The iconic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai has achieved a significant milestone by becoming fully powered by renewable energy, setting a remarkable benchmark in sustainability. This accomplishment reflects Indian Hotels Company's (IHCL) commitment to creating a greener future.
Moreover, IHCL has set ambitious sustainability targets for 2030, including deriving 50% of its energy across all hotels from renewable sources, achieving 100% water recycling, and eliminating single-use plastic. Guided by the Paathya framework, a comprehensive sustainability framework, IHCL implements energy conservation, waste reduction, water conservation, and other sustainable practices. Paathya serves as a guiding principle for IHCL's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, reflecting their dedication to a greener and more responsible hospitality industry. Furthermore, IHCL adheres to international standards, positioning itself as a benchmark for sustainable operations and initiatives.
In an exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Mr. Gaurav Pokhriyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, shares key highlights of IHCL's sustainability journey. He delves into IHCL's ambitious goal of deriving 50% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. Mr. Pokhriyal provides insights into how IHCL leads the way in integrating sustainable solutions and practices into their operations, supply chain, and guest experiences.
He also unveils IHCL's innovative energy conservation measures, waste reduction initiatives, and their unwavering commitment to minimizing environmental impact. He emphasizes IHCL's vision of creating a more sustainable and low-carbon future, serving as an inspiration for others in the industry.
Delve into the interview below for more inspiring insights into IHCL's dedication to sustainability, as they pave the way for a more responsible and sustainable future in the hospitality sector:
Q. What are IHCL's sustainability commitments for the year 2030, and how does the company plan to achieve its long-term goal of deriving 50% of energy across all hotels from renewable sources by 2030? What are the key milestones along the way?
IHCL has set ambitious sustainability targets for 2030, which include deriving 50% of its energy across all hotels from renewable sources. To achieve this goal, the company has developed a sustainability roadmap with key milestones, such as investing in energy efficiency measures and exploring renewable energy options. We at IHCL are also committed to reducing water consumption and effective waste management. Our targets include achieving 100% water recycling and complete elimination of single-use plastic by 2030. Some of the key steps the company has taken is to invest in energy efficiency measures across all its hotels, as it recently announced that The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai is now 100% green.
IHCL aims towards sourcing 50% of its raw materials from local and indigenous origins by 2030, thereby fostering an inclusive supply chain ecosystem. The brand has established a reporting and monitoring framework to track progress towards these targets. The company believes in continuous improvement and is grateful for stakeholders' support in creating a more sustainable future.
Q. The Indian government has set a target of generating 40% of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2030. What steps are you taking to align your sustainability efforts with this national goal, and how do you plan to contribute to the country's green growth agenda, while ensuring that the transition to renewable energy is cost-effective and sustainable in the long term?
As mentioned, in my previous answer, IHCL has set a target of deriving 50% of its energy from renewable sources across all hotels by 2030 to align with India's national goal of generating 40% of its energy from renewables by the same year. For a brighter future, IHCL is exploring renewable energy options such as solar, wind, and biomass and investing in energy-efficient measures to achieve its target. The company has also secured an EarthCheck certification for 77 IHCL hotels, installed (EV) charging stations to promote the adoption of Electric Vehicles at 115 properties, and partnered with IFC's TechEmerge program for innovative cooling technologies. IHCL has developed a comprehensive sustainability roadmap that considers the economic and environmental implications of its actions and collaborates with partners and suppliers to promote sustainable practices and reduce its carbon footprint. Mainly, the company aims not only to meet but exceed its sustainability targets and create a more sustainable future for India and the world.
Q. What specific measures has The Taj Mahal Palace hotel implemented to achieve 100% green energy and reduce its carbon footprint, and what impact have these measures had on the hotel's environmental performance? Plus, what metrics or global standards do you follow to measure impact?
The Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Mumbai has achieved 100% green energy and reduced its carbon footprint by investing in LED lighting, HVAC system optimization and motion sensors. These measures have resulted in cost savings, improved profitability, and environmental awareness among guests and employees. IHCL follows global standards such as Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), EarthCheck, etc. to measure the impact of its sustainability initiatives. We have achieved a global benchmark of securing Platinum level EarthCheck certification for 57 Hotels including The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. Following such standards and metrics is critical for continuous improvement in environmental performance. The hotel's journey towards achieving 100% green energy has been challenging, but we will continue to invest in such sustainable practices.
Q. What steps has the hotel taken to eliminate single-use plastic and reduce its environmental impact, specifically in terms of water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling efforts? In all this, what are the long-term benefits that The Taj Mahal Palace hotel and IHCL hope to achieve?
At The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling efforts are part of our commitment to eliminating single-use plastic and reducing our environmental impact. Low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets have been installed to conserve water, while a linen and towel reuse program reduces water and energy consumption. Waste management includes segregation and recycling, with single-use plastic eliminated in favor of sustainable alternatives such as reusable water bottles, cloth bags, and bamboo straws. We have installed an in-house glass water bottling plant to further minimize plastic usage. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond reducing our carbon footprint, creating a better environment for guests, employees, and the community. In addition to mitigating water scarcity issues and contributing to a circular economy, our efforts attract environmentally conscious guests and employees, enhancing IHCL’s brand reputation.
Q. What specific measures has the hotel taken to leverage the incentives and schemes (such as Swachh Paryatan Mobile App, Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, Green Building Certifications, etc.) provided by the government to promote green initiatives, and what impact have these measures had on your hotel's sustainability and environmental performance?
The hotel has implemented measures to improve sustainability and environmental performance by leveraging government incentives and schemes. A key initiative includes participation in the Perform Achieve and Trade scheme for energy efficiency. Such measures have not only resulted in reduced energy consumption and cost savings but have also fostered environmental consciousness among stakeholders. The hotel's commitment to sustainable practices has improved brand value and profitability. IHCL has always believed in the importance of leveraging incentives and schemes to achieve sustainability goals and will continue to innovate and invest in sustainable practices for a more sustainable future.
Q. What role does technology play in the hotel's sustainability and CSR efforts, please shed some light on the latest innovations the Taj Mahal Hotel is using to improve its environmental performance?
The Taj Mahal Palace hotel recognizes the importance of technology in their sustainability and CSR efforts, by investing in the latest innovations to reduce their carbon footprint. One of their latest initiatives is the installation of IoT-based energy management systems, which monitor energy consumption and optimize HVAC settings. They have also implemented smart lighting systems and digital solutions to reduce paper usage and improve waste management and are now exploring the utilization of renewable energy sources. These initiatives have helped improve environmental performance, reduce costs, and improve guest experience.
Q. How has the Paathya initiative and its ESG+ framework influenced IHCL's commitment to sustainability and CSR, and what specific steps are being taken to ensure that the company achieves its sustainability goals for the year 2030?
We are proud to have introduced Paathya, our ESG+ framework that has helped us strengthen our commitment to sustainability and CSR. Through this initiative, the company has set ambitious sustainability goals for 2030, including reducing its carbon footprint, conserving water, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable tourism. To achieve these goals, IHCL has implemented measures such as investing in renewable energy sources, reducing plastic usage, promoting sustainable transportation, and engaging with local communities. The company also introduced ‘Carecations’ at select hotels, a series of curated travel itineraries to promote voluntourism, helping guests to volunteer and give back to the society many times over. The company has also implemented sustainability-training programs for its employees, fostering their active participation in achieving sustainability goals. IHCL believes that these efforts will not only benefit the environment and local communities but also contribute to the company's overall success and profitability.
Q. What percentage of your CSR budget is allocated towards sustainability initiatives, and how do you prioritize that?
Being India’s leading hospitality company, we allocate a significant portion of our CSR budget towards sustainability initiatives as we recognize their importance. Though we cannot disclose the exact percentage, we prioritize these initiatives based on their potential impact on the environment, local communities, guests, and employees.
Q. Implementing sustainable practices often requires significant upfront investments and changes in operating procedures. How do you ensure that sustainability initiatives remain economically viable while engaging and educating stakeholders, including employees and guests, to actively participate in these efforts?
IHCL recognizes that implementing sustainable practices requires significant upfront investments and changes in operating procedures. Therefore, they conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses for each sustainability initiative to ensure their long-term economic viability. To engage and educate stakeholders, including employees and guests, IHCL implements sustainability training programs, workshops, and recognition programs. They also promote eco-friendly room amenities, digital communication, and sustainable dining options for guests, and encourage responsible tourism practices. IHCL believes that sustainability is a shared responsibility and aims to create a culture of sustainability that supports their long-term goals.
