The Leela Palace becomes South Asia’s largest EDGE Advanced certified hotel portfolio

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts announces that five of its iconic Palace properties have been awarded the prestigious EDGE Advanced Certification by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. With a certified footprint of 2.41 million square feet, The Leela now holds the distinction of housing South Asia’s largest portfolio of EDGE Advanced certified hotels—a remarkable milestone in the evolution of sustainable luxury hospitality.

 

This achievement is a testament to The Leela’s sustainability ethos of ‘Mindful Luxury’, where Environmental Stewardship forms a core pillar. In this vision, responsible hospitality goes beyond compliance—it is a conscious expression of care woven into every aspect of design, construction, and operation. Rooted in timeless Indian tradition, the brand embraces climate-smart solutions that reduce environmental impact and build resilience to climate-related risks.

 

“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—has not only met but exceeded the EDGE Advanced benchmark of 40% energy savings. These iconic hotels have achieved over 41% reduction in energy consumption, 30% water savings, and a remarkable 59% to 70% reduction in embodied carbon from building materials. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in total carbon savings of 2,454.44 tCO₂e, underscoring The Leela’s commitment to climate-conscious luxury and long-term environmental value.

 

This performance reflects a seamless integration of engineering excellence and environmentally conscious design—hallmarks of The Leela’s approach to sustainable luxury. Energy efficiency is achieved through the use of advanced HVAC systems, variable speed drives, smart lighting, and sensor-based controls ensuring optimal performance without compromising guest comfort. Building envelopes features advanced insulation, solar-reflective materials, and energy-efficient glazing, to reduced heat gains and enhanced spatial aesthetics. Water conservation is embedded through low-flow fixtures and smart irrigation supporting resource efficiency while preserving landscaped beauty. This is complemented by a strategic transition to 50% renewable energy consumption across our palaces, reinforcing The Leela’s vision of Mindful Luxury through responsible operational excellence.

 

This recognition further builds on The Leela’s longstanding leadership in responsible hospitality. 50% of the brand’s entire portfolio (owned and managed) is not only IGBC Platinum-rated for green existing buildings but also certified as Net Zero Waste to Landfill, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to circularity, resource efficiency, and zero-waste operations.

 

As The Leela continues to expand its portfolio and reimagine Indian luxury for a global audience, it remains deeply committed to building a future where excellence is measured not only in service and style, but in purpose and positive impact. This EDGE certification milestone is not the destination, but another step in The Leela’s journey to shape a more sustainable, responsible, and elegant world of hospitality.

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