CLASP Celebrates International Women’s Day
News
CLASP women leaders are creating meaningful change across the Global South
Efficient appliances and equipment enable people to meet their everyday needs and improve economic prospects. Yet billions of people lack access to them, especially in the regions most affected by climate change.
Closing global appliance access gaps with efficient technology would help the world meet key climate targets while protecting communities against climate shocks, strengthening food system resilience, and boosting livelihoods and economic growth.
Around the world, CLASP is working to increase the availability and affordability of vital appliances such as efficient air conditioners, fans, refrigerators, and solar water pumps —and women from the Global South are leading many of these efforts.
For International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting some of the women creating meaningful change in low- and middle-income countries.
Angellah Nzuna Wekongo
Manager, Africa
“Appliances sit at the center of the climate solution. Billions are in use, driving energy demand and contributing to household and industrial costs. Improving appliance efficiency can help Global South countries meet energy needs reliably and reduce costs.”
Angellah, who is based in CLASP’s Nairobi office, works with policymakers and institutions across Africa to develop and strengthen appliance energy efficiency policies that reduce energy demand and prevent inefficient products from entering the market.
For one project, she supported the South African government in adopting more stringent industrial motor standards—a policy that could save 2.94 billion rand (approximately $180 million USD) annually.
Dr. Dianah Ngui Muchai
Manager, Research
“Climate progress and sustainable economic development in the Global South helps countries prevent long-term dependence on carbon systems while improving energy access and creating new jobs.”
Based in CLASP’s Nairobi office, Dianah leads policy-driven research for the Low Energy Inclusive Appliance (LEIA) program, which seeks to improve access to high-quality appliances across emerging economies.
A prime example of her work is the deployment of solar-powered irrigation and efficient refrigeration in Kenya, resulting in reduced emissions, improved agricultural yields, and higher business revenues.
Edilaine Camillo
Manager, Brazil
“We need policymakers to recognize how appliances address energy poverty and support essentials like safe food refrigeration and cooling during heat waves.”
Based in São Paolo, Edilaine leads CLASP’s work on policies that make Brazil’s appliances more efficient and durable while remaining affordable for consumers.
In a country where 30% of the poorest families sacrifice on food to pay electricity bills, appliance efficiency policies deliver massive economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Edilaine’s achievements include supporting new Brazilian LED lighting standards that reduce electricity bills and improve product quality.
Jiayi Zhang
Manager, Data & Analytics
“Many Global South countries are experiencing rapid economic and population growth, which drives rising energy demand. Through climate policies, we can help ensure climate solutions benefit people and economies alike.”
Jiayi, who is based in Washington, DC, oversees the tools that help CLASP measure the real-world impact of our climate programs. She uses market data to help governments compare different policy options and understand which actions will have the greatest climate impact.
Her work has included leading the development of a framework to identify priority appliances for efficiency policy in Brazil, helping shape the government’s plans through 2030.
Neha Dhingra
Director, India
“Global South countries are urbanizing and industrializing at an unprecedented pace. If we embed efficiency, affordability, and equity into markets from the start, these countries can leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient systems.”
Working from CLASP’s Delhi office, Neha leads our India program, advancing appliance energy efficiency and access across the country through policy, market, and financing interventions.
This work also has important implications for other countries, as India’s leadership in appliance efficiency increasingly informs efforts across Asia and Africa.
Neha’s team has helped the Indian government develop policies that cut the nation’s electricity costs by approximately $6 billion USD between 2018 and 2023, in addition to reducing energy demand and emissions.