Being a conscious traveller is not easy. There’s the perpetual desire to see the world. And there’s the responsibility of reducing individual carbon footprints. Thanks to eco-friendly destinations around the globe, our itch for responsible travel can well be satiated. While these places offer travellers clean air to breathe and calming environs full of lush greenery to relax in, they also serve as one of the best ways to spread awareness about the conservation of natural resources. By Karan Kaushik
Minimize your carbon footprint at these eco-friendly international destinations
Palau
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The Pacific Island nation of Palau is a leading carbon-neutral tourism destination. Travellers need to take a pledge to protect the country’s natural and cultural heritage before entering. An archipelago, Palau comprises 340 beautiful green islands, of which only nine are inhabited. What makes this quaint little country a pioneer in sustainable tourism is its efforts to conserve the coastal ecosystems that act as carbon sinks. Other steps that the country has taken in this direction include strengthening local food production, promoting local food, and developing a Destination Carbon Calculator. It also encourages visitors to contribute to conservation projects and offset their carbon footprint.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
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The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana was voted the greenest city in Europe by the European Union in 2016. What made this possible is Ljubljana’s robust public transport, pedestrian, and cycling infrastructure. The city is committed to protecting green areas and saving wastewater. With as many as 1,640 bicycle docking stations and precise waste collection, Ljubljana is included in the Global Destination Sustainability Index. The central part of the city is the European Union’s largest car-free zone and has been traffic-free since 2008. Travellers mostly board the Urban electric tourist train and free electric vehicles around the pedestrian zone. The city also encourages the use of locally produced food in hotels and restaurants.
Barcelona
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For a city that often witnesses overtourism, Barcelona has surprisingly emerged as a destination committed to sustainability. From green means of transport like cycling and electrical vehicles to fantastic green spaces like the Montjuic Park, Barcelona allows travellers to enjoy its attractions in a way that respects the environment. The city is also accredited with a Biosphere clean-city tag. Barcelona encourages responsibly managed tourism, separated waste management, and low greenhouse gas emission transport. Barcelona also joined the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) network of sustainable tourism observatories with the Barcelona Tourism Observatory.
Lundi Island, England
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Visiting a Marine Protected Area is one of the best ways of carbon footprint reduction. Lundy Island is one such destination. Home to beautiful reefs, dense kelp forests, and stunning caves, Lundy Island is a lesson in responsible travelling. One of the most successful eco-tourism destinations, Lundi Island is plastic-free and car-free. The island has been a pioneer in saving marine species and has also conserved as many as 330 plant species. The self-catering accommodations here don’t have televisions, telephones, or radios. Tourists are invited to cleanliness drives.
Antigua, Guatemala
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This sleepy town is known for its Mayan history, charming architecture, coffee, avocado farms, and intrepid volcanoes. Antigua turned plastic-free in 2019 and put a ban on single-use items such as bags, straws, and utensils. The city has also tied up with the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to establish a Sustainable Tourism Observatory, which collects data on the effects of tourism on the city. Antigua promotes walking and other environment-friendly ways of transportation. Its campaign #CaminemosAntigua encourages tourists to experience the historic city on foot.
Venice, Italy
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One of the most-loved cities in the world, Venice encourages travellers to adopt responsible and respectful behaviour towards its environment. The Tourism Department of Venice runs the Detourism campaign. The campaign encourages slow and sustainable tourism. Travellers are encouraged to explore offbeat places, have unique experiences, and use cleaner forms of transport. To experience Venice in a responsible way, skip the cruise ships, hire a local guide committed to sustainable tourism, support local artisans, and eat local food. Use fountain water instead of buying plastic bottles.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Amsterdam offers incredible ways to explore its many sights without leaving a big imprint on the environment. Take guided bike tours, get around on a pedal boat, or dine at an ecological restaurant. Renting a bike for day trips outside the city also comes recommended. Another great way to explore Amsterdam is on foot. The city’s prominent attractions stand within walking distance of each other. What also helps Amsterdam put a tab on its visitors’ carbon footprints are its ecological shops and markets. The city has shops selling biological produce in abundance.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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Arguably the world’s most famous and largest coral reef ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef, has been under threat for a while now due to pollution, excess fishing, and global warming. The good news is that this home to diverse marine life, including 4,000 types of mollusks and 1,500 species of fish, is now on a slow path to recovery. The islands along the reef have taken it upon themselves to practice ecotourism in limited ways that help boost the economy and fund further conservation.
Vancouver, Canada
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A leader in green building and sustainable planning, Vancouver prides itself on having the smallest carbon footprint among major North American cities. It was rated second in the USA and Canada in the Green City Index. Vancouver aspires to be the greenest city in the world. Over 50 percent of all trips in the city include walking, cycling, or public transit. This has helped Vancouver reduce carbon emissions and annual solid waste. The city declared a climate emergency in 2020 and aims to reduce its carbon pollution by 50 percent by 2030. Vancouver is also one of the members of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance.
Feature and hero image courtesy: Shutterstock
Related: What Does Carbon Footprint Mean And Other Basic Terms Every Conscious Traveller Should Know
