Working in the Heat: Street Vendors and Climate Justice in Delhi, India
This policy brief explores the increasing impact of extreme heat on street vendors in Delhi, one of the most visible and climate-vulnerable groups within India’s informal economy. Drawing on national data, two rounds of surveys with nearly 500 vendors, infrastructure mapping across 17 markets, and insights from organizations of workers in informal employment and climate experts, the brief provides robust evidence on how rising temperatures are affecting vendors’ health, incomes and working conditions.
Street vendors play a vital role in sustaining urban livelihoods, strengthening food security and supporting low-carbon local economies. Yet they operate with limited infrastructure and minimal access to social protection, leaving them exposed to climate shocks. This brief identifies critical gaps in urban and climate policy and presents evidence-based recommendations to ensure that street vendors’ realities and needs are meaningfully integrated into heat-resilience planning.
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