Climate action and clean water for a greener future

As pet lovers, we understand how important clean, safe water is not just for us, but for every living creature - that’s why our commitment to climate action goes beyond reducing carbon emissions. We also want to ensure communities across the world have access to one of our most essential resources - clean water.

In Lango, Uganda, access to clean water has long been a major challenge. The boreholes that provide safe drinking water often fall into disrepair because there simply isn’t the funding or training available to maintain them. Without these boreholes, communities are forced to turn to unsafe water sources like streams, and the water must be boiled to make it drinkable. Not only does this take a huge toll on dwindling forests (as firewood must be collected), but it also adds a heavy burden on women and children who spend countless hours each day gathering firewood and water. Even after all that effort, boiling doesn't always guarantee the water is safe, leaving families vulnerable to diseases.

The Uganda Water Project

The Uganda Water Project aims to break this cycle. By rehabilitating broken boreholes, the project is giving thousands of people access to clean, reliable water. Since the project began in 2019, it has made huge strides, from cutting carbon emissions to improving community health and even supporting gender equality.

How does this impact climate change?

By eliminating the need to boil water, the Uganda Water Project has reduced the reliance on firewood, leading to an annual reduction of 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Less pressure on forests means more trees left standing, which helps balance our climate. For families in Lango, this means cleaner air, healthier environments, and time saved - time that women and children can now spend on education, income-generating activities, or just enjoying time together.

The Uganda Water Project is the first of its kind to be certified under the Gold Standard's Gender Responsive Framework, a certification that ensures the project actively promotes gender equality. Since the project began, female representation in local Water Resource Committees has risen to nearly equal levels, and domestic conflicts over water collection have decreased significantly. Women now have more time for productive activities, from earning an income to social and leisure activities that improve well-being. It’s a small but crucial step toward ensuring that every member of the community benefits from the work being done.

When people have reliable access to water, they thrive. Schools see better attendance, women find new opportunities, and entire communities become healthier and more resilient. This is why we’re so proud to support projects like this one, as we continue on our mission to protect people, the planet and our pets.