Protection of health and climate through clean water
The consumption of contaminated drinking water is one of the most common causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the distance to clean water sources is often too far, which is why many families have to boil their water. The heavy smoke produced in the process leads to eye and respiratory diseases, especially among women and children. The climate project tackles these health problems and saves carbon emissions.
With the involvement of the municipalities, defective wells are identified, repaired and maintained. Where necessary, new wells are constructed. This gives people access to clean drinking water without having to boil it. The project saves the carbon emissions that would be produced by boiling water over an open fire or using inefficient cookstoves. At the same time, it improves people's living conditions and protects local forests.
Project Standard
The project contributes to the the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
According to UNICEF, 2.2 billion people worldwide lack reliable access to safe and clean drinking water – 26% of the global population. Women and girls often must travel long distances to collect water from the nearest water point. To make the water safe for use, it is typically boiled over open fires using wood, which generates carbon emissions and harmful smoke. Additionally, the collection of firewood contributes to deforestation.
Climate projects for clean drinking water offer practical solutions. Water can be treated chemically (e.g., with chlorine-based purifiers), mechanically (e.g., with water filters), or through tapping groundwater from wells. For this, wells must be repaired, maintained, or newly installed, as only functioning wells provide clean drinking water. These solutions grant even remote villages access to safe water.
Such projects also reduce carbon emissions by eliminating the need to boil water and help combat deforestation. The clean drinking water projects in ClimatePartner's portfolio are registered with international standards.
The project aims to contribute to these United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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