Earth5R

ESG & CSR Case Study: Hexaware’s Solar Street Light Initiative with Earth5R

 

INTRODUCTION

Hexaware, a leading IT and business process outsourcing company, sought to make a meaningful impact through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Hexaware partnered with Earth5R to address infrastructure challenges in urban and rural areas of Mumbai by installing solar-powered street lights in urban spaces while simultaneously supporting underprivileged tribal families with solar lamps in rural off-grid areas.

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

In the selected urban area of Mumbai, there was a significant lack of proper street lighting, leading to safety issues for the local community, especially during the night. The absence of functional street lights had increased risks of accidents and crime, reducing the quality of life in the area. At the same time, in the nearby national forest area, tribal families living in off-grid conditions faced a different kind of lighting problem. These families had no access to electricity, meaning children couldn’t study at night, and women struggled with household tasks like cooking after dark, leading to safety and lifestyle challenges.

EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION

  1. Urban Area Solar Street Light Installation: Earth5R began by conducting an in-depth study of the urban area to assess the community’s needs, identify high-risk zones, and optimize the placement of the solar street lights. Under Hexaware’s CSR program, Earth5R deployed 50 solar street lights with integrated solar panels, allowing the lamps to charge during the day and illuminate at night. This not only addressed the lighting problem but also significantly improved safety conditions for local residents.
  2. Rural Area Solar Lamp Initiative: For every solar street light installed in the urban area, Earth5R provided one solar lamp to a tribal family living in the off-grid national forest area of Mumbai. These solar lamps were crucial for improving the lives of tribal families, enabling children to study at night and helping women perform household tasks after dark with ease. The lamps also enhanced safety and provided families with more quality time for education and social interactions.
  3. Connecting Urban and Rural Challenges: The initiative was unique in that it linked two distinct but related problems. In the urban area, Hexaware and Earth5R tackled a public safety issue through solar street lights, while in the rural area, they addressed the lack of basic lighting infrastructure for tribal families. By connecting these two communities, the program not only brought safety and convenience to urban residents but also empowered rural families with access to light, improving their quality of life and education opportunities.

OUTCOMES

  1. Enhanced Urban Safety: The installation of 50 solar street lights significantly improved safety and security in the urban area, reducing risks of accidents and crime, and boosting the confidence of residents to move around the area after dark.
  2. Improved Quality of Life for Tribal Families: The provision of solar lamps to tribal families in off-grid areas directly improved their living conditions. Children could now study after sunset, and women could manage household tasks more efficiently. The solar lamps also provided additional safety at night, contributing to a better quality of life for these families.
  3. Holistic Social Impact: This initiative addressed both urban and rural challenges in a single, unified project. By tackling safety concerns in urban areas while supporting underprivileged rural communities, Hexaware and Earth5R created a broader social impact that bridged the gap between different regions and socio-economic groups.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Hexaware plans to expand this initiative by installing more solar street lights in other urban areas, while continuing to provide solar lamps to off-grid tribal families across the region. This dual-impact model aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.

With Earth5R’s continued collaboration, the program aims to address infrastructure gaps and improve the lives of both urban and rural communities, ensuring long-lasting social and environmental benefits.

About Earth5R 

Earth5R is an ESG and CSR “Action” platform that helps businesses like Hexaware implement impactful, on-ground sustainability projects. With its tech-driven approach to managing and reporting real-world data, Earth5R ensures measurable results that contribute to a company’s ESG goals while benefiting communities.