Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) intends to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. A need of the hour is to ensure that communities based out of the farm and off-farm ecosystem become a part of mainstream value chains and have greater control over their socio-economic security and resources while building a regenerative economy. Industree has firmly taken the lead towards sustainability by curating regenerative value chains out of natural resources like Banana, Bamboo, and Sal & Siali leaves.
Communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change. The world needs fair, sustainable systems that can reverse the effects of climate change on a war footing. Products manufactured within the ecosystem of the natural value chains must act as an alternative to everyday plastic products that we use, which may harm the environment. The report, recently released at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, highlighted how women are agents of change. When they have equal access to decision-making opportunities, they make more sustainable decisions, for example, improved school attendance rates for their children, increased food security, and reduced energy demand (New Report: Why Climate Change Impacts Women Differently Than Men | UNFCCC)
POWER (Producer Owned Women Enterprises) project builds women-owned enterprises and connects them to national and international supply chains for natural and biodegradable fiber products. It intervenes at an intersection of equity, climate, and gender and advances and developmental commitments to economic resilience. Sustainable living promotes regenerative practices and relies on eco-friendly alternatives. POWER implemented by Industree with support from USAID exemplifies an example of natural fiber-based livelihoods for the women’s community.
POWER brings environmental sustainability to the forefront. Using natural materials – like Sal-Siali and Bamboo from nature does not cause pollution or damage the environment. In bamboo product making, the shoot of bamboo is used. In leaf plate making, leaves from the trees in the forest are used. There is also an impetus given to cultural continuity skills like weaving, tailoring, bamboo making, and leaf plate making contain native wisdom passed on through generations in the family of women producers. The women receive skills and training which enable them to understand their role in conserving the environment/planet. Women here are taught ethical ways of sourcing and manufacturing products and thus save a lot of carbon footprint. The 6Y empowerment training under POWER brings awareness of women producers’ identity, sustainable production, ownership of the product, and pride of value to customers.
The two significant effects of inter-linking gender with climate result in
- Socio-economic employment opportunities are created, working closer to nature
- Women producers work on sustainable product-making from the source
The climate-driven impact under POWER has significantly supported natural and eco-friendly based products, with women driving the climate actions and conserving the environment at the grassroots level.
Industree Foundation 