucy Siegle in Turning The Tide On Plastic foundthat humans purchase one million plastic bottles a minute, 91 percent which are still unrecyclable. In the UK alone her research reveals UK consumers plough through 35 million water bottles a day which makes your reusable cups and bottles packing list essentials! If you’re wondering where to top up, download the Refill app to locate the closest water stations to you before boarding.
Express yourself
If you feel as though your favourite airline, hotel or tour provider is missing a trick, write to them, there’s strength in numbers. As valued customers, voicing your suggestions for on-board initiatives can promote change. Equally, by recommending commitments of competitors you are likely to prompt developments – for instance, many have ditched Duty Free shopping due to extra weight, Qantas have trialled zero waste flights and British Airways have committed to offsetting all domestic journeys. The ultimate way to cast your vote for more sustainable travel is to only fly with fuel efficient leaders, a ranking can be found on the International Council for Clean Transportation’s website.
Charge before take off
When it comes to charging technology, be proactive. From mobiles, tablets or cameras, taking the time to charge your devices before you depart saves substantial electrical energy in-flight and will lessen your carbon footprint. If you’re glued to your screen, invest in a portable charger to avoid draining unnecessary aeroplane energy.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to take a look at my guide to responsible travelling.
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