Travel green: Sustainable travel tips for 2025
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Planning your next getaway? Before you book that flight or pack your bags, take a moment to think about the environmental impact of your travels.
A recent study found that the travel and tourism industry accounts for 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with those emissions growing twice faster than the rest of the global economy. As the tourism industry grows, so does the damaging effects on our environment, but you don’t have to halt your holidays in order to save the planet!
Here’s our guide to help you cut down on that overflowing suitcase and inject some sustainable swaps into your summer holiday.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is defined by the International Ecotourism Society as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”.
Put simply, it’s travel that gives back to nature and the communities that call it home.
How to be a more sustainable traveller
Sustainable travel isn’t about perfection. It’s about making better choices, one step at a time. Here are some of our top tips to becoming a true eco-traveller:
Choose your destination wisely
Avoid tourist hotspots - Overtourism in places like Bali, Iceland and the Galapagos Islands has led to environmental degradation, plastic pollution and plastic management issues.
Green credentials – Many hotels and lodges now advertise their sustainability practices and credentials on their website. Check for renewable energy use, water-saving initiatives and eco certifications. Green Tourism and Green Key share many green hotels, hostels, small accommodations and campsites.
Stick to one place – Reduce travel emissions by basing yourself in one spot and exploring nearby areas by foot, bike or public transport.
Pack smart and sustainably
Shampoo and conditioner bars are gaining popularity among travellers due to their long-lasting and light-weight nature. Not only are they a great space saver but they also help reduce plastic waste!
It can be a little difficult to find the best brands, but with help from Ethical Consumer it makes your sustainable holiday packing a lot easier. Some shampoo and conditioner bars they recommend are from the likes of Lush, Faith in Nature and Alter/native.
You could also pack a refillable water bottle, bamboo cutlery and a fabric tote bag to avoid single-use plastics on the go.
Travel greener
Why not check out a destination closer to home? Here in the UK, we are only a few hours by train from some of Europe’s best cities. Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels are all just hours away.
Or hit the road in an electric vehicle (EV) – a great way to explore the countryside or coast with a lower environmental impact. With a growing number of charging points across the UK and Europe, EV road trips are more convenient than ever. With our 1-year Fixed EV tariff you can charge your vehicle overnight at just 8 pence per kWh – all with 100% green electricity from Britain’s greenest energy company!
If flying is a must:
Choose economy class - Travelling first class will increase your carbon footprint by four times.
Go direct – Direct flights generate less CO2 emissions than a connecting one due to there being only one take off and one landing.
Eat sustainably while abroad
Plant power – Tourism accelerates overfishing, especially in hotspots like the Mediterranean – the world’s most overfished sea. Choosing vegetarian or vegan options helps the pressure on marine life.
Go local - Eating local dishes often means food won’t have been imported so hasn't racked up thousands of air miles. It will also help create more authentic holiday memories.
The answer to travelling in a more sustainable way doesn't mean avoiding it entirely. By packing a little lighter, choosing destinations more mindfully and supporting local communities, you can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime, without costing the Earth.
Want to do your bit for the planet in other ways?
Why not switch to Ecotricity and we’ll use your bill money to build new sources of renewable energy and build a greener Britain.
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