Choosing the right travel option can be challenging. While booking an airplane is most of the time the easiest and cheapest it is at the same time the option with the biggest carbon emission.
Tourism activities account for 9 % of the global emission. The biggest challenge is air travel, so Dr. Sun from UQ’s Business School. The main issues in this regard is the growing demand and the slow technology improvements, she points out.
As a traveler you can make a choice. You can consider different travel transportations than flying. You have several choices – with different carbon emissions. This blog post will walk you through the process and help you understand the impact of your transportation choices.
Traveling by car – consider the sharing economy
Traveling by car is ideal if you want to be independent and you’re traveling to regions with poor public transportation. In some countries, especially the rural areas lack good public transportation infrastructure. A good example here is Oman—a big yet sparsely populated country where cultural norms do not strongly emphasize sustainability, particularly in the adoption of public transportation.
But you do have a choice when it comes to traveling by car: In Europe, the car-sharing model has taken hold in many countries as part of the sharing economy. What does that mean? Private individuals rent their cars to other private individuals. In this way, they can earn money to keep the car, while the renters usually have a great deal when renting the vehicle from a private person.
Ride sharing is another example of the sharing economy. It works similar to Uber – but it is often for long distance rides. Private individuals offer rides from point A to point B. Travelers looking for a ride can book one and pay a share of the gas.
Is renting an electric car more sustainable? In regard to pollution, that may be true, but when looking at the production line, the cost falls on someone else’s—child labor and exploitation of developing countries. This may be the case for many products. However, there shouldn’t be heavy promotion and marketing towards “such a sustainable product” if it lacks a truly holistic and ethical approach.
Another rather unusual way to get around is hitchhiking. For adventure travelers a great way to see a new country and learn about the culture. If you are a first timer you can check out helpful resources like the hitchhike wiki or talk to fellow travelers.
The same sharing model is applicable for motorhomes and motorcycles. There are various models in different countries.
The carbon emission for traveling by car is rather high. A medium car on gasoline emits 192 kg per passenger kilometer.
It is advisable to share the ride – in LA and many other cities you can find the carpool lane which is for vehicles with a minimum number of passengers (in LA for two). It encourages people to carpool – the idea is to decrease the number of vehicles on the street and ultimately the carbon emission.
Traveling by car is convenient, but when it comes to environmental impact, it is less so. Ask yourself how you can make it more sustainable, offer your ride to other travelers, find travel buddies, or find rides at blablacar (or similar platforms).
Resources:
Blablacar
Get around – it works in France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium or Norway.
My camper
Conscious traveling while walking
Traveling with the lowest carbon footprint possible is probably walking. As in the movie Forest Gump or on a pilgrimage like the famous Camino de Santiago.
Long distance hiking might not be an option in a few continents, due to safety concerns. But in most Western countries the paths are well equipped and suitable for endless walks. The slow travel pace gives you the opportunity to connect with yourself and nature at a profound level. It decelerates, something that can be very relaxing and rejuvenating in this fast paced world.
Traveling by foot is certainly not suitable for everyone. It requires a decent fitness level, the right equipment and endurance not only physically but also mentally. It can be challenging and that begins already with packing, since you learn to pack more minimalistic.
Sweden is a great country to be explored by foot. Many European destinations offer a variety of long distance trails.
Walking has the lowest carbon emission.
Slow traveling by bicycle
Choosing the bicycle as transportation for travel is another great way to slow down and reduce your carbon footprint. For the lazy travelers keep in mind you can sit on the bicycle 😉
Bikepacking has become increasingly popular within the last few years. Bikepacking is when you are traveling by bicycle and carrying all your essential travel items with you on the bike.
It is for sure an adventurous transportation for travel and similar to walking it is slow paced and gives you the opportunity to discover a country at a different level.
The carbon footprint of cycling ranges around 16 to 50 grams CO2 per kilometer.
Resources:
Cycle Europe
Is taking the ferry environmental friendly?
Ferries are a great alternative to airplane travel. They come in handy if it is necessary to cross a body of water. While cruises focus on luxury – as they are also called floating hotels – a ferry usually has basic facilities with the main purpose of transportation. Therefore, ferries do not emit as much.
You can take your car with you. Traveling by ferry is more hussle free when traveling with a pet and there is a lot of space to stretch out your legs. Not to mention the amazing sea/ocean views.
The downside of going by ferry is the time. It is much more time consuming than flying. If you are a slow traveler this might be exactly what you need. You can use the time to read, work on blog posts, sort out pictures, enjoy the view and slowness of the movement.
The CO2 Emission per passenger kilometer is at 19 kg, for a foot passenger.
Resources:
Direct ferries
The dark site of cruise ship trips
Cruise ships are luxury travel transportations that are the worst for the environment. In 2020, 218 European cruise ships emitted more sulfur oxides than a billion cars. This is 4.4 times more than all cars in Europe. Sulfur oxides, together with carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, are exhaust gases produced when burning fuels containing sulfur. Sulfur oxides are part of the main contributors to acid rain and dying forests.
Cruise ships, along with other maritime vessels such as cargo ships, tankers, and ferries, contribute to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. Cruise ships are providing entertainment continuously. It is not only a swimming hotel but rather a swimming city, with amenities like restaurants, swimming pools, a gym or cinema, variety of shops and much more.
Cruise ships emit 250 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre travelled.
Air travel and the truth about carbon offsetting programs
Airplanes are the most common transportation form for traveling. They are fast and convenient. However they are also a big CO2 contributor. In recent years more and more airlines started to offer carbon offsetting programs. These programs intend to balance your carbon emission by planting trees, protecting forests or supporting other environmental causes.
When something gets that popular it might make you wonder, if these programs actually work. The Guardian, Die Zeit and Source Material made investigations. “Dozens of companies and organisations” bought rainforest offsets that are approved by Verra, a carbon credit certifier and non profit organization.
However the investigations found out that 94% of the programs are not benefiting the climate. 94% this is indeed a very alarming percentage. For example, to prevent deforestation the company Bosques Amazónicos (BAM) was paying farmers in Peru to protect the forest from deforestation. But more trees disappeared in the area. There are multiple similar examples.
Therefore carbon offsetting programs turn out to be a scam.
What you can do as a conscious traveler is to not fall for these carbon offsetting programs. You can reduce your air travel. Find alternatives or plan trips near your hometown. As a traveler it is difficult to not use the airplane at all, but you can be more conscious about it and reduce the trips made by airplane.
A short-haul flight emits 255 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometer.
A medium-haul flight emits 156 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometer
A long-haul flight emits 150 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometer.
Eco-friendly travel option: going by train
In Europe, Asia and North America it is rather easy to choose the train as a form of travel transportation. Train traveling is a convenient and eco-friendly travel option.
Even if you are planning to go a long distance you will find sleeping cabins that provide comfort. Many mid- to long distance train services offer a board restaurant and WIFI. Traveling by train is more comfortable than flying for anyone who is claustrophobic or needs to move their legs from time to time. Traveling by train is a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious travelers. It also allows you to explore places at a slower pace.
The CO2 Emission per passenger kilometer is at 41 grams.
Resources:
Seat61
Travelling
Traveling by bus as a conscious traveler
Choosing the bus as a travel transportation option is a very affordable and flexible option. Bus traveling is a popular travel transportation option across many continents.
In Europe you can find companies like Flixbus, BlablaCar Bus or Eurolines. Or in North America Greyhound and Megabus. South America has excellent long-distance services including luxury buses that are as comfortable as business class on an airplane.
I experienced this myself on my overnight trip from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido. The seat was big and there was enough space to the neighboring seats. I used my sleeping bag and was able to lower the seat to lie down and have a good sleep on the bus.
The CO2 Emission per passenger kilometer is at 105 grams.
Resources:
Flixbus
BlablaCar Bus
Eurolines
Greyhound
Megabus
Ground travel is for sure not as easy as simply booking a flight. It takes a bit more research and often flying is cheaper than taking the train. But making eco-conscious travel decisions reduces not only your carbon footprint but might also influence others to be aware of the impact of their decisions.
Travel by land from Spain to Austria wasn’t easy but it was challenging and showed me that it is possible – time consuming but possible.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
