Flying is one of the most celebrated inventions in the past century, and for good reason: It enables us to reach our destinations faster than ever before, and has opened up many parts of the world that had previously been unexplored. Developments continue, and soon, we may even be able to fly without jet lag—or cross the Atlantic in under four hours.
Yet all of this flying takes a toll on the environment: Due to their flying habits, the average European generates 10 tons of CO2 emissions a year; and the average American 19 tons. (For example, one round-trip flight from New York to San Francisco/Europe equates to a warming effect of two or three tons of carbon dioxide per person.) Overall, the aviation industry burns through a staggering 1.5 billion barrels of oil a year, contributing around 2 percent of total carbon emissions around the world—a number that could go up to 22 percent by 2050 if aviation doesn't keep pace with other greening industries. The good news? Fuel comprises roughly one third of airline operating costs, so it makes financial sense for carriers to increase efficiency.
Still, you don't need to quit flying in order to be more environmentally conscious—you just need to minimize your carbon footprint. Here are five ways to be a more eco-friendly traveler.
1. Drop the pounds
Packing efficiently doesn’t only help you narrow down what you truly need—it reduces an aircraft’s carbon emissions, too. To lighten your load, cut clothes that aren’t multipurpose and get rid of paper weight by downloading books, or photocopying only the pages you need. Bring natural, non-toxic items in small quantities, and create less waste in your destination by bringing a reusable shopping bag, water bottle, and recyclables. The next time you feel that familiar urge to complain about baggage rules, remember that the lighter the aircraft, the less fuel it burns. The airline matters too. A 2014 study shows Alaska, Spirit, and Frontier as the most fuel-efficient domestic companies, with United as the most efficient full-service carrier. American, which has the third-oldest fleet, ranks the lowest, burning 27 percent more fuel than the top three airlines.
2. Take up less space
Though an upgrade can be enticing on long hauls, a World Bank study revealed that the carbon footprint of a traveler flying business class can be three times greater than an economy class ticket; for first class the CO2 difference between the seats can be up to nine times greater. No matter how you fly, think about giving back what you’ve gained. “Look into your frequent flier mile programs,” says Louise Twining-Ward, CEO of Sustainable Travel International. “Many of them now allow passengers to donate miles to their favorite non-profit.”
3. Choose your hotel carefully
“Aside from air travel, properties have some of the greatest impact in terms of energy use, food, and being LEED-certified,” says Jim Sano, the World Wildlife Fund's Vice President for Travel, Tourism and Conservation. Check a hotel’s website for a Responsible Travel, Environment or Good Stewards section—if they’ve spent time, energy and money to be low-impact, says Sano, they’ll likely have this information displayed. For a list of global vendors, destinations and hotels that abide by certain sustainability standards, explore the database at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Here are our favorite eco-friendly resorts.
4. Offset your impact
To find out how much carbon you “produce” on a trip, crunch the numbers and donate the monetary value to any number of organizations including The Carbonfund Foundation and TerraPass. Additionally, ask your hotel about any associated philanthropy programs that will allow you to give back to the places you travel, and do what you can to help destinations and local businesses thrive. “Look to support an organization that does good work in the place you are visiting, so you know you are contributing to the people and places that you love,” says Twining-Ward. Some airlines even have a carbon offset option when booking your flight—any money donated will go towards reducing the emissions you're adding somewhere else. Plus, if you use Goodshop coupons to purchase anything from luggage to currency, a portion of what you spend can be donated back to an environmentally-focused organization, like the Natural Resources Defense Council or Conservation International.
5. Try a tour
Choose companies that utilize the best environmental practices—even if it takes work, or added expense. “You’re paying for people who live and breathe this space and have thought about how they're going to do it in a way that has the least amount of impact,” says Sano. Doing so can also strengthen local communities: "Many of the tour operators who are best in class make an effort to leave a fair chunk of the money that travelers pay in-country—an upwards of 60 percent.”
This article was originally published in April 2015. It has been updated with new information.