Travel companies should aim for “progress rather than perfection” when reducing their carbon footprint, according to a sustainability specialist.
Charlie Cotton, founder of environmental consultancy ecollective, said it is vital the industry reduces its emissions by 50% by 2030 and suggested companies “need to be worried” about the escalating threat posed by climate change.
He urged firms to design trips with smaller carbon footprints, adding that any improvements would be welcome.
“We need progress rather than perfection,” said Cotton, a keynote speaker at Spain’s Sustainability Day in London on April 17.
Significant carbon savings can be made through various elements of an itinerary in addition to transport, said Cotton, with food and hotel choices among the key factors.
If a supplier has a heavy carbon footprint, ties with them could be severed, said Cotton, or they could be encouraged to cut their emissions.
“I’ll leave that choice up to you,” said Cotton.
He encouraged firms to be “relentless” as they seek to reduce their emissions.
“The journey never stops. Even if your [emissions] score today is fantastic, you can still get lower,” he said, adding: “The aim is to get all the way to zero emissions, or as close as possible, within five or 10 or 15 years’ time.”