Going green

It's been widely publicised that air travel is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. But to put it in perspective...

An economy return trip from Australia to Europe for one person results in around 10 tonnes of emissions (which is pretty massive when you consider a large car uses on average 8.5 tonnes a year).

With 1820 km of ocean between the Australian mainland and our nearest neighbouring country, it's no wonder Aussie holidaymakers have traditionally relied heavily on air travel. However as climate change becomes a national priority, it's time for travellers to start looking to greener alternatives.

One option that's gaining popularity in the adventure travel market is to take a boat. Sydney's Freighter Travel bills itself as 'the only Australian specialist in travel by ocean freighter ship' and can organise berths for travellers on both cargo and sailing ships. Each vessel generally offers only a few spots for non-crewmembers, so if you enjoy spending time alone with a good book and endless ocean views this is an amazing way to see the harbours of the world.

While it does reduce your carbon footprint, travelling by boat will also significantly extend your time spent in transit. And it's not cheap. The going rate for a 36 day voyage from Melbourne to Tilbury (England) via the Suez canal comes in at well over six grand. But if you believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination, then travel by sea can add a unique experience to your holiday. Besides, sailing into a world-famous port offers a much more chilled introduction to a country than navigating your way out of its airport.

For some of us, the romance of weeks at sea mightn't quite fit the itinerary. So if you must travel by plane try to fly economy as the extra space you get in business or first class generates two to three times the emissions. You can also opt to offset your emissions by paying into a carbon neutral scheme.

Having a clear itinerery once you reach your destination will also help reduce the environmental impact of your holiday. Try to limit travel by plane or car and plan to take public transport instead. Aside from being greener, travelling by bus or train is a great way to take in the countryside and meet the locals.

Making a genuine effort to reduce environmental impact when travelling can encompass more than simply rethinking transport options. There is a growing movement worldwide that's turning away from long haul travel altogether and instead focusing on holiday options closer to home.

While this sounds easy for our continental counterparts, who are a short distance from a range of culturally diverse countries, we often forget that Australia is one of the world's premier tourist destinations. And the locals are notorious for not taking advantage of it. Drawn by the lure of the big wide world, many of us haven't taken the time to discover the backpacker paradise that's right on our doorstep. Rethinking your next holiday and taking the Indian Pacific across the Nullabor, diving the Great Barrier Reef or watching the sun set over Uluru can be just as rewarding as jetting off overseas. And a whole lot kinder on the environment.