Calculate the carbon footprint of your trip

Like any activity, vacations generate CO₂ and have an impact on the environment. During a trip, transport is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Are you planning your future vacations and wondering what the carbon impact of your travels will be? If so, we’re ready to help you better understand the impact of your journey, with ADEME's calculator.

What is a carbon footprint?

The world’s current climate crisis is directly linked to our greenhouse gas emissions. Your carbon footprint (also known as a carbon balance), is an indicator used to measure the environmental impact of an activity, specifically the amount of greenhouse gases that this activity emits. A carbon footprint can apply to a range of situations including an individual’s lifestyle choices, a company’s activities, the manufacturing processes used to create a product, or even the modes of transport chosen to get to your destination.

For the sake of consistency and simplicity, all GHG emissions can be measured with a single unit: kilograms of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). This means that each greenhouse gas is converted into CO₂ equivalent based on its warming potential. For example: 1 kg of methane = 28 kg of CO₂e.

The transport carbon impact calculator

Thanks to ADEME (The French Agency for Ecological Transition), you can calculate the carbon footprint of different modes of transport for your vacation, based on a specific distance or route. These values are expressed per person.

Good to know: For your CO₂ calculation, the "Transport Impact" simulator includes direct emissions, emissions related to vehicle construction, as well as the production and distribution of fuel and electricity.

If you would like to calculate any marine-based transport (such as ferries, cruise ships, pleasure boats etc.) you will need to wait a little longer. Studies are currently underway, and the data will soon be integrated into the calculator.

How to reduce your trip’s carbon footprint

The current environmental situation requires each of us to adopt more responsible behaviors. This applies to all aspects of travel: choosing your destination wisely, your means of transport to get there and back, how you will travel while you are on vacation, the activities you will do while you’re there, the frequency of the trips you take each year and so forth. Here are some tips to become a responsible traveler, and reduce your vacation’s carbon footprint.

1. Choose low-carbon modes of transport

Tourist transport has a significant impact on the sector’s carbon footprint, particularly air travel. If you have used ADEME's calculator, you will know that planes are by far the most polluting mode of transport, along with maritime travel. However low-carbon transport is a great alternative. These are modes of transport that minimize greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible.

Whenever possible, it is recommended to opt for the train for your travels, as it is much less energy-intensive and polluting. Moreover, trains across Europe and the wider world provide access to a wide range of destinations. Although sometimes overlooked due to high prices, there are many ways you can pay less for train tickets. The car remains the preferred mode of transport for many nations: to limit your impact, consider carpooling for your vacations.

When talking about transport during vacations, we obviously tend to refer to the modes of transport used to reach your destination, but local travel while you’re there also matters. To explore the areas you’re staying in, prioritize soft mobility options, such as walking or cycling. There are countless stunning cycling routes around the world, inviting you to slow down. You can discover route ideas and tips on lots of websites, such as France Vélo Tourisme for bicycle routes in France, or EuroVelo for routes around Europe.

In summary: let’s prioritize rail journeys, plus cycling and walking!

2. Travel less far and less often

From a carbon impact perspective, it’s always preferable to travel locally. Regardless of where you live in the world, you’ll find plenty of treasures to discover: culture, heritage, local cuisines and produce, diverse landscapes... From the warm waters of the Mediterranean to the wild Atlantic coasts, and through mountains, countryside, lakes, and forests, why not explore regions of your country you haven’t yet discovered?

If you want to go a little further, then consider neighboring countries that can be reached by train. And if the train isn't an option, replacing a long-haul flight with a short-haul flight also has a positive impact (for example, a flight from Paris to Sydney emits 12 times more than a flight from Paris to Rome, even more so if it includes a layover).

Finally, traveling less often (but possibly for longer periods of time) is also a virtuous approach, as it reduces the number of trips, which, let’s remember, are the primary factor for CO₂ emissions during vacations.

3. Choose low-carbon activities

Transport is not the only significant source of CO₂ emissions during vacations. The results of our impact study reveal that tourist activities are the second largest source of emissions during a trip. For example, you could avoid activities such as motorized sports (riding all-terrain vehicles, go-karting, jet skiing etc.) that emit CO₂ and disturb local wildlife. Instead, focus on hiking, cycling, kayaking, and other activities that will enable you to explore your destination without having a significant impact on the environment.

4. Consume sustainably and locally

Our eating habits also impact our overall footprint, even though they remain relatively small compared to transport. To limit your impact, consider eating less meat and consuming locally. Fortunately, discovering regional products and local cuisine is also one of the joys of going on a vacation. Moreover, this allows you to contribute to the local economy.

5. Accommodation: choose HomeExchange

Your choice of accommodation is crucial. And HomeExchange is undoubtedly the most responsible mode of accommodation. By choosing HomeExchange, you help combat mass tourism, particularly by fighting against the excessive construction of new tourist infrastructure and by traveling like locals, promoting a less invasive form of tourism.

Moreover, HomeExchange is a community of responsible members who appreciate the value of traveling responsibly. For example, our members enjoy discovering places they might not have considered, away from the most popular tourist destinations, because an exchange in an unexpected location was offered to them. Home exchanging also means adopting the perspective of a local resident, embracing their habits, immersing yourself in the local culture, and respecting it.