HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
WelcomHotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru has been accredited with yet another distinction by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) – the LEED ZERO CARBON certification. The first Welcomhotel to achieve this milestone, it is the 4th in the ITC Hotels chain after ITC Windsor in Bengaluru, ITC Grand Chola in Chennai and ITC Gardenia in Bengaluru to be accorded this certification by USGBC.
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru was opened in 2014 and was awarded LEED Platinum rating by IGBC Under New Construction (NC) Version in the same year. The property since its launch has continued to enhance its sustainability standards – the bedrock of ITC Hotels. In 2022, the hotel was recertified with the LEED Platinum Certification under the Existing Buildings category by USGBC.
This LEED Zero achievement by Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru further demonstrates ITC Hotels’ deep commitment towards environment and our sustainability goals. Carefully using natural resources and synergise building/design strategies have been key drivers for ITC Hotels to keep on setting new benchmarks at a global level.
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru stands for best in class service – we are stylish hotels with young, vibrant and tech-enabled features, offering an ideal venue for the savvy and young business travellers, where cool and breezy ambience is blended seamlessly with spirited and efficient service. The hotel with its various sustainable measures like 99% Power requirement met by windmills, Zero Mile water, Chemical Free Water Treatment in Cooling Towers, Heat Pumps for Hot Water Generation, STP for reclaiming used water etc., has emerged as a model of environmental stewardship.
Amandeep Kaur, General Manager, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru added, “Sustainability is a driving force for ITC Hotel’s in line with our philosophy of Responsible Luxury that integrates world-class green practices with contemporary design elements to deliver the best of luxury in the greenest possible manner. Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels takes immense pride as one of the smallest hotel to date globally to achieve a LEED Zero certification. Having said that, we continue our concerted efforts towards sustainable solutions, addressing the grave challenges facing the world today without compromising our core strength of providing world class hospitality and luxury experiences. In most responsible ways, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru would continue its journey towards reducing carbon footprints further focusing on enhanced use of renewable energy sources as well as reduction in specific energy consumption.”
“LEED Zero marks a new beginning for the hotel which comes with lot of pride and responsibility. We are excited and look forward to consistently improve our energy performance. ITC Hotels has pioneered several ground-breaking initiatives on environment, hotel ecosystem, health, and well-being. From LEED platinum ratings, to being one of the first chain to eliminate single use plastic free products, deployment of radiation harmonisers across the chain, farm to fork low carbon footprint cuisine, clean air and more, we are consistently aiming towards providing our guests with Planet Positive Experiences”, adds Sumeet Pal Singh, Chief Engineer at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru.
“At USGBC we believe net zero is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward. It influences the rest of the market to aim even higher and achieving LEED Zero certification demonstrates these goals are attainable,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “Given the climate-related risks we are facing, and the central role buildings play in climate mitigation, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru’s LEED Zero certification for [energy, water, waste or carbon] demonstrates visionary leadership because it contributes toward a regenerative future and represents a commitment to making the world a better place.”
For more than two decades, LEED has provided a framework for creating high performance green buildings and spaces and is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence. Building on that work, the U.S. Green Building Council has developed LEED Zero, a complement to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals. LEED Zero represents a new level of achievement in green building that is not just attainable but is the goal of LEED certified projects around the world.
