Your Little Black Book's Green Policy

{ My Green Policy comes from my book Feed Your Wanderlust.

For Your Little Black Book I edited it to explain it to you even better

how I approach life and which choices I consciously make

– Last updated: March 2024 – I know that air travel is very taxing on the environment. And yet I do it. I don't have any plans to travel less either. I can be completely honest about that. When I shared a photo of my son Manuel on Instagram in 2019 and mentioned in the caption our first flight together, I got a comment from someone who thought it was ridiculous to fly with a baby. Too taxing on the environment and not what we should be teaching our children as something "normal."

Regarding the first point, that's absolutely true. And I think it's impressive when people stop flying entirely. Personally, I don't think that's feasible for many people. Certainly not in my line of work. But finding a middle ground and taking the train more often when possible... of course, you think about that. Just like eating less meat. Ten years ago, we also thought vegan food was for a small group, and now it's the most normal thing in the world. Or at least the norm is to eat less or no meat. While I believe everyone should do what they feel comfortable with, it's important to be conscious about the choices you make. As a flexitarian, I'm a big promoter of this on Your Little Black Book. vegetarian en vegan Eating among non-vegetarians. But I'm also very honest about the fact that learning new patterns and habits is much easier than breaking old ones. For example, when I'm on the go, I sometimes eat at McDonald's, and I'm very honest about that. On the other hand, the next day I'm cooking at home with vegan mince, and we eat as much meat as possible at home, which we order directly from the farmer through Koopeenkoe.nl of Koopeenkip.nlYou may have your own opinion about that, but I personally believe that if you slowly introduce change into your life, you will maintain that change in the long run because it's a new pattern.

Something else I'm gradually exploring is switching to an electric car. I still have so many questions about it, but this fall, my partner Peugeot and I will explore what switching to 100% electric will mean for the road trips and weekend getaways we take for Your Little Black Book. First with the E208 and later with the E2008, which is more spacious so we can easily take all our belongings (read: stroller).

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Amsterdam, get your skates ready — ice skating season has officially begun! ⛸️ The first rinks, like @schatbaanmuseumplein, are opening this weekend and we are so ready for it. I already planned a mom & son date — that's how excited we are to hit the ice. 💙 This year, there are some new rinks to discover across the city too. And who knows... maybe we'll even get lucky with natural ice again. Until then, these are the 7 best ice skating rinks in Amsterdam you don't want to miss. Whether you're planning a festive date, a day with friends, or skating with the kids — this guide has you covered. 📍All details are in the Amsterdam Ice Skating Listicle on Your Little Black Book (link in bio). Send this to your skating buddy and start planning your first winter weekend on ice! ❄️ ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #yourlbb #amsterdamwinter #iceskatinginamsterdam #amsterdamchristmas #thingstodoinamsterdam #amsterdamguide #winterinthenetherlands #amsterdamlife #cityguide #amsterdamcheck #wintervibes #travelamsterdam #weekendinams #holidayseason #schaatsen
𝟱 𝘅𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗻. From new hotspots to lowspots and from hand-pulled noodles to an intimate Mediterranean bistro, I've listed 5 new favorite restaurants for you that you definitely want to try. Save this guide for your next dinner date 🍽️ 📍 Orchid House (Oost) Vibe: all day dining at Oosterpark, family friendly and good vibes. Must orders: ceviche, angel hair pasta with sea urchin and picanha. @orchidhouse.ams 📍 Omri (De Pijp) Vibe: small and cozy corner building with a warm interior and dimmed lights. Perfect for a date night. Must orders: the dolmas and lamb shawarma tostada with watermelon. @omri_amsterdam 📍 Chingu (De Pijp) Vibe: mainly focused on take-away, but trust me: you'll want to go out of your way for these Taiwanese rice balls. Must orders: Jumeok Bap with king crab or mayak egg, so delicious. English: @chinguamsterdam 📍 Leonardo's Ravioli Bar (De Pijp) Vibe: Italian bistro full of cozy corners in the always lively Pijp. Now also open for lunch on the weekend. Must orders: as many as possible. And share everything. I can be brief about it. @leonardosraviolibar 📍 Yellow River Handpulled Noodles (Centrum) Vibe: like you've ended up in a Chinese canteen. You order via the kiosk and wait until your number is called. Must orders: choose your favorite thickness noodles + the minced meat noodles. The dumplings are really worth trying too. @yellowrivernoodles Let me know where you're going first. Or where you've had the most delicious meal recently, I'm curious! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdamfood #amsterdam #amsterdamrestaurant #amsterdamlife #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamrestaurants #hotspots
The most beautiful Christmas shows at garden centers throughout the Netherlands are now open! 🎄 Only 7 more weekends until Christmas... and this cozy and free Christmas outing is perfect to get into the Christmas spirit. Trust me, I've already been ;-). Do you have a favorite that's not in this video? Let me know in the comments! You can also find the complete list of 30 tips via the link in my bio ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #christmasshows #christmasshow2025 #christmasdecoration #christmasinspiration #gardencenter #weekendtip #thingstodo #discoveringthenetherlands #winterouting #cozyoutings #christmasholiday #christmasfeeling #christmasmarkets #decembertips
Fancy a break from the city? 🍂 These are my favourite walking & drinks spots in the Netherlands. To be honest... I don't see myself living outside the city anytime soon, but on weekends I love getting out into nature. That's why I've created a YLBB shortlist of the most beautiful walking areas, complete with a great drinks spot nearby. My perfect Sunday? First a walk, then relaxing somewhere with a treat or a hot chocolate (or, of course, a glass of wine and bitterballen!). 📍From Lage Vuursche to the Waterleidingduinen and the Amsterdamse Bos, I share my favourites in this video. But... there are of course many more lovely places in the Netherlands where you can enjoy a drink after a walk. Which tip do you think is a must-see? 👇 Save this post to get out into nature this season or forward it to your walking date. 🍁 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #hikinginthenetherlands #drinksspot #discoveringthenetherlands #natureinthenetherlands #autumnroutes #hikingtips #dutchautumn #walks #naturewalk #weekendtips #netherlandsholiday #drinks #outdoorlife #amsterdamweekend #thingstodonetherlands #yourlbb
Forget the classic omakase experience in Amsterdam, this is something else. Hidden inside burger spot @paindemie_amsterdam and inspired by the Tokyo subway, you'll find @moyo_amsterdam. A new hotspot redefining the omakase concept. Chef @guillaumedebeer is behind this next-level concept, and it shows in every creative detail. But here O-toro and Wagyu take the stage 🥩. It's intimate, creative, and seriously one of the most exciting new openings in Amsterdam right now. Save this for your next special dinner night 🔥 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdam #amsterdamcity #amsterdamfoodguide #amsterdamfood #amsterdamtravel
The most beautiful l𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘁𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 for your 𝗡𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 this season The days are getting shorter, the evenings longer… And honestly? I secretly think that’s one of the nicest things about this season. Because the transition from autumn to winter means: light festivals! ✨ All over the Netherlands, cities, parks and castles light up with light art, projections and installations that you’ll love to see them all. What once started with the Amsterdam Light Festival has grown into one of the most beautiful winter traditions in the country, if you ask me! Most light festivals also offer cozy hot chocolate and food stalls for something tasty to go. Perfect for a winter evening with your loved one, family, or friends. Can you picture yourself strolling past artworks that transform streets, parks, and canals into a fairytale, with a hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand? 📍From North Holland to Gelderland, I'm sharing all the tips in a comprehensive article on Your Little Black Book, featuring the best light festivals in almost every province in the Netherlands. Trust me: this is such a special outing to brighten up the dark days. P.S. I'll also have exciting news about the @lefoodwalk at the @amsterdamlightfestival on Your Little Black Book soon! Have fun planning! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #lightfestival #netherlandstips #winterouting #yourlittleblackbook #thingstodo #lightart #amsterdamlightfestival #wintervibes #dayout #romanticouting #autumndinings #gluhweinmoment #fallinthenetherlands
Looking for the hottest new spot for a date night in Amsterdam City Center? Meet @littlebonfire.ams 🔥 With its cozy vibe it's the kind of place that feels like an extension of your living room: but with much better food and wine. On the ever changing menu you'll find classics to share: from pan con tomate with anchovies, stracciatella with zucchini and peas, to crispy eggplant, vitello and sea bass with clams. Don't skip dessert: the Basque cheesecake is already my favorite. This spot is perfect for a date night at the bar or dinner with the girls. I think Little Bonfire Amsterdam is a keeper in the city center! 📍Little Bonfire Amsterdam City Center Who are you taking here first? 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #LittleBonfireAmsterdam #AmsterdamRestaurants #DateNightAmsterdam #AmsterdamCityCentre #AmsterdamHotspots #Amsterdamfoodie #Amsterdamtravel #YourLittleBlackBook

Choose consciously & choose greener

I won't stop flying, but I do try to make "green" choices during my travels and contribute in other ways. Last year, I delved deeper into this because I believe I have a responsibility as a professional travel blogger with my company, Your Little Black Book, and I'm eager to take it on. Now that I'm a mother, I also believe it's important to instill these values ​​in my son.

For example, once a year I offset the CO2 emissions of all our air travel. I ask the partners who invite me to go on press trips to do the same. CO2 offsetting may sound like a distant prospect, but I believe there will come a time when it will be standard practice. For example: HEMA is already making great strides by making it a standard aspect of booking travel, not just a choice. More and more airlines allow you to indicate your carbon neutrality during the booking process, and this is immediately reflected in your ticket.

I'll tell you more about offsetting CO2 emissions later in 9 "simple" tips for greener travel that I always try to implement whenever possible. These are things that, on their own, seem to have very little effect, but if we all do them together, we can make a real impact.

9 Simple Tips for Greener Travel

✘ I mentioned it briefly, but you can offset your CO2 emissions for your travels by plane, car, or train. Airlines often offer this when you book your ticket, but you can also do this through, for example: Treesforall.nl, Fairclimatefund.nl, Climateneutralgroup.comGreenseat.nlEvery organization works with different types of projects, and you can choose which one appeals most to you in terms of how your money is used. I initially used Greenseat.nl, then mainly Treesforall, and now I choose to offset the CO2 directly with the airline when I book a ticket. This option wasn't always offered before, but thankfully it is now! It immediately saves me a lot of paperwork.

From research among my readers, I know that many of you unfortunately don't compensate for the flights you take. I don't want to force anyone, but I've decided to raise this awareness more often. Hopefully, it will eventually become a new habit for you too. One of the reasons you give for not compensating is doubt about whether the money is being used properly. A follower recently advised me to pay extra attention to the Gold Standard or Voluntary Standard certification so you know the money is being used properly.

You can easily calculate how much CO2 emissions you should offset with most of the organizations mentioned above. For example: you fly two people round-trip from Amsterdam to Bangkok. The emissions are then 2,95 tons, and you can offset this with €29,45. That money could then support 3,07 families in countries like Cambodia, India, or the Netherlands. Uganda be supplied with green energy for a year.

I believe we all need to start seeing this as the new standard. As something normal. Something you shouldn't even question whether we do at Your Little Black Book, and something I think many other travel bloggers are still neglecting. But unfortunately, you can never please everyone online. What I find disappointing is that whenever I share something about CO2 offsetting on Instagram Stories, I always get a few DMs saying that offsetting is just a way to buy off guilt. Honestly? Then you really haven't understood anything. Doing nothing isn't an option for me. But it's always easy to shout something down. Personally, I'd like to examine the behavior of these people. There are so many people who have an opinion about something, but then don't take any action themselves. Fortunately, I also have really interesting conversations with followers, and we exchange tips that I share with you as much as possible! Like the tip to pay attention to specific labels.

✘ Are you going somewhere easily accessible by train? Or do you have plenty of time and your travel time doesn't really matter? Traveling by train is greener than flying. Destinations like Paris, London, Berlin, and Hamburg are easily accessible from Amsterdam by train. For long-distance travel, you can also easily take a night train in most countries, for example, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Also on Java For example, I traveled most of the way by train. A fun adventure too! And a big plus: kids can stretch their legs more easily, and there's more to see.

Wondering whether your destination is easily accessible by train? Then take a look at the NS International website >>

✘ The most hotels They list their vision on sustainability on their website. There are various labels worldwide that indicate how 'green' a hotel (chain) is. Think of Green Key, for example, which is particularly well-known in Europe. And did you know, for example, that in Tulum most hotels are eco-friendly and generate their own green energy?

✘ Also consider what small things you can do yourself to travel greener. For example, reuse your towel, don't shower for too long, take a refillable bottle – like a double – that you can fill with water, do not have your room cleaned every day and perhaps the most important thing is always take your own jute shopping bag You can also use it as a beach bag. Personally, I get really annoyed when I forget to do that, because it's so simple.

✘ My boyfriend and I were recently talking about trying to avoid single-use plastic for a week and see what we run into. Personally, I find this to be one of the hardest things. Simply because it's everywhere, and sometimes you just don't have an alternative when you're on the go. I've started bringing my own reusable straw for things like my iced coffee. collapsible straw in a case I ordered from Bol.com. Unfortunately not really cheap (€13,95), but I'm just going to try it out and see how I like taking it with me. For home use, bamboo or metal straws A good alternative, and they're also inexpensive. Something you fortunately also see in many hotels in places like Bali and Tulum.

✘ Eat and drink as much as possible using local products or at local restaurants. Immersing yourself in the local food culture is often not only tastier and more fun, but also better for the local economy.

✘ Looking to buy souvenirs? Shop at a souvenir shop certified as locally made. You'll often pay a bit more for them, but you'll know your purchases are being put to good use. Personally, I prefer to shop for souvenirs at local craft markets, where you buy directly from the artisans. You'll also get a great story behind the product!

✘ I'm a huge fan of safaris and wildlife encounters. When it comes to wildlife, opinions vary widely on what's acceptable and what's not. You can only determine what feels right for you by doing your research beforehand. What kind of wildlife project are you visiting? What organization is the organization affiliated with? Do they have any international certifications?

And above all, use your common sense. You might have, like me 17 years ago, ridden an elephant somewhere. Something I would personally never do again, knowing what I know now. What did I find unforgettable? One of my most beautiful experiences with animals abroad was the gorilla tracking which I have done in UgandaThis is very strictly regulated, and the money you pay for tracking is invested in protecting these giants. Number two is seeing a turtle nest hatch at a wildlife project in Sri Lanka. So special!

✘ And finally, when booking tours and excursions, pay attention to the itinerary and book with a local guide. There are many smaller companies offering eco-tours, or you can go on a tour with a local through platforms like WITHLOCALS.COM en TOURSBYLOCALS.COM.

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Love,
Anne

Sri Lanka

@yourlbb

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