Helping a project developer increase impact and make their project sustainable through integrated carbon asset development and sales
Aqua Clara is a water purification project in Kenya, where 19 million people don’t have safe water. It provides communities with affordable, easy-to use filters, so they can access safe water at home. This not only means families can avoid boiling water over smoky fires to remove impurities, it also saves them from spending time and money collecting and buying fuels, and reduces damaging carbon emissions.
About our partner
Aqua Clara is dedicated to public health education, with a particular focus on water, sanitation and hygiene. It had previously raised funds for training and water filters largely through philanthropic donors, but was keen to find a longer-term income source to support the project. Our proven track record in developing and commercialising climate and development projects motivated Aqua Clara to approach us for guidance on the benefits of carbon finance. We are also delighted that Aqua Clara has since joined ClimateCare in becoming a B Corporation.
What we did
In 2014, ClimateCare committed to buying Aqua Clara’s first 75,000 Gold Standard Verified Emissions Reductions (VERs) and selling them to a long-standing customer. Since then, we have taken over the development of the carbon asset, managed the project’s transition to a Gold Standard for Global Goals, run the 4th Verification and are now doing the 5th.
The Gold Standard for the Global Goals seek to deliver climate action while responding to other key elements of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, including decent work, gender equality and health and wellbeing.
The ClimateCare team is involved in all aspects of the project, from on-the-ground training for field staff, to measuring carbon reductions and progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Our impact
Since ClimateCare first helped Aqua Clara to sell carbon credits from its projects, the company has saved 120,000 tonnes of CO2 and gained the resources to introduce a new, more flexible, faster water filter. While the additional revenue stream has made the programme sustainable, our direct involvement in the project from start to finish reassures both Aqua Clara and clients purchasing carbon credits. In 2018, Aqua Clara became one of just 18 companies to gain B Corporation status in East Africa – an accolade that highlights its social and environmental impact.