Posted inLeadership

“Hyatt is particularly focused on preventing food waste and reducing single-use items”

Lokesh Sabharwal, Regional VP - Operations, India and Southwest Asia, Hyatt, on Hyatt's role in creating an environment-friendly world...

The hospitality industry’s role in tackling global warming: Hyatt’s purpose is to care for people so they can be their best. As a global brand, we recognize that caring for the planet is integral to the wellbeing of all people. As such, we introduced our World of Care platform in July 2021 to enhance transparency in our ESG initiatives.
We focus on Climate Change and Water Conservation, Waste and Circularity, Responsible Sourcing and building Thriving Destinations, while relying on data. Hyatt provides its properties with guidance materials that focus on waste reduction, while also advancing diversion options, such as recycling and composting, and identifying donation opportunities. Hyatt is particularly focused on preventing food waste and reducing single-use items. We use an online global environmental management tool, Hyatt EcoTrack, to collect and analyze sustainability data from our hotels around the world. The tool provides hotels with dashboards for data analysis and includes suggested projects as well as best practices for further improvements. Hyatt hotels are comitted to reducing single-use plastics through various efforts across properties. For example, hotels are currently focused on transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities at properties across the globe.
Additionally, hotels are working to make more hydration stations available to guests. Several properties like Park Hyatt Hyderabad and Alila Diwa Goa even bottle water in reusable containers as a way to replace single-use bottles of water, with bottling plants at site. Andaz Delhi works with an NGO to upcycle half-used soap bars and sell them in low income areas, thereby uplifting hygiene conditions in slums, while reducing waste. Park Hyatt Hyderabad’s HyBees Project, with a rooftop apiary – an Urban Beekeeping initiative adds to an angle of sustainability to luxury, Elegance, and Opulence, cherishing nature and the value of co-existence for future generations. Andaz Delhi’s Save Food, Share Food campaign started in March 2022, providing meals within the community, at the same time helping us in reducing food waste by 20 % in our restaurants.
Eco-conscious practices also attract guests seeking greener accommodations, enhancing brand loyalty.

Environmental certifications and the roadmap to reach there: Environmental certifications are crucial for hotels as they provide a clear and structured way to measure and improve their environmental and social impact. Certifications such as Earth Check, Green Key, and LEED are globally recognized standards that signify a hotel’s commitment to sustainability and responsible practices. Hyatt hotels actively engage with these certification programs to ensure they meet high environmental and social standards. For instance, all Alila hotels are either already certified by Earth Check or are in the process of achieving this certification. Earth Check certification is a testament to a hotel’s dedication to sustainable tourism practices, encompassing areas like waste management, water use efficiency, and community development.
Our roadmap towards achieving and maintaining these certifications involves continuous assessment and improvement of our environmental practices. This includes regular audits, staff training on sustainability, and implementing innovative solutions to reduce our carbon footprint. By adhering to these standards, we not only enhance our operational efficiency but also contribute positively to the communities and environments in which we operate.