At a time when the ecological and social crises are in a critical phase, more and more travellers are trying to reinvent how they discover the world.
While some wonder if it would be better to stop travelling completely or to privilege local tourism, others are trying to find solutions to compensate for their carbon footprint.

But how to offset it? And above all, what are the steps to take to do one’s best?

CARBON NEUTRALITY

Start by evaluating

It’s important to understand that every object or service we consume – and its entire life cycle – has its own carbon footprint that impacts climate change.

That’s why, before reducing or offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions of an object or service, it’s essential to evaluate them first. Doing so encourages self-reflection and helps us make better-informed decisions when taking action.

You can calculate your daily consumption or the carbon footprint of a trip using free online tools such as:

Reduce

Once you have some perspective on your habits, you can begin making lasting changes. As with any new habit, to make it stick over time, go at your own pace – one step at a time.

To help you, read the article “Successful Transition to a Healthy Environment” on our website. The text below also offers ecological tips to keep in mind when travelling.

To reduce your ecological impact, start by travelling less, and then learn to travel better – for instance, choose trains whenever possible. When flying, opt for direct routes and airlines that demonstrate genuine environmental commitment (such as KLM).

To compensate – but how?

Finally, we reach the question of compensation, which is often controversial. And rightly so – planting trees, for example, can be an uncertain long-term solution. The ecological crisis is urgent, yet a tree takes 20 to 30 years to mature – and that’s if it isn’t destroyed by a natural disaster.

This is just one of many risks. It’s therefore crucial to reduce your impact daily before thinking about offsetting it. There’s no point in buying carbon credits if you spend four days in New York at a 5-star hotel (that changes your sheets and towels daily, offers three spas, and relies on cabs for every trip).

So how do you do it?

By financially supporting a greenhouse gas reduction or sequestration project – but not just any project.

To ensure your offset is legitimate and not simply “greenwashing” (a marketing or PR tactic used by an organization to create a misleading image of environmental responsibility – Wikipedia), look for the following criteria:

  1. Additionality: The project must not exist without the financial support provided by carbon credits, and the prevented emissions must be directly tied to it.
  2. Measurability: The implemented actions must follow a rigorous methodology to quantify the amount of CO₂ emissions avoided.
  3. Permanence: The project must demonstrate long-term efficiency, ideally for at least 30 years.
  4. Verification: The project must be independently verified to confirm that the reductions are real and align with the monitoring plan.

To help you, here are some of the most reliable programs:

As you can see, it’s essential to evaluate and reduce your impact daily before considering offsetting – and to choose carefully where to invest in carbon credits.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND ETHICAL CHOICES

A sustainable trip must be planned in advance, as the choices you make beforehand will shape your entire stay. These decisions should be made mindfully, balancing personal well-being, ethics, and available resources.

Remember: you’re doing your best. Listen to yourself. The memories you bring back should be joyful and unburdened. A healthy planet comes from healthy people – physically and mentally. If you feel “eco-anxious” while planning your trip, focus on what you are doing rather than what you’re not doing or could do better.

Feeling ready? Here are some tips to help you prepare and enjoy an unforgettable experience that reflects your values.

Preparing for the trip

  • Choose destinations with fewer tourists. Many locations cannot handle large crowds and suffer serious environmental damage as a result.
  • If possible, travel during the off-season – it’s better for the destination and often cheaper for you.
  • If you don’t enjoy planning your own trips, work with a local agency. When a new land welcomes you, contribute to its economy.
  • Purchase travel insurance from organizations like World Nomads, which donate funds to local charities.
  • Choose airlines with genuine environmental commitments, and prefer direct flights.

In the suitcase

  • Bring a filtering water bottle to reduce plastic waste – and save money in the long run.
  • Pack cloth bags, reusable straws, and a few trash bags for your own and others’ waste.
  • Use eco-friendly, non-polluting products such as solid soaps and reef-safe sunscreens.
  • If you enjoy crafting, make tote bags from reclaimed fabrics and offer them to locals to raise awareness.
  • Travel light – the less luggage you have, the lower your flight’s emissions.

Transportation

  • Avoid flying within the same country; prioritize train, bus, or carpooling.
  • Challenge yourself to travel on foot, by bike, hitchhiking, or even tandem.
  • Reduce your flights when possible – explore your region or travel less frequently (e.g., once every year or two).
  • If you can, travel longer and more slowly.

Accommodation

  • Try home exchanges – they’re affordable, community-based, and your plants will thank you!
  • Choose eco-lodges (but watch out for greenwashing) instead of luxury hotels.
  • Try couch surfing – it’s free, social, and a great way to learn from locals.
  • Explore Workaway, WWOOFing, or eco-volunteering – enriching ways to contribute and learn about local culture.

During the trip

  • Save water; take cold showers if the climate allows.
  • Reduce waste: avoid plastic, use cardboard, and eat locally.
  • Buy souvenirs made locally to support the regional economy.
  • Protect nature: pick up your trash, and don’t touch or feed wildlife.
  • If you eat meat, avoid protected species.
  • Engage in ethical animal activities – don’t ride elephants, observe them in their natural habitat instead.


You’re now ready for your next adventure!
Remember, do your best, have fun, and share your experiences with friends, family, or online – your story can inspire others.