The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has proudly announced that five of its properties have been awarded the prestigious EDGE Advanced Certification by the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. This certification reflects a sustainable footprint of 2.41 million square feet, making The Leela the holder of South Asia’s largest collection of EDGE-certified hotels, marking a significant achievement in the realm of sustainable luxury hospitality.

This certification highlights The Leela’s commitment to ‘Mindful Luxury’, emphasizing Environmental Stewardship as a foundational principle. The hotel chain strives to go beyond compliance in responsible hospitality practices, manifesting its care in every design, construction, and operational aspect. With a strong grounding in Indian traditions, the brand utilizes climate-smart techniques to minimize its environmental footprint and enhance resilience against climate-related challenges.

“Luxury today is defined by purpose, responsibility, and long-term value creation. At The Leela, we are committed to crafting experiences that are as environmentally conscious as they are luxurious and culturally rich. This recognition underscores our pursuit of delivering hospitality that is globally relevant, climate-aligned, and deeply rooted in the timeless elegance of Indian tradition. As we work towards our goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, our palaces stand as benchmarks of both exceptional craftsmanship and sustainable leadership.” — Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

Each of the five certified palace properties—The Leela Palace Chennai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Bangalore—not only met but surpassed the EDGE Advanced benchmark of 40% energy savings. These iconic hotels have achieved more than 41% reduction in energy, 30% water savings, and a remarkable 59% to 70% reduction in embodied carbon from building materials. Collectively, these efforts yield a total carbon savings of 2,454.44 tCO₂e, which underscores The Leela’s commitment to environmentally conscious luxury and long-term value.

This progress is a testament to the harmonious blend of engineering excellence with environmentally thoughtful design—core tenets of The Leela’s philosophy on sustainable luxury. Energy efficiency is attained through advanced HVAC systems, variable speed drives, smart lighting, and sensor-based controls that ensure optimal performance without sacrificing guest comfort. The buildings boast advanced insulation, solar-reflective materials, and energy-efficient glazing to reduce heat gain, thereby enhancing comfort and aesthetics. Additionally, water conservation techniques such as low-flow fixtures and intelligent irrigation systems contribute to resource efficiency and the maintenance of landscaped beauty. 50% renewable energy consumption is part of their commitment to operational excellence in sustainable luxury.

As The Leela continues to expand its luxury offerings and redefine Indian hospitality on a global scale, its commitment remains to craft a future wherein excellence is measured not merely by service and style but also through meaningful impact.