More than 200,000 people across five districts in Madhya Pradesh, India, have benefitted from low-cost, non-electric water purification devices.
Socioeconomic challenge
In the marginalised communities of Madhya Pradesh, accessing clean drinking water is a formidable challenge. Many residents rely on unsafe water sources, such as groundwater from hand pumps, ponds and open wells, which are frequently contaminated with harmful chemicals or microbes. While boiling water is essential for ensuring safety, only 60% practise it due to poverty, lack of awareness and limited access to fuelwood. However, boiling accelerates deforestation, increases carbon emissions and further burdens women, who are often tasked with collecting the wood needed for fuel. These combined factors not only harm the environment but also deepen the health and economic struggles faced by these communities, creating a cycle of hardship.
Purpose and strategy
In December 2021, Carbon Impact Capital (CIC) launched its Safe Drinking Water Programme, providing over 200,000 people in five districts of Madhya Pradesh—Niwari, Tikamgarh, Khandwa, Barwani and Jhabua—with affordable, non-electric water purification devices. This initiative directly reduces the need for boiling water, cutting carbon emissions and easing the burden of fuelwood collection.
It includes a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) campaign to educate communities about the health and socio-economic benefits of safe drinking water. The project fosters economic growth by creating livelihood opportunities for women and youth, enhancing their skills and promoting financial independence. Additionally, their direct participation in the project supports sustainable resource management, promotes community-led practices and enhances overall resilience, resulting in lasting social and environmental impact.
The programmes are certified by the Gold Standard, a leading global carbon registry, enabling them to earn carbon credits by reducing emissions over approximately 10 years. CIC sells these credits for revenue and has a four-year contract with a European buyer for a portion of them.
Impact and innovation
CIC's programme is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1,400,620 tonnes over the next decade and save 31.29 tonnes of fuelwood per household over the next decade.
These reductions help combat deforestation and preserve local biodiversity, demonstrating a significant environmental impact.
Socially, the programme has already benefited 42,218 households by providing reliable access to clean drinking water and reducing water-borne diseases. Women, who previously spent around 543 hours annually gathering fuelwood, now have more time for economic opportunities and skill development.
Additionally, the programme has created 180 jobs, boosting economic growth in underserved communities. Its integration of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) campaigns further enhances its impact by promoting healthier practices and supporting 12 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Future outlook
Looking ahead, CIC plans to expand its efforts in providing safe drinking water to an additional 250,000 people in the existing operational geography in India, totalling 500,000 individuals by 2025.
In Nepal, CIC will install rainwater harvesting and water purification units in 1,000 schools, benefiting over 500,000 people over three years. In Sri Lanka, CIC will provide water filters to 200,000 families, supporting 1 million people. CIC also aims to expand its Safe Drinking Water Program to other parts of India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia and Africa, targeting 5 to 10 million people and reducing 25 to 50 million tonnes of CO2e emissions in the next 5 to 10 years. CIC is engaging with corporate investors, donors, and international partners to achieve these goals.
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