This March, the United Nations recognizes World Water Day, bringing attention to the 2.2 billion people globally without access to safe water. A Mercy Investment Services investment is helping to bring clean water – a basic human right – to nurseries, schools, and community homes in Vietnam.
Across Vietnam, students and teachers spend part of their day collecting sticks, firewood and brush to burn to boil water for consumption. Students lose valuable education time, and burning these materials releases harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Mercy’s investment in the Emission Reduction-Linked Bond directs funds to a manufacturer in Vietnam that makes and distributes ceramic water filters. The project is expected to produce 300,000 units to be delivered to 8,000 schools lacking access to safe drinking water. This translates into more time in the classroom and improved health for more than two million schoolchildren. The filters will improve water quality relative to the current boiling method, reduce health impacts, and reduce deforestation, with an estimated reduction of 3 million tons of carbon dioxide over five years. Watch this short video to learn more about the impacts of these bonds.
Mercy Investment Services’ robust portfolio includes green and social impact bonds such as this that help to drive positive social and environmental change in communities around the world. Learn more about our multifaceted impact investing.