With the summer holiday season now closed, the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has announced a four-fold increase in the number of green holiday insurance policies sold. Their new holiday insurance policy includes a discount of up to 25 per cent for trips that do not involve flying.

According to ETA’s research, four in ten people in Britain would welcome more advice on how to reduce their carbon footprint . One in ten people has already reduced their travel-related CO₂ emissions. The same survey revealed 18 per cent of people admitted to being bored by information and advice given on the subject of CO2 emissions.

Director at the ETA, Andrew Davis said: “We are happy to reward those who choose not to fly for environmental reasons. We are seeing an increasing number of holidaymakers keen to reduce the environmental impact of their travels – they want to go green without compromising on quality.”

You can find out more about the green travel insurance from ETA. (Everyone who requests an online quote for green holiday insurance before 28 February 2009 has the chance to win a luxurious green holiday in the south of France staying in a romantic Mongolian-style yurt.)

Five green travel tips from ETA:

Consider alternatives to flying

Travelling by plane is the most environmentally-damaging thing that many of us do – if air travel grows at current rates it will become the biggest source of CO2 pollution by 2040.

Let the train take the strain

Train travel offers a quick and hassle-free way of reaching the continent and beyond. Even airlines are getting in on the act – Air France has announced it is to run high-speed trains from London to Paris from 2010!

Minimise, then offset CO2

Plan your travels so your create the minimum amount of CO2 emissions and offset those you do create using a gold standard offset programme

On your bike

Consider the bicycle as an alternative to a hire car if practical. You will see your holiday from a new perspective and return home fitter and trimmer!

Conserve

Try to use only the electricity and water that you need as many countries don’t have great supply of either

The Environmental Transport Association is a not-for-profit, ethical breakdown organisation, providing carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.