How Indian Brands Are Embracing Sustainability This World Environment Day

Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 17:10 IST

From solar-powered hotels to mindful snacking, Indian brands are turning sustainability into a daily practice not just a promise.

As conversations around climate change and responsible consumption gain momentum, businesses across India are stepping up with purpose-driven strategies that go beyond surface-level greenwashing. On the occasion of World Environment Day 2025, it’s worth spotlighting how hospitality, F&B, beauty, and lifestyle brands are weaving sustainability into their core values—creating a ripple effect that extends from operations to consumer consciousness.

From luxury hotels reimagining waste management to cosmetic brands betting on refillable packaging, sustainability is no longer a siloed department—it’s the new DNA of modern business.

Raffles Jaipur: The Future of Luxury is Regenerative

Set against the regal backdrop of Rajasthan, Raffles Jaipur is rewriting the rules of luxury. Here, indulgence is balanced with intention, and elegance coexists with environmental stewardship. Sustainability is embedded in every element of design, service, and community impact.

“Sustainability at Raffles Jaipur is not a checkbox, it’s a philosophy,” says Binny Sebastian, General Manager. “We are proud to offer our guests a luxurious experience that is mindful of both people and the planet.”

From eliminating buffets to reduce food waste to powering the hotel partly through an 850 KWP offsite solar plant, every initiative reflects its long-term commitment. Other green efforts include an in-house organic waste converter, water-saving infrastructure, architecture that maximizes natural light, and community engagement programs that uplift local artisans.

Raffles Udaipur: Gracefully Green

“At Raffles Udaipur, sustainability is not an initiative—it is a quiet promise, thoughtfully upheld every day,” shares Rajesh Namby, General Manager. “From our fleet of electric boats to our in-house water bottling plant and farm-to-table culinary ethos, each experience is designed to tread lightly and purposefully. We also take great pride in nurturing local livelihoods, honouring artisanal traditions, and conserving the natural beauty of our island.”

As a Green Key certified resort, Raffles Udaipur is deeply committed to harmonising luxury with responsibility—proving that elegance and environmental mindfulness can flourish side by side.

Taj Mahal, New Delhi: Leading the Way in Sustainable Hospitality and Innovation

A landmark in responsible hospitality, Taj Mahal, New Delhi has adopted sustainability as a core operational principle.

“Our water conservation efforts have achieved remarkable success, with recycling efficiency increasing from 53% to 80% this fiscal year and an impressive 98% of treated water now being reused,” says Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations & General Manager.

The hotel’s chemical-free ETP recycles up to 60,000 litres of laundry wastewater daily. A 400 KLD STP also recycles water for gardens and cooling, while an in-house bottling plant eliminates plastic. Its Innergise Green Meetings initiative merges sustainability and wellness in corporate events, with curated menus and energy-efficient practices. “Looking ahead,” Dr. Ahluwalia adds, “we are focused on expanding renewable energy use, strengthening circular waste management and integrating sustainability deeper into the guest journey.”

Accor India: Global Goals, Local Action

Across its network, Accor India & South Asia integrates sustainability as a living value. “At Accor, sustainability is an ongoing commitment rooted in local action and global ambition,” says Pratima Badhwar, Head of Commercial. “We’re eliminating single-use plastics, introducing refillable amenities, protecting biodiversity, and supporting marine conservation.”

Their partnership with WWF under the Novotel portfolio highlights ocean protection efforts. With a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Accor is ensuring sustainability shapes not just the guest experience, but the entire hospitality model.

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar: Greener Hospitality by Design

A LEED-certified property, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar is a sustainability powerhouse. It uses photovoltaic solar panels, occupancy-based LED lighting, and steam boiler heat regeneration. With zero waste discharge and rainwater harvesting, it achieved a carbon footprint of 23.8 kg and water footprint of 665 liters per room night in 2023.

Its initiative H2OPE replaces single-use plastic bottles with reusable glass alternatives filled with ozonized water—signaling hope and accountability in every sip.

ITC Hotels: Pioneering Responsible Luxury

A global leader in sustainable hospitality, ITC Hotels blends luxury with environmental ethics. “ITC Hotels has long been a pioneer in elevating India’s hospitality landscape through Sustainability & Responsible Luxury,” shares HC Vinayaka, Vice President – Technical Services, Sustainability & EHS. “We’ve already surpassed the 2030 COP21 emission targets for four consecutive years and were the first hotel chain to receive the 2024 US Green Building Council Leadership Award.”

ITC Hotels has 23 LEED Platinum certified properties, including the world’s first 12 to achieve LEED Zero Carbon and the first 8 to attain LEED Zero Water certification. Over 50% of electricity needs are met via renewables. The group has also reduced over 3 lakh kg of plastic in a year, with innovations like Sunya Aqua, offering drinking water in reusable glass bottles. As a signatory to the UNEP’s Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, ITC Hotels sets a powerful precedent for eco-driven excellence.

Aahana Resort: Cultivating a Greener Tomorrow Through Sustainable Luxury

Aahana Resort in Jim Corbett began as a barren land, now transformed into a flourishing carbon-neutral ecosystem.

“When we planted the first tree, it wasn’t just restoration—it was a new vision for hospitality,” says Avni Tripathi, Director. The resort now thrives on biogas generation, vermi-composting, community engagement, and sustainable luxury that respects nature’s rhythms.

ColorBar Cosmetics: Redefining Beauty with Purpose

ColorBar’s sustainability blueprint is built on innovation, luxury, and purpose.

“At ColorBar, sustainability is not just a responsibility, it’s the foundation of our journey,” explains Samir K Modi, Founder & MD. “From vegan, cruelty-free products to refillable lipsticks and compacts, we’re building a conscious beauty ecosystem.”

By 2027, ColorBar aims for 100% refillable compacts and powders. The Take Me As I Am refillable lipstick line alone offsets the plastic equivalent of five bottles per unit sold—proving sustainability can be sleek, stylish, and scalable.

Cornitos: Snacking with a Greener Conscience

Cornitos, a leading Indian snack brand, is weaving green goals into its operations. “At Cornitos, we believe in making mindful choices that support a better tomorrow,” shares Vikram Agarwal, MD. From using solar energy at its Roorkee plant to organizing tree plantation drives, the brand is showing that even chips can lead positive change.

Luxmi Tea & Makaibari Estate: A Heritage Brew of Sustainability

For Luxmi Tea, sustainability is a heritage-driven mission. “At Makaibari, the world’s first biodynamic tea estate, we go beyond organic farming to nurture a living ecosystem,” says Rudra Chatterjee, MD, Luxmi Group. “We’ve empowered over 700 women, launched solar-powered factories, and supported estate families through healthcare and education.”

A Green Tomorrow Begins Today

What unites these diverse brands is a shared belief: sustainability isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about deep, generational impact. Whether it’s the way we travel, snack, sip tea, or apply makeup, every mindful decision helps tip the scale toward a greener, kinder world.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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