Small-scale Hospitality Hacks and the Fight Against Fossil Fuels
In a recent episode of The Standard podcast, sustainable-travel expert Juliet Kinsman sat down with Jon Weeks to delve into the ways extreme weather affects our travel choices and revealed some upcoming trends for travelers to watch out for. One of these trends includes small-scale hospitality hacks, such as the use of heated cushions from Stoov, which hotels like the Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond are employing to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Teun van Leijsen, founder of Stoov, explains how this small solution speaks to the bigger issues at hand.
“As global temperatures rise and fewer people escape to hotter climates for the summer, there will be a vast increase in demand for UK-based hotels,” he says. He also predicts that room temperatures might soon be capped at 20 degrees Celsius to lessen the hotel sector’s current 1% contribution to global carbon emissions.
Swiss Hotel Group Takes Innovative Steps
Kinsman also highlights the efforts of the Tschuggen Collection, a family-owned Swiss hotel group, in raising awareness about our changing climate. The Valsana hotel in Arosa, part of the Tschuggen Collection, has implemented an innovative energy solution. These forward-thinking initiatives showcase how the hotel industry is actively addressing climate change.
Aviation Industry’s Role in Carbon Emissions
The aviation industry often faces criticism for its carbon emissions. In her companion piece in the newspaper, Kinsman explores how climate change will forever transform the way we travel. The article references Oxfam’s latest report, “Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%,” which highlights that the emissions of the world’s wealthiest 1% account for more than the poorest 66%. This brings into question whether flying will become socially unacceptable by 2035.
EVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing planes) are also discussed as a potential solution. Additionally, the podcast episode examines the scalability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and features a company that has successfully created biofuel from sewage.
The Future of Travel and Sustainable Options
Suzannah Ramsdale, The Standard’s lifestyle director, joins the podcast hosts in part two to share her forecasts for the future of travel. Ramsdale suggests that staycations within the UK may become more popular, reducing the need for overseas travel. The debate also raises the question of whether luxury cruises and all-inclusive holidays can ever be truly sustainable.
For those seeking further insight, the documentary “The Last Tourist” is recommended. This thought-provoking film confronts the impact of cruises on the environment. In addition, the podcast addresses the importance of water conservation and how it relates to climate change.
This six-part Sustainable Travel series of The Standard podcast aims to shed light on how we can travel more responsibly. All episodes can be downloaded and streamed on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.