The shorter the distance from home you travel, the lower your carbon footprint. <ul><li>Find local adventures, such as walking in unexplored areas of your neighbourhood or visiting museums in your city. Consider driving a few hours to a beach or forest.</li><li>Places with the lightest footprint include Slovenia's cities and towns and Spain's locations.</li><li>More popular tourist destinations. Consider going outside peak months. Stay longer, choose accredited accommodation, and find local activities that give back to residents.</li><li>Visit places that need volunteering and support.</li></ul>

Where to go

<ul><li>Use an eco-friendly booking site for accommodation. Sites should calculate your carbon footprint per night and include eco-friendly ratings.</li><li>Consider using a sustainable travel agent that organises trips and activities for you that consider environmental and social impact. </li><li>Look for a verification system to determine if a business is simply greenwashing.</li><li>Seek out local experiences. </li></ul>

Once you've chosen your destination

If you want to see the world, but also make your trips more sustainable, here are some tips: where to go, what to pack and how you to get there. 

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Personal Development

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Travel

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Science & Nature

By Livia Albeck-Ripka

When thinking about how to reduce our individual carbon footprints, one of the simplest ways to cut back on emissions is to fly less often. But for those who want to see the world, there are ways to make trips more sustainable, including where you go, what you pack and how you decide to get there.

As a general rule, the shorter the distance from home you travel, the lower your carbon footprint. But if you want to go farther, some destinations are more sustainable than others.

Finding local adventures, such as walking in unexplored corners of your neighborhood or visiting museums in your city, is among the greenest forms of travel. If you want to venture just a little farther, consider driving a few hours to a beach or forest. Even a small adventure can feel a world away.

According to a list compiled by a dozen sustainability organizations, cities and towns in Slovenia, including Ljubljana, as well as locations in Spain were among the best places to visit and leave a light footprint in 2019. In a separate competition, <a href="http://newsroom.itb-berlin.de/en/news/palau-wins-itb-earth-award">experts also nominated Palau </a>— where visitors must pledge to protect the natural and cultural heritage before entering — as a pioneer in sustainability.

Each of the 100 destinations was selected based on certain criteria: that they had a governing body to manage sustainability; showed commitment to protecting natural resources, people and heritage; and reduced energy consumption, among other factors. The aim of the list is to raise the bar on sustainability issues for all cities, said Claire Ellis, the chair of Ecotourism Australia, one of the organizations that helped determine the list.

Slovenia, Dr. Ellis added, was among the first countries to develop sustainability tools and certification programs at the <a href="https://www.slovenia.info/en/business/green-scheme-of-slovenian-tourism">national level </a>. In 2016 its capital, Ljubljana, <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/winning-cities/2016-ljubljana/">was voted Europe’s greenest city </a>by the European Union, thanks to its public transport, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and commitment to protecting green areas and saving waste water.

Increasingly, Ljubljana and other sustainable cities are becoming aware of the “over tourism” occuring in cities such as Barcelona and Venice, Dr. Ellis and other experts said. In Venice, for example, locals have <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/venice-tourism-overcrowding-intl/index.html">become increasingly concerned </a>about the cruise ships that cause environmental damage, dominate the skyline and often cause overcrowding of the city. Similar issues plague Barcelona, which is experiencing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/aug/30/why-tourism-is-killing-barcelona-overtourism-photo-essay">soaring numbers of visitors </a>.

If You Want to Visit More Popular Tourist Destinations

If you do choose to visit crowded and popular cities, consider doing so outside peak summer months, say experts. Stay longer, choose accredited accommodation (using a site such as bookdifferent.com, which ensures claims to sustainability are checked by third parties), and find local activities that give back to residents, instead of the most popular activities, which can also often be tourist traps. When you are a visitor to a new place, consider that you are voting with your “money and feet and wallet,” Dr. Ellis said.

Another way to spend your hard-earned dollars is to travel to destinations rebuilding after disaster. Puerto Rico, for example, has developed a robust tourism sector since weathering a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria.html">devastating hurricane </a>in 2017. The island, which also faces sea level rise, was picked as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/travel/visit-puerto-rico.html">The Times’ No. 1 destination </a>in 2019, in part because it represents many fragile places around the world.

Travelers can help further by volunteering in environmental and social projects helping to rebuild devastated communities, said Laurie Myers, the project lead for the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council, which helps the industry to focus on sustainable outcomes for disaster-affected communities. “Travel and tourism is probably the fastest way to recovery,” Mr. Myers said.

And if you’re planning a trip to any coastal destination, choosing one with a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261517711002081">Marine Protected Area </a>is another way to ensure the involvement of local communities in protecting landscapes and aquatic life. “Once the local population is engaged,” Mr. Myers said, it can help them to rebuild after crisis and welcome visitors to their natural environment in a way that is sustainable.

<ul><li>Use an eco-friendly booking site for accommodation. Sites like <a href="https://www.bookdifferent.com/en/">bookdifferent.com </a>calculate your carbon footprint per night based on your selection and include eco-friendly ratings. Choose accommodation that injects money back into the local economy.  </li><li>Consider using a sustainable travel agent. Companies like <a href="https://www.lokaltravel.com/">lokal </a>can take out some of the legwork by organizing trips and activities for you that take environmental and social impact into consideration.  </li><li>Look for a system of verification. This will help you determine if a business is simply greenwashing, or has met standards set by sustainability councils. </li><li>Seek out local experiences. Homestays, local guides and programs that give back to communities are also good ways to ensure your money is injected back into the local economy.  </li> </ul>

Keep in mind that “not every destination has eco-certified accommodations which is why it is also up to travellers to pay close attention,” Lonneke de Kort, the chief executive of <a href="http://bookdifferent.com/">bookdifferent.com </a>, wrote by email.

“Many small scale accommodations can be green solutions as well,” she added. “For instance, think of a farm which uses solar power, serves fresh organic produce for breakfast and employs locals.”

Looking to Scientists to Expand Eco-Tourism Efforts

Transport is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants. Considering how you get to your destination and around it can help you leave a lighter footprint.

Often, when traveling long distances, flying may be the only reasonable option to get to your destination, but the aviation industry is also responsible for <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/climate/air-travel-emissions.html">emitting harmful emissions into the atmosphere. </a>(According to one 2016 study, every metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/reader-center/travel-climate-change.html">shrinks the ice cover in the Arctic </a>by three square meters, or 32 square feet.)

Planes expend a significant amount of fuel just reaching altitude and descending, so the shorter the distance you fly, the less efficient, said Bryan Comer, a senior researcher with the International Council on Clean Transportation. This is worth considering when traveling shorter distances you could reach by other means.

Cruise ships may seem like a good alternative, but they can be even more polluting, say experts. According to one <a href="https://theicct.org/publications/transatlantic-airline-fuel-efficiency-ranking-2017">2017 study </a>, even the most efficient cruise ships emit between three to four times more carbon dioxide per passenger per kilometer than commercial flights. Ships also usually burn the lowest-quality and most polluting kind of fuel, which can affect the passengers, crew, and the environment and populations of the destinations being visited, Dr. Comer said.

There are other reasons to avoid cruise ships — for example, when visiting sensitive destinations like Venice, where the boats can dominate the skyline, crowd the city and even cause large waves that some say have <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49276730">contributed to the erosion </a>of the islands. “There are aesthetic reasons to be concerned about traveling to places where your arrival makes such an obvious impact,” Dr. Comer added.

By most accounts, trains as a form of travel emit the lowest levels of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants, whether they are electric or diesel-powered. They also offer an opportunity for slow travel: Take in the landscape, read a book, and arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to explore.

When it comes to cars, remember that the greater the number of passengers, the lower the carbon footprint per mile for each person (and their luggage and animals). When driving long distances, sites like <a href="http://blablacar.com/">blablacar.com </a>, or <a href="http://carpoolworld.com/">carpoolworld.com </a> can help you find people to share the ride — and the driving.

Whatever your means of transport, you can choose to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/climate/nyt-climate-newsletter-carbon-offsets.html">offset your journey </a>by buying credits that go toward a project that either avoids the emissions of greenhouse gases, or helps sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Keep in mind, however, that offsets tend to be unregulated and can vary substantially in quality.

“Someone can create a project in their backyard, call it an offset and try and sell it,” said Peter Miller, the director of the western region’s climate program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. There are a number of offset registries that check and rate programs, such as the <a href="https://www.climateactionreserve.org/">Climate Action Reserve </a>, where Mr. Miller is a board member.

Once you’re on the ground, think about whether there’s a more environmentally friendly way to enjoy the city:

<ul><li>Consider bike or walking tours. </li><li>If you’re on the water, sail instead of taking a power-engined boat. </li><li>Renting a car? Consider electric, or at least the smallest vehicle that suits your family’s needs. </li><li>Take public transit where possible. This is also a great way to meet local people. </li><li>Try carsharing, which can save money and emissions. </li><li>Consider activities that combine experience with environmental benefits, such as beach clean-ups. </li> </ul>

After you’ve booked your trip, packing smart is the next step to reducing your footprint and making your own life simpler while traveling.

What you take on your journey can help reduce your impact on your destination even further. For example, biodegradable shampoos and laundry detergent, and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/travel/most-sunscreens-can-harm-coral-reefs-what-should-travelers-do.html">sunscreen with fewer chemicals </a>can help lessen the mark you leave on natural environments, while bringing your own water bottle and even cutlery can reduce your consumption of single-use items.

When packing clothes, take a collection of essential items that mix and match well with one another and can be layered. Not only will this make your life easier, but it also can help reduce your overall emissions footprint, as your luggage is likely to be lighter and easier to transport — whether you’re taking a plane, train, car or boat.

Alden Wicker, the founder of the sustainable fashion and travel blog <a href="https://ecocult.com/">Ecocult </a>, recommends choosing a simple color palette; natural materials including cotton, linen and wool; and items that can be easily hand-washed and air-dried. Consider that clothes you travel with are likely to get dirty, worn and washed often, so choose clothing that is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/climate/sustainable-clothing.html">built to last </a>. (Here are some more tips for <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/28/travel/the-right-way-to-pack-for-travel.html">paring down your packing </a>before a trip.)

One of the easiest ways to reduce your plastic and consumption of single-use products is to pack a reusable water bottle when you travel. For a hot or cold climate, consider insulated bottles like the <a href="https://www.swellbottle.com/shop/swell/bottles/">S’well </a>or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0719JFBKS?tag=digitren08-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=1576468603909d1lf">MiiR </a>, which can maintain a drink’s temperature for hours.

And for destinations where the water may contain impurities, it may be worth spending a little more on a bottle that can filter and purify water, such as the <a href="https://www.lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw-go">Lifestraw Go </a>or <a href="https://grayl.com/collections/grayl-water-purifiers">GRAYL </a>. (These bottles can also help to reduce the likelihood of getting a stomach bug when abroad.)

Other reusable and environmentally friendly items can lessen the trace you leave behind:

<ul><li>Cutlery and small containers. Taking along a small container for snacks can help reduce your plastic consumption, as can reusable cutlery. If you’re short on space, even taking one item, such as a <a href="https://packhacker.com/travel-gear/life-without-plastic/stainless-steel-folding-spork/">foldable spork </a>, can help reduce your footprint. </li><li>Reusable straw. Plastic straws are known to harm wildlife and pollute the oceans, and in recent years have increasingly been replaced with alternatives, and in some cases, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/nyregion/new-york-today-plastic-straw-ban.html">banned entirely </a>. But with the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/travel/straw-bans-hotels-resorts.html">travel industry lagging </a>behind on these changes, you may want to consider bringing your own stainless steel or <a href="https://finalstraw.com/">collapsible </a>straw. </li><li>Toothbrush and toiletries. Choose a bamboo or biodegradable toothbrush, and bring soaps, shampoos and conditioners in refillable silicone bottles, like the <a href="https://www.humangear.com/gear/gotoob">GoToob </a>from <a href="https://www.humangear.com/">humangear </a>, a San Francisco-based company that makes a number of travel-friendly products.  </li><li>Sanitary products. Consider using a reusable silicone <a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/menstrual-cup">sanitary cup </a>over disposable tampons, applicators and pads, which often contain plastic and other synthetic materials that can harm the environment. </li><li>Clothesline. Take <a href="https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/equipment/travel-accessories/go-travel-clothes-line/BP90000548">a pegless clothesline </a>to hang up on your balcony or in the bathroom for small laundry loads and delicates. </li><li>Kindle or iPad over books. Bringing your books along in digital form can lighten your load and save paper at the same time.  </li><li>Tote bag. Pack a cloth bag for extra souvenirs, a day out or shopping. Doing so is likely to minimize picking up plastic bags along the way.  </li><li>Cloth napkins. Using cloth instead of paper napkins means less trash every time you eat. Take a few along and pop them in with the laundry when they get dirty.  </li><li>Sunscreen. Many sunscreens contain oxybenzone, which is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/travel/most-sunscreens-can-harm-coral-reefs-what-should-travelers-do.html">toxic to the symbiotic algae that live within corals </a>. Bring along a reef-safe option, such as <a href="https://www.rawelementsusa.com/">Raw Elements </a>, instead.  </li><li>Soaps. Consider bringing along an all-use biodegradable soap such as <a href="https://www.drbronner.com/">Dr. Bronner’s </a>, which can be used to wash your body, hair, dishes and clothing.  </li> </ul>

About one-quarter of all planet-warming greenhouse gases emitted each year are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/30/dining/climate-change-food-eating-habits.html">a result of what we eat </a>, so thinking about what you eat while traveling is crucial if you want to leave a lighter footprint.

While language and cultural barriers can make it harder to decipher exactly what is in your food and where it comes from, the change in diet can also present a great opportunity to try new foods and make different choices. Ms. Wicker, the founder of Ecocult, recommends taking a cooking class when you arrive somewhere new. It’s “fun; sustainable” and, she adds, an opportunity to inquire about the nature of the agriculture and farming systems.

In general, eating vegetarian or vegan (whether at home or traveling) is a great way to make a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice. Meat and dairy, particularly from cows, have <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/30/dining/climate-change-food-eating-habits.html">an outsize impact on climate change </a>, with livestock accounting for around 14.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases each year. If you still want to eat non-vegetarian, choose chicken or sustainably sourced seafood instead. If you want to try cutting these out entirely, however, tofu and nuts are among the most sustainable options.

When thinking about what to eat, you might also consider:

<ul><li>Packing snacks. Bring along containers and fill them with nuts, fruit or snacks from street stalls instead of buying prepackaged goods that can contribute to landfills. </li><li>Following the locals. Even if you don’t speak the language, you can often get a fantastic meal by simply watching what local people order: It’s more likely to be fresh and locally sourced.  </li><li>Making sustainable choices. Avoid all-inclusive resorts that provide a Western-style all-you-can breakfast with a lot of waste and indulgence. Instead, seek out local dining experiences. </li><li>But sometimes, relaxing your rules. While you might prefer to  eat a vegetarian or even vegan diet at home, consider bending the rules if it means supporting local farmers instead of big industry or non-local businesses. </li> </ul>

What we bring home with us matters as much as how we travel there and what we leave behind.

Being conscious of your consumption while traveling is another way to lower your personal emissions and leave a lighter footprint. Here are some things to consider:

<ul><li>Ask questions. Ask retailers about their environmental impact and the conditions for their workers.  </li><li>Buy local. As much as possible, avoid chain stores and markets outside tourist destinations, which are likely to sell cheaply made, imported goods. </li><li>Buy vegan. Avoid items with animal products, especially when you are unsure of their origin. </li><li>Research eco-friendly boutiques. These stores will stock environmentally friendly goods that inject money back into local economies and support traditional craft. Museum shops are also likely to stock artisan goods, Ms. Wicker, the founder of Ecocult, says.  </li><li>Avoid Western-owned stores. Choose local options instead.  </li><li>Discover the local fashion. Purchase goods made in the village, town or city you are staying in.  </li><li>Look for a fair trade or similar logo. This indicates your clothes were made sustainably. </li><li>Take a reusable bag on your day trips.  </li><li>Skip the packaging. </li> </ul>

Be a More Sustainable Traveler - Travel Guides

Where to go

Once you've chosen your destination

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