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Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits

  • August 14, 2023
  • Transportation

Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits

In an era characterized by escalating environmental concerns and climate change , the need for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation has never been more urgent. “Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits” delves into the various modes of environmentally-conscious transportation and explores the extensive benefits they offer. By transitioning from conventional transportation options to greener alternatives, we can significantly reduce carbon emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs):

Electric vehicles have gained remarkable popularity as a viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. EVs run entirely on electricity, producing zero tailpipe emissions and significantly reducing air pollution. As advancements in battery technology continue, EVs are becoming more affordable and capable of longer distances, making them a promising choice for eco-conscious commuters.

2. Public Transportation:

Public transportation systems, including buses, trains, and subways, are essential components of sustainable mobility. By encouraging the use of shared transport, we can minimize the number of individual vehicles on the road, thus reducing congestion and emissions. Well-planned public transit networks provide an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly means of commuting.

3. Cycling and Walking:

Active modes of transportation like cycling and walking are not only beneficial for personal health but also for the environment . They produce zero emissions and require minimal infrastructure, contributing to reduced congestion and improved air quality. Cities with well-designed bike lanes and pedestrian pathways promote a healthier lifestyle while decreasing reliance on fossil fuel-based transportation.

4. Carpooling and Ride-Sharing:

Carpooling and ride-sharing initiatives encourage the sharing of rides among multiple passengers traveling in the same direction. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, these practices decrease greenhouse gas emissions, ease traffic congestion, and save participants money on fuel and maintenance costs.

Benefits of Green Transportation:

1. Environmental Impact:

The adoption of green transportation modes significantly lowers carbon emissions and reduces air pollution. Electric vehicles and other sustainable options release fewer pollutants, helping mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change and improving air quality in urban areas.

2. Energy Efficiency:

Green transportation modes are generally more energy-efficient compared to their conventional counterparts. Electric vehicles, for instance, convert a higher percentage of stored energy into actual propulsion, leading to reduced energy consumption and fossil fuel dependency.

3. Cost Savings:

While the upfront costs of some green transportation options might be higher, the long-term savings in terms of fuel and maintenance expenses often outweigh the initial investment. Public transportation, cycling, and walking are also budget-friendly alternatives.

4. Reduced Congestion:

By encouraging shared modes of transportation, such as carpooling and public transit, green transportation systems help alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas. This leads to shorter commute times and less stress for travelers.

5. Health Benefits:

Active transportation modes like cycling and walking promote physical activity, leading to improved cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Additionally, reduced air pollution from green transportation positively impacts public health by decreasing respiratory problems and related diseases.

we can conclude this, “Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits” underscores the pivotal role of sustainable transportation in shaping a more environmentally-conscious and prosperous future. By embracing electric vehicles, public transportation, active modes like cycling and walking, and ride-sharing initiatives, we can collectively contribute to reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, and enhanced quality of life for ourselves and future generations. Through informed choices and concerted efforts, we can drive the transformation toward a greener transportation landscape.

1. What exactly is green transportation?

Green transportation refers to the use of environmentally-friendly modes of travel that produce minimal or no negative impact on the environment. It includes options like electric vehicles, public transportation, cycling, walking, and carpooling, all of which aim to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.

2. How do electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to a greener future?

Electric vehicles (EVs) operate solely on electricity, emitting zero tailpipe emissions. This means they don’t produce harmful pollutants that contribute to air pollution and climate change. By adopting EVs, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels .

3. Why is public transportation considered green?

Public transportation, including buses, trains, and subways, is considered green because it enables multiple passengers to share a single vehicle, reducing the overall number of cars on the road. This leads to decreased traffic congestion, lower emissions, and improved air quality in urban areas.

4. How can cycling and walking be effective modes of green transportation?

Cycling and walking are green transportation options that produce zero emissions and have minimal impact on the environment. These active modes of transportation not only contribute to reduced pollution but also promote personal health and well-being.

5. Are there financial benefits to using green transportation?

Yes, there are financial benefits to using green transportation. While some eco-friendly options might have higher upfront costs, they often lead to long-term savings due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses. Public transportation, cycling, and walking are also cost-effective alternatives compared to owning and operating a private vehicle.

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Sustainable transport key to green energy shift: UN Secretary-General

Tourists biking at Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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With global transport at a crossroads, government leaders, industry experts, and civil society groups are meeting in Beijing, China, for a UN conference to chart the way forward to a more sustainable future for the sector, and greater climate action overall. 

The three-day UN Sustainable Transport Conference , which opened on Thursday, will examine how transportation can contribute to climate response, economic growth and sustainable development. 

Today marks a crucial moment for #SustainableTransport🚗🚈⛴️ The #SustainableTransport Conference provides an opportunity to focus attention on the opportunities, challenges & solutions towards achieving sustainable transport🌎🌍🌏 Follow now: https://t.co/J5pIhqNLhF pic.twitter.com/aJbgk54Y06 UN DESA Sustainable Development SustDev

It is taking place just weeks before the COP26 UN climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland. 

In remarks to the opening, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underlined what is at stake. 

“The next nine years must see a global shift towards renewable energy. Sustainable transport is central to that transformation,” he said.  

The move to sustainable transport could deliver savings of $70 trillion by 2050, according to the World Bank.   

Better access to roads could help Africa to become self-sufficient in food, and create a regional food market worth $1 trillion by the end of the decade. 

Net-zero goal 

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how transport is “far more than a means of getting people and goods from A to B”, the UN chief said.

Rather, transport is fundamental to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, both of which were “badly off-track” even before the crisis. 

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but the door for action is closing, he warned. 

“Transport, which accounts for more than one quarter of global greenhouse gases , is key to getting on track. We must decarbonize all means of transport, in order to get to net-zero emissions by 2050 globally.” 

A role for everyone 

Decarbonizing transportation requires countries to address emissions from shipping and aviation because current commitments are not aligned with the Paris Agreement. 

Priorities here include phasing out the production of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040, while zero emission vessels “must be the default choice” for the shipping sector. 

“All stakeholders have a role to play, from individuals changing their travel habits, to businesses transforming their carbon footprint,” the Secretary-General said. 

He urged governments to incentivize clean transport, for example through regulatory standards and taxation, and to impose stricter regulation of infrastructure and procurement. 

Safer transport for all 

The issues of safety and access must also be addressed, the Secretary-General continued. 

“This means helping more than one billion people to access paved roads, with designated space for pedestrians and bicycles, and providing convenient public transit options,” he said. 

“It means providing safe conditions for all on public transport by ending harassment and violence against women and girls, and reducing deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.”

🎧  E-buses: ‘Swiss army knife solution’ for sustainable transport   

Making transport resilient .

Post-pandemic recovery must also lead to resilient transport systems, with investments going towards sustainable transport, and generating decent jobs and opportunities for isolated communities. 

“Public transport should be the foundation for urban mobility,” he said. “Per dollar invested, it creates three times more jobs than building new highways.” 

With much existing transport infrastructure, such as ports, vulnerable to extreme climate events, better risk analysis and planning are needed, along with increased financing for climate adaptation, particularly in developing countries. 

Mr. Guterres stressed the need for effective partnerships, including with the private sector, so that countries can work together more coherently. 

“The transformative potential of sustainable transport can only be unleashed if improvements translate into poverty eradication, decent jobs better health and education, and increased opportunities for women and girls. Countries have much to learn from each other,” he said. 

More about the conference

The world needs better and safer ways to move people and goods. Highways around the world are choked with traffic. Traffic fatalities and casualties are rising. Air pollution from transport is causing more and more health impacts. Close to a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions come from transport and these emissions are projected to grow substantially in the years to come, further exacerbating climate change.

But new ideas and innovation are leading to transport solutions that are affordable, realistic, socially acceptable and environmentally sound. A transport revolution is here: electric cars powered by renewable energy; sustainable air travel; zero emission ships and communities that promote walking and bicycling. Accelerating the implementation of these solutions, everywhere, are a critical part of the United Nations’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address the global climate crisis.

The 2021 UN Sustainable Transport Conference will showcase the commitments and resolve of key stakeholders from Governments, UN system and other international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to advance action for sustainable transport. All modes of transport—road, rail, aviation and waterborne—will be addressed.

The Conference will also consider the concerns of vulnerable groups, such as women, the youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and people living in poverty, and of many developing countries, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, which will receive particular focus. Key transport objectives, such as providing access for all while leaving no one behind, green mobility, efficiency and safety will be discussed.

The Conference will culminate in calls for global action to further advance sustainable transport worldwide, complemented by new partnerships, voluntary commitments and initiatives to support sustainable transport.

New transport proposals target greater efficiency and more sustainable travel

To support the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal , the Commission today adopted four proposals that will modernise the EU’s transport system. By increasing connectivity and shifting more passengers and freight to rail and inland waterways, by supporting the roll-out of charging points, alternative refuelling infrastructure, and new digital technologies, by placing a stronger focus on sustainable urban mobility, and by making it easier to choose different transport options in an efficient multimodal transport system, the proposals will put the transport sector on track to cutting its emissions by 90%.

Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans said, “Europe’s green and digital transition will bring big changes to the ways we move around. Today’s proposals set European mobility on track for a sustainable future: faster European rail connections with easy-to-find tickets and improved passenger rights support for cities to increase and improve public transport and infrastructure for walking and cycling, and making the best possible use of solutions for smart and efficient driving.”

Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said, “Today we are proposing higher standards along the TEN-T network, boosting high speed rail and embedding multimodality, and a new north-south Corridor in Eastern Europe. With our Intelligent Transport Systems Directive we are embracing digital technologies and data-sharing. We want to make travel in the EU more efficient – and safer – for drivers, passengers and businesses alike. The cities linked by EU infrastructure are our economic powerhouses, but they must also be lean cities – for inhabitants and commuters. That is why we are recommending a dedicated framework for sustainable urban mobility - to guide the faster transition to safe, accessible, inclusive, smart and zero-emission urban mobility.”

A smart and sustainable TEN-T

The TEN-T is an EU-wide network of rail, inland waterways, short-sea shipping routes, and roads. It connects 424 major cities with ports, airports and railway terminals. When the TEN-T is complete, it will cut travel times between these cities. For example, passengers will be able to travel between Copenhagen and Hamburg in 2.5 hours by train, instead of the 4.5 hours required today.

To address the missing links and modernise the entire network, today’s proposal:

  • Requires that the major TEN-T passenger rail lines allow trains to travel at 160 km/h or faster by 2040 thus creating competitive high-speed railway connections throughout the Union. Canals and rivers must ensure good navigation conditions, unhindered for example by water levels, for a minimum number of days per year.
  •   Calls for more transhipment terminals, improved handling capacity at freight terminals, reduced waiting times at rail border crossings, longer trains to shift more freight onto cleaner transport modes, and the option for lorries to be transported by train network-wide. To ensure infrastructure planning meets real operational needs, it also creates nine ‘European Transport Corridors’ that integrate rail, road, and waterways.
  • Introduces a new intermediary deadline of 2040 to advance the completion of major parts of the network ahead of the 2050 deadline that applies to the wider, comprehensive network. So new high-speed rail connections between Porto and Vigo, and Budapest and Bucharest – among others – must be completed for 2040.
  •   Requires all 424 major cities along the TEN-T network to develop Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans to promote zero-emission mobility and to increase and improve public transport and infrastructure for walking and cycling.

Increasing long-distance and cross-border rail traffic

Rail remains one of the safest and cleanest transport modes and is therefore at the heart of our policy to make EU mobility more sustainable. Today’s TEN-T proposal is accompanied by an Action Plan on long-distance and cross-border rail that lays out a roadmap with further actions to help the EU meet its target of doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030, and tripling it by 2050.

Although the number of people travelling by train has increased in recent years, only 7% of rail kilometres travelled between 2001 and 2018 involved cross-border trips. To encourage more people to consider the train for trips abroad, the Action Plan sets out concrete actions to remove barriers to cross-border and long-distance travel, and make rail travel more attractive for passengers. The actions include:

  • a multimodal legislative proposal in 2022 to boost user-friendly multimodal ticketing;
  • allowing passengers to find the best tickets at the most attractive price and better supporting passengers faced with disruption, and a commitment to investigating an EU-wide VAT exemption for train tickets;
  • the repeal of redundant national technical and operational rules;
  • an announcement of proposals for 2022 on timetabling and capacity management, which will boost quicker and more frequent cross-border rail services;
  • guidelines for track access pricing in 2023 that will ease rail operators’ access to infrastructure, increasing competition and allowing for more attractive ticket prices for passengers.

By 2030, the Commission will support the launch of at least 15 cross-border pilot to test the Action Plan’s approach, ahead of the entry into force of the new TEN-T requirements.

Intelligent transport services for drivers

Smart mobility makes our mobility more sustainable. The Commission is therefore proposing to update the 2010 ITS Directive, adapting to the emergence of new road mobility options, mobility apps and connected and automated mobility. Our proposal will stimulate the faster deployment of new, intelligent services, by proposing that certain crucial road, travel and traffic data is made available in digital format, such as speed limits, traffic circulation plans or roadworks, along the TEN-T network and ultimately covering the entire road network. It will also ensure that essential safety-related services are made available for drivers along the TEN-T network.

Today’s proposal will update the Directive in line with new priorities on better multimodal and digital services.

Cleaner, greener, easier urban mobility

The new Urban Mobility Framework will benefit transport users and all the people around them. Cities are home to millions of people. Today’s proposal addresses some of the mobility challenges stemming from this intense economic activity – congestion, emissions, noise. The Urban Mobility Framework sets out European guidance on how cities can cut emissions and improve mobility, including via Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. The main focus will be on public transport, walking and cycling. The proposal also prioritises zero-emission solutions for urban fleets, including taxis and ride-hailing services, the last mile of urban deliveries, and the construction and modernisation of multimodal hubs, as well as new digital solutions and services. Today’s proposal maps out the funding options for local and regional authorities to implement these priorities. In 2022, the Commission will propose a Recommendation to EU Member States for the development of national plans to assist cities in developing their mobility plans.

This is the second package of proposals to support a transition to cleaner, greener transport following the publication of the Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy in December 2020. The Strategy is a roadmap, guiding the sector towards the objectives of the European Green Deal.

For More Information

Action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail services

Questions and Answers: Action Plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail services

Questions and Answers: The revision of the TEN-T Regulation

Questions and Answers: Intelligent Transport Systems

Questions and Answers: European Urban Mobility Framework  

Factsheet: BOOSTING LONG-DISTANCE AND CROSS-BORDER passenger rail

Factsheet: CREATING A GREEN AND EFFICIENT Trans-European Transport Network

Factsheet: IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY AND DRIVER COMFORT through digitalisation

Factsheet: THE NEW EUROPEAN Urban Mobility Framework

TENtec Interactive Map Viewer

Official documents

Urban mobility framework.

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Mobility-as-a-Service Platforms: A New Trend in Low-carbon Transport

  • Urban Mobility
  • Electric Mobility
  • transportation
  • Integrated Transport

A new digital platform being piloted in cities around the world is making public transportation more efficient, economical and accessible, while encouraging low-carbon travel.

Mobility-as-a-Service  is an on-demand service that integrates various forms of transportation services into a single platform accessible to travelers via a digital app. The platform acts as a one-stop travel planning and payment system, encouraging users to plan their trips via shared bikes, metros, buses and other green forms of transport with support from real-time travel information.

Many countries around the world are piloting Mobility-as-a-Service in their cities, including Finland, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United States, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium. Learning from these early programs can help design a more successful platform.

Beijing’s pilot, for example, is a unique case that nudges travelers away from private cars toward greener travel modes (like public transport or bike sharing) by linking the Mobility-as-a-System platform with local carbon markets, which rewards travelers for choosing greener travel methods.

Traffic clogs highways in Beijing.

Beijing’s Green Mobility-as-a-Service Journey

Beijing has been piloting a Mobility-as-a-Service platform since 2019. By opening the app on a mobile device and typing in the destination, the platform provides many different travel planning options with different durations, modes, prices and other information. The current platform integrates most transport services, such as bus, metro, shared bike, ridesharing, and taxis.

Since its launch, the platform has consistently adhered to the city’s "green and integrated" transport development strategy, receiving positive public responses. As of today, more than 30 million users have used the app, providing 4.5 million daily trips that include green transport services.

While this data is a very positive start to the program, more progress is needed to shift behavior from private car trips. As of  2022 , the motor vehicle fleet in Beijing reached 7.1 million, including 4.9 million private cars. Total daily trips in central city totaled 33.9 million, with green transport, including walking, biking, and public transit, accounting for 73.4%.

A screenshot of Beijing's app shows how mobility-as-a-service operates.

The platform’s initial success is being supported in three ways:

1) Strong Government Policies

Strong policies, such as the " 14th Five-Year Plan " and various digital transport development plans, have placed Beijing's Mobility-as-a-Service on a green and inclusive track. These policies aim to promote smart mobility services, encourage green transport, increase the share of green travel and improve the Mobility-as-a-Service platform.

Beijing’s Mobility-as-a-Service strategy is also in line with the city’s and county’s low-carbon transport strategy. In June 2023, the Beijing government unveiled the " MaaS 2.0 Work Plan ," emphasizing green and inclusive mobility. It aims to continue expanding intelligent mobility services that seamlessly integrates bus, metro, bike sharing, ride-hailing, ridesharing, long-distance coach and more. The goal is to provide green and inclusive service to over 6 million people daily by 2025. This will realize a large share of behavior shift from private cars to green modes, as well as over 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide reduction during the next three years.

2) An Ecosystem Where Companies Work Together

Mobility-as-a-Service operates as a public-private partnership that includes governments, transport operators, financial institutions, Mobility-as-a-Service operators, technology and data providers, platform users and research institutions. The roles of each organization and company may vary depending on how the platform is set up and WRI research of the existing platforms shows there’s no defined business model.

A chart showing how different mobile platforms are integrated into one.

For example, the Beijing initiative is led by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport and functions through a collaborative public-private approach. Operators like Gaode Maps and Baidu, which offer digital mapping services, act as platform facilitators. The city’s bus and metro operators and shared mobility providers are also well integrated. Other companies provide payment access, while additional businesses might be incorporated to provide discounts to online shops as incentives for using the platform. The primary users are individual travelers within Beijing.

3) A Reward System that Encourages Green Behavior

The Beijing Mobility-as-a-Service platform has been adopting a carbon market approach to encourage users to choose green transport options. Since September 2020, Beijing has introduced the "MaaS Travel, Green Life" Carbon-Inclusive Campaign, which is built into the app. Users who participate in the campaign automatically receive carbon reduction credits for their green travel behavior (for example, shifting from private car to shared bike, bus or metro). Users can then exchange the credits for things like discounted public transport cards or shopping vouchers. By now, the campaign has attracted over 3.5 million registered users, contributing to a cumulative carbon reduction of nearly  400,000 metric tons .

A chart shows how mobility as a service systems can be linked with carbon markets.

Among campaign participants, 21% of the users that primarily traveled by car each day have now engaged in green travel, which shows a significant increase in citizens' willingness to adopt green options. Carbon credits are calculated based on the "Beijing Low-carbon Travel Carbon Emission Reduction Methodology" developed by Beijing’s transportation authority and its affiliated think tank. The approved local certified emission reductions credits (PCERs) credits will then be traded at Beijing’s local emissions trading system.

In 2021, Gaode Map, one of the platform operators, alone achieved transactions of  24,500 metric tons of PCERs , with 15,000 tonnes traded with local companies. The second phase of PCER transaction reached  97,600 metric  tons. The benefits from the carbon trading returns to the app users in the form of public transport discounts, shopping coupons or users can donate their credits to charity organizations that promote green transport and other behavior changes for sustainability.

A busy intersection in Beijing with an electric bus, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Creating a Successful Mobility-as-a-Service Platform

The value of developing Mobility-as-a-Service platforms is that it can improve efficiency and quality for travelers, encourage more people to choose green and low-carbon mobility modes, shape the public-transportation-centered mobility system, promote the digital transformation and open data system and improve the stability and level-of service of the system.

However, Mobility-as-a-Service also faces some challenges not only in Chinese cities, but in cities around the world. First, there is no single successful business model for all cities, and the operation models vary greatly in different places. Finding a suitable business model based on the local policy and investment environment, and culture to ensure commercial sustainability, will be the key to developing a successful system.

Also, the coordination among different stakeholders in a Mobility-as-a-Service ecosystem needs further improvement, especially for data sharing mechanisms.

Finally, establishing a proper monitoring and governance system is also an important part of the implementation process.

Expanding the development of Mobility-as-a-Service is an important step in building more sustainable cities and urban mobility. However, as we’ve learned through the pilot programs, the platform should be built consistently with a city’s existing low-carbon and sustainable strategy. Instead of public transportation companies acting as competitors with each other, Mobility-as-a-Service offers the possibility of creating a single platform that redefines the integrated transport system encompassing multiple kinds of shared and private mobility services.

This article is an update from the report “ Mobility-as-a-Service Guideline for Chinese Cities and Cases Studies ” from WRI China’s Mobility-as-a-Service project, under the  Mobility and Accessibility Program (MAP) , a  collaboration between WRI and FedEx . This article reflects the independent views of the authors. The latest annual MAP report is  here .

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The future of transportation is green

In today’s newsletter, developing peaches that will grow in a hotter Georgia; bye bye Happy Meals; a way to save the Great Barrier Reef ... and how pets can help with climate change.

This article is an adaptation of our weekly Planet Possible newsletter that was originally sent out on September 28, 2021. Want this in your inbox? Sign up here.

By   Robert Kunzig , ENVIRONMENT Executive Editor There’s a movement out there to shame us from flying —because if you fly in planes, it’s by far the biggest contributor to your personal carbon footprint. Along with the pandemic, flight-shaming has had one good effect: It has made at least some of us think about how unnecessary some of those trips we take are, especially the ones for business. But if you’d like to feel inspired rather than ashamed about that future, check out October's issue of National Geographic , and in particular the illustration   showing a proposed V-shaped plane ( video of it being tested above ). The prototype is far more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient than current models. And the fuel, in this design, is hydrogen, which emits no carbon dioxide when it’s burned. As the cover feature   makes clear, zero-emissions flight is a thorny engineering problem that we’re decades away from fully solving—but the solutions, including short-hop electric planes, are on the way.

green travel and transport

If you want to be part of the green-transportation future, check out the companion feature on electric cars by Craig Welch —and start thinking about which EV model you’re going to buy when your smelly old internal combustion engine wears out (assuming you haven’t been persuaded to ride a bike instead ). Within 20 years, as another cool graphic illustrates , electric cars will dominate the global market for new vehicles. ( Above left, a Rolls-Royce turbofan engine, which may someday run entirely on sustainable fuels; above right, a fan case for the engine .) Will the new cars and planes arrive fast enough to keep dangerous climate change in check? The good news is that aviation, though the lion’s share of some individual carbon footprints, accounts for only a few percent of global emissions. Cars and trucks are a much bigger problem—and we have the technology to solve it. We just have to roll it out ASAP.

green travel and transport

Some people can’t wait for next-gen EVs. Above, an electric-converted Toyota Land Cruiser at a Kenyan wind power station .

WE ASKED, YOU ANSWERED

Foods you’ll miss:   Last week we asked about foods you may miss if climate change keeps messing with their availability . A Nat Geo and Morning Consult poll of 2,200 Americans showed 81 percent of respondents said they would miss beef (51 percent “a lot”); 77 percent would miss chocolate; 67 percent coffee ; and 45 percent avocados. Some readers noted they’ve been cutting down their beef intake for health and environmental reasons . But coffee? “You can take my job,” Dan Moreillon   wrote us, “but don’t touch my coffee.” Here’s a guide on foods and their effects on the Earth .

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Do you have an electric vehicle already or are you thinking of getting one? Why or why not? Let us know ! We’ve polled Americans on this issue, and will report those findings—and some of your responses—in next week’s newsletter.

SMARTER PLANET

green travel and transport

Growing more: See this ultra high-tech hydroponic tomato jungle in the Netherlands? Thanks to quality seeds, LED lighting, and sand sensors, this greenhouse can produce 10 times the quantity of traditional cultivation methods—with 90 percent less water. With the planet under pressure to produce more food for its growing population, how do we feed the world without destroying the planet?

SOME SOLUTIONS  

  • Developing a peach that can withstand Georgia’s hotter weather
  • McDonald's to phase out plastic toys in Happy Meals by 2025
  • Pets can help with climate change with an insect-based diet. Will owners go for it?
  • California is running out of water
  • Can artificially altered clouds save the Great Barrier Reef?

green travel and transport

Beauty in the everyday: What do the things we eat look like magnified hundreds of times? In a word, wondrous. Under a microscope, photographed by Robert Dash , a carrot, a blueberry seed, or a fava bean flower (above) look otherworldly—and complex . The images, writes reader Wyn McLean , “make me pause, take a breath, and take in the wonder of the world around us. … It strengthens my desire to do what I can to save and reverse today's ecological breakdown.”

SEE THE IMAGES  

FAST FORWARD

green travel and transport

Slow but steady: The work proving climate change takes time. For nearly 60 years, researchers on a German island have measured the temperature and gathered plankton from the North Sea. Some researchers had questioned the value of that repetitive work. But the records have yielded invaluable detail on climate change, Florian Sturm writes . ( Pictured above, scientist   Eva-Maria Brodte   on the island of Helgoland .)

We hope you liked today’s Planet Possible newsletter. This was edited and curated by Monica Williams and David Beard, and photographs were selected by Heather Kim. Have any suggestions for helping the planet or links to such stories? Let us know at [email protected]. Thanks for stopping by!

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How to accelerate the net-zero transition in transport

The transport and mobility industry is exploring new ways to transition to net zero transport.

The transport and mobility industry is exploring new ways to transition to net zero transport. Image:  REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

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  • The role of transport in the carbon emissions conversation emerged front and center at 26th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.
  • Stakeholders collectively pledged to reach 100% zero emissions in transport by 2040.
  • The biggest hurdle remains the transition from talk to action.

The role of transport was front and center at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. Leaders from nations, cities, international organizations, NGOs – and notably the private sector – zeroed in on the role of transport as one of three critical sources of carbon emissions as well as the only sector still increasing in its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. In 2020, the global transport industry was responsible for approximately 7.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Countries, businesses, auto manufacturers and other stakeholders signed a declaration of commitments (aligned with the Paris Agreement) to reach 100% of all vehicle sales being zero emission by 2040 or earlier.

The declaration, which was led by the UK COP Presidency and RouteZero partners, marks both a hopeful inflection point for the automotive and mobility industries with its distinguished signatories ; and it also speaks of the urgency in drastically reducing the carbon (CO2) emissions produced by this sector. Passenger cars cause 41% of global CO2 transport emissions with medium and heavy trucks as the secondary source (22%) .

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While the declaration is certainly a move in the right direction, the world will have to wait and see whether the necessary change will actually transpire and if those who noticeably did not pledge will take action. There is, so often, a formidable gap between talk and action, and stakeholders at COP26 were undoubtedly aware of the challenges in this global goal of net-zero emissions in transport.

What will it take to speed the transition?

The responses to this question at COP26 were resounding.

Here are some clear-cut ways.

1. Advance solutions for cities facing the worst transport pollution.

Naveen Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Electric

IIndia has a very critical role to play in a net-zero future. Twenty two of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India, and one way to improve the situation is through the transportation sector. … Electric two-wheel transportation will lay – is laying – the groundwork for converting to net zero transportation in India.

2. Start at the most critical energy source.

Kristen Siemen, Vice-President of Sustainable Workplaces and Chief Sustainability Officer, GM

Our new battery technology enables us to increase vehicle range and reduce the amount of precious materials needed for production, moving us toward an all-electric, carbon-neutral future.

Cynthia Williams, Global Director, Sustainability, Homologation & Compliance, Ford Motor Company

We’re partnering with specific folks to make sure that we can understand how to recycle new materials coming out of batteries and actually put that back into the manufacturing process so we can have an entire circular economy.

Anders Karrberg, Head of Global Sustainability & Strategy, Volvo Cars

Industry and government need to work together to find renewable energy sources and set an end date for conventional fuel engines so the industry knows that period is over.

green travel and transport

3. Build our cities around a carbon-free design.

Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board

The future of transportation is zero. That means not just zero emission vehicles, it also means zero emission transit, and it also means getting around in new ways. It means taking bikes. It means walking. It means building community infrastructure that allows people to move carbon free.

4. Maximize efficiency with thoughtful partnerships.

Sarwant Singh, CEO of OHM Global Mobility

It’s not just about zero carbon vehicles, to me it’s about net zero companies, and to achieve net zero companies, we need to bring all the ecosystem players together. So the mobility [sector] needs to work together with digital solutions, it needs to work together with energy companies, and we need to bring the finance [sector] together to enable absolutely zero carbon mobility in the future.

Avinash Rugoobur, President, ARRIVAL

We are investing in technologies and platforms to create truly equitable and sustainable mobility ecosystems like our electric bus, van, and car that are built in local micro-factories that can be placed all over the world, built by the community for the community.

5. Prioritize the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Clive Selly, CEO of Openreach

The single biggest obstacle to accelerating our journey to net zero transportation is the availability of public charging infrastructure. My plea -- industry, government, together -- can we collaborate please to get a ubiquitous public charging infrastructure rolled out across the UK so I can accelerate my journey to net zero transportation and others can do the same.

Basil Seggos, Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

In our goal to be net zero by 2050, we have a $700 million commitment, called EV Make Ready, to prepare the state’s charging infrastructure for the electric vehicle economy. … making it easier for people to buy electric vehicles, and then translating those benefits to the public.

6. Focus on scale, like fleets of buses, which are some of the worst CO2-emission offenders.

Isbrand Ho, General Manager of Commercial Vehicle Business Centre at BYD Europe

We are not just making statements, we are taking action. For example, in Shenzhen, we converted all 17,000 buses to electric. Cities in Chile and Colombia are doing the same.

Sarwant Singh, CEO, OHM Global Mobility

Working together with digital solutions, mobility companies, and the financial sector, we could reach our goal of having 100% of buses electric by 2030.

Related topics:

What is Green Transportation and its Significance? 

Rakesh Patel

  • Last Updated: November 7, 2023

What is green transportation

  • Green transportation can save you money on gas and maintenance costs in addition to being good for the environment.
  • Traditional gas-powered automobiles are a viable alternative to electric cars and can improve your driving efficiency and lower your fuel costs.
  • Reduce the number of cars on the road and share the environmental costs of transportation via carpooling.
  • Governments may play a significant part in supporting green transportation by certain rules and incentives.

As businesses digitize and expand their reach across geographies, logistics management has expanded its network to reach the last mile of the supply chain. Transportation is the wheel that propels this machine. 

However, according to Environmental Protection Agency, road transport is the major contributor to global warming and accounts for about 28% of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

According to the CDP, companies will lose $120 billion by 2026 due to supply chain disruptions caused by environmental risks.

So, if you want to compete in changing market, sustainability is critical, and green transportation is one way to reduce environmental impact.

Along with it, green transportation will save you thousands of dollars are they work on renewable resources like electricity which are way cheaper than gasoline.

In this article, we’ll discuss in detail the different modes of green transportation and how you can use them in your business.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Table of Content

What is Green Transportation?

Significance of green transportation, what are the different modes of green transportation.

  • Major Benefits of Sustainable Transportation

How Upper Can Help You Develop Sustainability in Transportation

Green transportation encompasses all environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Green transportation refers to a company’s practices to ensure that its vehicles and other modes of transportation are environmentally friendly.

Amazon recently made a significant contribution to green transportation by implementing electric vehicles as part of its effort to achieve carbon neutrality. Another example of green transportation is reduced mileage between stops for drivers on multiple routes.

Green transportation may differ slightly from one business to the next. A floral business, for example, may scale its delivery operations to account for seasonal fluctuations, whereas a plumbing business may use schedule optimization to increase efficiency. However, at its core, green transportation assists businesses in becoming more sustainable.

Although initially expensive, businesses that invest in green transportation technologies will save money in the long run. Green vehicle conversion can save up to $750 in fuel costs for every 15,000 miles driven . 

Electric vehicle owners also benefit from lower maintenance costs. These long-term savings multiply exponentially for businesses that manage large fleets with high fuel and maintenance costs.

Businesses that go green will benefit financially from shareholder investments and investing in sustainable transportation technologies as sustainable investing becomes more popular. 

Depending on your company’s green transportation initiatives, tax credits such as the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit may be available.

Going green will increase the efficiency and productivity of your business. Route optimization and other green transportation strategies benefit the environment and your bottom line.

The existing modes of transportation use fossil fuel, oil, and gas to power vehicles, leading to pollution and various human health problems.

Promising innovative technologies may be the ultimate solution, but we can play an important role by utilizing eco-friendly modes of transportation that are currently available. Let’s look at some of the green transportation options available today.

For delivery industry

Bicycle for green transportation

Bicycle may not be the best option for all products, but they may be ideal for a delivering letters and newspapers across the neighborhood. There is no gas, no pollution, and the delivery person even gets a workout.

2. Electric bikes

Electric bikes are excellent green modes of transportation because they  do not release harmful emissions like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Only light peddling is required with an electric bike. However, the speed of electric bikes is strictly regulated by law.

Electric bikes are a great option for delivering in downtown cities like New York.

3. Electric vehicles

Electric cars and trucks offer significant cost savings for businesses, particularly fleet vehicles that travel up to 100 miles per day on a regular basis. Although electric vehicles are expensive to purchase, they have significantly lower operating costs than gasoline or diesel equivalents. 

This makes widespread ownership more practical, reducing pollution, and saving you money.

4. Hybrid vehicles

Hybrid vehicles draw power using an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, which use energy stored in batteries.  The hybrid car’s battery cannot be charged by plugging it in. Instead, the internal combustion engine and regenerative braking charge the battery. 

Greenhouse emissions from hybrid cars are extremely low; emissions can range from being 26% to 90% lower than emissions from standard vehicles. These vehicles provide a great mileage and can be beneficial for your business.

For personal use

1. green trains.

Green trains for green transportation

With most governments across the world now more committed than ever to supporting green transportation, trains are becoming more environmentally friendly, with hybrid locomotives and other innovative green technologies. 

Modern electric trains use electrified third rail, overhead lines, or energy storage devices such as fuel cells and batteries. The advantage of these electric trains is that they can reach speeds of more than 200 mph while remaining incredibly safe.

2. Carpooling

If you and others are going to the same location, you can share the ride . It reduces the number of cars running on the road significantly, lowering harmful emissions and traffic.

Some states, such as Arizona, have made this practice a part of their laws and regulations. There are special lanes designated for carpooling. Carshare apps like Uber are also adopting them.

3. Public transport

Generally, public transportation follows the same model as carpooling. Many countries are focusing on developing public transportation such as electric buses or metro in the cities to fight congestion and pollution. 

The vast majority of people in urban areas prefer public transportation as the cities have fewer parking lots; on the other hand, the public commute can save time and money.

Walking for green transportation

Walking contributes to zero emission of any greenhouse gas. You can save money by walking to your local destinations. It helps clear your mind and does not require any planning. If you require additional support, purchase stable walking shoes and shoe inserts. Get your legs moving with family, friends, or solo stroll to help the environment.

Benefits of Sustainable Transportation

Green transportation and supply chain management requires a holistic approach characterized by environmentally friendly and socially responsible methods that address environmental, economic, and social issues. Not only will it benefit people and the environment, but it will also benefit your company.

1. Promotes health

Promotes health

Energy sources derived from fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, and oil emit toxic gases leading to an increase in cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.

Sustainable transportation promotes community health by lowering emissions and air pollution. If more people used public transportation or green vehicles to commute, pollution levels would plummet, allowing people to breathe easier and live longer.

2. A contribution to developing a sustainable economy

Investing in sustainable transportation plays a significant role in creating new jobs. Building infrastructure to support public transportation, developing greener alternatives to diesel-fueled vehicles, and staffing these new modes of transportation will generate more jobs in the transport sector.

3. Saves money

Saves money

Using green transportation modes such as bicycles, multiple-occupant cars, and electric motorcycles will save you a lot of money on out-of-pocket expenses associated with purchasing gas at the pump.

4. Customer loyalty

As customers are becoming more aware of global warming, there is an increase in customer demand for environmentally friendly products and services. Customers also expect corporations to actively work to reduce their carbon footprint due to the environmental impact of large businesses. 

As a result, they prefer environmentally friendly businesses to those that do nothing to combat climate change.

5. Saves time

Routing software helps you become more environmentally conscious by streamlining your workflows and automatically identifying ways to reduce your environmental impact. ESG-driven systems, for example, track your company’s performance based on social and environmental factors to determine how green it is. 

Other tools, such as Upper Routing Planner, optimize the distance for you, saving time and fuel.

Upper Route Planner will automatically route you to your destination. It reduces the distance traveled to reach those stops. Upper Route Planner’s planning algorithm optimizes routes to accommodate more deliveries in less time, increasing the efficiency of your deliveries and saving you fuel and time .

When you have a planned route with proper navigation, you won’t have to deal with frustrating situations like taking the wrong route, getting stuck in traffic, spending more time at work, etc.

Consider a 7 days FREE trial of Upper Route Planner.

Reduce Your Transportation Emissions with Upper

Get shortest routes for your delivery fleets on Upper and minimize your operational costs as well as transportation-related emissions. Use Upper to eliminate delivery route planning hassles.

crossline

Non-motorized Transportation or NMT contains all forms of travel that do not rely on an engine or motor for movement. NMT includes bicycling, walking, and small-wheeled transport like skates, skateboards, push scooters, and hand carts.

It should be no surprise that bicycles and walking are the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation. They not only produce zero emissions but are also enjoyable and healthy.

Green vehicles reduce environmental pollution and greenhouse emissions while contributing to energy independence by reducing oil imports as part of their contribution to eco-friendly environment. They are energy efficient and does not have a negative impact on the environment.

Green transportation is an crucial for addressing air pollution and protecting our planet for future generations. It puts less pressure on reliance on finite fossil fuels, which contribute to global pollution.

Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that affect the earth’s energy balance. They are responsible for the so-called greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide, the most well-known greenhouse gases, are naturally present in low concentrations in the atmosphere. However, due to various man-made sources, the proportion has increased significantly since the turn of the century.

Green transportation reduces carbon emissions and air pollution in businesses by reducing the use of fossil fuels. This not only makes your company more appealing to customers, but it can also reduce the overall cost of running a business by lowering fuel costs through reduced mileage, as well as tax breaks for using green technologies and other government incentives.

There may be some downsides depending on how you handle green transportation at your company. Green vehicles, for example, may have limited mileage. This may necessitate shortening your routes in order for your vehicles to return to base for recharging.

Also, green technology is an expensive upfront investment and may not be a viable option for small businesses with limited budgets.

Eco-friendly methods will become an increasingly important topic as fuel prices rise and consumers emphasize combating global warming. Businesses can cut emissions by investing in all-electric vehicles, particularly road transportation, which accounts for a significant portion of global warming.

Although replacing an entire fleet requires significant investment, you can replace older vehicles with fuel-efficient ones and integrate route planning and optimization tool that will save fuel and greenhouse gas emissions from your vehicles. 

Rakesh Patel

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.

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Types of sustainable (green) vehicles

Looking to make a move toward green transportation? Here are three sustainable options people are embracing in 2021.

1. All-electric vehicles

All-electric vehicles use one or more electric motors. They can be vehicles powered by solar cells, electric batteries, or electric generators to convert fuel to electricity.

All-electric vehicles are greener than vehicles powered by combustion engines because they don’t burn up fossil fuel (which isn’t renewable), and they don’t negatively impact the environment in the same way exhaust does either.

It’s also important to note that it’s not only highly-visible car companies like Tesla embracing the use of electric-powered engines either. Public buses, light rail commuter trains, and intercity trains are beginning to run on electric motors too.

2. Hybrid vehicles

Hybrid vehicles pair an electric motor with a traditional combustion engine. Electric motors excel at creating power, whereas combustion engines are better at maintaining high speeds.

Hybrid vehicles operate on the premise that each power source will do what it does best. Although hybrid vehicles are less “green” than all-electric vehicles, they still produce fewer greenhouse emissions than vehicles running purely on a combustion engine, making them greener.

Depending on how they are driven, hybrid cars cut emissions from 26 to 90 percent when compared to traditional vehicles. Like all-electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles can be found in both private and public transportation.

3. Electric bikes

If you’ve ever wondered what an ebike is , the abbreviation stands for “electric bicycle”, and it’s essentially a traditional bicycle with an electric motor.

Ebike batteries last for hours , and can help riders go from 15-25 mph. But some ebikes can go even faster than that.

There are different models of electric bicycles, with the greenest version being the pedal-assist ebike. Pedal assist requires the rider to pedal before the motor begins to engage. However, there are also models that continuously use the motor as well.

Electric bikes are effective modes of green transportation for a number of reasons. For instance, ebike production requires fewer resources than fulls-sized vehicles, and they demand less energy too.

Ebikes are just starting to become popular in the United States. However, they’re already an increasingly popular form of green transportation in Europe and Asia. Especially in cities, where getting around the landscape on an ebike is easier for couriers and commuters.

Ebike rider cruising down the road, green transportation concept

Ebikes are a fun, healthy, sustainable way of traveling.

The importance of green transportation today

Making the switch to green transportation is important to protect our planet for future generations. In addition, we can reduce our use of fossil fuels, which are finite and cause global pollution issues.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 28 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from transportation vehicles. And, the majority of these emissions (59 percent) come from passenger vehicles. These numbers have increased by 30 percent since 1990, even as green transportation has become more popular. Clearly, we need to do more.

A culture that embraces green transportation will not only reduce air pollution and help the population stay healthier, but individuals will spend fewer resources on energy and governments will become less dependent on providers of fossil fuels. With this one change, we’ll all become closer to living in a sustainable society.

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What is green travel and how can you travel sustainably?

As travel continues to grow, our awareness of what green travel is and how to travel in an environmentally friendly way also needs to increase. We need to change the way we travel NOW!

green travel and transport

Kate Maskedtravelsx

Jul 27, 2023

green-travel

As technology and infrastructure improve, the world seems to be getting smaller. The ability to travel the world is becoming accessible to more and more people as the cost of getting to another country is getting cheaper.

It’s no wonder that the travel industry is the second-fastest growing industry in the world . Looking at internet searches will give you a good idea of how much travel is growing. During the final quarter of 2022, 35% of all searches were for travel in 2023 . That’s a 55% increase from 2021 !

And I can only see it continuing to grow , as long as another pandemic doesn’t come our way!

Traveling is great, and the more people get to see different parts of the world, hopefully, the more tolerant and educated we become . But there are downsides to more travel, one of them being the impact that it has on the environment.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, 8-10% of global CO2 emissions are caused by the travel and tourism sector, with the majority of these emissions being created by the travel to the destination. And sadly, these numbers will only get bigger as more people begin to travel  unless we consciously do something about it .

That’s where green travel comes in.

What is green travel?

Green travel has many different names — sustainable travel, ecotourism, conscious travel — but all of them essentially mean the same thing or at least follow the same narrative.

Green travel focuses on minimizing the impact on the local environment and communities. It’s about choosing ways to travel that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Whether it’s reducing or offsetting your carbon emissions, reducing waste, staying in eco-friendly accommodations, or shopping locally and supporting communities.

There are plenty of ways to travel in a green way, and that’s what we’re going to be exploring in this article.

Watch out for greenwashing

This needs to be covered pretty early on as you don’t want to try your best to travel sustainably and then realize that you’ve actually been greenwashed.

What is greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when a company tries to appear to be environmentally friendly and claims that its practices are sustainable, when in fact this isn’t true. They may try to emphasize sustainable aspects of their company to overshadow their bad practices that are having a devastating effect on the environment.

Demand for environmentally friendly products and operations is growing as more people want to do their part in looking after our planet. A lot of companies have seen this as an opportunity to boost their profits and attract new customers by advertising that they’re operating in an environmentally friendly way.

Examples of greenwashing

A quick Google search will reveal plenty of examples of greenwashing from brands that we interact with on a daily basis. Here are two well-known companies that thought they’d give greenwashing a go:

In 2020, Ryanair announced that they were Europe’s ‘lowest emissions airline’. I’m not sure how they reached this conclusion, but the Advertising Standards Authority certainly didn’t agree with this claim and quickly banned all of the ads promoting this.

McDonald’s is guilty too. In 2019, they introduced paper straws. Round of applause for Mcdonald's, right? No. Although they were trying to address the problem of plastic pollution, they just shifted the problem instead. The paper straws weren’t recyclable, and more trees were having to be cut down to make them!

How to spot greenwashing?

In an ideal world, we shouldn’t have to keep an eye out for greenwashing. Companies would be honest and actually try to look after our planet. Unfortunately, that’s not the world that we live in.

And greenwashing isn’t always easy to see. You often have to go out of your way to do your own research to verify the company's claims. You’ll have to look at third-party research and reports, and check the fine print of the company.

All we can do is try our best, and hopefully, the huge corporations start to adopt this attitude too.

How to travel sustainably: eco-friendly vacations

At times, trying to save our planet can feel hopeless. We often hear people saying "But I’m only one person. My actions aren’t going to make a difference". If everyone adopts this way of thinking then of course nothing is going to change!

If everyone starts to act more sustainably, especially when it comes to travel, then as a collective it will make a difference.

And green travel is easier than you think . There are plenty of ways and changes that you can make to your travels that can make them more sustainable:

Slow travel

Traveling slowly has so many benefits , but is often tossed to the side as travelers want to tick off as many places as possible. Whilst this is tempting, you end up only touching the surface of that country, missing out on truly learning about the culture and people of that place. 

When I travel slowly, my connections with places and people are so much deeper and more memorable. Try it, and I’m sure you’ll prefer it to being in a new place every few days .

Taking your time will also save you money . You can often negotiate better deals on accommodation if you’re staying for longer. You’re not constantly splashing the cash on transportation and you’ll probably cook more rather than eat out.

It’s also better for the environment . Instead of hopping on a flight every two weeks, you’ll be in the same place for longer.

Stay close to home

This is potentially one of the harder changes to make as the urge to see the world is so strong within many of us.

But staying close to home isn’t as bad as it sounds. Every country has something spectacular to offer , we just often overlook them if they’re in our own country. New and foreign things always seem more exciting, but take some time to look at things to do in your own country.

As I mentioned before, most of the carbon emissions from travel come from getting to the destination itself . By staying in your own country you’re removing this negative impact on the environment. If you live in Europe, maybe you can visit some of your neighboring countries and get there by train.

As well as being a more sustainable way to travel, it can save you money too. Your transportation costs will be significantly lower. No visas to think about either.

Choose sustainable destinations

green travel and transport

Some countries are doing more than others to make themselves a sustainable destination to visit.

For example, Bhutan is one of the best ecotourism destinations in the world . Since 1991, Bhutan has been charging visitors a daily Sustainable Development Fee. The money is used on projects such as offsetting Bhutan’s carbon footprint from tourism, supporting community education, organic farming, and upskilling workers in the tourism industry.

The tourism fee is pretty expensive, at $200/day, but there’s a price to pay if we want to protect our planet.

A more affordable ecotourism destination is Slovenia which has made it easier for you to choose sustainable options. If an accommodation or tourism service has a Slovenia Green Label, you know that you’re helping to preserve local traditions and protect the environment.

It’s important to research a destination beforehand to see what they're doing to be more sustainable and protect their environment.

Continue reading about ecotourism and the top 10 ecotourism destinations .

Choose a place that will benefit from your visit

green travel and transport

Some countries really don’t need any more visitors. A growing number of countries are now struggling with overtourism — when too many people visit the same destination, often leaving a negative impact on the environment and local communities.

You can probably already name a few places off the top of your head after seeing pictures of huge crowds fighting to witness the same tourist attraction. Some well-known examples include Rome, Bali, Barcelona, and the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

Sure, there’s a reason why everyone wants to visit these places. They’re incredible and popular for a reason. But there are plenty of other lesser-known spots that you could visit instead.

Want to learn more about overtourism? Here’s what it is and how you can avoid it .

Think about what you pack

Green travel starts before you even pack your bags to leave . What you bring with you in your backpack will have an impact on the place that you’re visiting.

The first sustainable swap that everyone should be making is to reef-safe suncream . These suncreams don't contain chemicals that harm the coral and reef when you go swimming in the sea. Hawaiian tropics has a great reef-safe suncream that I highly recommend.

Another easy action is to travel with a reusable water bottle . In some countries you'll be able to drink tap water and can directly fill up your water bottle, avoiding having to buy bottles of water.

Bring a tote bag to take with you whenever you go shopping so that you don’t have to take a plastic bag. Or if you don’t have another bag, get a plastic bag one time and keep on reusing it.

Our coastlines are being ruined by plastic, so try to avoid using and buying it wherever you can.

This minimalist packing list should help you to pack sustainably the next time you travel.

Choose green accommodation

According to research carried out by Booking.com, 78% of travellers say they intend to stay in a more sustainable property in the coming ye a r – yet 29% don’t know how to find sustainable travel options.

With some accommodations, it’s clear to see that they’re operating in an eco-friendly way. They may have solar panels, reuse their water, employ local people and buy from the local community. With others, it may not be as obvious, or it could just be greenwashing.

Spend some time looking at the accommodation's website, and you could even message them if you have any questions about their sustainable practices.

Booking.com have also made it easier to find sustainable accommodation by introducing its ‘Travel Sustainable’ badge. It’s an independently validated recognition program that now appears as a small icon on sustainable places to stay. They do all the work for you so it’s easier to make green decisions.

Booking is offering 2% of Cashback to backpackers who create a profile on Worldpackers . Subscribing to Worldpackers is free, and you only need to subscribe to a plan when you decide to have your first experience through the platform. If you choose the Pack Plan, you will guarantee 4% of Cashback on Booking.com , in addition to other advantages.

*The Cashback benefit is limited to $200 per booking, and you must log in to your Booking.com account to gain access to Cashback.

Choose sustainable modes of transportation

green travel and transport

This is often the first swap that people make to travel more sustainably. Instead of taking flights, which produce a lot of CO2, try to take public transport.

Sometimes taking a flight doesn’t even work out that much quicker, and it’s normally a lot more expensive. By the time you account for the time it takes to get to the airport and the wait time, it can sometimes take just as long as taking a bus or a train.

You can also decide to visit countries that are in the same area to avoid taking flights. For example, you could travel all the way from the USA to Argentina without having to take a flight. There are buses, boats and trains that can take you across the borders. Same with Europe and Southeast Asia. 

Again, this is also a much cheaper way to travel than flying to the other side of the world to visit your next country.

Eat, stay, and shop locally

Make the conscious decision to stay in local homestays, eat at local restaurants and buy from shops that are run by people in the community.

Sometimes it might be easier to eat at a chain restaurant or stay at a well-known hotel, but this often means that the local economy isn’t benefiting from your money as much. Instead, it’s making rich people richer.

It’s better for the local economy, but it is also likely to be better for you. If you’re visiting a foreign country, it’s likely that you want to immerse yourself in the local culture as much as possible. Staying, eating, and buying locally is often the best way to do this. Plus, the local restaurants are more often than not the best places to eat!

If you’re a solo traveler, check out these 12 tips for responsible travel .

Give back by volunteering

Green travel isn’t just about reducing things, it can also be about giving back and leaving a positive impact on the communities that you’re visiting.

One way to do this is by volunteering . You can contribute your skills and donate your time to people that will benefit from it. 

Volunteering also allows you to spend more time in a place, immersing yourself and really getting to know the culture. There are so many benefits of this, one of them being that you become a better-educated individual who will also be able to teach others about different cultures and ways of living.

Here’s how you can be an environmental volunteer .

How to find volunteering opportunities?

green travel and transport

Worldpackers is a fantastic place to find volunteering opportunities that have a positive environmental and social impact. You can use their filters to find exactly what kind of sustainable volunteering you’re looking for .

You can filter by ‘eco programs’ which will show you places where you can learn permaculture, farming, or contribute to an ecovillage. 

If people are more your thing, use the 'social impact' filter. This will show you volunteer opportunities in NGOs, schools, and social projects.

Here are some examples of sustainable volunteering opportunities to spark your imagination:

  • Teach languages in Uganda
  • Work with kids to help them understand animal care in Cape Verde
  • Lend a helping hand on a farm in Brazil
  • Contribute your handyman skills in the US
  • Help this animal shelter in Tenerife

Check out plenty more environmental volunteer opportunities on Worldpackers.

The first step of green travel is being aware of what it is and why we should be trying to travel more sustainably . The second step is changing our mindsets and consciously making decisions that have less of an impact on the environment.

Traveling isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, so we need to make sure we find a way to do it in a way that isn’t going to destroy our planet . And that needs to start right now!

Want to learn more about planning your trip? By subscribing to the WP pack pla n you have unlimited access to +120 courses at Worldpackers Academy, the travel school made by travelers!

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Kate Woodley

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Kate is a Management Consultant (and now writer) who decided to take a 2 year career break and travel the world. She shares her travels around the world and shows people the fun of solo travelling!

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green travel and transport

Apr 20, 2023

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May 04, 2023

We all need to think twice about how we live and how we survive and how we travel, we are all responsible during our vacations in any country, therefore we support every sustainable travel available. Travel green in Morocco with https://moroccogreentours.com/

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Green Global Travel

World's largest independently owned Ecotourism / Green Travel / Sustainable Travel / Animal & Wildlife Conservation site. We share transformative Responsible Travel, Sustainable Living & Going Green Tips that make a positive impact.

40 Green Travel Tips (The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel)

Hiking Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial policies .

[Updated 12/16/2019]   If you took a poll asking people whether they’d prefer to be responsible or irresponsible travelers, most would likely choose the former over the latter.

But what does “Green Travel”   even mean? How do you do it? Do you have to sleep in a tent and cook on a solar-powered camp stove in order to be considered eco-friendly?

And how do you recognize it when a company that offers “Green Travel” experiences is, in fact, just greenwashing? 

The truth is that sustainable travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) is all about making simple choices in order to lessen your negative impact on a given destination.

Individually, each one of these choices makes only a small difference in the big picture. But collectively, becoming more conscious about these little things can have a huge cumulative impact.

So here’s an in-depth look at what Green Travel is, why it matters, and an extensive array of easy tips designed to help you travel more responsibly and sustainably.

READ MORE: What Is Ecotourism? (History & Principles of Responsible Travel)

40 Green Travel Tips (The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel) via @greenglobaltrvl

WHAT IS GREEN TRAVEL?

When we started Green Global Travel back in 2010, the field of ecotourism was largely unknown to average travelers. It had not yet become the buzzword it is today, and was primarily a term used by insiders in the fields of responsible travel and conservation.

But green energy – renewable energy harnessed from sustainable natural sources such as sun, wind, tides, and geothermal heat– was gaining steam as a movement thanks to thought leaders such as Al Gore . Green living– the lifestyle that aspires to conserve and protect the Earth’s natural resources, habitats, and biodiversity– was beginning to grow in popularity.

“Green” became synonymous with “eco-friendly” or “environmentally conscious.” So green travel came into vogue as a broad term used to encompass ecotourism and responsible travel practices, which generally strive to benefit the environment and the social and economic well-being of the local people.

When done well, green travel is the antithesis of mass tourism. It’s all about trying to make smarter choices that help to mitigate the negative impacts we create when we travel.

We cannot control the carbon emissions of the planes we fly in, the chemicals used by the hotels in which we stay, or the plastics used in the souvenirs sold in the destinations we visit. But we can choose more eco-friendly transportation, hotels, tour operators, and shopping tactics that do less damage to the environment, and create more benefits for local people.

According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, nearly two-thirds of all travelers are increasingly inclined to make more environmentally sound choices and travel green. The problem is, how do we tell the difference between green travel and greenwashing?

READ MORE: How Mass Tourism is Destroying Destinations Travelers Love

Greenwashing

GREEN TRAVEL VS. GREENWASHING

A play on the term “whitewashing,” greenwashing is defined as “disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.” In other words, greenwashing is about using marketing strategies in an effort to deceive customers into believing that a company’s products, activities, or policies are genuinely eco-friendly when they really aren’t.

As the green movement gradually began to enter the mainstream, countless companies proved willing to greenwash if it brought them the green they wanted most: Money. Adjectives such as “all natural,” “organic,” and “post-consumer recycled content” were rendered meaningless, as claims were rarely substantiated or verified by impartial third parties.

The travel industry was no different. Tour operators who promoted themselves as being eco-friendly still offered irresponsible activities such as walking with lions tours, elephant rides, and visits to Thailand’s Tiger Temple. So how are travelers to know whether a company is truly green, or just greenwashing?

• Truly responsible travel businesses will put the needs of the local people and environment before the needs of travelers, always striving to make a positive impact.

• If there is a voluntourism element involved, truly responsible travel businesses will work directly with local NGOs to ensure the program meets the needs of the community and are not just “feel good” experiences for travelers. Again, the primary goal should be long-term positive impact.

• Truly responsible travel businesses may be affiliated with international organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, the  Nature Conservancy , Rainforest Alliance, etc. They may also have certification from organizations such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council or the Center for Responsible Travel, which prove that they have met certain recognized standards for sustainability.

• Truly responsible travel businesses pride themselves on openness and transparency. Most will have details on their sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives clearly placed on their website. And any “green” company should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about these initiatives.

READ MORE: Why Responsible Travel Matters (and Why It Doesn’t)

Hiking Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

40 GREEN TRAVEL TIPS

What we’ve assembled below are 40 tips that EVERY traveler can use to make their adventures more friendly to the environment and the people and animals who inhabit it.

Most of them are ridiculously simple, such as using a refillable water bottle, putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door, and buying locally made products rather than imports.

But if every one of our 90,000+ unique monthly visitors gradually began incorporating these Green Travel tips into their trips , our collective impact could be amazing!

Toyota Prius We Rented for Our North Carolina Road Trip

GREEN TRANSPORTATION TIPS

1.  Try to book non-stop flights whenever you can: It’s the takeoffs and landings that create most of an airplane’s carbon emissions.

2. If you’re traveling with family or friends and the destination is within driving distance, perhaps you should consider taking a road trip . But if you’re traveling by yourself, it’s actually much more eco-friendly to fly!

3. If you do fly, consider doing so with one of the 30+ IATA (International Air Transport Association) member airlines who offer carbon offset programs to neutralize the aircraft’s carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects.

4. If you decide to drive to your destination and your car isn’t eco-friendly, consider renting a hybrid or electric vehicle, which use less fuel and produce less carbon emissions than gas-guzzlers.

5. If you have the time, traveling via bus, train, or ship generally has less negative environmental impact than traveling by plane.

READ MORE: List of National Parks By State (Epic Guide to “America’s Best Idea”)

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Costa Rica

  TIPS FOR CHOOSING GREEN HOTELS

6. When traveling in the U.S., check to see if the hotel has LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  The program judges hotels on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.

7.  When traveling overseas, look for seals of approval from other certification programs, such as EarthCheck (Australia), Green Globe , Rainforest Alliance (Latin America, Caribbean), and Green Tourism Business Scheme (UK). Some countries, including Costa Rica, have their own certification programs to rate sustainability initiatives.

8. Ask if the hotel has a recycling program. If not, encourage them to start one when you leave suggestions on comments cards at check-out.

9. Ask questions about the hotel’s sustainability initiatives, such as solar power, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow toilets.

10. Find out what percentage of the hotel’s resources are local. Do they hire mostly local staff? Do they get most of their foods locally, or even grow them on the property? Do they use locally sourced materials in the décor? Companies that utilize indigenous resources tend to be more sustainable, as they’re investing in the local economy.

READ MORE: What is an Eco Lodge? (The Top 10 Eco Lodges in the World)

Screw's Sulphur Spa in Dominica

  WATER-SAVING TRAVEL TIPS

11. Take a BPA-free water bottle you can refill over and over again. Many international airports have free water dispensers, which saves you money and wasting plastic bottles.

12. Take showers, not baths. Showers use just 10-25 gallons of water, while baths use up to 70 gallons. Feeling frisky? Shower with a friend and save even more water!

13. Try to take shorter showers, turning the water off while you lather up, shampoo, shave, and/or brush your teeth.

14. Never use the hotel laundry, as they typically wash every guest’s clothes separately (even when there are only a few items). We usually wash our clothes as we shower, then hang them up overnight so they’re dry the next day.

15. Hang up your towels after each use, which is the universal sign that you’d like to use them again. You don’t wash your towels every day at home, so why do it when you travel?

READ MORE: How To Save Water (15 Conservation Tips)

Riding Bikes Around Central Park, New York City

ENERGY-SAVING TRAVEL TIPS

16. When you leave your room, always turn off all lights, heat/AC, and television. Closing the curtains and blinds can help keep out the heat of the sun in summer .

17. Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of your room for the duration of your stay. This cuts down on chemical cleansing agents, electricity used in vacuuming, and the washing of bed linens.

18. Walk, bike, or use public transportation to get around whenever possible, which cuts down on gas usage and saves you money.

19. Return maps, brochures, and other tourist info once you’re finished with them so that they may be reused by future travelers.

20. Take any leftover soap, shampoo, or toothpaste with you. Unused portions are often thrown away, and you can reuse the plastic bottles in the future.

READ MORE:   Ted Turner on Saving the World With Alternative Energy

Greg's Safaris Hiking in the Rainforest of St Kitts

  GREEN HIKING TIPS  

21. Marked hiking trails are there for a reason. Stick to the path to avoid harming native flora and avoid any creepy-crawlies that may be lurking in the underbrush.

22. Bring along a small bag and pick up any trash you spot along your hike. Have a friendly competition to see who can clean up the most unsightly waste!

23. Never feed or touch wildlife, for any reason. Feeding animals makes them habituated to and reliant on humans, and often leads to attacks. If you get bit, the animal will most likely be killed.

24. Research weather conditions and terrain before you go hiking. You don’t want to be that guy (or girl) who got lost and required a ranger rescue, which drains public resources.

25. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Yes, we understand that you want to Instagram your encounter with a grizzly bear. But if you’re close enough to attract an animal’s attention, you’re too damn close!

READ MORE: 10 Best Hikes in the World (World Travel Bucket List)

Shopping From Ribereños in the Peruvian Amazon

  GREEN SHOPPING TIPS

26. Buy locally made (preferably handmade) products, rather than those that have been imported. Items that are flown or shipped in have a much larger carbon footprint, and who wants a cheap, cookie-cutter souvenir made on an Asian assembly line?

27. Don’t buy anything made from endangered plants/animals, unsustainable hardwoods, or ancient artifacts. Not only is it wrong, but you probably won’t be able to get them back through customs.

28. Take your own reusable bag when you go shopping. Plastic bags are SO 20 th century…

29 . Seek out indigenous artisans when you can. When you buy directly from an artist, you’re not only helping them feed their family, but in many cases you’re helping to preserve their culture. We’ve also heard some pretty amazing stories by chatting these artisans up.

30. Do not buy souvenir photos from anyone exploiting wildlife, such as the famous performing elephants of Thailand .

READ MORE: 50 Fascinating Facts About Elephants (For World Elephant Day)

Exploring the Galapagos Islands With Ecoventura

ECO-FRIENDLY TOUR TIPS

31. Travel with small group tour operators, which tend to have less of an environmental impact. Membership in an organization like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council  is a good sign that the tour operator tries to conduct itself in a responsible, sustainable manner.

32. When snorkeling or Scuba diving , don’t touch/step on the coral or stir up sediment, as it can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem.

33. Ask your snorkel or scuba diving tour operators if they chum the water to attract marine life. Doing so can change the behavior of marine species, or possibly make them sick.

34. Find out how the tour operator gives back to the local community. Do they lease the land from locals? Do they hire local guides? Do they take a leading role in preserving the area’s natural resources? Community-based tourism   is the most sustainable.

35. Don’t take any tour that promises hands-on encounters with wild animals, such as riding elephants or walking with lions . If you do, you’re supporting an industry that illegally captures, transports, and abuses millions of animals each year.

  READ MORE: 7 Harmful Traditional Practices that Tourists Should Never Support

Sunset Over Wadi Rum, Jordan

  TIPS FOR BEING A GREEN TRAVELER

36. Honor local customs. Do a little research before you travel to learn about the destination’s local cultural traditions, so that you can speak and behave appropriately.

37. Ask for permission before taking a photo of someone. In some cultures, taking a person’s picture is like stealing their soul. and in general it’s just common courtesy.

38. Learn the language, or at least a few important words. You don’t have to do a full Rosetta Stone course. But you’d be amazed by how knowing simple phrases such as “Thank you,” “My name is,” and “Please help me” will impact the way locals will treat you.

39. Give back. Whether you sign up for a full-on voluntourism vacation or work with a non-profit like Pack For A Purpose to provide much-needed supplies to local schools, it doesn’t take a lot of extra effort to make a huge difference in the local community when you travel.

40. Immerse yourself in the local culture. Be a participant, not just an observer. Half the fun of traveling is getting an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and try different foods, listen to different music, and explore different cultures. So, seriously, don’t be that guy who goes to India and insists on ordering a hamburger!   – Bret Love; photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

If you enjoyed our epic list of Green Travel Tips, you might also like:

GO GREEN TIP #82: The Green Way to Organize Your Home

GO GREEN TIP #66: Spring Green Your Home

The Benefits of Ecotourism: 20 Travel Bloggers on the Importance of Nature Travel

The Beauty of Nature Travel

About the Author

Green Global Travel is the world's #1 independently owned ecotourism website encouraging others to embrace sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, and going green tips for more sustainable living.

We've been spotlighted in major media outlets such as the BBC, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel Channel, Washington Post and others.

Owned by Bret Love (a veteran journalist/photographer) and Mary Gabbett (business manager/videographer), USA Today named us one of the world's Top 5 Travel Blogging Couples. We were also featured in the 2017 National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two, for which we contributed a chapter on our adventures in Rwanda. Other awards we've won include Best Feature from both the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Magazine Association of the Southeast.

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Green Travel – Everything Important You Need to Know

Travel can broaden our horizons, foster multicultural understanding, and give excellent material for Instagram. Unfortunately, travel may also have a negative impact on Mother Earth. So we’ve put up a guide on reducing the environmental effect of our trip – green travel – even if we don’t have to cancel our plans.

Green travel - everything you need to know

Table of Contents

Go green travel – the need to know, before you go: packing and leaving home, getting there: choosing how to travel, during your stay: keeping it green.

Green travel is a wide concept with two major subcategories: It initially and mainly refers to responsible travel methods that prioritize environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It can also refer to eco-tourism , which is defined as responsible travel to natural regions. And, while we appreciate our readers in the Galapagos and the Arabian Desert, we’ll be focused on the first term for the purposes of this post.

Why should we bother being green in our travel habits? To begin, the transportation sector in the United States is responsible for around 40% of the nation’s fossil-fuel related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – one of the major gases responsible for climate change. Reducing our collective transportation footprint (also known as our environmental impact) has the potential to dramatically reduce the quantity of CO2 we send into the atmosphere. Is it feasible, however, to add concerns about “going green” to the strains of travel while remaining sane? Fortunately, yes. It is not only feasible (and very simple) to keep the environment in mind while traveling, but in many situations, green travel habits may save us some, uh, green.

Green travel begins before we even leave the house. Follow these packing and home preparation suggestions to be ready for eco-friendly travel and to reduce your house’s carbon impact while you’re gone.

  • Pack light. The more weight trains, aircraft, and vehicles must transport, the more fuel they consume, and the more greenhouse gases (those that cause global warming) are released into the environment.
  • Take a reusable water bottle and a shopping bag with you. Toss the bag in the luggage and have the reusable water bottle ready for filling up at water fountains – utilizing both products will help reduce unnecessary packaging when traveling.
  • Before you go, please recycle. If you bought new items before your vacation (for example, an iPhone charger or a new tube of toothpaste), recycle the cardboard wrappers before you go. It will avoid the stress of “I can’t find a recycling station anywhere” that can occur when you are away from home (just me?).
  • Turn off, and then disconnect, all lights and devices. Nobody is going to use that couch-side lamp while you’re gone, unless the roommate is sticking put for the holidays. Turning off electronics reduces energy consumption and saves money on your power bill. Unplug any gadgets to have an even larger impact, as they can “leech” electricity even when not turned on.
  • Reduce the temperature on the thermostat. The same argument as before: An empty room does not require heating, and keeping it warm wastes energy. If you have your own water heater, turn that down as well.
  • Stop delivering newspapers. A short phone call to the newspaper business can save forests (and the paper kid’s tired little legs) during your absence.

Airplanes have been demonized by the green driving (it does take a lot of fuel to keep those things aloft), but the cleanest mode of transportation may really depend on how far we have to travel. The fundamental breakdown, in terms of pounds of CO2 emitted per mile, is as follows: Buses, trains, hybrid vehicles, and coach seats on narrow planes have the lowest carbon footprints, emitting less than 12 pounds of CO2 per mile. Regular vehicles and coach or regional aircraft are classified as having a “medium carbon footprint.” SUVs and first-class planes are the worst carbon polluters, emitting more than one pound of CO2 every mile. In practice, what does this mean? Continue reading.

  • Buses are the best alternative. Yes, bus travels may be lengthy, and the person next to you may have a bowel movement. However, this is a danger with any mode of public transportation, and the environmental advantages of motor coaches are impressive: A couple that takes the bus automatically reduces their carbon footprint by nearly half – even when compared to a hybrid! And, as compared to flying, that same bus-riding pair will reduce their emissions by 55 to 75 percent (whoa). Just make sure the bus is full or almost so; otherwise, the benefits are less obvious.
  • Instead of flying, use the train or bus for shorter journeys . This emits three to seven times less gas than flying.
  • Couples and single travelers should consider the following: A nonstop coach flight nearly usually beats driving, especially for distances more than 500 miles (ca. 805 km) (but a full bus or train is still the best option).
  • If renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle feasible and, if available, a hybrid.
  • If flying, select the most direct route feasible; takeoffs and landings consume the most fuel. Fly coach rather than first class (less leg space equals more people on the plane, which means more bang for your money on fuel). Pick an energy-efficient plane as well. This one can be difficult because the information isn’t always readily available. However, several airlines, such as Southwest, have begun upgrading their planes to make them more energy efficient, and new jet types (such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner) are designed to burn up to 20% less fuel. If you have the time and interest, contact the airline and inquire about their environmental policies.
  • Offset your trip expenses. Why not plant a few trees to offset the carbon dioxide emitted during transportation? Trees turn CO2 into oxygen, which is beneficial to us (obviously, we require oxygen to exist) and beneficial to the environment since CO2 “consumed” by trees is not released into the sky. Fortunately, there are a plethora of apps available to perform the planting for you. It is worth mentioning, however, that carbon offsetting has received some criticism: Critics argue that offset plans offer people a “free pass” to consume the same number of resources as before (since they can “make up for it”) rather than taking active effort to decrease their environmental impact.

There are actions you can do to reduce your environmental effect in transportation, whether you’re staying in a hotel or staying with relatives.

  • Selecting a (green) hotel: There are several certifying agencies for green hotels (though they are not without their detractors), as well as a plethora of information for the would-be green visitor. Whether or not a hotel displays a green label in the lobby window, you may obtain a sense of the company’s environmental ethics by visiting their website or phoning them and asking a few questions: Is the hotel locally owned and run, and/or is it staffed by locals? What kinds of recycling initiatives exist? What steps does the hotel take to decrease its energy consumption?
  • In a hotel. To reduce your energy use, implement the following easy practices: Take brief showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth. When you leave the room, turn off the TV, lights, and heat or air conditioning. If you are staying for many nights, reuse your linens and towels rather than having them washed and replaced every day.
  • Alternatively, you might simply abandon the hotel. Instead, stay with relatives, friends, or someone you’ve never met before.
  • Getting around: When feasible, take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk. If you must drive, consider the following green driving tips: Avoid abrupt starts and stops, idling, keeping tires properly inflated, combining trips, keeping load light, and adhering to speed limits.
  • Shopping: Purchase meals, snacks, and other items from local sellers (and remember to bring your reusable bag !).
  • Eating: The fundamental concepts of green eating apply almost anyplace. Make a goal of include one local or organic item in each meal on the family table (just make sure to suggest it in a friendly way to the chefs).

Also read: How to make golfing more eco-friendly.

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What is a Green Travel Plan?

Introduction to green travel plans, what are the benefits of a green travel plan, how can you create a green travel plan, what are the key components of a green travel plan, how can you implement a green travel plan, what are the challenges of implementing a green travel plan, how can you overcome the challenges of implementing a green travel plan, what are the success stories of green travel plans, what are the best practices for green travel plans.

A Green Travel Plan is a way of thinking about and managing travel so that it becomes more sustainable.

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A Green Travel Plan (GTP) is a voluntary action plan to reduce reliance on single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) and increase the use of more sustainable modes of travel, such as walking, cycling, public transport and car share schemes.

Local authorities, businesses, community groups and educational institutions can all develop GTPs. Ideally, a GTP should be driven by an identified need, such as reducing traffic congestion or improving air quality. It should also have some measurable objectives and targets.

GTPs are not just about reducing emissions – they can also offer other benefits such as improving road safety, increasing physical activity levels and supporting local economic growth.

A Green Travel Plan is a tool that can be used by businesses, organizations, and individuals to help reduce their environmental impact from travel. There are many benefits of implementing a Green Travel Plan, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving money, improving health and fitness, and reducing congestion and pollution.

A Green Travel Plan is a practical strategy for reducing reliance on vehicles and promoting active and sustainable travel choices, such as walking, cycling and public transport.

Green Travel Plans are not just about reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions – they can also improve public health, create better places to live and work, and support local businesses.

A Green Travel Plan is a document which assesses the environmental impact of an organisation’s travel patterns and sets out action to encourage more sustainable travel. It can cover both business and employee travel.

The key components of a Green Travel Plan are: reducing the need to travel, promoting walking and cycling, using public transport, improving vehicle efficiency and promoting sustainable fuel use.

There are many ways that you can reduce your impact on the environment when you travel, and a Green Travel Plan is a great way to do this. You can implement a Green Travel Plan by choosing to use environmentally friendly transportation options, such as public transportation, walking, or biking. You can also choose to stay in eco-friendly accommodations, such as those that are certified by LEED or the Green Key Program. Additionally, you can offset your carbon emissions from travel by investing in carbon offsets.

Green Travel Plans (GTPs) are strategic documents that set out how an organisation will encourage sustainable travel by its employees, customers and/or visitors.

GTPs address a particular organisation’s travel needs and can cover any or all modes of transport. Typically, a GTP will:

– Seek to reduce the number of car journeys made – Encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport – Improve links between different modes of transport – Seek to reduce emissions from business travel – Improve health and well-being through increased levels of physical activity.

Organisations with large workforces and/or large numbers of customer or visitor journeys are most likely to benefit from having a GTP.

Although the benefits of implementing a Green Travel Plan (GTP) are significant, there can be various challenges associated with its successful implementation. This article provides an overview of some of the common challenges and offers advice on how to overcome them.

One of the main challenges is lack of awareness among employees of the importance of reducing their environmental impact. This can be overcome by communicating the benefits of the GTP and ensuring that it is embedded into organizational culture. Another challenge is resistance to change, which can be addressed by involving employees in the development of the GTP and ensuring that it meets their needs.

Other common challenges include lack of time, resources, and support from senior management. These can be overcome by prioritizinhg actions, seeking external funding, and involving employees at all levels in the implementation of the GTP.

A Green Travel Plan is a strategy to encourage sustainable travel choices. It considers all forms of travel to, from and within an area, and aims to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs), or private cars travelling with only the driver on board.

Green Travel Plans are becoming increasingly popular as the negative environmental and social impacts of car use become more evident. Successful Green Travel Plans have been implemented all over the world, with a variety of different modes of transport being promoted.

A Green Travel Plan (GTP) is a tool that can be used by organizations, businesses, and individuals to increase the use of sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the negative impacts of travel on the environment.

The goal of a GTP is to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of travel, such as walking, biking, carpooling, and public transportation. GTPs can also help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

There are a number of best practices that should be followed when creating a GTP:

1. Define the objectives of the plan.

2. Conduct a baseline assessment of the current situation.

3. Develop strategies to encourage more sustainable travel behaviors.

4. Implement the plan and monitor progress.

5. Evaluate the results and revise the plan as needed.

Green Travel Plans (GTPs) are completely customisable to the needs of any business, meaning that they can be as big or small in scope as is required. They might include measures to encourage employees to walk, cycle or take public transport to work, as well as initiatives to cut down on business travel. Many GTPs also include measures to offset carbon emissions from travel.

The key benefits of implementing a Green Travel Plan are that they can: · Save businesses money by reducing travel costs · Help businesses to meet their environmental targets and improve their green credentials · Improve staff health and wellbeing by encouraging active travel · Reduce traffic congestion and improve local air quality

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  11. Green transportation for sustainability: Review of current barriers

    Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on travel behaviour in most parts of the world and have huge impact on entire economy (Sung and Monschauer, 2021). All modes of transport are affected by the crisis, from private vehicles and public transport in cities to buses, trains and planes around the world.

  12. Green Transportation and its Significance (Complete Guide 2024)

    Green transportation and supply chain management requires a holistic approach characterized by environmentally friendly and socially responsible methods that address environmental, economic, and social issues. Not only will it benefit people and the environment, but it will also benefit your company. 1. Promotes health.

  13. Travel Behaviour and Society

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  14. What is Green Transportation? The Importance of Sustainable Travel

    The importance of green transportation today. Making the switch to green transportation is important to protect our planet for future generations. In addition, we can reduce our use of fossil fuels, which are finite and cause global pollution issues. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 28 percent of annual ...

  15. What is green travel and how can you travel sustainably?

    And green travel is easier than you think. There are plenty of ways and changes that you can make to your travels that can make them more sustainable: ... Instead of taking flights, which produce a lot of CO2, try to take public transport. Sometimes taking a flight doesn't even work out that much quicker, and it's normally a lot more expensive.

  16. 40 Green Travel Tips (Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel)

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  19. Does greenness bring more green travelling? Evidence from free-floating

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  22. What is a Green Travel Plan?

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