Table of Contents
Introduction
Sustainable travel, what does that really mean to you? I’ve been working in renewable energy for the last few years now, and one thing I’ve come to understand deeply is just how much emissions from aviation and fast fashion contribute to climate change. The world is warming up quickly and daily.
The Paris Agreement says the world needs to stay within 1.5°C, but if you’ve been following the news, you’ll know we’re currently projected to reach 2.7°C to 3°C. That’s not just a number, it’s devastatingly dangerous for communities, ecosystems, and livelihoods all over the world. And we are already seeing the impacts from deforestation in the Congo Basin, water droughts across Africa and the Middle East, and the severe flooding in Pakistan. More often than not, it’s the Global South that often bears the brunt of a crisis it didn’t create.
Related Post: Why I Don’t Buy New Outfits for Every Trip
What is Sustainable Travel?
So, what actually is sustainable travel? It’s a question I’ve asked myself more times than I can count, especially as someone who loves to explore the world, by travelling by plane or by train all the time. However, I am someone who also cares deeply about the state of the planet we live in.
Sustainable travel, for me, is not about guilt tripping anyone who travels and goes to safaris, etc., nor is it about grounding yourself and never booking a flight again, because who am I to speak? Talking about sustainable travel for me is about being intentional with our travels. It’s about pausing and reflecting before you pack and asking yourself: how can I show up better in this place? How can I leave it a little better than I found it?
Whether that’s choosing a local guesthouse over a big chain hotel, packing light to reduce your carbon load, or simply taking the time to learn a few words in the local language. It doesn’t matter all of it all counts. Sustainable travel is the practice of travelling with your eyes, your heart, and your conscience wide open.
Can You Travel and Still Care About the Planet?
As much as I try to live consciously by re-wearing clothes (I rarely buy new outfits for every trip), avoiding fast fashion, and recycling where I can. I do recognise that I LOVE to travel. However, I can’t ignore the fact that flying contributes to global emissions.
There are over 8 billion people in the world. I’m just one. But I truly believe that your actions and mine, however small, can ripple outward benefits to climate change. I also believe that it’s our responsibility to at least start talking about it.
This isn’t a post to shame anyone for buying a new outfit for every single trip or not recycling perfectly. It’s a reflection post on sustainable travel. A space to raise awareness. A way to share my sustainable travel choices that protect our globe.
What I’ve Changed in My Travel Habits
For someone who travels often, I’ve had to rethink and alter a few things:
- Combining my trips when I travel. Instead of lots of short-haul flights, I try to link destinations and maximise the impact of each journey. For example, in the past I have travelled to Peru and then went to Colombia. I have also done Croatia and Montenegro, and in Africa, I’ve done Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania (Zanzibar). I have done others, but this is to give you a few examples.
- Choosing trains or shared transport for tours. I know private tours are nice, but where I can I try to do train travels (the Eurostar recently announced trains to Germany and Switzerland from London) or shared rides? This helps me feel like I’m supporting the environment while also avoiding being completely solo.
- I check the CO₂ emissions when booking flights. I use tools like Skyscanner’s CO2 tracker to choose lower-emission flight options where possible. It’s a small step, but one that helps me travel more consciously.
- Supporting local businesses. Where I can, I will always be intentional about where I spend my money, whether that is choosing a local restaurant like I did in Peru at Morena Peruvian Kitchen Restaurant or spending my money directly with a local guide.
- Staying longer and travelling slower can actually reduce emissions and make your travel experience deeper and more intentional. Although I understand that some places can be quick trips. Travelling this way allows you to get to know the place more and not just pass through. I did this recently in my trip to South Africa and Tunisia, where I stayed for over a week in both countries.
- Re-wearing my clothes that I wore on one trip to another trip. Because honestly, there is nothing wrong with re-wearing your clothes if it saves the environment. It also allows you to keep you away from buying into fast-fashion.
I’m sure there is many more other things that I should and can be doing, but everyday I learn something new and implement that while I’m travelling.
What Sustainable Travel Really Means
When people hear “sustainable travel,” they often think of carbon offsetting, of simply not travelling at all. In some instances, this could be correct, which, yes, has its place. But for me, it’s much more.
Sustainable travel doesn’t mean no travel. I would say it means the complete opposite. Sustainable travel to me actually means you just need to travel more consciously and better. It’s a mindset. A culture shift.
An environmental shift in your attitude.
Sustainable travel is about how you show up in the spaces you travel to and asking questions like:
- How are you being respectful of local cultures in the country you are in? Is that through not littering, trying to recycle your rubbish properly?
- Are you contributing economically to the communities you visit? Is that through donation, volunteering, etc?
- How are you learning, listening, and not just consuming?
This is the sustainability we don’t talk about enough: cultural, economic, and even emotional sustainability (for you and for others).
The Global Impact of Fast Fashion
I’ve come to see that travel has a global impact on oneself and the world. It fosters empathy, builds bridges, supports trade deals, and creates global understanding. But let’s be honest: it also leaves a footprint.
So, how do I reconcile both? By being more intentional when I travel. By making better choices, one trip at a time.
I believe it’s possible to be a responsible global citizen and enjoy the beauty of exploring this world. We have to keep evaluating and evolving.
Conclusion: No Shame, Just Awareness
You don’t need to be perfect to care. You just need to be aware. To start travelling with a sense of consciousness.
Sustainable travel is not a buzzword. It’s being practical. Asking questions that ask us to slow down to think and honour the privilege that travel is. Sustainably.
As I continue to travel the globe, I will continue to make adjustments where I can, and I’ll keep encouraging others to do the same. Because it’s not about travelling less, it’s about travelling better. Travelling sustainably.
Thanks for getting to the end with me. It means you share the same sentiments I have on travel sustainability, and I hope you can also share how you travel sustainably around the world.
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Until next time
MBV X
