Attendees at the IGBC Green Hospitality Summit 2026 in Kolkata included prominent figures in the hospitality industry, as well as architects, developers, policymakers, and sustainability specialists. The summit was organised by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), which is a branch of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Goals covered at the summit, which went by the title “Sustainable Hospitality: Enabling Net Zero, Resilient & Experiential Infrastructure,” included topics like water and energy management, operational efficiency, green technology, net zero buildings, sustainable design, and ESG-led development.

“Climate change is one of the most critical challenges our generation is facing, and the hospitality sector has a significant responsibility in shaping a more sustainable future,” remarks Harshvardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group and Chairman, CII Suresh Neotia Centre of Excellence for Leadership, who addressed the gathering. The design, construction, and operation of hospitality assets must incorporate sustainability principles.

“The hospitality industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade,” commentated Sushil Mohta, Chairman of Merlin Group and Immediate Past Chairman of IGBC Kolkata, when asked about the changing hospitality scene. Integral to operational efficiency, asset resilience, and long-term value development, sustainability has evolved beyond compliance.

In his opening remarks, Vivek Singh Rathore—Chairman of the IGBC Kolkata Chapter and Founder and Principal of The Salient—drew attention to the continued expansion of India’s hospitality infrastructure and the significance of resource efficiency and climate resilience.

Panellists at the event discussed water-energy nexus in HVAC systems, restaurants, and laundry operations, as well as sustainable hotel design, operational efficiency, and the guest experience. Topics covered in the technical seminars included sustainable construction materials, net-zero operations, renewable energy integration, and approaches to decarbonise.

Throughout the awards portion, thirteen hospitality projects were acknowledged by the IGBC for their adoption of green building techniques with its ‘Walking the Talks’ Awards. A few of the companies that were acknowledged were Pravat Hospitality Pvt Ltd., Holiday Inn Express Kolkata Airport, InterGlobe Hotels Pvt Ltd./IBIS Portfolio, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited, and Lemon Tree Hotels Limited.

Image Credit: Hospitality Career Profile