Browns Hotels and Resorts launches ‘BIGG CARE’ to embed sustainability across operations

The panel discussion at the BIGG CARE sustainability strategic plan launch of Browns Hotels and Resorts

Chief Guest, UN-Habitat, Sri Lanka Country Program Manager Harshini Halangode (left) and Browns Hotels and Resorts

CEO Eksath Wijeratne 

Browns Hotels and Resorts has launched BIGG CARE, its Sustainability Strategic Plan, marking a significant new chapter in the Group’s commitment to ESG and sustainability. 

BIGG CARE stands for Browns Hotels and Resorts’ Initiative for Green Governance, Climate Action, Accountability, Resource Efficiency and Engagement.

The strategic plan brings together the Group’s sustainability priorities under one framework, with a focus on building more resilient operations, protecting natural ecosystems, supporting communities and creating lasting value for Sri Lanka.

BIGG CARE was unveiled at a ceremony held at The Eden Beruwala, with Chief Guest UN-Habitat, Sri Lanka Country Program Manager Harshini Halangode alongside senior management of Browns Hotels and Resorts, sustainability professionals and industry experts.

Rather than treating sustainability as a collection of individual environmental initiatives, BIGG CARE is designed to make sustainability an integrated part of how Browns Hotels and Resorts operates, measures performance and plans for the future. The strategy encompasses climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate resilience, energy and water stewardship, waste and the circular economy, biodiversity, employee development, guest engagement, community development and responsible governance.

The event also saw the launch of the Browns Hotels and Resorts Bi-Annual Sustainability Newsletter and the Group’s Sustainability Policy, further strengthening communication, transparency and stakeholder engagement around its sustainability journey.

Browns Hotels and Resorts CEO Eksath Wijeratne said: “For a hospitality group operating across diverse destinations in Sri Lanka, sustainability is intrinsically linked to the long-term health of our environments, communities and economies. Our ESG strategy provides the framework for embedding these principles across our business, while BIGG CARE turns this commitment into action—driving resource efficiency, environmental and community responsibility, and helping us build a more resilient, responsible and future-ready business.”

Delivering the keynote address, Harshini Halangode, welcomed the launch of BIGG CARE and highlighted the importance of embedding sustainability within organisational governance.

“UN-Habitat welcomes a plan like the one you launched today, one that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities, and treats sustainability not as a marketing line but as a governance discipline. The plan is to reduce your carbon footprint  in measurable terms, so that you can report progress against the GRI standards through sustainability reporting. What gets measured gets managed, and what gets reported gets improved,” said Halangode.

The program also featured a keynote address by University of Moratuwa Senior Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering Ajith De Alwis, who spoke about the importance of integrating sustainability into the tourism and hospitality business model.

“Driving sustainability in tourism also means ensuring a continued flow of quality tourists. To achieve this, we need to look beyond the business itself and factor the destination, its location and its communities into the way we operate. Sustainability has to become part of the business model, and eco-innovation will be essential for the industry to move forward,” said De Alwis.

A key highlight of the program was an expert panel discussion centred on Green Governance, Climate Action, Accountability, Resource Efficiency and Engagement.

The panel brought together Professor Ajith De Alwis, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock Fisheries and Nutrition Chair Professor Sevvandi Jayakody; IUCN Sri Lanka Country Representative Dr. Sharmen Vidanage, and Hirdaramani Group PLC General Manager Leonie Vaas with AlchemX Global Co-Founder Prashani Illangasekara serving as moderator.

The discussion explored how organisations can move beyond sustainability commitments towards practical climate action, while strengthening accountability, resource efficiency and engagement across their operations and wider stakeholder networks.

Prof. Sevvandi Jayakody highlighted the interconnected nature of ecosystems and the importance of understanding the relationship between natural systems, particularly from mountain landscapes to coastal and marine environments, while emphasising the need for practical climate action. Dr. Sharmen Vidanage brought a focus on green governance, highlighting the importance of embedding sustainability into decision-making, accountability and organisational systems.

The panel also explored the wider social and economic dimensions of sustainability, including local employment, local procurement, community investment and livelihood opportunities, alongside environmental priorities.

Leonie Vaas brought an industry perspective to the discussion on integrating sustainability into business operations and organisational practices, while Prashani Illangasekara moderated the conversation around the practical challenges and opportunities of translating sustainability commitments into action.

The framework assigns sustainability responsibility across multiple levels of the organisation – from the Board and senior management to General Managers, corporate functions and property-level sustainability teams – reinforcing that sustainability is a management responsibility rather than simply an environmental initiative.

The implementation of BIGG CARE across the Group’s properties will be driven by Browns Hotels and Resorts Assistant Manager – Sustainability Prabuddha Siriwardhena working closely with hotel teams to embed the framework into day-to-day operations and drive its sustainability initiatives forward.

Through BIGG CARE, Browns Hotels and Resorts aims to improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, support responsible tourism, strengthen community engagement and build greater long-term business resilience across its operations.