Climate Change and the Urban Informal Economy: Global Research and Worker Perspectives

How is climate change reshaping work, and what can be done to cope? As global average temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves, heavy rains, and flooding don’t impact all workers in the same way. People working and living informally, who often lack adequate infrastructure, social protection, and workplace protections, are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events.

As member states consider how to advance a just transition at COP30 in November, it is essential that policies and plans respond to the climate shocks undermining workers’ health, productivity and incomes.

On October 29 at 08:00 EST, WIEGO is hosting the webinar “Climate Change and the Urban Informal Economy: Global Research and Worker Perspectives”. In this session, we will present findings from a new global research, conducted in partnership with worker organizations in Brazil, India, Peru and Thailand. The research documents how extreme heat and flooding are impacting workers’ incomes, productivity, health, and infrastructure, and highlights the adaptation strategies workers are using. StreetNet International and HomeNet South Asia will also share their perspectives. Participants will gain important insights into how national and sectoral plans can better centre workers’ needs and leave no one behind.

Key Topics

• How does the local context influence the type of climate change impacts, adaptations, and policy priorities for different cities and sectors (namely home-based workers, street vendors and waste pickers)?
• How do these research findings resonate with what workers’ organizations are already experiencing?
• What collective coping strategies should be prioritized?
• How is the fight against climate change being used for movement building?

Speakers

• Poonsap Tulaphan (Director, HomeNet Thailand).
• Shalini Sinha (Asia Strategic Lead, WIEGO).
• Carmen Roca (Lima Focal Cities Coordinator, WIEGO).
• Sonia Dias (Waste Sector Specialist, WIEGO).
• Suelen Cardoso (Waste picker leader, National Movement of Waste Pickers of Brazil).
• Nash Tysman (Organiser for Asia, StreetNet International).
• Srishti Joshi (Coordinator, HomeNet South Asia).

The webinar will be moderated by Ana Carolina Ogando (Research Coordinator, WIEGO) and Marcela Valdivia (Project Manager, WIEGO).