Making Home-based Work Environments Safer, Healthier and Productive: Promoting Energy Efficiency and Climate Resilience (Brief 1)

This brief was created by City Collab as a part of WIEGO’s documentation of Mahila Housing Trust’s (MHT) work to capture insights on their work that has had wide ranging impacts on the wellbeing and economic productivity of home-based workers. This brief on access to legal and affordable green energy is the first thematic brief in the ‘Promoting energy efficiency & climate resilience’ category.

Access to a legal electricity connection is a lengthy and complex process, requiring tedious paperwork and documented proof of permanent residence. Such barriers force the poor into resorting to illegal connections which are more expensive. Additionally, for home-based workers, the use of equipment such as sewing machines, refrigerators, etc, increases their energy requirements, further affecting their financial situation.

MHT aids communities with access to legal energy supply and encourages them to use greener and efficient means of energy which will benefit them financially in the longer run.