12 Essential Eco-Friendly Habits for Your Holidays

- Published on 04/05/2026 -

Tourism accounts for nearly 11% of France’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to ADEME. Adopting eco-friendly habits on holiday reduces your footprint without sacrificing the pleasure of the stay. On the agenda: simple habits around water, waste, gentle mobility and choice of accommodation.

Here are 12 concrete habits to adopt from your very next holiday at an eco-friendly campsite!

Key takeaways

Adopting eco-friendly habits on holiday reduces the stay’s ecological footprint without major inconvenience.
The priority habits concern water, waste, gentle mobility, local food and biodiversity.
The choice of accommodation matters just as much as day-to-day behaviour on site.
The Écolabel Européen, Clef Verte and ACSI Greener Camping labels guarantee a verified approach.

Why adopt eco-friendly habits during your holidays?

Holidays weigh heavily on the environment: long journeys, increased water use, extra waste. According to ADEME, tourism generates nearly 11% of France’s CO2 emissions. Adopting eco-friendly habits on holiday therefore allows you to fully enjoy your stay without worsening that footprint.

These small habits have a real effect at a collective scale. Millions of French people go on holiday every summer. Each habit multiplied transforms the tourist pressure on the most visited areas.

Our site makes this approach easier by listing only eco-friendly establishments. Rainwater harvesters, solar panels, systematic sorting: this equipment makes good practices accessible, with no extra effort.

12 eco-friendly habits to adopt during your holidays

Here are 12 eco-friendly habits organised around 4 key areas:

Preserve water and energy

Three simple habits for this priority area:

Limit your showers to 5 minutes to save up to 60 litres of water.
When brushing your teeth, turn off the tap between each rinse.
Turn off the air conditioning and lights when leaving your eco-responsible accommodation

Reduce and sort your waste

Three habits to adopt as soon as you arrive at the campsite:

Waste sorting follows the instructions posted at the campsite.
A reusable water bottle effectively replaces disposable plastic bottles.
Prepare zero-waste picnics with washable containers.

Choose gentle mobility

Three ways to reduce the footprint of your travel:

To reach your destination, train and carpooling remain the most sustainable options.
On site, cycling and walking are the go-to options for short trips.
A destination close to home remains the most effective carbon lever.

Eat local and protect biodiversity

Three habits to respect the area you’re visiting:

Stock up on fresh produce at local producers’ markets.
Eat seasonal fruit and vegetables grown near the campsite.
Stay on marked trails and observe wildlife from a distance.

Our practical tip: start with 3 or 4 eco-friendly habits on the first day, then add more as the stay goes on to make the habits stick.

How can you recognise a truly committed accommodation?

The sustainable tourism market attracts many promises, some of them hollow. Three serious certifications guarantee a genuine environmental commitment, verified through independent audits.

The Écolabel Européen recognises accommodations that meet strict criteria on water, energy, waste and communication. Awarded by AFNOR in France, it guarantees a measurable reduction in the stay’s ecological footprint. Its rarity makes it a strong marker of credibility.
The Clef Verte (Green Key) is the first international sustainable tourism label, present in more than 60 countries. To earn it, a campsite meets around a hundred criteria on environmental management, awareness-raising and responsible purchasing. The label is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
ACSI Greener Camping highlights European establishments committed to an eco-responsible approach. Recognition is based on a detailed questionnaire and regular inspections.

Want to turn your next holiday into a stay that matches your values? We list more than 430 certified establishments across the 13 regions of mainland France. Find the campsite that will make your eco-friendly habits easier, from the Basque Country to Provence!

FAQ – Eco-Friendly Habits

What are the 5 essential eco-friendly habits when camping?

The 5 essential eco-friendly habits when camping concern water, waste, gentle mobility, local food and biodiversity. Take short showers, turn off the tap, sort your waste, use a reusable bottle and favour cycling. These habits cover most of a stay’s environmental impact.

How can you limit the carbon footprint of travelling to your holiday destination?

To limit the carbon footprint of the journey, choose the train. It emits almost 30 times less CO2 than a car over long distances. Carpooling remains a good alternative when the train isn’t an option. Choosing a destination close to home remains the most effective lever for reducing overall impact.

Are eco-friendly habits easier at a labelled campsite?

Yes, eco-friendly habits become much easier at a labelled campsite. The facilities are already in place. You’ll find waste sorting, sustainable furniture, water-saving showers and solar panels. Staff raise awareness among holidaymakers and offer gentle activities such as hiking or natural swimming.

How can you raise children’s awareness of eco-friendly habits during the holidays?

To raise children’s awareness of eco-friendly habits, turn every action into a game. Who can take the fastest shower? Who can spot the most litter on the beach? Involve them in market shopping and daily sorting. Many eco-friendly campsites offer nature activities that build on this learning.

What’s the difference between Écolabel Européen and Clef Verte?

The Écolabel Européen is a public certification awarded by AFNOR. Its criteria are harmonised across the European Union. The Clef Verte is a private international label, present in more than 60 countries. It is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Both guarantee a serious approach, but the Écolabel remains rarer and more demanding in France.

Can you adopt eco-friendly habits even in a mobile home with air conditioning?

Absolutely, a mobile home with air conditioning remains compatible with an eco-friendly approach. Set the air conditioning to at least 26°C, switch it off as soon as you go out, and close shutters and windows during the hottest hours. Air the room in the morning and favour a fan when the outside temperature allows it.

Sources:

ADEME, Carbon Footballprint of French Tourism: https://librairie.ademe.fr/
French Ministry for Ecological Transition, Sustainable Tourism: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/tourisme-durable
Clef Verte, International Sustainable Tourism Label: https://www.laclefverte.org/
European Commission, EU Ecolabel for Tourist Accommodation: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy/eu-ecolabel_fr