India’s energy transition is one of the biggest stories of our time. And most of it is still waiting to be told well.
At Vasudha Foundation, we’ve spent the past several months making a series of films that try to do exactly that, to tell this story of energy transition from the ground up. Through the people living it. The workshop owners, factory workers, mechanics, and everyday Indians whose lives are quietly being reshaped by an energy shift most of us are only beginning to notice.
Frames of Transition, a curated dialogue on how energy transition stories are being told today and how they can better connect with the people they aim to reach.
Transition Stories
The documentary explores the aspirations, challenges and local perspectives of textile unit owners and factory workers in shifting towards cleaner practices and electrified heating systems. It presents electrification and heat pumps as an alternate technology for providing process heat in textile units while also addressing challenges of fuel supply risks, price volatility, operational inefficiencies, pollution, and emerging global market pressures linked to decarbonisation standards.
In India, the idea of reuse is deeply embedded in everyday life. Today, this mindset is becoming critical in one of the most resource-intensive sectors: automobiles.
The documentary exploring circularity in the automobile sector. For over a year, we followed stakeholders in the refurbishment and retrofittment sectors, revealing through real-life stories, how these solutions are already creating value on the ground, making mobility more affordable, accessible, and sustainable.
The film presents insights from a public perception survey, capturing how people across India understand, experience, and respond to the energy transition. Developed through multiple rounds of perception surveys, the project engaged with people across age groups, genders and professions. The findings reveal a clear message: while many recognise that change is happening, fewer connect it to their own lives and livelihoods. Bridging this gap is critical to building a transition that is inclusive, grounded, and people-centred.
As India accelerates towards clean energy, adopting a people-centric approach towards energy transition is crucial to protect and support highly impacted regions, associated workers, small businesses, and vulnerable communities.
Our video succinctly showcases data-driven insights and expert perspectives on challenges, opportunities, and solutions for ensuring a people-centric energy transition.
As the world transitions to cleaner energy, we need to ensure that no one is left behind. This video explores what a just energy transition really means through voices from India, Southeast Asia, Africa, Germany, and beyond. Drawing from interviews with experts and community leaders, we unpack the gaps between global rhetoric and local realities. From financing challenges and power imbalances to the need for local leadership and inclusive planning, this video highlights why justice, equity, and community resilience must be at the heart of energy transition.