Earth Day 2024: Why does sustainable travel matter?

‘Why do you love to travel?’ It’s a question discerning travellers are often asked. ‘Where do I start?’ I always answer, before reminiscing about some of the extraordinary landscapes that have blown my mind, the cultures that have opened it and the wildlife experiences that are now forever etched into my memory. 

The truth is travel is one of the most educational and enriching experiences we can have. Sharing cultures, respecting nature and developing a global understanding of life are just a few of the benefits. It is also a privilege, one that the majority of people aren't able to enjoy. Those of us who travel do so for different reasons, yet what we receive from the world is often so much more.

Recently, however, the news has been hard to avoid. Our planet is changing, and reports suggest we all need to step up to protect it from irreversible damage. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) synthesis report, revealed that if we continue on our current greenhouse gas emissions trajectory, the world is likely to surpass the ‘safe’ 1.5°C temperature threshold, above pre-industrial levels, as early as the 2030s.

The increasing levels of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane created through anthropogenic activity, such as the use of fossil fuels and agricultural development, have accelerated the warming of the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution of the 18^th Century  – with the rate of increase gaining momentum as more complex technologies, including commercial air travel, have come into regular use. In turn, we are seeing more and more knock-on events from the changing climate, such as habitat and biodiversity loss, drought, flooding, wildfire and food systems degradation.

In addition, more and more key ecosystems – both on land and underwater – are slowly being dilapidated by human activity such as plastic pollution, infrastructural development, mining, agriculture and industrial fishing. The WWF’s 2022 Living Planet Report exposed a 69% decline in monitored global wildlife populations between 1970 and 2018, suggesting significant biodiversity loss is taking place across the globe. One million plant and animal species across the globe are currently threatened with extinction. Some scientists have even suggested the world could be at the beginning of a sixth mass extinction event.

Last year, researchers monitoring the Earth’s ‘Planetary Boundaries’ – which demonstrate the parameters in which Earth can maintain a stable and resilient environment – declared that six out of nine critical natural processes had been crossed, including the boundaries of climate change, biosphere integrity and the usage of land, freshwater ecosystems. The scientists who had long-warned us of climate change were now declaring urgent action was needed as our nature-based systems – the ones that support all life on Earth – were at risk of being altered.

The solemn speech by Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister, Simon Kofe – where he described how sea level rises due to climate change will, one day, leave his Pacific Island nation engulfed by water – really brought the situation to the forefront. The world is changing right before our eyes, he shared, and if we want to preserve and protect nature for generations to come, quick and efficient action is needed.

How does sustainable travel help?

The good news is, action can be taken. While policy transformations are imperative on governmental and industrial levels, consumers can also be influential in enacting positive change. Embarking on more sustainable and responsible ways of travelling may not single-handedly slow down climate change or biodiversity loss, but it can offer the difference between a high-impact and low-impact trip in a local environment – which can transform lives.

Being clued up on the facts allows us to make better informed decisions. For example, did you know that those of us who fly on holiday and business are a part of just 11% of the world’s population that use flights for transportation? Just 1-2% of those people fly frequently. This astoundingly small proportion of the world’s population contribute to over 3.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions – a hefty carbon footprint indeed, but what can we do about it?

Of course, the answer here isn’t not to fly. After all, tourism is a £6.07 trillion global industry, with many national and regional economies depending on tourism. Plus, the tourism industry provides jobs for one in 10 people around the world. However, we can make better decisions to reduce our carbon footprint – such as choosing to fly long-haul less regularly, and embracing overland experiences at home or in Europe.

Considering when and where to travel is equally important. Nations and regions striving for lower greenhouse gas emissions, environmental protection and better tourism practices can and should be supported. Taking a trip in low and shoulder seasons helps mitigate the overcrowding of environments during the peak months – and allows seasonal tourism businesses to operate year-round.

Our decision-making around the companies we book with also makes a difference. Seeking out a tour operator that has a transparent sustainability policy – and that provides access to immersive community-run experiences and businesses within its itineraries – is great for boosting sustainable tourism in a local environment. A commitment to the Glasgow Declaration goal to halve emissions by 2030, and to achieve Net Zero before 2050, is a sign that an operator is genuine about reducing its environmental impact.

As we see more climate change-related adverse weather conditions taking place, we should also consider whether our presence is welcome in disaster-struck areas. Last year, we saw several countries battling horrifying wildfires – however not all of them wanted tourism to return immediately, at least until local rebuilding had been prioritised. Respecting local sentiment is incredibly important.

Small steps, big differences

Our spending choices in-the-field are also vital. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), just USD$5 in every USD$100 spent by mass-market tourists benefit a host community. This means only a small amount of tourist expenditure reaches – and benefits – local people, with the rest typically going to international business owners. The inequity in tourism is startling – but there is something travellers can do.

Opting for community-based tours, where money goes directly into the host communities, is key. From locally-owned luxury boutique hotels to family-run guesthouses, businesses steeped in the community tend to carefully consider their footprint. Meals are typically made to order to reduce food waste, while energy and water consumption tends to be better managed. Best of all, this is a more intimate and genuine way to share cultures – an experience that is often lost in big-name hotels or resorts.

Taking time to understand the history of a place, respect all aspects of its culture and support Indigenous businesses, is yet another way to support local ecosystems and nature. After all, Indigenous people – who represent just 5% of the world’s population – are considered to safeguard 80% of global biodiversity. Their stewardship is truly global – with communities acting as guardians from the Amazon to the old-growth forests of Arctic Finland, and many places in between.

When communities benefit, the planet benefits

Opting for ethical wildlife experiences will ensure natural habitats and ecosystems are kept safe from overtourism and unethical practices such as chasing animals, touching or feeding them. Paying a little more to stay in a conservation-centred lodge or conservancy-based safaris can ensure money goes towards environmental preservation, lowering emissions, animal protection and community empowerment. Many conservancy-based camps work closely with local people to reduce human-wildlife conflict issues. Why not ask about the work a business does to support the local community before booking?

Ultimately, when a host community is thriving – with tourism income going directly towards much needed infrastructure such as healthcare, education and local development – the surrounding environment will also prosper. People will be willing to safeguard those vulnerable environments because nature provides them with a healthier and happier life.

Moreover, we shouldn’t underestimate the power of consumer behaviour. In the same way many of us have switched from accepting disposable coffee cups to carrying reusable flasks, or swapped from buying imported food products to seeking out seasonal, local produce, and even consuming less meat – a more conscious way of travelling can slowly change habits. Perhaps it can even lead to a revolution in he way the industry functions, perhaps by ditching detrimental habits such as pushing the boundaries of overtourism or engaging in irresponsible wildlife practices. Transformation in the types of products we buy can prompt an industry response, so maybe collectively we can make change happen.

So, why does sustainable travel matter? Because positive change is needed now more than ever. A more conscious, less consumerist mindset can make real world differences to the places we visit. Responsible choices when planning and booking trips can make real word differences to the people we visit. As this extraordinary planet goes on providing us with so much joy, enrichment and pleasure, why wouldn’t we give protecting it our best shot?