Private jets, opulent yachts, staffed villas, exotic dinners… Many believe that the concept of sustainability does not align with luxury, a lifestyle that is perceived as inherently overindulgent. But there is an increasing global awareness of the ecosystem’s fragile state causing more and more people to take accountability for their contribution to that and seek ways to offset or reduce the impact. Some are under the false impression that the answer is simply doing away with everything they’ve come to enjoy, but that isn’t at all necessary.
Luxury and sustainability can and do intersect. Finding that balance begins with a mindset shift and a commitment to being intentional about the ways you move about the Earth, and it continues by weighing various considerations. When planning your travel, there are several factors to consider regarding where you choose to stay, your method of travel, the activities you enjoy, even the luggage you invest in.
There are so many beautiful places to vacation around the world. Some locations are tourist heavy at certain times of year and could use a bit of a break to recover. If possible, travel during the off season because there are numerous environmental and socioeconomic benefits! It is also important to choose a place that protects the biodiversity of the area and the natural habitat by not being overly intrusive or misusing its natural resources. Go a step further and see if they prioritize preservation of its cultural heritage. The space should embrace the local influences and celebrate the native people. Hiring local staff and investing in their training on sustainable practices is key to achieving this.
There are several organizations that offer designations to let you know a property is “green” in some manner. If the property is relatively new or recently renovated, they may have green design label like LEED. A search on Beyond Green will give you access to a global portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges exemplifying sustainability leadership. Some properties partner with organizations like EarthCheck, ecoSPIRITS, and Green Star to help monitor their consumption, reduce bottles and waste in their liquor distribution, and promote sustainable cooking practices.
There are so many other ways high-end hotels are increasingly mindful. Many of them utilize sustainable materials and practice eco-friendly habits, such as eliminating single-use plastic and protecting the local ecosystem. They also adopt other habits like recycling, use of sustainable products for laundry, solar energy for heating, educating guests on water conservation and power waste by turning lights and cooling/heating off while absent from the room). Some properties even convert sea water for use in air conditioning to reduce their power usage by 90%!
Since the travel industry’s largest source of carbon emissions is attributed to moving products around the world, choose properties that source locally. Innovation has brought us toiletry product suppliers that can send shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash in a pill or tablet form. This is amazing because the products can be reconverted to liquid on-site and there is no packaging! Properties should also be using locally grown produce as much as possible.
This is where you can also consider your method of travel. If it involves a flight, consider the length of stay as a factor in how much an impact it will have on the environment. There are airlines that strive for sustainability by utilizing biofuels, which are least polluting. You can also reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing offsets that measure the carbon dioxide emitted because of your travel and allow you to voluntarily provide the equivalent in offset funding to environmental projects around the world. One of my favorite ways to make offset carbon emissions is to participate in tree planting initiatives. I recently went on a Safari at an ethical Private Reserve in South Africa. We had an opportunity to plant spekboom trees. This plant can absorb four to ten tons of carbon per 2.5 acres of carbon dioxide, which is ten times more efficient than any tropical rainforest!
There are so many activities you can enjoy on an eco-friendly trip. As I mentioned, you can get your hands dirty with planting whether it be in “the bush” or at a neighborhood farm. Take tours, be adventurous, but ensure that the tour operator you choose is limiting outings to small groups and that they are abiding by the principles of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere program. This covers the protection of wildlife by minimizing the negative impact of your activities. You don’t want your leisure activities to cause unnecessary stress on the animals and environment.
From recycled golf course bunkers to employee composting, there are endless ways for luxury accommodations to be mindful of their surroundings. In our current social climate, terms like ‘eco’, ‘conscious’, and ‘sustainability’ have become buzzwords. Some companies throw them around for marketing purposes, but they are all rooted in a sense of awareness. One step toward that mindset shift is to be aware of the environment, the community, your impact on them and your ability to affect change.
High-end comfort can coexist with eco-friendly travel, just make time for intentional research to ensure your stay will be ethical. For more sustainable luxury travel tips, feel free to visit my site, The Luxury Vegan to schedule a consultation!
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Article by Dominique Side, a Sustainability Expert and Founder of The Luxury Vegan, the world’s leading concierge transition service for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Dominique helps individuals live compassionately by easing them into a sustainable mindset that positively impacts every aspect of their lives.
