“Sustainability is core to our business”: Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd.

Earlier this month, one of India’s vacation ownership companies, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. (MHRIL), committed to join RE100, a global campaign led by The Climate Group bringing together the world’s most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable power.

The company said it has a target to power 100% of its global operations with renewable electricity by 2050. In 2016, MHRIL signed EP100, committing to doubling energy productivity by 2030 from the baseline year of 2008-09.

Being the first company in the hospitality sector to sign on both the programs we probe into what it means to make and keep such a big promise. In a tete-a-tete, Mahindra’s chief marketing officer, Ramin Saherwala spills the beans on their sustainable practices:

TD: What does the new sustainable practice mean for Mahindra Holidays?

RS: Sustainability is core to our business. Club Mahindra is the first hospitality company to sign on EP 100 and RE 100, a global campaign led by The Climate Group. We are dedicated to using renewable sources of energy and deploying energy efficient solutions in all aspects of our operations.

MHRIL resorts are located in some of the most exotic and green locations in the country, we believe that boosting the energy performance is a crucial strategic development to achieve persistent business growth and conduct eco-friendly practices.

“A robust sustainability practice across its network of 50+ resorts”

What kind of eco-friendly practices are followed?

At Mahindra Holidays we strive to create a better society. The Company has implemented a robust sustainability practice across its network of 50+ resorts in India and abroad. Some of the key areas that we have been working include carbon footprint measurement, conservation of biodiversity and assessment, environment, energy, water and community development.

Parking areas at some resorts have been converted into solar energy harvesting farms. We also use bio-gas plants and compost machines for recycling dry and wet garbage respectively.

How do you plan to achieve the 2050 goal?

The goal is to install solar power plants onsite and offsite across all our areas of operations within the next 10-15 years. For this we have tied up with various organizations who manufacture and provide solar power plants for power generation. Simultaneously, we will also install solar systems for hot water generation. To improve on our energy productivity and reduce our carbon footprint, we will take on environment friendly options like conducting biodiversity audits and implementation of zero water to landfill programme.

How much will it cost the company to abide by these new practices?

We are looking at most cost-effective options and few partners who are already on board to take this initiative forward on build, operate and transfer basis.

Are they more such initiatives in the pipeline?

Apart for solar, we are also implementing various environment friendly options like installing heat pumps for hot water and cold water/air generation, bio-gas machines, organic waste converter machines, electric vehicles and Science Based Targets to improve our carbon footprint.

“Strive to enhance awareness in the industry”

Does Mahindra plan to inspire others in the industry to become more sustainable? How?

Powered by alternative thinking and setting ambitious targets, we have embedded sustainability as a business driver and simultaneously strive to enhance awareness in the industry by making every aspect of our business sustainable for generating immediate benefits. This way we as an industry players can re-affirm our commitment for a better world by integrating energy efficiency into business strategy. We are committed to conserve the ecological integrity of the locations we operate in.