Fly less

A short-haul flight can produce a higher average per kilometre carbon footprint because of the huge number of emissions released during take-off and landing. Consider alternative ways of travelling domestically or to short-haul destinations. If it's possible to travel by coach or train instead, this is far more climate-friendly than flying. It can also often be cheaper and faster than air travel for shorter distances, given the time it takes to get to the airport, check-in, queue at security and wait for baggage after landing

Taking a city break by train is often much more convenient than air travel, as many trains connect directly between city centres. Grab a window seat and take the time to enjoy looking at places you pass through. Plus, it’s easier to get up and walk around on a train, which some may find more comfortable. 
 

Have a look at the Visit Wales website for inspiration on breaks and family holidays in Wales. Visit the Transport for Wales website for savings and offers on rail travel.  

Companies also have a part to play, by reducing the need for their staff to fly on business. Prioritising conference or video calls, allowing staff to combine business trips with holidays, or allowing them extra holiday time to go by train can all help with this. The Welsh Government policy around travel for business is that their staff should consider all travel options, especially those that lessen the impact on the environment and only travel if it is necessary to achieve clear business goals. 

When we do fly, we can track flight emissions and research to find out which airlines are using the newest aircraft possible for your route. Newer aircraft typically tend to be more efficient than older models and produce fewer emissions. It’s also better to book an economy ticket rather than rather than a business or first-class ticket. A first-class ticket on a long-haul flight emits, on average, four times as much as an economy seat on the same plane, because more expensive seats take up more space and weight on the aircraft. Reducing the amount of luggage you take will also help, as more weight means more fuel being burned. Flying without stopovers can help too: the more times the plane takes off, the more fuel is used.   

You could consider compensating flight emissions by buying a carbon offset. However, it’s hard to be sure an offset will permanently ‘absorb’ the emissions the flight gives out. Trees, for example, need years to grow enough to reabsorb the carbon from your flight, and it’s hard to guarantee they’ll be left standing long enough to counteract the emissions. It’s also tricky to know whether offsets like renewable energy projects are additional i.e. that they support projects that wouldn’t otherwise have happened. 

Holidaying within Wales and the UK supports the local economy and independent businesses, helping to create jobs and nurture vibrant communities. It also helps us to build local opportunities for future generations.  

Traveling by train allows you to connect easily from city to city and, as train stations are often in the centre of town, allows you to get to the heart of a location easily and quickly upon arrival. 

Aviation is the most climate-intensive form of transport. A single passenger travelling on a domestic flight in Britain can lead to climate impacts equivalent to 254g of CO2 for every kilometre they travel, according the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The same calculations estimate a long-haul flight can release the equivalent to 102g of CO2 for every kilometre – a lower figure on average per kilometre because of the huge amount of emissions given off during take-off and landing. But an intercity train releases the equivalent of just 41g for every passenger mile, while travelling by coach releases even less.