Footprint

This summer, it’s hard to open a newspaper without encountering a climate-related story.

The megafires have devastated Gironde, fires have multiplied in several regions of France, water restrictions linked to a drought are taking hold for good… All these events remind us that climate change is no longer a distant scenario. It is already shaping our territories, our landscapes, and our tourist activities.

And as if that weren’t enough, July 2026 has become the hottest month ever recorded in France, after a June that was already historic!

Tourism is on the front line. It suffers directly from climate disruption: shaken seasons, closures of natural sites, tensions over water resources, evolving traveler expectations…

But it also contributes. According to the latest estimates from the Service des données et études statistiques (SDES), the carbon footprint of tourism consumption in France reached 75 million tonnes of CO₂e in 2023.

Movements alone account for 65% of this footprint, making it by far the primary lever of action for the sector.

The think tank The Shift Project also notes that 85% of the distances traveled by the French for their trips still rely on fossil fuels. A finding that shows the scale of the challenge… but also the numerous opportunities for innovation for the sector!

So, faced with these figures, what do we do? Where to begin? First good news: reducing your carbon footprint does not mean giving up travel. No, it’s mostly about rethinking certain practices.

And second good news: not all actions have the same impact. The goal isn’t to change everything at once, but to focus your efforts on the emission sources that matter most. And for that you will need to calculate your carbon footprint!

Reducing your carbon footprint without a metric is a bit like hiking without a map: you move forward, but it’s hard to know if you’re heading in the right direction.

Tools such as the Bilan Carbone® (created in 2004 by ADEME and carried since 2011 by ABC, the Association for the Low-Carbon Transition), or the GHG Protocol help identify the main emission sources and set action priorities.

Expect not to obtain a perfectly precise figure. The carbon footprint assessment is mainly about understanding where the largest impacts lie so you can invest your time and resources where they will be truly useful.

And now that you have a solid starting point, we can really begin!

Unsurprisingly, transport represents the main emission source in tourism.

For many, this is where the biggest gains lie. Of course, a hotel or a travel agency doesn’t always choose the transportation mode for their clients. However, they can influence their decisions.

Some action options :

– highlight train itineraries during the booking process

– offer discounts or benefits to travelers arriving by soft mobility

– develop partnerships with public transport networks or bicycle rental operators

– install charging stations for electric vehicles

– encourage business trips by train whenever possible.

Internally, we can also rethink staff travel through carpooling, a sustainable mobility allowance, or telework when missions allow.

The goal here is not to ban flying or driving, but to offer more alternatives and to make the leaner choices easier and more attractive!

Hotels, restaurants, campsites, holiday residences, or visitor sites: buildings also account for a substantial share of greenhouse gas emissions.

Good news: many actions can reduce both the carbon footprint AND energy bills at the same time!

Among the most effective levers :

– gradually replacing lighting with LEDs

– improving thermal insulation

– optimizing heating and cooling systems

– installing occupancy sensors in common areas

– regularly monitoring energy consumption to identify drifts.

The most significant investments can be integrated into an energetic renovation strategy over several years. Again, the key is to progress step by step.

Online booking, marketing campaigns, websites, social networks, artificial intelligence… digital technology has become essential in our daily lives and for work.

Unfortunately, because digital isn’t something tangible, its environmental impact is still largely unknown.

Without giving up (of course) on digital tools, it’s possible to adopt a more restrained approach :

– lighten your website and remove unnecessary content

– limit video on your site and on social networks

– extend the life of IT equipment

– limit the storage of superfluous data

– use AI tools when relevant, prioritizing high-value uses.

To learn more about the environmental impact of digital technology, especially AI, I recommend the article “Artificial Intelligence: The Real Environmental Cost of the AI Race” by Bon Pote, and participating in or organizing workshops like The Fresque du Numérique and The Battle of AI.

When a company wants to structure its environmental approach, a question sometimes arises: should we aim for a label? The answer is usually yes… provided you don’t treat the label as an end in itself.

A label is not intended to “greenwash” a company. Its real value lies elsewhere: it helps to structure the approach, set objectives, measure progress, and commit to continuous improvement.

For tourism professionals, it also serves as a trust signal to travelers, partners, and employees.

Depending on your activity, several frameworks can guide you :

– La Clef Verte is today the leading international environmental label dedicated to tourist accommodations and restaurants ;

– for tour operators, the ATR label – Acting for Responsible Tourism – highlights agencies committed to a demanding approach to environmental, social, and economic responsibility ;

– companies with an international presence can also look to Travelife, recognized in the sector ;

– you can also rely on cross-cutting standards such as ISO 14001, Engaged CSR (AFNOR) or B Corp, which help structure a global sustainability strategy.

Whatever standard you choose, the essential remains the same: use the label as a tool for progression, not as a mere showcase.

Finally, don’t forget a crucial factor: the people. Raise awareness among your employees and your travelers!

You can find some tips in two previous articles: “10 essential awareness workshops in tourism” and “Responsible travel: how to engage without guilt?”

For a long time, ecological transition was seen as a sequence of constraints: new regulations, investments, changes in habits…

Today, it’s essential to view it as a formidable lever of innovation and adaptation.

Of course, reducing your carbon footprint helps limit your impact on the climate. But it’s also an opportunity to control energy consumption, strengthen ties with local actors, offer more authentic experiences, and meet the expectations of a clientele that is increasingly attentive to these issues.

And no, reducing your carbon footprint does not mean doing less tourism. It’s about tourism that is more resilient, leaner, and more desirable.

Each company will progress at its own pace. What matters is to start, to measure progress, and to keep learning.

As always, the best low-carbon strategy is not the one that promises perfection, but the one that becomes a durable part of the company’s daily life!

– start by identifying your main emission sources before multiplying actions.

– transport, energy, food, purchases, and digital are the main levers for reduction.

– training your teams is essential to sustainably transform practices.

– support your travelers with simple and positive solutions rather than guilt-inducing messages.

– CSR labels provide an excellent framework to structure your approach and showcase your commitments.

– the low-carbon transition is not only a response to climate change: it’s also an opportunity to strengthen resilience, attractiveness, and competitiveness of your business.

Find all articles by Camille Le Guilloux by clicking here.

Expert in Responsible Marketing, Camille Le Guilloux is on a mission to inspire, equip, and guide companies toward more ethical and sustainable marketing practices.

Having become an impact-driven infopreneur and facilitator of various CSR awareness workshops (Climate Fresk, 2 Tons Workshop, Ocean Fresk, Fresk of the New Narratives), she now helps businesses and business-school students implement effective and responsible strategies.

Website: www.kerezenn.com