How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

Although travelling is an exciting experience, it is considered a significant contributing factor to the climate crisis and associated problems. Considering this, travellers need to be conscious when they take trips to collectively reduce their impact on the environment. One of the most potent ways to do this is by taking active measures to reduce your carbon footprint.

Just as your travel insurance plan takes care of you when you travel, you can take care of the environment by following some simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Before exploring the actions to reduce carbon footprint, it is important to first learn what carbon footprint means. Essentially, carbon footprint refers to the emission of greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide) because of certain activities during a given time.

Now that we know the basics about carbon footprint, we can take a look at the steps to reduce carbon footprint.

You need not swear off travelling when you learn of the damage to the environment, but rather you can employ the necessary actions to reduce carbon footprint. Here are seven practical ways to reduce carbon footprint when you travel:

**1. Replace Flying with Sustainable Alternatives or Fly Consciously **

Air travel is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the tourism industry. And so, if you have not yet planned where you want to holiday next, consider exploring domestic destinations. When you take a domestic trip, you can replace flying to the place with more sustainable alternatives such as taking the train or the bus.

If you must travel by plane, try to book non-stop flights as they require less fuel when you compare them to flights that need a layover. In addition to the distance, direct flights are also more sustainable because most carbon is released during take-off and landing. Finally, if you are flying, fly economy to reduce your carbon footprint, as the emissions of the passengers are determined by the amount of space they take up on the plane.

Another tip: Invest in comprehensive travel insurance or at least flight cancellation insurance so you are compensated for missed or delayed flights to save money while saving the environment.

2. Use Public Transportation, Walk, or Bike

This is another one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon footprint and also the most commonly known. How you commute during your trip greatly impacts your carbon footprint. Walking and biking are not only the most eco-friendly transportation alternatives but also a great way to explore a new place while staying healthy.

Conversely, if you want to travel quicker or want to cover greater distances, you can opt for public transportation instead of booking a private car or taxi. This is also a budget-friendly way to travel.

3. Be Mindful When You Pack

Not only is light packing an excellent travel recommendation – because you have fewer things to worry about on your trip – but it is also a way to lower your carbon footprint. This is because regardless of how you choose to travel, when you reduce the weight of your luggage, the vehicle you travel will consume less fuel. Moreover, when you pack light, you will also be compelled to reuse, which is a reliable mantra for “go green” advocates.

4. Choose a Sustainable Accommodation

Planning a trip means considering several factors: transport, luggage, travel insurance, itinerary, and, most importantly, accommodation. Usually, when making hotel reservations we tend to think about the budget and ignore the rest. But the next time you book your stay, look for environmentally friendly hotels. Some sustainable efforts you can keep an eye out for include: the conservation of energy and water, elimination of single-use plastic, reduction of waste and recycling, etc.

5. Eat Local

Want to truly taste the culture of a place? Eat local. Food choices impact the environment by not only the type of food you eat but also how far it travels to reach your plate. Aside from satiating your explorative thirst, eating local food has several benefits. Local cuisines use fresh produce, and you can support the local community while reducing the carbon footprint. It is also a great reflection of local culture and tradition.

6. Buy Souvenirs That You Will Use

It is easy to get excited on a trip and go on retail therapy only to realise upon your return that you don’t need the things you have purchased. In the hustle and bustle of the colourful market, it is easy to be tricked into buying things you will never use or clothes you may never wear. And so, when you go shopping, bear in mind that regardless of what you buy, each item has its own carbon footprint, whether it is a dress, a keychain, or a mug. Before buying, take a few seconds to ask yourself whether you will make use of your purchase.

7. Conserve Water and Energy

This is not only a travel trip to reduce your carbon footprint but is something you can even do when you are home. Turn down the water heater and the thermostat when you are at your accommodation. When your electronic devices are not in use, unplug them. Turn the lights out when you leave the room. Shower instead of bathing, and ensure that all the taps are properly turned off when you are done using them.

By following the aforementioned steps to reduce your carbon footprint, travellers can make the world a greener place.

Now that you have learned how to reduce your personal carbon footprint when travelling, it is time to make your next trip with these eco-friendly choices. However, in the excitement of planning your environmentally friendly trip, don’t forget to secure it with a comprehensive travel insurance plan.

A travel insurance policy ensures that your travel contingencies are taken care of when you are busy looking after the environment. Whether it is a missed flight, lost passport, misplaced luggage, or medical emergency – your comprehensive travel insurance plan stands by you in your hour of distress away from home. The travel insurance by Tata AIG takes care of a host of unpleasant scenarios that may occur when you travel so that you can enjoy a hassle-free trip. However, before investing in any plan, you must compare travel insurance policies to find a suitable policy that is curated to meet your insurance needs.