How does your caravan holiday affect the environment? This may well be a question that you have asked yourself. Perhaps other people have mentioned the issue to you. On the other hand, you may not have considered it at all.
One thing’s for sure – the caravan industry has definitely been considering the question thoroughly. Green caravanning is a major issue, and is becoming something of a battle ground for service providers, campsites and manufacturers all competing for the best credentials.
For a start, all caravanners have something to feel good about. By driving, rather than flying, to your holiday destination, you are significantly reducing the strain on airline fuels (which are, of course, a major contributor to global warming).
However, you probably won’t be able to use a particularly low-fuel-consumption car to tow your heavy caravan around the country or the continent. Many of the best towing cars in fact perform very poorly in terms of green credentials.
There are many ways that you can reduce this adverse affect of your holiday. For a start, consider hiring a car for your holiday towing needs, rather than using a gas-guzzler year-round. If you only need the power and size for one holiday a year, this would prove a far more energy efficient (and probably cheaper) option.
When you are on the road, remember that reducing your speed to 75% of top speed can halve your fuel consumption. Take your sweet time on the road, enjoy the journey at a relaxed pace and you’ll be doing your bit to save energy.
Whatever car you drive, undergoing a service or checking procedure before you set off can flag up issues which would cause low energy efficiency. Under-inflated tyres (either of the car or caravan) can add huge strains on your vehicle, and waste fuel.
Another important environmental consideration is the campsites themselves. Whilst caravanners are renowned for being a respectful group who are mindful of their surroundings, some campsites can create eyesores in beautiful landscapes, or damage the local area through misuse.
Many of the major caravan sites, such as those owned by The Caravan Club, have introduced rules and procedures to ensure high environmental standards for their sites. Energy efficiency tests, recycling facilities and wildlife audits are all key parts of keeping these standards high.
Recognising such efforts, the David Bellamy Conservation Awards, set up in 1996, encourage site owners to pay attention to keeping caravanning green. For holiday-makers, the award gives a clear indication of which sites to visit if they are concerned for the environment. The awards are offered after inspection by environmental professionals who assess according to strict standards.
Of course, it isn’t enough just to park up at an environmentally friendly campsite. Individual holidaymakers also have to make the effort in respecting their environment and contributing to the site’s efforts.
Green caravanning doesn’t have to involve stresses and strains. It might involve some small compromises or changes in habits, but for the most part the benefits outweigh the costs. Whilst you are planning changes, don’t forget to check that your caravan is fully covered with Caravan Insurance.
