I recently had the opportunity to travel to Marseille, France to study a course in ‘Managing the Creative Process’ at Kedge Business School. The course focused on how creativity and innovation can be developed and led in a professional setting. The topic allowed me to think critically about sustainability in creative industries can play a role in environmental awareness and change, I see this as a meaningful intersection with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
I am aware of the significant impact that travel has on the environment. From increased greenhouse gas emissions, to resource consumption and waste generation. Therefore, I believe it is crucial for travellers to be aware of these negative externalities and make conscious efforts to minimise them. Below, I have described the ways in which I promoted eco-friendly travel while abroad, to ensure that my stay was as sustainable as possible.
I made a conscious effort to embrace sustainability with my travel plans, where I took measures to get the train to reach Marseille from Paris, instead of flying, reducing my carbon footprint by a colossal amount. This choice directly supported the SDG 13: Climate Action by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
I also took the time to research the most eco-friendly and suitable accommodations, prior to my stay. After finding that ResidHotel Le Grand Prado was eco-friendly and a short distance from the subway, I decided to stay here for the duration of my summer school. Although, for the majority of my stay in Marseille, my main mode of transport was by cycling. I appreciated that this sustainable way to travel was very common in Marseille and enjoyed joining the locals in doing so.
I shopped in eco-friendly grocery stores in Marseille, such as KIF in Vieux-Port to purchase salads, farmhouse cheese and organic goods. I found that there was a local market just a 2-minute walk away from my hotel, so I was able to buy my groceries from there. There are many eco-friendly excursions which I took advantage of in Marseille, such as exploring the Calanques by hiking, instead of common alternatives for tourists like high-speed motorboat tours to the Calanques.
Other sustainable practices that I put into action in Marseille included going paperless and using a reusable water bottle. This is particularly important in Marseille as the city is heavily polluted with waste. While these are small habits, they are impactful and align closely with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 14: Life Below Water, by reducing plastic use and supporting local food systems.
Visiting restaurants that are ‘certified écotable’ such as Les Rigoles, was a truly eye-opening experience for me and my course mates. Overall, I truly believe the actions I took over the duration of my placement made the trip as sustainable and friendly to the environment as possible. The trip showed me how so many small and big actions can be taken every day by both myself and everyone to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
