transport & technology news

Transport & technology news from the responsible tourism industry including new flight regulations, lower carbon transport and the environmental effects of cruise liners.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria - The debate gathers pace

Brighton is set to become the UK’s most electric vehicle (EV)-friendly city outside London, with plans to install 20 Elektrobay roadside charging stations over the coming year. As part of a concerted effort to encourage zero-emissions motoring in the city, councillors have given the go ahead to install an initial 10 Elektrobays in Brighton by the end of 2009, with a further 10 planned for installation early next year. Read more about the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria debate

Brighton on the Charge

EU lists over 4,000 airlines who need to clean up their act

A new EU law will soon ban over 4,000 airlines from European airports unless they pledge to limit their carbon emissions – this law will come into force from January 2012. The new EU target requires that airline emissions in Europe drop by three percent by 2012 and five percent by 2013. Aircraft emissions currently make up three percent of Europe’s CO2 output. Read more about EU listing over 4,000 airlines who need to clean up their act

Eurostar publishes its Tread lightly report

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service between Britain and mainland Europe, today published its first Tread Lightly Report, revealing progress towards achieving its environmental targets.Higher load factors and a switch of electricity supply in the Channel Tunnel have chiefly contributed to a cut of more than a quarter (31%) in carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) per passenger journey, compared with 2007. Eurostar has now raised its target to a 35% saving by 2012. Read more about Eurostar publishing its tread lightly report

Train travel in the Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies stretch through British Columbia supplying the region with a diverse range of astounding scenery and wildlife that inhabit areas protected for 100 years.Images of snow capped mountains, forests as far as the eye can see and Grizzly Bears are conjured up from the Rocky Mountains, and what a better way to experience this wilderness than by train. But how responsible can train travel be? Read more about Train travel in the Canadian Rockies

Heathrow survey - Responses from our members

A survey of over 900 of responsibletravel.com members - made up of tour operators and accommodations from around the world - has found that 75% are against plans for a third runway at Heathrow. The green light given by the British Government has been met with disapproval from responsibletravel.com's member organisations, as well as by the MD of this leading ethical travel company, Justin Francis. Read the Responses to the Heathrow survey

Green skies or green wash?

Several airlines, together responsible for about 15 per cent of total commercial jet fuel use, have committed this week to a more sustainable future, pledging to make positive steps toward developing biofuel use. However, earlier this year a highly-publicised Virgin Atlantic flight using a small proportion of biofuel was dismissed by leading environmental groups as "high-altitude greenwash". Read more on green skies or green wash?

Rail journeys on track for record bookings in 2009

Booking trends show that Brits are looking for alternatives to travelling by road and air. Instead of fuel charge concerns and the credit crunch, Brits are now rediscovering the romance, ease and environmental friendly nature of rail travel. Travelsphere has reported a marked increase in bookings for rail holidays in 2008 and predicts that 2009 will be the year of the rail holiday, heralding a new era in train travel. Read more on rail journeys

Cruise travel

You could be forgiven for thinking you would be saving on carbon emissions by taking a cruise instead of flying. But when looking at the statistics, it is clear that the environmental impact of taking a cruise is far worse in many ways... The stark reality is that cruise liners do have a significant ecological impact – one that has gone largely unnoticed in the global warming debate – and bring little or no benefit to the places they visit. Read more on cruise travel

Air passenger duty

Changing the air passenger duty so it’s charged per flight rather than passenger makes sense. Previously if a plane took off with just one passenger it would attract a tiny duty but still emit large amounts of carbon. This way the airlines will be encouraged to fly fuller planes (which is good as fewer flights in total might be required). However, the industry is rightly annoyed that it’s paying vast sums under a so called ‘green tax’ and does not know what the money is being used for. Read more on air passenger duty