Just transitions in the Gujarat desert: a signal of a cleaner, fairer future for informal workers

Solar energy has transformed the lives of salt farmers in Gujarat, India - increasing their income, unlocking clean power, and providing new green skills. What lessons does their story offer for the world’s informal economy and its two billion workers?

IHRB’s Haley St. Dennis sits down with Reema Nanavaty from the Self-Employed Women's Association of India (SEWA), the cooperative driving this just transition.

Reema shares insights into what has made this story a success for the workers involved, including the partnerships that made it possible, from private finance taking on risk, to the business training workers in new skills. Haley hears how SEWA has empowered thousands of women workers to break free from the cycle of debt and improve their lives through innovative green solutions, including the story of Manguben, a salt farmer who is now a certified solar technician and a leader in her community's transition to clean energy.

You’ll also hear the audio version of IHRB’s feature on this story (voiced by AI), which is part of IHRB’s JUST Stories project - a global search for stories of the most promising just transitions we can find - unpacking the people, perspectives, and relationships behind what makes them work.

Stream above, or you can listen on your favourite podcast player.
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Producer & Editor: Helen Brown
Additional Contributors: Sam Simmons, IHRB's Head of Communications