The sometimes-maligned caravan industry is launching a campaign tomorrow to highlight the ‘green’ nature of a caravan holiday – especially if taken in the UK.

To prove how favourably touring in a caravan compares with other modes of transport, a new website, www.greencaravanning.co.uk has been set up by the National Caravan Council (NCC).  On it, holidaymakers can enter the distance they are travelling and what type of car and caravan they are using, to reveal their carbon footprint in terms of C0² output.  This can then be compared with flying - and with travelling by train or coach.

NCC Director General John Lally, speaking at the campaign’s launch, said: ‘We want to highlight the many ‘green’ aspects of a touring caravan holiday.  Emissions, for a 1,100 mile journey from London to Inverness with a family of four in a Ford Focus towing a small caravan produces only 38% (0.36 tonnes) of the C0² output of a similar distance flight, which would produce emissions of nearly a ton (0.96 tonnes). For a family of four that takes a short break every quarter, turning to caravanning rather than flying would produce significant savings.  Furthermore, caravanning offers what research shows consumers want – to enjoy the environment while minimising their carbon footprint.

‘And it is a bit of a myth that you need a large, fuel-hungry car to tow.  Diesel Mondeos and Passats have been voted ‘Towcars of the Year’ – you just need to make sure your car and caravan are properly matched.’

Other ‘green’ aspects of caravanning include:

-    90% of caravans on UK roads are actually made in Britain (unlike many manufactured items, which have clocked up ‘air’ or ‘sea miles’ before reaching the end user)
-    In many holiday parks, great attention is paid to protecting the environment, with e.g. use of solar power to heat communal shower blocks, wildlife areas, recycling points etc.
-    It allows families to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.  Research has shown caravanners are great walkers and cyclists once they have arrived.

The website also includes a number of helpful tips, including how to drive more fuel-efficiently, to help would-be greener holidaymakers lower their footprint.

Finally, in the longer term, NCC manufacturer members are working toward more sustainable manufacturing processes, including the use of more environmentally-friendly materials and end-of-life vehicle re-cycling.