More than 87 percent of Americans believe sustainable travel is either somewhat important or very important, according to a recent travel survey. (And that 87 percent equates to almost 225 million people.) When it comes to sustainable travel, we're also seeing younger generations stand up to the plate.

According to a 2020 survey, the importance of eco-friendly travel is more important to Gen Z and millennial travelers than it is to previous generations. Furthermore, as of March 2021, approximately 81 percent of passengers stated they planned to stay in an eco-friendly hotel in 2022.

This kind of focus on sustainable travel is needed. Transportation accounts for 15-20% of annual emissions on a worldwide scale. While it may be difficult to comprehend how travel can be considered sustainable, improvements are being made that are improving the business.

According to our analysis, flying is the least environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Airplanes consume a lot of fuel, therefore it's understandable that they're big polluters. Fortunately, some airlines are working to make their operations more sustainable.

Since 2008, Virgin Atlantic has been making environmentally beneficial decisions, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. United Airlines is testing plant-based fuel, which might be a game-changer in terms of reducing travel-related emissions. Delta is also dedicated to carbon neutrality, with a budget of more than $30 million put aside to offset 13 million metric tonnes of emissions by 2020.

Travelers are finding it easier to book the most environmentally friendly flight. Google Flights introduced a tool last year that informs passengers about the carbon footprint of each travel. And Google isn't only doing that. Google Maps has an eco-friendly navigation tool for travelers who want to go on road excursions. On Google Hotels, you may also look for eco-certified hotels.

It's no secret that luxury hotels produce a lot of waste and consume a lot of electricity. Not to mention the huge carbon and water footprints that hotels leave behind. As a result, the UN and the hotel industry collaborated in 2018 to cut global hotel emissions.

Today, Airbnb is trying to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 and is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked with its global operations. In December, room2, the world's first net-zero carbon hotel, opened in Chiswick, West London. Per square meter, the hotel is intended to be "89 percent more energy-efficient than a conventional UK hotel."

Other hotels are implementing eco-friendly measures such as recycling programs, low-energy rooms, and restaurant menus that feature local cuisine. Every minor adjustment adds up to a significant difference.

Furthermore, finding environmentally-friendly lodging is becoming easier. EcoHotels, for example, is a hotel booking service that plants a tree for every reservation. Every hotel listed on the website is checked to ensure that it offers certified environmentally-friendly solutions. Another fantastic resource for vegan-friendly and green accommodation is VeggieHotels, which lists hotels, B&Bs, motels, and wellness facilities that keep things as natural as possible.