How to make your trip abroad a little kinder to our planet

Travel should create memories, not a massive carbon footprint. Here’s 10 thoughtful tweaks to make your trip greener and more considerate to the planet.

1. Stay close to home

First and foremost, if you can avoid flying altogether, do. Trains and coaches are a far lower-impact way to travel. Use them to find hidden gems just a short journey away,  whether in your own or neighbouring countries.

Take a train to have a green holiday

2. Fly direct

Ideally, we’d all hop on a scenic train to our destination, but flying is often the only practical choice. When you do fly, book direct flights. Why? Take offs and landings are fuel-heavy. Flying direct can save up to 100 kg of CO₂ per person.

3. Pack light

We all throw in a few "just in case" items before zipping up the suitcase. But those extras have a cost. Every additional kilogram creates more CO₂ per kilometre. Pack light and save emissions.

4. Go for longer

If you're already flying somewhere, consider staying longer. One flight for an extended break has a lower impact than multiple short getaways.

Packing light reduces carbon emissions making your trip greener

5. Plant trees

Holidays abroad are always going to have a high carbon cost, no matter how careful you are. If you're feeling the flight guilt then balance out some of your emissions with trees. A simple donation to International Tree Foundation helps plant trees in community-led projects that create a lasting impact for people and planet.

6. Embrace public transport

Skip the taxi queue. Local buses, trains and shared coach tours are often cheaper and far less polluting. Bike hire is also becoming more popular in many destinations - a great way to see the sites and enjoy the fresh air.

7. Be mindful at the buffet

Buffets are full of choice - but they also generate a lot of food waste. Globally, around one-third of all food is wasted or lost each year. Take smaller portions and go back for seconds rather than piling your plate high. And opt for locally grown, in-season food to cut down on food miles.

8. Bring a reusable shopping bag

Even if you’re staying in an all-inclusive hotel, you’ll probably end up nipping into a local shop. Avoid being caught short, take a lightweight bag and skip the plastic.

Local honey is a great souvenir that supports farmers and biodiversity

9. Think before you buy souvenirs

Be choosy about what you bring home. Many tourist trinkets are mass-produced and imported. That’s more airmiles stacked on top of your own. Seek out locally made mementoes and don’t feel you have to bring anything back.

10. Tidy up your photos

A single photo can bring back a memory faster than words. But storing thousands in the cloud isn’t as impact-free as it seems. Data centres use huge amounts of energy, water and land. Keep just a few favourites from each trip. You only need one good shot to remember the moment.

Plant trees today

Trees capture carbon and cool our planet. They bring back nature and repair ecosystems. Plant trees today and help restore our planet.