Problem

Across India, communities living in extreme poverty face intersecting crises of economic exclusion and environmental degradation. Informal waste pickers endure hazardous conditions while recycling nearly 20% of the nation's waste without receiving fair compensation or qualifying for social protections recognition. Smallholder farmers grapple with soil depletion and climate shocks that threaten their already precarious livelihoods. These marginalised groups - predominantly women, Dalits, and Indigenous communities - remain excluded from both economic opportunities and climate solutions.

Responses

Upaya Social Ventures seeks to adopt a strategic approach to these challenges by investing in early-stage businesses that can simultaneously address economic injustices and environmental imperatives. While not exclusively focused on climate action, Upaya has identified decarbonisation as a powerful pathway to catalyse dignified livelihoods at scale. Through patient capital and hands-on support, Upaya supports enterprises to formalise informal sectors and transform ecological challenges into economic opportunities.

Their climate-focused portfolio seeks to demonstrate this dual impact. In waste management, companies like Green Worms create formal employment opportunities for waste pickers while establishing systems that prevent organic waste from reaching landfills, significantly reducing methane emissions. In agriculture, Upaya-backed startups train farmers in regenerative techniques that sequester carbon while increasing yields and resilience. Upaya reportedly tracks inclusion metrics across its portfolio, with a stated goal of ensuring that 60% of jobs created benefit women and other vulnerable groups. ​​

Find out more: Upaya Social Ventures