Our top tips for traveling sustainably

We’re all going on a summer holiday!

After a few years of not really being able to travel, it’s no surprise we all want a little break! 

Tourism can be really beneficial for the countries we visit as well, providing jobs and bringing in revenue. Places rely on tourists to keep going. But can we travel more sustainably?

Plane travel accounts for around 2.5% of global carbon dioxide production at the moment. This is only going to grow. Estimated to grow to 1.8 billion people a year boarding and international flight by 2030. Apparently only 6% of the world have flown so there is room for a lot more wanting and being able to fly.

Did you know, because planes fly high in the atmosphere, the greenhouse gases they emit are more damaging than on the ground.

Here are some great options right here in the UK

🏖️ Our beaches:

It may come as a surprise for some, but here in the UK we have some pretty great beaches. Why not visit some coastal beaches this September and join thousands of volunteers sweeping beaches. This is all part of the Great British Beach Clean, hosted by the Marine Conservation Society. 

All of the litter collected is used in a survey to campaign for real change. Previous years have led to ban on plastic bags and micro plastics in personal care products. 

🏨 London:

Room2, Chiswick

This is the world’s first net zero hotel. It uses 89% less energy than typical hotels and offsets it’s carbon footprint using renewable energy, ultra-low flow pressure showers, and efficient lighting. It also has a ‘blue roof’ which converts rainwater into energy. Not only that the rooms look amazing.

🗑️ Where to eat: Zero-waste Restaurants:

Two that come to mind are Poco Tapas Bar in Bristol and Silo in London.

Nearly 100% of their waste is composted and recycled. The team source quality ingredients for freshness and champion Fair-trade produce. 

TRAVELLING ABROAD

If you are travelling abroad this summer (we need that extra Vit D!) here are some ways you can reduce your impact. 

🌲1. Carbon offsetting: Carbon offsetting does not get rid of the carbon produced when flying. It tries to make up for your share of carbon released by reducing it somewhere else, with the aim to help slow the overall global increase in carbon dioxide levels. 

This can be by planting trees, stopping trees being cut down or investing in other carbon reduction projects such as wind power. These often have social benefits as well, benefiting the countries they are based in and providing jobs.

We know this is not the solution and to reach net zero we need to reduce our actual emissions as well. However this is something very easy to do and can still help. This is something we are actively doing here at GreenJinn for our business emissions. We work with Ecologi on Tree planting and carbon reduction projects. We recommend using Ecologi or you can offset direct with your airline.

✈️ 2. Reduce your short-haul flights: surprisingly these are actually worse because it takes a lot of energy for the plane to get up and down. So if you can get the train or bus instead (Eurostar?) this can reduce the amount of carbon you produce. A flight from London to Paris is 110KG of CO2 vs 6.6kg by train. 

Where you can, try and avoid stop over flights as this does the same as a short haul flight. 

Fortunately this has not been an option for me, but it is is better to fly economy and avoid business and first class.

🚶 3. Sustainable travel at your destination: walk, bike and use public transport as much as you can when you reach your destination. 

⛱️ 4. Avoid all inclusives and large resorts: These tend to be foreign owned so the money doesn’t benefit the local economy. They often have a huge water and energy consumption- washing towels, changing bed sheets daily etc.

🍲 5. Eat locally: Eat in places run by locals. This is normally the best food, you’re getting an authentic meal whilst also supporting the local economy. The ingredients are often from local farmers as well.

💧6. Bring your reusable water bottle: Some countries do not have the means to recycle plastic bottles or even plastic in general. 

There are so many more ways to travel more sustainably. We have just picked some of our favourites here and ones that we think can be easily done! 

Enjoy your holiday!