Building Climate Resilience for Vulnerable Communities
We work with communities to develop practical, evidence-based solutions that reduce climate risks, improve living conditions, and strengthen resilience. From heat adaptation to sustainable housing interventions, our initiatives demonstrate how simple innovations can create healthier homes and more climate-resilient communities.
About the Programme
Climate change disproportionately affects low-income communities, where inadequate housing and limited access to adaptive infrastructure increase exposure to extreme heat and environmental risks. Our climate resilience initiatives focus on developing practical, community-centred solutions that improve health, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable living.
Working alongside research institutions, technical partners, and communities, we implement interventions that combine scientific evidence with local knowledge to identify solutions that are affordable, culturally appropriate, and scalable.
One such initiative is REFLECT, a global research collaboration studying the impact of cool roof technologies on health, indoor temperatures, and household wellbeing. Ahmedabad is one of four international study locations, with implementation led locally by Saath and the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG).
Understanding the Challenge
Extreme heat is becoming one of the most significant climate risks for vulnerable urban communities. Many families living in informal settlements experience high indoor temperatures caused by poorly insulated roofs, affecting health, productivity, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing.
Simple, affordable passive cooling solutions—such as cool roofs and climate-responsive housing improvements—have the potential to reduce indoor heat exposure, improve thermal comfort, and create healthier living environments. These practical interventions not only strengthen community resilience to rising temperatures but also support long-term climate adaptation in resource-constrained settings.
Towards Climate-Resilient Communities
As climate challenges continue to evolve, we remain committed to developing practical, research-driven solutions that strengthen community resilience and improve quality of life. By combining scientific evidence, local partnerships, and community participation, we aim to support climate adaptation strategies that are effective, scalable, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities.
