Earth5R

ESG & CSR For Construction & Real Estate Sector

Case Study: Horticulture Livelihood and Urban Greening Initiative with Earth5R and Larsen & Toubro

INTRODUCTION

In collaboration with Larsen & Toubro, Earth5R initiated an innovative horticulture program in a large slum area of Mumbai. The program focused on training women living in the slums to grow and nurture small plants. The program addressed multiple urban challenges, which includes air quality concerns, the urban heat island effect, and lack of livelihood opportunities. By using local resources like compost and upcycled containers, this program not only generated income for the women but also contributed to local plantation drives which reduced the carbon footprint and enhanced the city’s greenery.

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

Most urban areas like Mumbai suffer from a shortage of trees, which leads to poor air quality, heat retention, and eventually  a rise of temperatures. This is especially the case of rooftops made from tin, where the urban heat island effect is prominent. Additionally, women in slum areas often lack sustainable livelihood opportunities. Traditionally, saplings for plantation programs are transported from distant nurseries which adds to the carbon footprint. This program was formulated to address these interconnected challenges by growing saplings locally while offering economic opportunities for slum women.

In India’s slums, metal rooftops trap heat, worsening living conditions as temperatures rise.

EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION

Earth5R created a holistic solution that combined environmental restoration, economic upliftment, and social empowerment:

  1. Training Program for Women: Earth5R volunteers trained 1,400 families in the slum area on how to grow saplings from seeds and small plants from saplings. These women gained practical knowledge on composting, plant care, and container gardening, using their rooftops as mini nurseries.
  2. Use of Local Compost and Upcycled Containers: The compost given to these women was sourced from Earth5R’s composting programs, where residential buildings in the local area were taught to process food waste. Upcycled containers, gathered through recycling initiatives, were used as pots for the saplings. This process helped create a closed-loop circular economy.
  3. Addressing the Urban Heat Island Effect: By growing plants on rooftops, the project helped reduce rooftop temperatures, especially during the hot summer months. Watering the plants daily cooled the rooftops and improved the indoor temperature of the houses which ultimately enhanced living conditions.
  4. Selling Saplings to Corporates: Once the saplings reached maturity in 2-3 months, they were sold to corporations conducting plantation programs. Initially these plants were transported from outside the city, but by growing them locally, the program significantly reduced the transportation related carbon footprint.

Plants are placed on rooftops to minimize heat and cool the space below.

OUTCOMES

  1. Saplings Grown and Sold:
    • Each of the 1,400 families who participated in the program grew 70 to 80 saplings per cycle. Each cycle lasted around 3 months. Over the course of 1 year (four cycles), the total number of saplings grown was approximately: 1,400 families x 75 saplings x 4 cycles = 420,000 saplings produced per year.
  2. Income Generated:
    • Each woman was paid Rs.100 per sapling. Thus, the total income generated for these women over one year was: 420,000 saplings x ₹100 = ₹4.2 Crores (₹42,000,000), directly contributing to the economic empowerment of the slum dwellers.
  3. Carbon Offset:
    • On an average, one tree can offset 22 kg of Carbon Dioxide per year. Assuming that half of the saplings survive to full maturity, the carbon offset for 210,000 trees would be: 210,000 saplings x 22 kg of CO2 = 4,620,000 kg (4,620 metric tonnes) of Carbon Dioxide offset annually.
  4. Circular Economy Value:
    • By integrating compost made from food waste and upcycled containers into the program, Earth5R managed to reduce waste while creating a tangible circular economy impact. The use of local compost and recycled materials significantly contributed to sustainability while creating a robust economy around waste management.
  5. Environmental and Social Impact:
    • Environmental Impact: The initiative increased green cover in the urban area, which resulted in improved air quality, reduced temperatures, and better overall environmental conditions. Locally grown plants also reduced the transportation-related carbon footprint.
    • Social Impact: Women in the slum area gained a new source of livelihood, improving their economic status and empowering them with skills in horticulture and sustainable practices.

Slum residents are paid once the plants reach sufficient height and are ready for transplantation.

THE ROAD AHEAD

The success of this initiative has inspired Earth5R and Larsen & Toubro to expand the program to other urban areas in India. The long-term vision is to scale this model across more cities, addressing urban environmental challenges while providing livelihood opportunities to underprivileged communities.

 

ABOUT EARTH5R

Earth5R is an ESG and CSR “Action” platform that empowers communities to take real-world action on environmental challenges. Through its circular economy programs, Earth5R fosters sustainable solutions while driving social impact and economic growth. Earth5R’s work has contributed to offsetting over 954,000 tons of CO2, planting 87,000 trees, and engaging 1.3 million citizens globally. By leveraging technology through its award-winning app, Earth5R enables individuals, governments, and businesses to collaborate in building sustainable, resilient communities