IMD Spotlights IHCL’S ESG+ Framework ‘Paathya’; A Case Study on Structured Sustainability

MUMBAI, JANUARY 27, 2026: Paathya, Indian Hotels Company’s (IHCL) blueprint for sustainable and responsible hospitality, has been featured in a detailed case study by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD Business School), Lausanne, Switzerland. The study examines IHCL’s structured approach to sustainability and its integration into business strategy.

Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, “As a pioneer of India’s hospitality industry, IHCL has set many benchmarks in the sector, which continue to develop and evolve. Today, making hospitality sustainable is a shared responsibility. Paathya is our pathway to building a future where growth and responsibility go hand in hand. We have made big strides advancing meaningfully towards our 2030 goals; with over 70 bottling plants, 51% water recycled, 41% energy sourced from renewables and partnerships enabling 73 Skill Centres that have trained over 35,000 underprivileged youth.”

He added, “It is an honour for IHCL’s Paathya framework to be featured by a leading global institution like IMD. This recognition is a reflection of the collective effort of our teams in embedding sustainability into the core of our business.”

IHCL has been on a transformation journey with a vision of being South Asia’s most iconic, responsible and profitable hospitality eco-system guided by its purpose.

Professor Florian Hoos and case authors Mr. Manojkumar Selvaraj, Ms. Harsha Doddihal, Mr. Peter Damyanov, said, “The IHCL case study illustrates the complexity of embedding sustainability in a service-driven industry and the importance of a structured approach like Paathya. It provides a platform for global discussion on the evolving role of ESG in the hospitality industry and demonstrates how it can be translated into measurable progress, creating value for both business and society.”

IHCL launched Paathya, its ESG+ framework, a comprehensive initiative for sustainable growth, social impact, and responsible hospitality. Built on six pillars, Heritage, Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility, Environmental Stewardship, Partner Transformation, and Sustainable Growth, Paathya sets clear targets for 2030. These include eliminating single-use plastics, achieving 50% renewable energy usage, 100% wastewater recycling and certifying all hotels under global sustainability standards.

Taking ahead its commitment to skill building, and creating employability for the deserving and the marginalized, IHCL aims to impact the livelihood of over 100,000 youth. Long heralded as the custodian of Indian heritage, IHCL’s collaboration with UNESCO, will see adoption of 100% of Intangible Cultural Heritage projects in the geographies it operates in.