Bringing together sustainability and hospitality leaders from across Indiar, the forum created an open space to explore the path ahead for ESG in hospitality (Photo: Ecostars)
Senior sustainability and operations leaders from India’s leading hospitality companies, including IHCL, Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, Brij Hotels and Mahindra Holidays and Resorts, have identified data-driven decision-making and stronger ESG practices as key to the future of sustainable hospitality during an industry forum hosted by Ecostars, a sustainability intelligence platform focussed on the hospitality industry.
In a press statement, Ecostars says that the closed-door forum brought together senior sustainability and operations executives who agreed that sustainability has become a core business priority and that future progress will rely on better data, analytics and benchmarking.
The discussion featured Sireesha Chandana, Vice President Learning and Development and Sustainability at IHCL, Shonan Sharma, Manager CSR and Sustainability at IHCL, Gauttam Khanna, Vice President of Operations at Brij Hotels, Priyanka Rajgadkar Gilhotra, Associate Vice President and Head ESG at Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and Bindu Jacob Mathew, Corporate Head Sustainability and Compliance at Mahindra Holidays and Resorts.
According to benchmarking by Ecostars, hospitality sector of India could save millions of dollars annually through improved energy and water efficiency supported by stronger ESG practices.
Delegates described India as a fast-growing market for sustainable hospitality, driven by rapid advances in clean energy and digital innovation despite continuing environmental challenges.
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The statement says that energy management emerged as one of the biggest opportunities to cut emissions and operating costs. Hotels are investing in on-site renewable energy, battery storage, cold-room upgrades, building-efficiency measures and more efficient laundry operations.
However, participants noted that differences in state electricity regulations and grid reliability require customised decarbonisation strategies, with diesel generators still widely used during power disruptions.
Water efficiency was also identified as a key focus area, with landscaping, gardens, swimming pools and irrigation accounting for a significant share of hotel water consumption. Hotels are exploring ways to reduce outdoor water use while maintaining guest comfort.
The statement adds that the participants also highlight the importance of more detailed property-level performance data to guide investment decisions and prioritise high-impact sustainability initiatives. They agreed that while technology and benchmarking provide valuable insights, lasting progress depends on effective operational execution.
According to the statement, the forum concluded that Indian hospitality’s sustainability journey will be driven by stronger operational practices backed by consistent, comparable and actionable ESG data. With growing stakeholder expectations and significant opportunities for resource savings, ESG is increasingly being viewed as a source of long-term competitiveness and resilience rather than solely an environmental obligation.
