When it comes to sustainable travel, a topic that comes up time and time again is carbon offsetting.�You might have heard your�airline�or your�favourite�travel�influencer�mention it,�but what actually is it�and how does it work?�Well, at Hostelworld�we�ve�launched this for our�travellers�and here�we�re�going to...

When it comes to sustainable travel, a topic that comes up time and time again is carbon offsetting.�You might have heard your�airline�or your�favourite�travel�influencer�mention it,�but what actually is it�and how does it work?�Well, at Hostelworld�we�ve�launched this for our�travellers�and here�we�re�going to break it down for you,�so you�can�decide whether to offset your next trip.�

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Travel and our carbon footprint�

When we travel, our carbon footprint grows; using transport to get around, turning on aircon and even enlisting the help of Google Maps.��

According to the�World Travel & Tourism Council, tourism�is responsible for�roughly 8-11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the biggest impact�coming from flying. But there are ways you can be a more sustainable�traveller�and�lower your carbon impact when you�explore. Such as:�

1. Travel overland��

Instead of hopping on and off planes, taking buses or trains can massively reduce your carbon footprint.�

2. Book economy seats�

When you do�fly,�book economy�tickets.�More bums on seats means fewer emissions per person.�And when you can,�take direct flights as they�use�less fuel.��

3. Share transport with others�

If you need to take a taxi,�check if someone in your hostel is heading the same way. Put feelers out in the�hostel group chat�to find someone to�car share�with,�and you could�save�money on the fare and�cut down�your carbon emissions.��

4. Stay in sustainable accommodation�

Research shows that hostels are�more eco-friendly than hotels. By sharing a dorm room with a bunch of�travellers�you�re�not only in for a more sociable trip, but a more ecological one.�

5. Pack light�

The heavier your luggage the more fuel it takes to transport you on trains, planes, buses,�cars�and boats.�Packing light�can have�a big impact�on your emissions.�Research by Finnair�found that if every passenger that flew with them in one year had travelled with 1kg�less luggage, the savings made on fuel would have covered 20 flights between Helsinki and Tokyo!�Switch out the heavy suitcase for a lightweight backpack and remove items you can buy once�you�re�there.��

6. Walk around�

When you explore�new places,�hitting that step count tends to be easier. Being conscious of your carbon footprint and opting to walk instead of taking that tuk-tuk can keep your emissions at bay.��

7. Eat local food�

Local cuisine is usually made of locally sourced ingredients and eating it can help you avoid buying imported food. Imported food can produce�tonnes�of emissions just getting it there, from transporting it to keeping it fresh. Eating locally not only immerses you in the culture and keeps your carbon footprint down, but also supports the local economy.�

8. Minimise your food waste�

When food waste breaks down in�landfill�it emits so many harmful greenhouse gases that if it were a country, it would be the third biggest polluter after the�US and China. We all get moments where our eyes are bigger than our bellies,�instead of wasting your leftovers, bring a reusable container with you or ask for a doggy bag to save the rest of your meal for later.�

9. Travel slower �

It can be easy to fall into the trap of trying to�see and�do everything�in�a destination, but by travelling at a fast pace you often take more transport. By slowing down you can�get to know�a place�beyond tourist spots�and�minimise�your�carbon footprint.�

10. Support companies that care�

From something as simple as switching the beer you drink to a more�sustainable brewery, to taking part in�environmentally-friendly�activities,�you can have all the experience with the clean conscious.��

11. Offset your carbon footprint�

While these tips�can help you cut down your carbon footprint, as�travellers�certain emissions are hard to avoid. Buying carbon offsets is one of the only ways to counterbalance the emissions that you�can�t�control.��

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What is carbon offsetting?�

In our daily lives,�we�all�produce carbon emissions�that�emit�greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and harm the environment.�From�cooking a meal to�scrolling on�social media, it all adds to our carbon footprint.�Yes, you read that right, the internet and data needed to power the content you see and�the servers that store it�add to your carbon footprint!��

Carbon offsetting is where you give money to an environmental project that supports�the�climate,�to make up for�the�negative impact�of your�emissions.�

These projects can�vary,�from�reforestation,�which stops�trees being cut�down�or plants more,�to renewable energy initiatives�like wind�farms,�which�reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burned.�Offsetting�doesn�t�remove�the emissions�you�ve�already added, but instead helps contribute to projects that will eventually counteract them.�Many projects�also support�communities from less developed areas.��

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Concerns around offsetting�

While some question the credibility of carbon offsetting, research shows that it is beneficial, and we believe this is a step in a positive direction for our customers. Working with�the climate experts at�Cloverly,�we�ll�continue to support the research and as more information comes out,�we�ll�evolve our thinking.�

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How�to offset�your flights��

Carbon offsetting providers can help you calculate your carbon footprint and invest in sustainable projects. The process is:��

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How to offset your accommodation (with Hostelworld)�

Like we said, Hostelworld customers can now offset�their hostel stay.�But�we�ve�made the process a little easier:�

Step 1: After booking your next stay,�you�ll�receive an email from us�

In this email there will be:��

Step 2:�Choose your project�

To give you a chance to support a project close to your heart,�we�ve�chosen a mix of destinations and causes aligned with our customers� experiences.��

From�reforestation�in Australia,�to�protecting forests�and wildlife�from palm oil�farming�in�Indonesia and�providing�indigenous communities with sustainable�cookstoves�in Guatemala.�We�re�sure�there�s�a cause for everyone to get behind.��

We�ve�done�the�due�diligence�for you,�working�with�Cloverly�to�ensure these�projects make a real difference to the environment and the people they aim to help.��

Step 3: Buy�your credits��

Follow the link�to Cloverly�s payment page�to buy your credits�and�that�s�you�done;�you can celebrate being a�sustainable�traveller!�

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Download the Hostelworld app to start meeting people from the moment you book

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Eco-friendly beers to try on your travels�

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