June 30, 2026 Report: Why low carbon travel is still out of reach for many

A new report from Protect Our Winters UK puts sustainable travel to the outdoors under the spotlight – and sets out what needs to change.

Protect Our Winters UK (POW UK) has announced the publication of its new report, Clean Miles: Low carbon transport to the outdoors for all. The landmark report explores how the outdoor community can travel to the places they love in ways that protect those environments for the future, calling for systemic changes to make sustainable travel accessible, affordable, and practical for every adventurer.

Transport is currently one of the biggest contributors to the outdoor community’s carbon footprint. Too often, accessing nature requires driving or flying because low-carbon public alternatives remain expensive, unreliable, or simply not designed to accommodate adventurers traveling with skis, bikes, boards, and backpacks. The Clean Miles report tackles this challenge head-on, offering clear evidence and actionable recommendations.

Backed by outdoor organizations and athletes

The report’s findings that apply across outdoor sports communities are supported by 47 organizations, from sporting National Governing Bodies and NGOs to large travel operators. They are strongly echoed by professional athletes who deal with these logistical barriers firsthand.

POW UK Athlete Alliance member and mountaineer Iain Innes describes the difficulty of traveling with specialist gear:

“As athletes, many of us want to reduce the climate impact of our travel and choose public transport wherever possible. In practice, however, traveling to outdoor destinations with specialist equipment can be difficult. Whether it’s skis, climbing gear or paragliding equipment, inconsistent baggage policies, limited storage space and unclear information often make journeys unnecessarily complicated.

I’ve regularly chosen trains and buses over driving when it has been practical, but there are still many destinations where the connections, journey times or equipment restrictions make public transport difficult to use. Better-connected services, clearer booking systems and more consistent provision for outdoor equipment would make it much easier for athletes to choose lower-carbon travel options and spend less time worrying about logistics.”

Read the full report: Clean Miles: Low carbon transport to the outdoors for all

Lead image: Hem Poudyal on Unsplash