A JPCs Tips on Travelling 'Green'

Written by Daniella Marchand, Viet Nam, UNDP

It must come as no surprise that I love to travel, considering I am taking part in the IDDIP. Truth be told, I love airports, seeing them as a gateway to new experiences and opportunities for adventure. I love my geeky-looking beige money belt, because this to me is the exciting first sign that I’m getting ready for change. This summer, I have been granted the opportunity to work with the Environment and Climate Change team in Hanoi, and even though I’ve already been here for 3 weeks, the excitement has not yet faded away. As I am knee-deep in environmental policy and biodiversity initiatives, it is not unusual that I have given a lot of thought as to how, as a traveler, my ‘footprint’ can expand exponentially when the opportunity to follow my ‘greener’ habits is not readily accessible. Therefore, I thought I’d share some thoughts I’ve had since arriving in Hanoi, about how we can all attempt to be ‘greener’ travelers and ensure that we are caring for the communities that have provided us the opportunity for new sights, unique food, and an education like no other.

Tam Coc, Ninh Binh Province

Before you even leave, choose airlines that offer a carbon offset program.

- A huge part of our pollution when we travel is often the aspect we rarely consider when going abroad. It has been suggested that a typical transatlantic flight is equivalent to a year’s worth of driving. However, many airlines recognize the huge amount of emissions that they release during trips, and it is becoming more normalized for them to offer you the option to purchase a carbon offset when you book your flight. These are typically anywhere from 3 – 15$ depending on the airline, length of flights, etc.

This one may seem obvious, but avoid plastic bottles / one time use plastics, etc

-This can be hard when you’re in a country that does not have access to clean drinking water! If your budget allows, invest in a filtered water bottle. They are a little pricey, but they allow you to cut down on your plastic use. However, even if you have a filtered water bottle, it is still important to get water from the cleanest sources you can. While I brought one with me, one of the main issues with Vietnam’s water sources is not bacteria, but heavy metals. Therefore, my filtered bottle is not enough to allow me to use it primarily, as the filters in water bottles are not equipped to remove these. However, these remain a good option if heavy metals are not found in the water sources where you’re travelling.

- When choosing your accommodation, check to see if they offer a station to fill up water bottles. This feature is becoming more popular, due to the demand by guests to have access to plastic alternatives. By staying in locations that provide these services, it encourages other facilities to do so as well.

-However, if you’re out and about, and starting to feel a little dehydrated, stop and grab some fresh squeezed juice at a café, or even grab a cool coconut! Here in Vietnam, many cafes keep fresh coconuts in the fridge, and will crack them open when requested. However, they often try to serve them up with a plastic straw. Did you know that plastic straws make up approximately 3% of trash recovered from the ocean? Bring your own reusable metal one, to cut out this additional piece of waste as well. I suggest metal, as while bamboo straws are a good option as well, they tend to be a similar price as metal ones and need to be composted or thrown away after 3-4 months of use.

For individuals who experience periods:

- Invest in a moon/diva cup or ‘period panties’ to cut down on disposable feminine hygienic waste. These reusable options are excellent for the environment, and can often be more convenient when you’re travelling, because now you won’t have to hunt down hygienic products in unfamiliar stores or markets. Additionally, the companies that sell these reusable projects often have a one-for-one giving system, where your purchase also benefits those individuals who may not have regular access to similar products in communities aboard.

Getting around

-  Ride shares – Especially in Vietnam, options like Grab and GoViet are everywhere you look. While the option to rent a scooter or car may seem appealing to allow flexibility in your schedule, there are already close to 9 million scooters on the road in Hanoi, making it no surprise that they consistently rank poorly on air quality indexes.

- Buses – just like at home, buses are a great way to get around. Here in Vietnam, buses have a flat rate to ride, and are air-conditioned. While figuring out routes may feel a little tricky, with tools like Google Maps, you’ll be just fine.

-Walking – this is a great way to see the city, as well as get in those daily steps. Good for you, good for the plan

Coconut Palms, Hoi An

Weekend trips

- Try to book with eco-tourism groups. In Vietnam, those that advertise themselves as ‘eco-tours’ or take tourists into national parks or natural reserves are required to give a percentage of their earnings into biodiversity conservation. While these end up being a bit more expensive than regular tours, the fact that you’re directly contributing back to the very spots you’re taking photos or that are being altered to better accommodate tourists, should be an important feature to look for. 

-In Vietnam, tours that include homestays are an everywhere, and are an excellent option. Not only to you get to experience a smaller, more intimate tour, you get to contribute directly to the communities you’re going to visit. The demand tourists create can have an enormous impact on communities, with new hotels, restaurants, and various facilities popping up to accommodate the increasing need of travelers. This option ensures that the face of the communities you’re visiting hold onto their character, while also ensuring that the members of the communities benefit from your visit, rather than larger companies. Being eco-friendly doesn’t mean just being ‘green’ in your choices but rather rooting your behavior in sustainability and community engagement.

-Additionally, look for activities that work to give back to the community that you’re in! Some scuba diving companies now host activities where you can participate in coral restoration and help to clean up the beach while you’re there.

-Want to check out the local wildlife? See if you can find an animal sanctuary. However, make sure that the conditions and treatment of the animals is what you would expect of these types of facilities. Check out National Geographic’s recent story on the treatment of animals for tourist entertainment.

-https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/06/global-wildlife-tourism-social-media-causes-animal-suffering/

-https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/what-i-learned-covering-wildlife-tourism/

Finally, my last tip is to just do your research. In the land of social media, reality can be skewed. The urge to go out and get that incredible Instagram photo -at the cost of the welfare of the land that you are visiting and those that benefit from it -may be very tempting but it most likely isn’t worth it. In addition, doing research before you go on your trip, for example, about the water quality, can allow you to make environmentally conscious choices before you even leave.

At the end of the day, being green is going to cost you a bit more. Whether this is from choosing to purchase a carbon offset for your flight, or booking with a certified eco-tourist company, it is more often the case that these types of ‘green experiences’ will require you to invest a bit more of your money. However, it’s important to remember that you’re a guest in these places. While we directly impact the globe as a whole when we choose to buy single-use plastic or create emissions that affect air quality and CO2 levels, these actions of ours will have more serious repercussions on the spaces we are leaving. I am very lucky that I live in a community that has a comprehensive waste management program, where the option to recycle, compost and make ‘greener’ choices is easily fit into my daily routine. But when you’re abroad, even though it feels easier to take the cheaper and more convenient option, think about the impact that choice may have on the communities that have welcomed you in.