Don't you fly on exotic vacations to do the planet a favor? Beware the 'side effects' of sustainable travel

No one denies the emissions. But what about local economies?

Of course we need to dramatically reduce emissions in an effort to tackle the climate crisis - but we also need to acknowledge that in the context of wealth redistribution and climate justice, travel can play a vital role in short-term survival. Air travel contributes significantly to carbon emissions - that is undeniable.

But here comes the stumbling block: tourism serves as an economic lifeline for many communities around the world. All that money you spend on "frivolous" vacations? They can put food on the table for a family in Bali or fund a child's education in Costa Rica. It's not about becoming defenders of aviation. But I have spoken to countless local guides and hosts who have told me, " We need tourists to survive."

One host in rural Thailand explained how tourism enabled her to send her children to university - a first in her family. Another person in Peru described to me how income from visitors helped preserve traditional crafts that were on the verge of extinction.

It won't work without better calculators.

So what is the solution? It's not about stopping travel altogether. It's about changing the way we travel. We need to put pressure on the mainstream tourism industry to tackle leakage - the phenomenon of tourism money flowing out of local economies and into the pockets of multinational corporations, especially in destinations most at risk from climate change.

And now comes another uncomfortable truth: we cannot improve what we cannot measure, but our current measurement tools are woefully inadequate. The travel industry is awash with generic carbon footprint calculators that fail to capture the nuances of real travel. They will tell you the emissions for a night spent in a chain hotel, but what if you stay at a local farm? These tools can completely ignore that your choices have a positive local effect. We need help to make measurement true to reality and easy to use for businesses and travellers alike.

When you arrive, stay local

So what I suggest: the way we travel matters just as much as whether we flew to a place. Once you arrive, avoid short internal flights. Stay longer in one place rather than going around countries. Engage meaningfully with local communities and indigenous people - but only in a way that they welcome and benefit from. Consider going off the beaten track to cities that are not overrun with tourism; you are likely to get a more authentic experience while supporting areas that really need to 'boost' their economy.

Zdroj: Giphy

Pay attention to where you stay, what you eat and what you do. Do you visit local businesses? Do you participate in activities that preserve and celebrate local culture? Do you travel in a way that reduces your personal impact? These decisions have a much greater impact on sustainable tourism than simply counting the miles you fly.

Is it the perfect solution? You bet it's not. But it is a pragmatic step towards a more equitable and sustainable tourism. Climate justice isn't just about reducing emissions, it's also about ensuring that the communities most vulnerable to climate change have the means to adapt and thrive.

So the next time someone tries to "shame" you for flying somewhere, don't be afraid to say, " But where will my money go when I land?"

That's the question that really matters when trying to travel sustainably.

© Evening Standard Ltd For Evening Standard

Written by Carol Savage, CEO of Not in the Guidebooks.