On the occasion of World Environment Day, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues to advance its sustainability and environmental stewardship under Paathya, its ESG+ framework.

Across its Delhi-NCR portfolio, including Taj Mahal, New Delhi; Taj Palace, New Delhi; Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR; Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram; Taj City Centre Gurugram; Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka; and Ambassador, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions, the company is strengthening a comprehensive approach to water conservation, energy efficiency and responsible resource management anchored in circularity, innovation, and long-term impact.

At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, a LEED Platinum and EarthCheck Platinum certified hotel, sustainability has moved from commitment to measurable action. The hotel has fulfilled the requirements of LEED Zero Water certification, as verified by Green Business Certification Inc., marking a significant milestone in its water stewardship journey.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council as a complement to LEED, the certification verifies the achievement of net zero goals and reflects market leadership in responsible resource management.

Water recycling efficiency at Taj Mahal, New Delhi now stands at 97%, with 92% of treated water reused across operations. The hotel’s approach is supported by rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and reuse across laundry, flushing, cooling towers and landscaping.

Reinforcing this circular model is an advanced effluent treatment system, amongst the first of its kind in Indian hospitality, which enables laundry water to be treated and reused back within laundry operations.

The property has also introduced inbuilt VFD hydro-pneumatic pumps, sensor-based IoT monitored cooling tower operations, drip irrigation for horticulture, sensor faucets and low-flow aerators, chemical-free cooling tower treatment, and tanks to collect swimming pool overflow water for reuse.

Extending this approach to the guest experience, the hotel continues to champion mindful dining and low-waste culinary practices through concepts rooted in regional wisdom and seasonal produce. Initiatives such as Mitti ka Swaad at Varq, its signature contemporary Indian restaurant, draw from Bhoole Bisre – A Living Archive and A Testament to Time, revisiting traditional recipes, earthenware cooking and responsible ingredient usage.

Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, said, “Under Paathya, our focus is on building systems that go beyond operational efficiency to drive long-term environmental impact. Energy and Water stewardship is a critical part of this journey, where the emphasis is on creating circular ecosystems that optimise resources at every stage. This approach reflects IHCL’s commitment to responsible growth while shaping a future-ready model of hospitality.”

Building on this, Taj Palace, New Delhi – a LEED Platinum and EarthCheck Platinum certified hotel integrates advanced engineering with sustainability-led design. Its Water Treatment and Bottling Plant operates through a three-stage purification process combining reverse osmosis, ozonation, and UV technology.

Smart fixtures, including aerators and sensor-based taps, enable up to 80-85% water savings in public areas. The hotel’s infrastructure supports the recycling of up to 80 KL of water daily, while its upgraded sewage treatment plant with MBR technology processes 450 KLD for reuse across cooling towers, horticulture and maintenance.

A dedicated 700-metre pipeline also enables treated water to be used for external landscaping, maximising resource utilisation beyond the hotel’s immediate operations.

Mr. Pradyumna Singh Rathore, General Manager, Taj Palace, New Delhi, added, “Sustainability today requires a holistic and integrated approach that brings together technology, design, and operational practices. Under Paathya, our organisation’s ESG+ framework, our focus is on embedding resource efficiency into the core of how we operate, ensuring that every intervention contributes to a larger, measurable impact across the ecosystem.”

Extending this to a resort ecosystem, Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR, an EarthCheck Platinum-certified property, treats approximately 3,500 KL of water monthly through advanced STP and ETP facilities, reusing it across irrigation, cooling systems and garden areas.

Rainwater harvesting, water-efficient fixtures, dual-flush toilets, sensor-based mixers, aerator-equipped shower heads and an in-house bottling plant further support the property’s resource management approach. Strengthening its clean energy transition, the resort has commissioned Phase 2 of its solar power project, adding a 90 kW installation to the existing 50 kW plant.

The combined system is expected to generate approximately 146,000 kWh of green energy annually, with estimated savings of ₹15 lakhs per year and a projected 36-month return on investment.

At Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, water conservation is driven through a multi-layered approach combining infrastructure, operational efficiency and innovation. The resort’s sewage treatment plant redirects treated wastewater across cooling towers, irrigation systems and cleaning operations, ensuring optimal utilisation at every stage.

Sensor-operated systems further enable precise and efficient water usage across guest and service areas. A key milestone in this journey is the installation of an in-house water bottling plant with a capacity of 150 bottles per hour, significantly reducing reliance on single-use plastic.

Within eight months, the initiative has eliminated over 1,40,000 plastic bottles of 500 ml, prevented an additional 2,80,000 smaller bottles of 250 ml, reduced approximately 70,000 litres of packaged water consumption, and led to a total reduction of over 2.8 tonnes of plastic waste.

Mr. Vinod Pandey, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, said, “At IHCL, sustainability is approached as a collective and continuous journey rather than a set of standalone initiatives. Through Paathya, we are focused on building systems that drive long-term value by integrating environmental responsibility into everyday operations. Water conservation and waste reduction are key pillars within this approach, contributing to a more resilient and responsible hospitality ecosystem.”

At Vivanta New Delhi, Dwarka, responsible operations are guided by a strong focus on water reuse, plastic reduction and energy efficiency. The hotel recycles 320 KL of water per day through its sewage treatment plant for horticulture and cooling tower operations, while its effluent treatment plant recycles 50 KL of laundry water per day.

An in-house bottling plant, linen reuse card placements, larger bathroom amenity bottles in place of single-use plastic bottles, and the conversion of discarded linen into in-house dusters further support waste reduction.

The hotel also reuses steam condensate as boiler feed water and partially sources grid electricity through Open Access renewable energy, strengthening its transition towards lower-impact operations.

At Taj City Centre Gurugram, sustainability interventions span energy efficiency, emission reduction, water stewardship and material responsibility.

The hotel has installed a 150 kW heat pump to optimise hot water generation and support air-conditioning efficiency, along with active harmonic filter panels to reduce energy losses and improve electrical system performance.

Dual-fuel kits have been installed in both DG sets to help control fuel emissions, supported by PNG leak detection and safety preparedness measures.

The hotel has also adopted bamboo flooring at the Barbeque restaurant, introduced bamboo keycards through RFID-enabled door locks, eliminated charcoal use across six kitchens through PNG-fired tandoors, installed a water bottling plant with a capacity of around 300 bottles per hour, and commissioned two 7.4 kW EV charging outlets through Tata Power.

Additionally, at Ambassador, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions, water conservation measures include reuse of treated water across flushing systems and green areas, supported by efficient fixtures and dual-flush mechanisms. The installation of an ultrafiltration plant further strengthens water quality and reuse capabilities across the hotel.

IHCL continues to embed sustainability across its operations through Paathya, which guides its approach towards environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and long-term value creation.

About The Indian Hotels Company Limited

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service.

These include Taj – the iconic brand for the most discerning travellers and ranked as World’s Strongest Hotel Brand 2025 and India’s Strongest Brand 2025 as per Brand Finance; Claridges Collection, a curated set of boutique luxury hotels merging elegance with historical charm; Brij, experiential leisure resorts in storied destinations; Atmantan, an integrated wellness offering; SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels; Gateway, full-service hotels designed to be your gateway to exceptional destinations; Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels; Tree of Life, private escapes in tranquil settings and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment.

Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903.

IHCL has a portfolio of 620 hotels including 255 in the pipeline globally across 4 continents, 14 countries and in over 250 locations.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is listed on the BSE and NSE.