How to travel more sustainably in 2026

Travelling and sustainability can sometimes feel at odds. Contrary to what we may think, sustainable travel is not only about carbon emissions. It also includes waste and impacts on local ecosystems and communities.

5 things to do to travel more sustainably

1. Reduce your carbon footprint

CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) is a way to measure the total climate impact of an activity, not just CO₂, but all greenhouse gases like methane, converted into a single common unit.

According to the Paris Agreement, the goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C compared to pre industrial levels. As of 2026, global temperatures have already risen by around 1.2 to 1.3°C. To stay aligned with the 1.5°C target, the average individual carbon footprint would need to be reduced to roughly 2 tons of CO₂e per person per year. At present, the global average is about 6 to 7 tons of CO₂e per person per year, with the United States at around 16 to 18 tons and France at approximately 8 to 9 tons of CO₂e.

1.5°C might not sound like much, but the impacts are significant. Beyond this threshold, extreme heatwaves and severe weather events become more frequent, sea levels continue to rise, increasing the risk of flooding, and there is a higher likelihood of irreversible loss of ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots, along with growing risks of food and water insecurity.

Travel, especially air travel, is one of the highest contributors to an individual’s carbon footprint. Here are some examples of CO₂ emissions related to traveling:

Transportation

Travel type	Example	CO₂e
Walking	5 km walk	~0 kg CO₂e
Cycling	10 km bike ride	~0 kg CO₂e
Train	Paris → Lyon (TGV)	~2 to 5 kg CO₂e
Bus	Paris → Lyon	~10 to 20 kg CO₂e
Electric car	100 km alone	~5 to 8 kg CO₂e
Petrol car	100 km alone	~20 to 25 kg CO₂e
Short-haul flight (single trip)	Paris → Barcelona	~100 to 150 kg CO₂e
Long-haul flight (single trip)	Paris → New York	~800 to 1,500 kg CO₂e
Cruise ship	1 week cruise	~500 to 2,000+ kg CO₂e

Accommodation (per night)

Stay type	CO₂e
Camping	~2 to 5 kg
Eco-lodge	~5 to 15 kg
Hostel	~10 to 20 kg
Standard hotel	~15 to 40 kg
Luxury hotel	~50 to 100+ kg

Food while traveling

Meal type	CO₂e
Plant-based meal	~0.5 to 2 kg
Chicken meal	~2 to 4 kg
Beef meal	~7 to 15 kg

As you can see, a round trip from Paris to New York already exceeds your yearly CO₂e quota.

This is why choosing local destinations, taking the train or bus instead of flying, selecting more eco friendly accommodations when possible, and eating plant based meals can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a trip.

I won’t be hypocritical. I still fly, and more than the average person, often several long haul flights per year. The approach I try to follow to follow with flights is first to reduce emissions as much as possible (choosing train or bus over plane if doable), and then to offset the remaining CO₂e emissions.

For flights, I personally aim to offset twice the estimated emissions. For example, if a flight produces 500 kg of CO₂e, I would offset 1 ton. You can use ChatGPT or other tools to estimate the carbon footprint of a flight. This depends on factors such as layovers, airline, aircraft type, and luggage weight. The more details you provide you, the more accurate the estimate will be.

I like to offset my emissions through Gold Standard projects. This platform works like a marketplace where you can choose which types of climate projects to support. Depending on the project, there is a set price per ton of CO₂e offset. On the website, you’ll find detailed descriptions of each project, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it supports.

Gold Standard CO₂e offsetting

2. Reduce waste

When it comes to traveling, waste shows up in different forms.

First of all, we have food waste. Avoid ordering more than you will eat, and consider using apps like Too Good To Go to save money while significantly reducing food waste. Plastic waste is a major pollutant, especially when traveling. Prioritize using reusable items like water bottles and cotton bags instead of single use plastics or disposable items.

Reducing waste is important, but so is disposing of it properly. Recycle whenever possible, and never leave trash in nature.

3. Buy your equipment second hand

I’m a big fan of buying second hand. Not only can you find products for half the original price, but you’re also helping the environment.

You can find almost anything second hand: clothes, cameras, drones, luggage, camping gear, and more.

Depending on where you live, different apps will work best for you. Amazon Warehouse often has great deals worldwide, especially for returned or lightly used items. For electronics, Back Market is a great option.

If you’re in Europe, Vinted is a must for second hand clothing. For other items, Leboncoin is especially useful in France.

In the US, ThredUp and Poshmark are popular for second hand clothes, and eBay is great for almost everything else.

If you’re in Latin America, try GoTrendier for clothes and Mercado Libre for just about anything else.

Buying second hand is one of the easiest ways to save money and travel more sustainably.

4. Support local communities

Choose to spend your money in ways that help the local community thrive. Prioritize local businesses over global chains, support small shops and family owned restaurants, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Try local food, buy locally made products, and choose experiences run by local guides whenever possible. The same applies to accommodation. Prefer local eco-lodges over hotel chains whenever possible. I promise you the experience won't be the same either.

5. Buy less

Less is more. Do you really need to buy that souvenir keychain that will sit in a drawer for years? Do you really need that souvenir magnet? Do you need to bring back gifts for everyone?

What about a postcard instead?

The experience and the memories are a gift in themselves. There’s no need to collect physical souvenirs unless they truly enhance your experience or bring you lasting joy. Travel lighter, buy less, and hold on to what matters most.

Sustainability is not about perfection. It is about awareness, intentionality and making better choices over time.