As The Oberoi Group enters a new phase of growth, marked by exciting developments and a strong pipeline of hotel openings, it reaffirms its commitment to building a future anchored in sustainability. Elements by Oberoi, the Group’s holistic environmental and social responsibility framework, reflects a philosophy that has quietly shaped its ethos for decades and now takes centre stage as the company scales new heights.
For over 90 years, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has defined exceptional hospitality, guided by enduring values and thoughtful service. In an age where conscious travel shapes global conversations, Elements by Oberoi represents the Group’s evolved sustainability vision. It is deeply embedded in the Group’s operations and continuously expanding to meet the needs of the planet, people, and future generations.
Guided by life-sustaining elements—Earth, Water, and Air, this comprehensive framework articulates the Group’s environment-first actions and sets forth ambitious goals to further reduce ecological impact, drive operational innovation, and uplift communities.
Mr. Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman – The Oberoi Group, said, “We have always believed that excellence must be enduring. As we grow and expand our footprint, sustainability is not just a value—it is a way of life that shapes how we build, serve, and lead. With Elements by Oberoi, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible growth, where every decision is made with care for our planet and our communities.”
Mr. Vikram Oberoi, Chief Executive Officer – The Oberoi Group, further added, “True luxury is defined by the care with which we serve our guest and equally demonstrate through our actions towards people, the community and our planet. With Elements by Oberoi, sustainability is seamlessly embedded into the guest journey and in how we engage with people, the communities around us and our precious environment. Our commitment is to creating experiences that are both meaningful and mindful.”
EARTH: Honouring the Ground We Stand On
Our hotels are thoughtfully designed to live in harmony with their natural surroundings from organic farming and waste-to-compost systems to sustainable landscaping and locally sourced ingredients. We minimise waste through eco-friendly amenities, the elimination of plastic water bottles across all Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, and material reuse, building a circular model of sustainability rooted in respect for the land.
1. Sustainable Landscaping & Biodiversity
o The Oberoi, Marrakech: Home to expansive olive groves that nurture local biodiversity and enrich the guest experience.
o Wildflower Hall, Shimla and The Oberoi Cecil: Surrounded by apple orchards that support the ecosystem and supply seasonal produce.
2. Organic Farming
Several Oberoi hotels grow herbs and vegetables on-site using organic methods. These gardens are nourished by compost generated from kitchen waste, avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers.
3. Organic Waste Converters
All Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in India operate Organic Waste Converters, converting kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost used in hotel gardens—supporting a closed-loop, circular system.
4. Eco-Friendly Amenities & Material Reuse
• Non-recyclable guest amenities have been systematically replaced with biodegradable and reusable alternatives.
• Retired linens are repurposed into reusable items such as housekeeping cloths—extending product lifecycles and reducing landfill waste.
5. Plastic Reduction through In-House Bottling
Across India, all Oberoi hotels have transitioned from plastic to in-house glass water bottling systems—eliminating over 6 million single-use plastic bottles annually.
WATER: Respecting Every Drop
Water is one of the planet’s most precious resources and at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, preserving it is a core priority. From advanced rainwater harvesting and zero liquid discharge systems to sustainable laundry operations, we embed circular practices into our water management. Our initiatives also extend beyond hotel boundaries, supporting marine conservation and responsible water usage across communities.
1. Rainwater Harvesting & Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
Many Oberoi properties employ rainwater harvesting systems and ZLD technologies to ensure efficient use and recycling of water resources.
2. Marine Conservation Efforts
o The Oberoi Beach Resort, Lombok: Hosts coral reef restoration programmes in collaboration with conservationists and guests.
o The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali: Operates a Turtle Sanctuary that supports marine preservation and environmental education.
3. Sustainable Laundry Practices
The advanced laundry system adopted across hotels reduces water usage by up to 40% and energy consumption by 15%, maintaining service excellence with lower environmental impact.
AIR: Breathing Cleaner, Living Smarter
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and embracing clean energy, smart systems, and air purification across our hotels. From solar- and wind-powered operations to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and automated energy systems, our efforts ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for our guests and the planet.
1. Indoor Air Quality Systems
o The Oberoi, New Delhi, The Oberoi, Mumbai and The Oberoi, Bengaluru: Feature advanced air purification systems that deliver superior indoor air quality—especially critical in urban high-pollution zones.
2. Transition to Renewable Energy
o The Oberoi, Gurgaon: Fully solar-powered.
o The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Oberoi Rajvilas, The Oberoi Vanyavilas: Meet 45%, 40%, and 30% of their energy needs respectively through solar power.
o The Oberoi, Bengaluru: Powered in part by remotely sourced wind energy, reducing emissions by 90%.
o Wildflower Hall, Shimla and The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla: Resorts run entirely on hydroelectric energy.
o Trident, Gurgaon: Fully solar powered
o Trident, Chennai: Nearly all its requirements are taken care of by renewable energy.
o Trident, Bandra Kurla, Trident, Udaipur and Trident, Agra: 24%, 60% and 30% of their energy needs respectively are sourced through renewable energy.
3. EV Charging Infrastructure
EV charging stations are installed at all Oberoi hotels in India, accessible to guests, team members, and local communities—supporting the transition to electric mobility.
4. Smart Energy Management
Hotels are equipped with automated systems for HVAC, elevators, and laundry operations that adjust based on real-time occupancy and weather, significantly reducing energy use without compromising guest comfort.
Community Impact & 2030 Goals
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts believes that sustainability extends beyond the environment—it is also about uplifting people and preserving cultural identity. Through structured initiatives, the Group invests in inclusive growth, skill-building, and community partnerships.
By embedding local art and craft into hotel design, supporting surrounding communities, and nurturing talent through purposeful collaborations, these initiatives foster meaningful connections between people, place, and purpose.
1. Cultural Collaborations
From inception to execution, each Oberoi hotel is thoughtfully designed in collaboration with local communities to honour the region’s unique cultural identity. This includes:
• Commissioning local artisans and craftspeople for décor, textiles, and artwork
• Integrating vernacular architecture and design principles
• Preserving traditional craftsmanship and creating sustainable livelihoods through ongoing partnerships
2. Soap for Hope
An environmental and social initiative where used hotel soaps are:
• Collected, sanitised, and reprocessed
• Distributed to underserved communities
• Supporting hygiene and health awareness while minimising landfill waste
3. Saksham (in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages of India)
A long-term CSR initiative committed to holistic child development. Through Saksham, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts supports:
• Over 230 family homes across 9 SOS locations
• Family-based care for children without parental support
• Access to quality education, healthcare, and emotional well-being
• Dignified, stable environments where children can thrive
4. RISE (Refine and Invest in Skill Enhancement)
A programme that aims to provide education, training, and guaranteed hospitality careers:
• Identifies and nurtures young hospitality talent from diverse backgrounds
• Provides hands-on, cross-functional training in real-time hotel operations
• Supports the higher education needs of the candidates
• Ensures and equips the candidate’s personal growth aligns with The Oberoi Group’s standards of excellence
As we look to the future, we remain committed to ambitious goals that have a lasting impact. By 2030, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts aims to:
· Recycle 100% of waste water and reduce fresh water consumption per occupied room by 20%
· Source 50% of electricity from renewable energy
· Transition transport fleets to fully electric vehicles
· Phase out fossil fuel-based thermal systems in favour of electric alternatives across all new hotels and while replace equipment at our existing hotels.
Elements by Oberoi is a quiet yet powerful philosophy reflected in every detail of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts’ design, service, and operations. As sustainability becomes essential to luxury, Oberoi’s legacy continues with conscience, care, and clarity of purpose.
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts was voted Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand 2019 and World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand 2018 by The World Travel Awards
