HOW IT WORKS
Organisations pledge
By joining Water Unite, retailers and brands commit to direct the equivalent of one cent per litre of water sold (or other products) to Water Unite.
Consumers support Water Unite
Participating organisations may use the Water Unite logo to encourage consumers to use their purchasing power for good.
Everyone can play a part
Joining Water Unite is voluntary and anyone who buys, sells or consumes products can take part. Collective action could raise $billions each year.
WATER SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST
Most of the people in dire need of water and sanitation are in sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and South America. Water supplies are often unreliable, or too expensive for the poorest people and current investments do not always target areas of greatest need. Due to climate change, more and more people are living in water-distressed areas.
Many organisations and governments are putting in pumps and pipes to get water flowing, but much more funding is needed overall. Currently not enough goes to local entrepreneurs building up local services, local business development and maintenance⁶. To put it simply, the world needs more funds and better systems to keep clean water flowing.
PUTTING A HALT TO POLLUTION
Waste has quickly become one of the world's biggest problems. The oceans have become a dumping ground, endangering marine life and introducing plastic into the food chain. Whilst in cities, landfill sites are growing and plastic waste is breeding disease.⁷
We recognize that plastic pollution is a global problem. Water Unite invests to move away from the current take-make-dispose industrial model, to introduce a circular economy, redefining growth and focusing on positive society-wide benefits.
6. See Lion’s Head Global Partners Global Investment Fund for Water: Assessing Financing Need in the Global WASH Sector and Identify the Most Efficient Structure for Disbursement p.8. www.giffwater.org
7. Information from UN Single-Use Plastic - A Roadmap for Sustainability >