Sustainable tourism is the principle of traveling with awareness of one’s impact on the environment, while ensuring that the places visited do not suffer as a result. It’s a balance to be maintained: we must amplify the positive aspects of our travels while reducing or eliminating the negative effects.
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has exceeded 400 parts per million, the highest level in 800,000 years. This concentration continues to climb, and with it, temperatures. The scientific consensus is clear: a 1.5°C increase will cause global warming that will prove dangerous for our planet. This was evident in 2024, the first year to have surpassed this significant threshold. Climate stability depends on our ability to curb this rise in temperatures, and time is running out.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS ON NATURE?
The environmental crisis goes hand in hand with the climate crisis. Worldwide, it is estimated that one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. The reasons are numerous: intensification of agriculture and forestry, resource extraction, hunting, invasive species, urban sprawl, pollution, and climate change. However, it is not only remote rainforests or polar bears at the ends of the earth that are disappearing. Habitat loss and the effects on biodiversity are being felt even in France. Between fires, forest blazes, and floods, birds, terrestrial species, and marine life are not escaping unscathed.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS?
Practicing sustainable tourism is not about making one big gesture once. It’s a mindset to adopt, an awareness that will have an effect on how we go on vacation, from packing our bags to choosing our means of transport, including selecting hotels and activities to do on site.
WHERE TO BEGIN?
Pack less. Traveling light makes getting around easier, whether on foot, by bike, or using public transport. Plus, you’ll use less fuel or energy, which is a significant advantage if you’re traveling in an electric car.
The three Rs rule is useful for avoiding overloading.
- Reduce: only bring items that will be truly useful and can have multiple uses.
- Reuse: do not take anything that can only be used once.
- Recycle: avoid items that cannot be recycled once they are no longer needed, such as plastic bottles, bags and straws.
Over time, the microplastics produced by the decomposition of these items are ingested by marine life and end up in our stomachs, potentially leading to serious health problems. Instead, consider bringing a reusable water bottle, a thermos for your hot drinks, containers for your food and toiletries, and a shopping bag. These will be useful because they will save you from buying plastic bags while you shop.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE I CAN MAKE?
Choosing the right mode of transport is a good way to reduce your carbon emissions. Transportation alone is responsible for 70% of CO2 emissions during holiday travel. The most effective approach is to reduce the distance traveled and travel in a way that consumes less, or even better, no fossil fuels at all, and to use environmentally friendly modes of transport. Another solution is to forgo a vehicle altogether and travel on foot, by bicycle, or by sailboat.
There is a significant difference between the CO2 emitted by airplanes and that of most land vehicles. Concerted efforts are underway to decarbonize air travel, using different fuels and propulsion methods, such as electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. However, even the most optimistic predictions state that this transition will take at least ten years for most airlines. Currently, a single long-haul flight can emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than a person driving a gasoline-powered car will in a year. In France, choosing the train over the plane results in 30 to 50 times less CO2 emissions , when considering energy consumption, vehicle manufacturing, and maintenance.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE TO TAKE A PLANE?
If you’re travelling by plane, keep in mind that there’s a significant difference between the carbon emissions of aircraft and those of the procedures carried out by airlines. You can use online tools like Skyscanner or Opodo , which allow you to filter your search to show only flights with the lowest CO2 emissions .
Air travel remains a major source of pollution, so try to adopt a more selective approach when you travel. Just like the flexitarian diet, which prioritizes plant-based foods and encourages a reduction in meat and fish consumption, you can fly occasionally and travel by land the rest of the time. Stay longer in destinations accessible by air, and choose places that respect the environment and the well-being of local communities.
WHAT IS MY CARBON FOOTPRINT ONCE I ARRIVE?
Once you arrive at your destination, other factors will influence your carbon emissions, such as your choice of hotel and the food you eat. In France, a hotel night emits approximately 10 kg of CO2 per person, according to a March 2020 publication by the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME). Therefore, choosing a hotel that emits less carbon than average can make a difference to your trip’s carbon footprint. Fortunately, it’s becoming increasingly easy to find hotels that meet these criteria. Many online booking sites now have an option allowing you to filter results, such as Airbnb , Sawday , and i-escape . Some online agencies even specialize in this, for example, fairbnb.coop and GreenGo . Booking.com , TripAdvisor , and Google highlight eco-certified hotels in their search results. These accommodations sometimes do more than simply reduce their carbon emissions; they also make efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, the use of chemicals, and the amount of water used.
Enjoying local dishes and seasonal produce is also a good, environmentally friendly habit, avoiding food transportation (known as “food miles”). Whether it’s fresh bread for breakfast, a salad bought at the local market for lunch, or the catch of the day at a seafood restaurant, consuming local products isn’t just good for the planet. It’s also a healthier option and a great way to support the local economy.
WHICH DESTINATIONS TO CHOOSE?
Some of Europe’s most vibrant cities are perfect choices for a green getaway, such as Bristol, Angers, Nantes, Zurich, Ljubljana, and Copenhagen. Local authorities, taking a pragmatic approach, have implemented a circular economy to create sustainable transportation, housing, and economic policies that accelerate their transition to net zero carbon. This makes the experience all the more enjoyable for those who love sustainable tourism. For example, connected green spaces contribute to stormwater management, as well as improving air quality and biodiversity. These initiatives also have the added benefit of creating more green sanctuaries within cities, allowing people to appreciate urban nature or simply relax in parks and gardens.
HOW TO GET AROUND?
Countries with modern and fast rail networks make travel easy and generate little CO2 . Switzerland has a public transport network throughout the country (the Swiss Travel Pass allows free access to 500 museums in addition to unlimited use of trains, buses, boats and urban public transport), while France, Spain, Italy and Germany have impressive high-speed trains that run between major cities.
