On the occasion of World Environment Day, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reaffirmed its commitment to responsible hospitality through its ESG+ framework, Paathya. Designed as a roadmap for positive change, Paathya brings together the company’s sustainability initiatives across clean energy, water conservation, circular operations, waste management, green mobility, and sustainability certifications.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said, “With a growing emphasis on resource efficiency, sustainability is increasingly shaping how the hospitality sector operates. As the industry evolves, there is an opportunity to align business performance with environmental stewardship, while responding to the expectations of conscious travellers. IHCL’s approach through Paathya reflects this direction, combining operational measures with initiatives that extend to the communities and ecosystems we are part of.”
IHCL has continued to make significant progress in reducing its environmental footprint. Currently, 41% of the company’s electricity requirements are met through renewable energy sources. The hospitality major has also installed 386 EV charging stations across 171 locations, operates 108 in-house organic waste composting plants, and runs 85 water bottling plants aimed at reducing dependence on single-use plastics. Additionally, 54% of wastewater generated across its hotels is recycled.
Beyond its operational initiatives, IHCL is actively involved in community-led environmental projects. The company supports watershed restoration, rainwater harvesting, revival of traditional water bodies, and groundwater recharge initiatives across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These efforts aim to achieve 50 lakh cubic metres of water recharge and savings over a three-year period while strengthening local livelihoods and ecological resilience.
Under its Paathya framework, IHCL has also outlined a series of sustainability goals to be achieved by 2030. These include sourcing 50% of its energy from renewable resources, eliminating single-use plastics across all hotels, ensuring 100% wastewater reuse, and achieving global sustainability certification for all its properties.
Through these initiatives, IHCL continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable growth while contributing to environmental conservation and responsible hospitality practices.
