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Here’s the latest update to our Travel Green List! See what’s new for 2020 and learn how to be a more sustainable traveler.
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Introduction
As the aftershocks of the pandemic continue to be felt around the world, many of us are thinking about how we can incorporate sustainability into our travel plans. To help you out, we’ve put together an updated list of our top tips for traveling green in 2020.
1. Book eco-friendly accommodations.
There are a growing number of hotels and resorts that are committed to sustainable practices, so do your research and choose one that aligns with your values. Alternatively, consider staying in a vacation rental or an Airbnb that has been certified eco-friendly.
2. offset your carbon emissions.
Before you book your flight, take a look at the carbon footprint of your trip and see if there are any steps you can take to offset it. Many airlines now offer carbon-neutral options, or you can purchase carbon offsets through an organization like Carbonfund.org.
3. pack light and smart.
One of the easiest ways to reduce your impact while traveling is to pack light and avoid checking baggage whenever possible. This not only saves on fuel costs but also reduces the amount of waste generated by lost or damaged luggage. When packing, try to choose items that can serve multiple purposes and can be easily washed so you won’t have to overpack.
4. choose sustainable transportation options.
Whenever possible, opt for public transportation, walking, or cycling instead of renting a car or taking taxis/rideshares. Not only is this better for the environment, but it’s also often more economical and can be a great way to explore new places. If you do need to rent a car, look for hybrid or electric options.
5 . support local businesses .
One of the best ways to make sure your travel dollars are going towards sustainable practices is to patronize local businesses that focus on eco-friendly initiatives . This could include everything from restaurants that source their ingredients locally to tour companies that use green transportation . When in doubt , ask the business owners about their sustainability efforts .
What’s new for 2020
Travel Green Wisconsin has been working hard to update the Travel Green List for 2020! We’ve added dozens of new businesses, updated information for existing members, and made it easier than ever to find sustainable travel options in Wisconsin.
Some of the highlights for the 2020 Travel Green List include:
-Over 50 new members, including hotels, B&Bs, tour operators, and more
-Updated information for all existing members
-A brand new search function on the website, making it easy to find sustainable travel options near you
-Several new categories, including “sustainable tourism” and “carbonneutral travel”
We’re proud to offer this valuable resource to travelers looking for sustainable travel options in Wisconsin. Check out the Travel Green List today and start planning your green getaway!
The benefits of travel
The benefits of travel are many and varied. It can help us to relax and unwind, learn new skills, make new friends and see the world from a different perspective. And, of course, it can also be a great way to do your bit for the environment.
When done right, travel can be a sustainable and eco-friendly activity. So if you’re looking for some inspiration on how to travel green this year, read on for our updated list of the best ways to do it.
1. Consider your carbon footprint
One of the most important things to consider when travelling is your carbon footprint. This is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted as a result of your activities – and unfortunately, flying is one of the worst things you can do in terms of its impact on climate change.
Thankfully, there are now a number of ways to offset your carbon footprint when travelling by air. Many airlines now offer carbon-offsetting programmes, where you can make a voluntary donation to offset the greenhouse gases emitted by your flight. Alternatively, you could look into booking a flight with an airline that uses more fuel-efficient aircraft or that offsets its emissions in other ways (such as planting trees).
2. Choose sustainable accommodation
Your accommodation choices can also have a big impact on the environment. When booking a hotel or Airbnb, look for properties that have been certified as ‘green’ or that have sustainability policies in place. This might mean using energy-efficient appliances, recycling waste or using environmentally friendly cleaning products. Many sustainable accommodation options also support local communities, so you’ll be doing good even while you’re on holiday!
3. Use public transport where possible
When exploring a new destination, try to use public transport as much as possible instead of renting a car. Not only is this often more affordable than hiring a car, but it’s also much better for the environment – especially if the public transport system in place uses clean energy sources such as solar power or electric vehicles.
4. Take part in eco-friendly activities
One of the best things about travel is getting to experience new and exciting activities – so why not make sure they’re eco-friendly too? There are plenty of ways to do this, from hiking and cycling instead of taking motorised tours to snorkelling and diving in areas that are known for their coral reef conservation efforts
How to travel green
As more and more people become aware of the importance of sustainable living, the travel industry has begun to change in order to reduce its impact on the environment. Here are some of the latest trends in eco-friendly travel:
One of the biggest trends is carbon offsetting, which is when you offset the emissions from your flight by investing in green energy projects. Another popular trend is sustainable accommodation, which is accommodation that has been built using environmentally-friendly materials and practices. Sustainable accommodation can include anything from treehouses to eco-lodges.
Eco-tourism is another big trend in sustainable travel. This involves travelling to natural areas in order to see and learn about the local wildlife and ecosystems. Eco-tourism can also include volunteering for conservation projects or helping out with local community initiatives.
Finally, many sustainable travel companies are now offering carbon-neutral holidays. This means that all of the emissions from your holiday will be offset by investing in green energy projects. So, if you’re looking to travel green in 2020, there are plenty of options available to you!
Tips for reducing your carbon footprint
1. Use public transport, cycle or walk where possible
Public transport is one of the most efficient ways to travel, as multiple people can share one vehicle. If you’re able to, leave the car at home and use public transport, cycle or walk instead.
2. Consider the train
Trains are a great way to travel long distance as they emit less carbon dioxide per passenger kilometer than planes and cars. If you’re able to take the train instead of flying, you could reduce your carbon footprint by up to 80%.
3. Use an eco-friendly accommodation
When booking accommodation, look for places that have sustainable practices in place, such as using solar power or using recycled materials. These accommodations will help you minimize your impact on the environment while you travel.
4. Be conscious of your food choices
The food we eat can have a big impact on our carbon footprints. Try to eat locally sourced food when possible and avoid wasting food by only ordering what you can eat.
5. Visit eco-friendly attractions
When choosing attractions to visit on your trip, consider options that are eco-friendly and sustainable. These attractions will help you reduce your carbon footprint while still allowing you to have a great time on your vacation.
Why offset your travel?
Your flight is booked and your bags are packed, but have you thought about the carbon emissions your travel will generate? According to atlas.media.mit.edu, the average American emits 16.5 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Of that, 1 ton (approximately 2,200 pounds) comes from transportation–that’s about 1 pound for every mile you drive in your car or fly in an airplane. So if you’re going on a trip that’s a few thousand miles away, air travel will likely make up the majority of your transportation-related emissions for the year.
What’s more, research from the International Council on Clean Transportation shows that flying first or business class can emit up to seven times more emissions than flying economy.
You can mitigate the impact of your travel on the environment by taking steps to offset your carbon footprint–and there are plenty of options to choose from these days. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding how to green your travels in 2020:
The best way to offset your travel
With the new year comes a new list of the best ways to offset your travel. Here are some of the highlights for 2020:
-Trees for Travel: This initiative allows travelers to offset their carbon emissions by planting trees. For every tree planted, one ton of carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.
-BetterPoints: This app encourages sustainable travel habits by awarding points that can be redeemed for rewards, such as discounts on travel products and experiences.
-Sustainable Travel International: This organization provides resources and support for sustainable tourism initiatives around the world.
How to make your travel more sustainable
The travel industry is becoming more and more aware of the need to be sustainable and many companies are working hard to reduce their environmental impact. Here are a few things you can do to make your travel more sustainable.
Choose your destination wisely
Consider the environmental impact of your destination before you book your trip. For example, flying to a destination will have a larger carbon footprint than taking the train. Once you’re at your destination, try to limit your use of transportation and explore on foot or by bike whenever possible.
Choose sustainable accommodations
There are now many sustainable accommodations options available, from eco-friendly hotels to campsites that use solar power. Do some research to find accommodation that matches your sustainable values.
Pack light and smart
Packing light will not only make your travel easier but it will also reduce your carbon footprint. Make sure to pack items that can be used for multiple purposes to avoid overpacking. For example, choose a dress that can be worn during the day and dressed up for evening.
The future of sustainable travel
As the travel industry looks to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, sustainable tourism will be more important than ever. For travelers, that means being aware of the environmental and social impacts of their travel choices.
Here are some of the latest developments in sustainable travel:
-The United Nations World Tourism Organization has launched a new initiative called the Sustainable Tourism for All Global Summit, which will take place in October 2020. The goal of the summit is to promote sustainable tourism practices that benefit both businesses and consumers.
-The Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals Alliance (CASDGA) has released a set of guidelines for sustainable travel. The guidelines cover topics such as responsible wildlife tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and green infrastructure.
-The Responsible Travel Hub, an online resource for responsible travelers, has relaunched with a new name (Sustainable Travel International) and a new mission: to help make sustainable travel the new normal.
-Booking.com has announced a new partnership with 1% for the Planet, an organization that connects businesses with environmental causes. As part of the partnership, Booking.com will donate 1% of its revenues to 1% for the Planet-approved nonprofits.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this update on some of the changes to our Travel Green List for 2020. As always, our goal is to provide accurate and up-to-date information so that you can make informed decisions about your travel.
