The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which operates Tata Group’s iconic hotel chain - Taj and its other hospitality brands including Vivanta and Ginger, recently announced a framework to drive its sustainability and social impact measures under Paathya. The largest hospitality company of the country has committed to various sustainability goals ranging from 100% elimination of single-use plastic across all its hotels to ensuring 100% of waste water reuse in its facilities by 2030.
The company which started its sustainability journey way back in 2008, has also committed an annual budget of Rs 10 Cr which includes investment on new technologies towards meeting its sustainability goals.
In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Senior Vice President & Global Head – Human Resources, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) speaks on key sustainability initiatives of IHCL, long-term plans for reducing carbon footprint and key challenges before the corporates towards achieving net-zero targets. He also underlines policy requirements like lower GST and other incentivisations for sustainability factors in procurement policies to encourage environment friendly work processes across the industries.
Scroll down to read the full interview:
Q: IHCL recently announced the sustainability goals for 2030. What are the objectives behind setting these goals?
A: IHCL aims at creating a positive impact in society through key focus areas based on our 6 pillars.
Taking ahead IHCL’s over a century old legacy, Paathya forges an industry- leading path focused on Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, Excellence in Governance, Preserving Heritage, Value Chain Transformation, and Sustainable Growth.
The company has defined several short-term and long-term goals to be fulfilled by 2030:
- 100% hotels will be beyond single use plastic free (incl water bottling plants)
- 100% eligible hotels will be EarthCheck certified
- 100% of waste water will be recycled / reused
- 100% hotels will have an organic waste management system
- 100% business meetings will move to Innergise Green Meetings
- 50% of Energy will be acquired from Renewable sources
- 100,000 youth to be trained for livelihood
- 100% adoption of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage projects in the geographies we operate in
- 100% adoption of supplier Code of Conduct by Tier 1 suppliers
- More than 50% Percentage of raw materials will be sourced locally
Q: India is still a developing nation. The pace for adoption of new technologies is still slow. How feasible is it for corporations to set early targets for achieving sustainability goals?
A: India is amongst one of the fastest developing countries. Early adoption of new technologies holds the promise of the future, from climate to health to inclusive societies. IHCL partners with the best-in-class companies to harness technologies for sustainable development.
Q: Being a socially sensitive organisation, what have been IHCL sustainability efforts over the last few years? What are the key results so far?
A: Our sustainability approach is defined by the IHCL Sustainability Policy which emphasizes creating long-term stakeholder value. The policy calls for the company to integrate sustainability considerations into all business decisions and key work processes, with the aim of creating value, mitigating future risks and maximizing opportunities.
We work towards this through specific commitments including a dedicated governance structure to oversee sustainability, action plans for each material area, and transparency in reporting and communication. Since the start of the sustainability journey in 2008, IHCL has achieved the following:
- Conserved 1548 million megajoules of energy; enough to power 65,000 households
- Reduced emission of CO2 by 286 million kg; Equivalent to 96,000 cars emitting the same amount
- Conserved 4.78 million kiloliters of water; enough to fill 1900 Olympic-sized swimming pools
- Avoided 18,700 cubic meters of landfill waste; enough to fill 567 standard 20ft shipping containers
Q: Do you see enough work happening on part of corporations towards ensuring reduction of carbon footprints/emissions in their work processes/culture?
A: While most of the big corporates are trying to make their best efforts within the available constraints to reduce their carbon footprint, this may not be enough to meet the global targets of achieving Net Zero. This has to culminate into a way of life not only for the corporates but the public at large who are willing to pay the price of reducing the carbon footprint and prefer the product and services having less carbon footprint. Corporates can play a larger role in creating awareness towards sustainable practices through their product and service offerings
Q: What is your budget allocation for achieving sustainability goals by 2030 announced under ‘Paathya’?
A: The annual investment in sustainable technology is approximately to the effect of Rs 10 Crore per year until 2030.
There is an investment of resources, time and effort of the stakeholders involved, enhancements in guest and employee experiences and financial investments in technology to ensure sustained ROI.
Keeping in view the preference for sustainability and commitment to achieving the goals, the budget will not be a constraint and will be augmented from time to time as per the need and requirement.
Q: How do your sustainability goals reflect in IHCL CSR mission and vision? What is your opinion on nature conservancy becoming an integrated feature of the CSR activities?
A: IHCL’s approach to the preservation of land and protecting biodiversity is an integral part of the way we operate. We strive to improve natural habitats and encourage a culture of appreciation and respect for biodiversity across our locations.
IHCL through its ‘Walk with the Pardhis’ initiative in Panna National Park supports the training for the local hunting tribe – Pardhis.
The number of tigers at Panna Tiger reserve was zero due to poaching. The Pardhi community known for their jungle knowledge; was used for poaching. IHCL’s collaborated with Last Wilderness Foundation and Panna Forest Department to pilot an inclusive tourism model for enabling alternate livelihood opportunities for the Pardhi community. Since its inception two batches of Pardhi youth including 16 men and 4 women are engaged with Taj Safaris and several others in the state’s tourism eco-system
Tiger population went from 0 to 50 at Panna and it was included in the global network of biosphere reserves by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 2020.
IHCL was also the Finalist in the World Hospitality Award for Sustainability at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andaman’s which is a ZERO single-use plastic hotel
Q: What are the key challenges that you see in implementing 100% elimination of plastic use in your hotel chains?
A: It is stated that where there is a will there is a way. Yes, there will be challenges. The challenge of technology, the challenge of the availability of alternatives and their economic viability, and last but not the least the behavioral changes required to accept the new norms.
IHCL has a phased plan to implement initiatives that will lead to 100% plastic elimination
Q: What are the policy support corporates still require towards creating a sustainable and environment friendly work culture?
A: Sustainable and environmentally friendly work culture needs to be promoted. There are two issues, one that these activities require investment, hence the investment incentives like waiving or reducing GST on these products/ services.
Two, changing human behaviour which again is more influenced by the economic factor. Given a choice, a customer would prefer a lower cost high environment footprint product and services. The government needs to design appropriate policies to reduce the carbon footprint of the industry through various initiatives.
The government can work towards changing its policies to give weightage to sustainability factors in its procurement policy or in patronizing the hospitality sector having smaller environment footprint. This can bring paradigm shift in consumer behaviour and approach.
