Booking a holiday to an island destination this winter allows you to escape the cold, admire the tropical landscape, embark on exciting tours, meet the locals, dine on traditional cuisine and bask in the sunshine. However, when travelling to island destinations, it’s crucial to consider practising low carbon tourism and how your actions impact the local environment. After all, just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you can ignore your environmental responsibilities.
Being mindful of your carbon footprint is especially important in more remote, tropical areas, which tend to be more fragile and susceptible to tourism’s negative impacts. That’s why it’s important to engage in eco-friendly practices that won’t harm the local environment.
Understanding Your Carbon Footprint
What is your carbon footprint anyway? Your carbon footprint refers to the greenhouse gases you produce through your actions. For example, your mode of transportation can contribute to the amount of greenhouse gases you generate. If you drive a gas car, your vehicle produces gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, which are emitted into the atmosphere, but if you walk or ride a bike, you’re not emitting any greenhouse gases.
So, how can you lower your carbon footprint during your island getaway?
Choose Green Transportation
Choosing a low- or no-carbon emission mode of transportation is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint on holiday. Perhaps the easiest solution is to walk or ride a bike ride. If it’s safe to do so, walking or biking provides an eco-friendly way of getting around and exploring the local area.
Another option is to rent a green vehicle, such as an electric car that doesn’t run off fuel. Mokes are a popular option in many island destinations like the Maldives. Mokes are electric, carbon-free, open-air vehicles resembling small jeeps or golf carts.
Furthermore, riding public transportation is another eco-conscious option for getting from one place to the next during your island holiday.
Pack Light
The heavier the cargo, the more fuel an aeroplane needs to travel. Therefore, packing light is one way to lighten the load and help reduce carbon emissions when flying to your island destination.
Do you really need 10 pairs of pants for a seven-day holiday? No. And can you choose two favourite pairs of shoes instead of packing five pairs? Probably. Think of ways to double up on your outfits, like bringing a sun dress you can wear around the pool and out for dinner. Remember, you don’t need to pack everything but the kitchen sink for your holiday, so be aware of what you’re bringing and focus on packing only the necessities.
Eat Locally Sourced Meals
The food you decide to eat during your island travels can also impact the environment. For example, if you choose food imported from other countries, it requires a lot of carbon emissions to end up on your plate in your remote island destination.
That’s why it’s important to order meals made with locally sourced ingredients that don’t need to travel a long distance to arrive at the restaurant. While you’re making green choices, choosing sustainably sourced ingredients is also a good idea.
Eating vegan and vegetarian foods is another easy and delicious way to reduce your carbon footprint, as plant-based meals require fewer resources and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than animal agriculture. Livestock farming is responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, deforestation, and water consumption, all of which contribute to climate change and environmental degradation. By choosing plant-based options, you help conserve water, reduce land use, and preserve biodiversity both on and off the island.
Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. Source
Stay at Eco-Friendly Resorts
Booking eco-friendly resorts is another way to lessen your environmental impact. Many green accommodations focus on resort sustainability initiatives that aim to protect Mother Earth.
For instance, some island resorts feature waste and recycling programs, renewable initiatives like solar panels and biodiversity projects to help protect the local ecosystem. You’ll also come across resorts that encourage sustainable farming practices, protect the local heritage and support the local community. When researching resorts, look for ones that have earned the Travelife Gold Certification.
Choose Eco-Conscious Activities
During your island getaway, choose green activities that won’t harm the environment. If you’re interested in joining a tour, select one that engages in eco-friendly practices that don’t exploit the locals or their ecosystem.
As for activities, there are plenty of ways to explore and interact with the flora and fauna without distributing it or emitting greenhouse gases. For example, you could snorkel around the lagoon, paddle board in the bay, and hike around the jungle and shoreline. When doing so, follow local guidelines, such as staying on the designated trails and abstaining from removing any coral, shells, plants or animals from the area.
Low Carbon Tourism For Island Destinations: How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Share on XLook into Green Volunteer Opportunities
Between all the rest and relaxation on your island holiday, why not give back to the local community? Research ways you can help protect and conserve the environment.
For example, some islands offer conservation volunteer programs for tree planting and coral binding. These hands-on volunteer opportunities educate you on reducing your impact while helping you make a positive difference.
Conserve Energy
Conserving energy is another simple way to lower your carbon emissions. This involves simply turning off electricity when you’re not using it.
When you leave your hotel room, turn off the lights, adjust the thermostat and unplug your electronic devices to avoid wasting energy. These are small actions that can make a big impact.
Speak with the Locals
Our last tip involves speaking with the locals to learn more ways to lower your carbon emissions. You could inquire about eco-friendly tours and green volunteer programs or ask about special environmental initiatives that pertain to the local region. You might be surprised to discover new ways to help protect the earth while enjoying your island holiday!
If you’re lucky enough to experience the allure of island destinations, learning how to travel in a green way is essential. The more travellers like you learn how to lower their carbon emissions while on holiday, the more other travellers will be able to enjoy these stunning destinations for years to come.
Follow these simple tips and prepare to experience a green-friendly holiday on island time!
Image: Maldives by Abdulla Iyaan
