Climate Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

In 2009, Shazia Khan, a Pakistani-American, created EcoEnergy to distribute solar energy as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to kerosene, diesel and wood that was leading to the massive deforestation in Pakistan. In 2010, deforestation took its toll and the country was devastated by flooding, displacing 20 million. The non-profit responded by raising $24k and distributing 1000 solar lanterns to the flood affected. Only when Shazia was in the depths of the most remote rural areas did she comprehend the magnitude of the energy poverty villagers were facing and the difficulty in reaching them reorganizing into a last-mile distribution network.

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Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Increasing reliable access to clean energy in Pakistan provides numerous benefits - from improved comfort and quality of life in the home to increased productive hours and efficiency of local businesses. Improving energy access to rural households in particular has specific benefits for Pakistani women. In general, women are the primary collectors, users, and managers of energy in their households as they spend more time indoors performing household tasks. Increased access to reliable and clean energy sources helps improve indoor air quality, ameliorating negative health effects for women who spend most of their time indoors; allows women to perform tasks when most convenient for them rather than around the availability of electricity; and improves work conditions in the home. 

In addition to providing greater energy access for women, EcoEnergy has demonstrated a commitment to integrating women into the workforce. We have identified customer service, data science, human resources, and upper-level management as suitable, culturally-appropriate positions for the recruitment of women. These positions allow for women to work remotely, from the safety of their homes and with flexible hours. We are also examining innovative ways to include more women in sales positions within and around their own villages, so that we may in turn target more women as primary customers. Two examples of this:1) Employing female coders and data scientists through a partnership with herDomain. Several interns were hired, subsequently employed, and have gone on to commence a masters degree. 2) Establishing a partnership with the Summer Sisters program to connect Pakistani women college students and recent graduates with internship and employment opportunities at EcoEnergy.