What our sustainability editor is loving right now

It’s not a typical autumn. For many, the release from the pandemic’s clutches left us free to live life with bigger appetites for adventure, travelling like crazy again – but this time with more of a conscience. And an appreciation of needing to take things slower. The world has woken up to the implications of the climate crisis, with Pakistan and Nigeria experiencing unprecedented floods. At the same time, many countries such as Portugal and Spain have faced record droughts. We can’t shop our way out of environmental problems, but we can be more mindful that we live and consume more consciously – from what we buy for our bathrooms, to taking a more sensitive approach to how we treat ourselves to the finer things. It’s terrific to see businesses talking about carbon targets loudly and proudly. But, as ever, beware greenwash – there’s a lot of overstating of eco creds. It is especially poignant to reflect on this as world leaders meet for the UN Climate Summit right now, in Egypt to ponder what needs to be done to tackle the challenges facing our world.

What I’m loving

Who can resist loo paper from Who Gives A Crap? You might not have expected me to start with toilet paper as my top tip, but if you haven’t yet seen this charity-funding line of cheery bamboo-paper rolls in their pretty packaging. And yes, I questioned all that wrapping, but the trade-off is this company is working hard to improve sanitation in the developing world — plus their last limited-edition Earth line did a great job of raising awareness around wildlife conservation.

Also making me smile is my new slim-line eco-conscious electric toothbrush from SURI. It even has a sleek UV-C Led self-cleaning case and the longest-lasting battery, making it a dream for travellers. Keeping chemicals down to a minimum is always my aim at home, and zero-waste eco-brand Bide ticks those boxes, and more. This B Corp-certified brand eschews factories for production, instead having the likes of their laundry and dishwasher detergents hand-made, addressing unemployment and giving job opportunities to marginalised women who can earn while safe in their own homes. Enjoy a silver lining on rainy days when you venture out armed with a Blunt umbrella – the strongest brolly brand on the market; it’s been tested under extreme conditions and built to last. In our disposable culture, where so many cheap and not-so-cheerful versions head to landfill, we need more of these beauts keeping us dry. And a top tip this winter: instead of turning up the thermostat – throw on a sweater when you can instead – we like those from British brand Herd which is made from the softest, finest fleece of the bluefaced Leicester sheep. They buy the wool directly from hill farmers and produce their knitwear using plant dyes.

What I’m wearing

You know the drill: buy less, buy better, and skip fast fashion. As ever, I favour pre-loved, particularly the recently pimped-up Royal Trinity Hospice Notting Hill charity shop. When I do buy brand new, I seek out independent and ethical companies – so I’m smitten with People Tree’s fair-trade jewellery for earrings, bracelets and rings that look delicate but make a big statement. They teamed up with TARA – Trade, Alternative, Reform and Action – in India and Kenya’s Bombolulu Workshops to create pretty brass and silver delights, supporting physically challenged artisans.

My favourite Hansine dress – Athena Bohemian Tea dress in Block Silk in Fire Red, tailored in the UK, to be specific – always earns lots of compliments at special events. But since it’s got a tricky plunging neckline, a doff of the cap to Nood’s adhesive, breathable bra solutions from a female-owned forward-thinking business. As colder weather creeps in, tights have me feeling bad at the prospect of hosiery heading to landfill after only a few wears. I look forward to giving Sheertex’s new ladder-proof tights a road test. They reckon the long-lasting blend of nylon and lycra makes them indestructible. I am keen to step out in Nisolo boots this season since any brand that wears its impact as transparently as they do with a Sustainability Facts label is a leap in the right direction. Spanish for "not alone" this Peru-based footwear purveyor wears with pride that they look after the wellbeing of their factory workers and families – especially significant for a nation walloped by the pandemic. I'm also excited about the launch of Lerins trainers, a British-made vegan grape-leather shoe brand giving Veja a run for their money. They have a footprint to be proud of thanks to biodegradable recycled foam, recycled rubber, and organic cotton laces – I love my hard-wearing sneaks in bright green!

What I’m treating myself to

I had the best trim and blow-dry for a wedding from Maia at star session stylist Neil Moodie’s chic new studio. It takes a lot for me to cheat on my usual hair stylist. I wanted to try out this new salon in Spitalfields where their approach is more eco-conscious, such as sending off hair cuttings to make fertiliser. A treat I often think twice about is cut flowers — and now thanks to a subscription service from the London flower club, Uncut Stems, we don’t have to feel so bad for ordering blooms. These wilder, more sophisticated bunches come with the cutest explanation of why they’re a better option than the usual flown-in floral arrangements. They follow the British growing season and send a fortnightly posy that deepens our connection with nature thanks to charming explanations of their way of growing. My greener gift choice for friends, whatever the occasion, is a houseplant. If, like me, you need some guidance on looking after them, turn to Patch Plants for some SOS. They even have an unkillable range; I’ll keep you posted.

What I’m eating and drinking

As ever, I’m trying to keep my foodprint down and follow a climate-friendly plant-heavy diet. B-Corp certified NOJO’s range of zingy sauces gives vegan dishes va-va-voom. The start of the summer saw vegan chef Rishim Sachdeva launch his Mayfair pop-up restaurant Tendril. The best news is that the residency of this veg-alchemising Regent Street eatery has been extended to January 2023. It's a great-value veg-heavy tasting menu – you’ll wonder why you would ever eat meat. And as we head into winter, Symprove is a dream probiotic start to the day. I’m not recommending this subscription service as especially eco – but anything that acts to boost our immunity from good gut health gets my vote. Vitamin Injections London has created powerful patches that are especially welcome now we’re all on the go go go again. This way of ingesting ensures you absorb 90 per cent of their servings of B12, B Complex, D3, and Glutathione – just what the doctor ordered, especially when travelling.

How I’m travelling

By train when I can! After being the first in to see one of the most incredible regenerative microhospitality projects ever in Tizkmoudine, southern Morocco, I’ve just proven you can head to North Africa and get back to the UK by train with the help of Intrepid and Byway – follow in my travel footsteps via Instagram. I travelled over two weeks, pausing in independently-owned small hotels. Starting in Marrakech, I took the train to Fès. Next a local bus through the Rif mountains to colourful Chefchaouen. From land routes to over-water I caught the ferry from Tangier to Tarifa, and then by road to Seville. From there, I rode the rails to Madrid, then on to San Sebastian wending the final stretch through France via Bordeaux and Paris.

What I’m listening to

Hearing Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg speak at the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre at the global launch of The Climate Book was incredible. As Greta said, "I always have people saying to me: 'I want to learn about the climate crisis, but I don’t know where to start. ’" Well, Greta, they could always tune into my new podcast Funny Old World. Each episode of my new sustainability series with my friend Simon London (available on Apple and Spotify) is packed with helpful tips and insights. The first instalment ponders the language we use with wise words from writer and environmentalist George Monbiot, and youth activist Mitzi Tan Jonelle. Understand carbon better from our conversation with environmental scientist Angela Terry. And get some cost-cutting tips in episode four, where Fogo Island Inn's Zita Cobb, one of our favourite hoteliers, speaks alongside Julie Cheetham who’s helming an exciting new sustainability management system for the travel industry called Weeva. I’ve also been enjoying Blinkist to devour lots of books in bite-size audio serving. I'm not sure you truly digest these nonfiction bestsellers properly in 15 minutes, but having procrastinated with A Brief History of Time, this provides a very palatable taster of Stephen Hawking’s classic.

What I’m packing

Minimalism is always my aim – and I only ever take a carry-on case, however long my journey is. (If flying, it also helps swerve any lost luggage headaches.) Streamlining packing down to essentials only is helped by a versatile capsule wardrobe from Katrina Phillips on the prettiest stretch of Portobello Road. Mix-and-match essentials from her shop at 99 Portobello Road W11. I'm also all for minimal toiletries: eyecare is always my top skin consideration, especially when I travel and want to feel fresh with jet lag. I’m currently testing IRÄYE’s Eye Revive Cream, a waste-conscious and vegan weapon against puffiness and dark circles – their products approach beautification through supporting lymphatic drainage. A kick-ass serum is always crucial, such as Pai’s new Vegan Collagen 0.9 per cent Restoring Booster. This just-released results-driven miracle worker for lacklustre skin is even outperforming its animal-based competition thanks to corn and soy proteins. Plant power! And a Mirari Life Silk-Velvet Eye Mask ensures you sleep sounder and ease changing time zones.

Where I’m shopping…

I’ll be back at The Good Store, a boutique eco department store at 23-25 and 27 South Molton Street in London’s Mayfair for gift inspiration. This series of sustainability-focused outlets showcasing greener retail is run by the charity, Groundwork, which works to improve lives in disadvantaged communities. What’s especially great about The Good Store is that it has brought lesser-known sustainable indie brands to the high street. This stretch of outlets, right by Bond Street tube station, occupies coordinates usually associated with high-end designers and is now all about promoting positive-impact purchases. Their edit of ethical products spans skincare and kids’ toys to books, cleaning products and bicycles. There’s a floor of curated fashion from Traid, canny upcycled accessories from repurposed bouncy castles from Wyatt & Jack to refashioned firehoses care of Elvis & Kresse. Guilt-free retail therapy ideal for finding gifts through to eco-living household essentials.

What our sustainability editor was loving in April 2022

Every year, Earth Day feels more significant – because it is. There have never been more messages about eco-friendly brands and services buzzing around – some of which have inspired helpful lifestyle tweaks, some of which are greenwash guff. The challenge is distinguishing between products that are genuinely significant and the sustainability fluff but won’t really make a difference.

The third instalment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was a poignant reminder we need to take heed of the findings. The message is clear from those in the know – we need to act now if we want to tackle climate change, curb global warming, and we have no time to waste.

How I’m travelling

I ditched my car years ago, and I’m excited to have an e-bike through Swapfiets. But let’s get real – we can’t walk and bike everywhere. And please, don’t make me take a scooter.

A true value-testing challenge is how to cross countries and continents – especially when you have family in far-flung corners. I wince to think there was a time I jumped on planes weekly. Flying less is crucial, make no mistake, and keeping to a carbon budget means I need to take trains internationally whenever possible. The siren's call of low-cost airlines are hard to resist when overland alternatives can be eye-watering. Kudos to France, where short-haul internal flights have been banned when train alternatives exist to reduce carbon emissions.

Lisbon is almost 1,000 miles from London, and I recently chose to head there by rail, booking what would be a complicated route through B-Corp-credited slow-travel operators Byway who masterfully made it flow smoothly. I calculated that my hopping on a few trains instead of flying was equal to about 5 per cent of the footprint – a big incentive to stay grounded.

My top tip for an eco-chic lightweight carry-on case ? A carbon-neutral Paravel Aviator. 

It would have been fun to have tried an overnight ferry via Santander in Spain. Experiencing a sleeper train feels fully Agatha Christie meets Wes Anderson right? I’ve loved taking the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland and Nightjet’s links to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy are future options, while Amsterdam to Vienna sounds the dreamiest stretch. My summer adventure with my daughter will be pegged on Eurail’s passes which lets you access 33 countries with one rail pass, and 10 days of travel across two months for only €400.

Where I’m staying

It was worth a total of 27 hours by train just to get from home to Portugal thanks to one tantalising night at Malhadinha a couple of hours south of the capital – and a taste of their award-winning organic wines. A refined family-run rural retreat in southern Alentejo countryside first bought by Rita and João Soares in 1998, it first played host to their adega – now a world-class winery which has just opened more beautiful rooms and villas. All organic ingredients from their estate in Casa do Ancoradouro, the menu, the service and the elegance are a perfect fit with their recent addition to Relais & Chateau. The attention to detail is exceptional, and every light fitting, teacup and terracotta-tined tile was hand-chosen by Rita. It’s a paean to Portugal’s finest artisans and homewares designers, and aesthetes and sybarites will find themselves oohing and ahhing over the finest linens, crockery, cutlery, floral arrangements. Since they’ve farmed this land responsibly and regeneratively, it’s now part of the Rede Natura 2000 protection zone, birds aplenty have returned from the great bustard to the lesser kestrel, too.

I had to check out the new Room2 in Chiswick after it declared itself the world's first whole life net zero carbon hometel. This 86-room spot in leafy west London is (as calculated by them) 89 per cent more efficient than your average hotel thanks to its solar panels and ground-source heat pumps, low-flow showers, rainwater-capturing green roof, intelligent lighting and spirit of zero waste. It looked brand new like a homewares showroom, but in fact, is a homage to the Arts and Craft movement. William Morris references seem a tad incongruous with the contemporary look and feel, but we absolutely loved the best of British interiors including Granby Workshop tiles, Kieran Letts furnishings and fishing-net-plastic repurposed carpets. I’m always wary of properties being braggy about how they’re saving the planet, but it’s absolutely phenomenal to see such benchmarks set and demonstrating some edutainment through their-touch screen hub which explains every detail of their sustainability – if only all hotels articulated their credentials so well.

What I'm eating

A powerful way to cut carbon emissions (with a nice side effect that it also helps save cash), is to focus on feeding ourselves with local and seasonal ingredients and reduce our consumption of animal products. Our food systems are responsible for 34 per cent of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions and so prioritising plant-based diets and buying straight from growers sidestepping packaging and transportation is key.

Investing in a VitaMix proved to be a good metaphor for more sustainable living – it felt pretty punchy plumping up £350-plus for this high-quality blender but now we've got it on the kitchen counter, chucking in loads of veg to whizz up smoothies and soups is nutritious, tastes better and saves on takeaway cartons if you buy out. 

When it comes to eating out with a clearer conscience, having reviewed Fallow St James, Mayfair and Warehouse at the Conduit in Covent Garden, I’ve gone back for more, introducing friends to the cod’s head with sriracha butte. I talked social impact with James Thornton, head of Intrepid Travel, at Fallow, and mused over mindfulness with Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, over Hispi cabbage, alliums, black garlic at Warehouse. For more foraged ingredient genius and low-intervention and biodynamic wines, I’m champing at the bit to get to just-opened Apricity from Chantelle Nicholson on Duke Street, W1.

What I'm wearing

Conscious consumerism is a misnomer – buying more stuff is a huge part of the climate-emergency problem, whatever spin you give it. Just as we might consider the provenance of what we put in our bodies, so we should think this way about what we wear. There’s no bigger signal that climate collapse is in full effect than this unpredictable topsy-turvy weather everywhere – and just when we thought spring-summer has well and truly sprung in the UK, I’ve been reaching for T-shirts one day, tights the next. An eco essential revelation has been my silky-smooth seemingly unladderable Hēdoïne biodegradable beauties.

For more casual moods, Wasted Collective’s unisex Kaiyo Traveler Collection is a winner fashioned from Japanese recycled cotton. Amid the sea of virtue-signalling Veja trainers in west London, I prefer low-key Loci vegan sneakers fashioned from repurposed captured plastic waste.

London-based slow-fashion designer Phoebe Grace has been my favourite fashion discovery as someone who’s a sucker for dress-up dress-down dresses that work as well for boardroom presentations (I also run sustainability consultancy, Bouteco) as it does for after-work drinks. 

As we know our mantra as sustainable luxury lovers is to buy less, buy better, quality over quantity, right? I was psyched to discover Steamery’s armoury of clothing care tools – trust the Scandinavians to help us upgrade our style to a more sustainable approach.

What I’m loving

Polluted atmospheres are increasingly becoming a public health concern — especially in busy cities. The air purifier in my bedroom has quickly become a cherished essential. My sleek Blueair contraption air zaps 99.97 per cent of airborne particles – viruses, pollen, dust, allergens, bacteria – from the air while the whir of the white noise tunes out noisy neighbours.

As ever, I’m avoiding toxic chemicals where I can, which means buying refillable cleaning products from small independent purveyors such as Purdy & Figg. You top up these stylish glass bottles with concentrates and tap water – resulting in a lot less landfill.

I’m chuffed to see ex-Blue Tit hairdressers Joe and April set up an eco-minded salon, Shag! What makes their perch in Westbourne Studios W10 more impact-sensitive? Upcycled and vintage furniture, single-use but biodegradable towels that reduce water and electricity consumption and are ultra-hygienic. Low-flow taps, BCorp-certified Davines products, snipping with Leafscissors, and enlisting Handle to recycle their foils and colour packaging.

Where I’m dreaming of

Norway often tops the most sustainable destinations lists and I’m excited to be heading there soon through Up Norway. They’ve planned an eco-friendly road trip for us that factors in time at eco-lodges, with local producers, hiking and rappelling down waterfalls. I’ve been eager to get to Bergen, home to one of the country's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites since early 2020 – and my trip is at last happening. Finally getting to Holmen Lofoten on the last inhabited island in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, has been top of my remote rugged fantasy island list.

It feels like a bigger world than ever begging to be explored, after two years of having our wings clipped – and now we’re unshackled. Can we truly be supporting sustainability if we fly? One of the most significant ways to fund environmental and social initiatives is roaming from home. Yes, it's crucial we reduce emissions (fly less, eat less meat, prioritise low-carbon activities and transit) – yet perks aplenty are unlocked from where we go, how we travel, who we support along the way.

Visiting Costa Rica was a powerful lesson in hospitality for a heart for me earlier this year, and I loved celebrating Cayuga Collections properties, especially in my list of the loveliest eco-boutique hotels.

I’ve just put my next book, a coffee-table tome to press – authored with some of the most respected responsible travel writers such as Shivani Ashoka, Imogen Lepere and Shafik Megheji: The Bucket List Eco Experiences. Published by Rizzoli, out October 2022, it was a whopper to research since it includes a thousand bucket list ticks from Alaskan kitchens to the Zambian bushland.

What I'm pondering

The science behind the climate. Sorry to hark back to the IPCC report – please don’t look away at another mention – but the latest instalment deserves to be on our minds. Even though plenty of people in the sustainability sector are shouting about it, it still doesn’t seem to resonate as much as it could. Part of the issue is these reports, however hyperbolic and profound, aren’t provoking enough action or alteration to our ways of being. This comprehensive report was a collective analysis from hundreds of scientists, and it concludes that we have the tools – renewable energy, electric vehicles, low-carbon technology – to limit global warming, we just need the will to make it happen. And we have no time to waste. Let’s keep talking about decarbonisation and behavioural change. No adjustment is too small – we need big changes by next Earth Day.

Please share your sustainability tips with me on Instagram, @julietkinsman