Heat, Rain, and Uncertainty: Climate Change and Informal Workers in Bengaluru examines how climate variability and extreme weather events are affecting the livelihoods, health, housing, and financial security of informal workers in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Based on a mixed-methods study involving surveys with 158 informal workers and focus group discussions across multiple settlements, the report analyses how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, water scarcity, and urban flooding intensify existing socio-economic vulnerabilities. The findings reveal that informal workers, particularly street vendors, construction labourers, sanitation workers, and waste pickers, experience frequent income loss, deteriorating health conditions, insecure housing, and increasing indebtedness due to climate-related disruptions. The study highlights the intersection of climate risks with structural inequalities related to caste, migration, gender, and limited access to social protection. It recommends integrated policy interventions focused on climate-resilient housing, labour protection, healthcare access, livelihood security, inclusive urban planning, and participatory climate governance to strengthen resilience and promote climate justice for vulnerable urban communities.
Report