Globally, the growing awareness of climate change’s impact has prompted many industries to engage in deep reflection: how can they address the climate crisis and adopt more environmentally conscious practices? 

The need for change is pressing, particularly in the travel industry. In terms of environmental impact, this industry stands out: air travel, as well as other modes of transport, hotels, disposable products and other travelling habits all contribute to tourism making up around 8% of global carbon emissions. In response to such figures, a trend has developed amongst providers and consumers alike to move towards more sustainable travel; 74% of travellers want to travel more sustainably, according to 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, whilst the introduction of carbon offsetting in some major hotels and airlines indicates an uptake in sustainable thinking across the industry. However, such thinking ought not to be a reflection of a mere short-term fad; an ethical industry will seek to genuinely improve its sustainability and empower the responsible traveller, and not just as a trend – but as an approach fundamental to a long vision of a thriving industry. 

London’s regenerated ‘Highline’

For those considering the role they might play in a sustainable travel industry, there are some key areas to consider. ‘Sustainable travel’ has been defined by the World Tourism Organisation as ‘tourism that takes full account of its current and future … environmental impacts, addressing the needs of its visitors, the industry, the environment’. So, one might start with considering modes of travel and transport. It is hard to escape the fact that most transport, particularly air travel, will contribute significantly to global emissions – however, it is possible to offset this. Some schemes offer ‘carbon credits’ – essentially a donation which invests in green projects, such as planting trees – or, travellers might consider journeying more slowly, as slower methods of transport often emit less than faster vehicles such as planes. 

Other means of offsetting emissions are available once a traveller has arrived at their destination. An environmentally conscious travel industry should offer choices to the consumer which enable sustainable behaviour; the provision of local and environmentally friendly suppliers, for example, might reduce the impact of a tourist’s stay in an area. These could include eateries which provide local cuisine, with locally sourced ingredients, and hotels which grow some produce in-house – or, rather trendily, zero-waste or on-location restaurants. This reduces emissions on multiple levels, from the distance food travels from source to plate, to the energy generated growing that food.  

Silo, London’s First Zero Waste restaurant

Selecting environmentally-oriented accommodation partners is also an ethical approach – for example, choosing hotels which use sustainably sourced products, wash their laundry sustainably, undergo construction using environmentally-friendly and natural materials, set more temperate air conditioning or heating levels, or use green energy suppliers.  

Self-evidently, the list may continue – a fact which should inspire hope amongst those concerned with making a genuine effort to combat the environmental impact of the travel industry. Industry specialists and consumers alike can investigate location-specific offerings by consulting experts in the field, such as the ethically and environmentally oriented team at Extraordinary Britain. It is of the utmost importance to contribute to an industry culture which doesn’t consider sustainability as a trend – but rather as an essential and integral component of a healthy and thriving industry and planet.