Greener Holidays

AS children end their school term and start the summer break some parents will be thinking what to do for the family's holiday, whilst others have planned exactly where and when they will spend a few days or weeks away from home and work.

Eco-Watchers will be aware that taking a holiday involves some careful thought if that time away is not going to ignore all the good green principles adhered to over the rest of the year.

There are many ways to be a green holidaymaker without having the hackneyed 'staycation,' or stay at home, even sitting in the garden deckchair and doing absolutely nothing, vacation.

For singles and couples: if you fancy the idea of a 'working holiday' then there are many opportunities offered by UK local and national conservation charities (BTCV, National Trust) for a conservation volunteering project. You have to pay towards the essentials like food or any upgrade you want and travel to a pick up point or the site. Accommodation, though often not luxurious, is provided free by the recipients of the help. Project leaders pace what has to be done according to abilities and they teach practical skills with the focus on helping the environment or conservation task. You can pick anything from a weekend, week, to spend all summer if you like. They're great opportunities for meeting new people, having fun, a cheap holiday and certainly memorable mealtimes, as everyone joins in to help.

For a more normal, but still greener, holiday: look for the hotels and B&Bs who have eco or green awards. They usually source foods locally, grow their own veg, use low or renewable energy, recycle, avoid harmful chemical cleaners and do much more. Camp sites or holiday parks with Green Business Tourism or David Bellamy Conservation Awards are a must if that's your choice of where to stay.

Outdoor festivals are another great choice, which can also cater for all the family's wants or needs. If you like music and entertainment in one place and lots of choice, but the formal 'holiday camp' isn't your scene, then festivals are increasingly offering more. Look for those which have Greener Festival Awards or if going to local events and one day shows choose those which say they care about the environment. They should all be actively recycling waste and working on their environmental sustainability policies ... those which are not need to be reminded!

Always consider your mode of transport: use local buses, coaches or trains rather than your car or, if you need the car, use public transport to get around during the holiday or on alternate days... which also gives the driver a break. How about bicycling or hiring a car with exceptional fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions, or simply walking? Air travel, as we all know, produces a huge amount of C02 crucially at high altitudes, contributing to and exacerbating man-made global warming, so we need to cut down on flights, or avoid them altogether, to lower our carbon footprint.

Guided and self-guided walking holidays can be found in the UK and across Europe. All the hotel and travel arrangements are made by the operators – some even transporting baggage along the route. It's an opportunity for slow travel, slow food and making friends with other walkers and the locals.

Some hotels and destinations are now considering offering electric bikes for hire or making them part of their tourist explore package... could be a great idea for adding value to holiday tour packages on the Somerset Levels, or anywhere with extensive cycle ways.

If you've already booked your destination and hotel accommodation, and forgotten to ask about their green credentials, you can still do your bit for the environment. Be mindful about not wasting electricity; switch off the TV standby and lights in your room; remind the accommodation provider if you see waste or what needs recycling, request that daily changes in bed linen or towels are unnecessary while you occupy the same room. Leave a comment about the eco-efficiencies in the visitors' book. Encourage other holidaymakers to go green and follow these simple tips.

Visiting a beach, forest or mountain? The amount of rubbish in remote places and plastic on beaches is a serious problem, so any help in collecting at least a small bag full around where you sit takes only minutes and leaves an area clean for others and better for the environment.

Buying holiday gifts and trinkets abroad? Avoid any animal products or carved wooden items unless their origin can be verified as not coming from endangered species or illegal logging. Customs also screen for stopping illegal animal and plant by-products being brought back to the UK.

Eat at local cafes and restaurants who serve food made from locally grown ingredients. Shops and cafes are finding it increasingly good for trade to show they buy from local suppliers, some are even aware of food miles and climate changing emissions when sourcing their raw materials. Eat organic as far as possible. Going vegetarian, if not your normal choice, is widely thought to be more eco-friendly and can also save the holiday tummy troubles.

Eco-Watch readers are doing more all the time, and holidays are no exception! Take a copy of Eco-Watch and spread the word wherever you go; also let other readers know when you see good examples of greener holiday destinations, venues and businesses taking care to put the environment before profit, and showing their eco respect and responsibility through achieving green awards.

Further information

International Ecotourism Society www.ecotourism.org

EU Eco-Label www.eco-label-tourism.com

Rainforest Alliance – advice on safe tourism

Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council www.unfoundation.org

Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Ecotourism

www.ecotravel.com; www.campingninja.com

www.campbestival.co.uk festival 30th July-1st August, Dorset

www.sunrise-offgrid.com festival 19th – 22nd August, Somerset

Paul Lund