Every one of the luxury hotels operated by ITC Hotels has been recognised as LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) – with the chain now claiming to be the “greenest in the world”.

This distinction is an endorsement of ITC Hotels’ credo of Responsible Luxury - an ethos which integrates world class green best practices with contemporary design elements to deliver the best of luxury in the greenest possible manner.

In addition to the wide spectrum of environment friendly measures that ITC Hotels implement, the ITC group’s carbon positive, water positive and solid waste recycling positive status ensures that a guest’s stay at any of its luxury hotels contributes to a lower carbon footprint.

Commenting on the distinction, Nakul Anand, executive director, ITC, said: “This coveted feat uniquely positions ITC as the first hotel chain in the world to have all its premium luxury hotels accorded the highest rating: LEED Platinum by United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

“It exemplifies the credo of ‘Responsible Luxury’ adopted by ITC’s Hotels Division – delivering globally benchmarked quality, services and luxury in the greenest possible manner.

At the heart of Responsible Luxury is product design in the form of green buildings that are energy efficient, use renewable energy, conserve and recycle water while taking concrete steps to preserve the eco-system around them.

ITC Hotels have innovated in the use of materials that utilise renewable sources and are biodegradable or conserve scarce environmental resources.

Some hotels have also innovated on their offerings in food and beverages to optimise customer satisfaction while achieving a lower carbon footprint.

“The LEED Platinum rating demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said USGBC president Rick Fedrizzi.

“The urgency of our mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and the certified ITC Hotels serve as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”