Hogan Lovells has announced a three-year partnership with WaterAid, a global charity dedicated to supporting water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects internationally. 

The partnership will see the transatlantic firm work with WaterAid to progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly its goal of clean water and sanitation, which the firm pointed out underpins almost all other areas of development. 

WaterAid’s CEO, Tim Wainwright, said: “Our partnership with Hogan Lovells, which shares our values and vision, enables us to tap into an incredibly talented and connected network that will be integral to accelerating our progress.”

Hogan Lovells will support WaterAid by providing pro bono advice, volunteer support and a series of fundraising and awareness initiatives, all as part of the firm’s ESG commitments.

Funding from the firm will also go towards the delivery of WASH projects in the Cuamba district of Mozambique, one of the most climate-impacted countries in the world and where more than a third of the population lack access to clean water. One of the projects aims to provide 5,000 people with clean water and good sanitation through new and updated facilities and training.

More broadly, the firm said it would also support WaterAid on policy work to achieve greater progress in delivering other local WASH projects in a sustainable and scalable way.

The firm will also work to advance human rights arguments for access to water, the lack of which particularly impacts women and girls, against the backdrop of ensuring any such solutions were climate change resilient, while also, as in Cuamba, empowering women to participate in planning, decision-making and management of local WASH services.

Elaine Penrose, Hogan Lovells partner, and the co-chair of the WaterAid partnership, said she was looking forward to utilising the firm’s resources on their shared goals, adding: “As a global law firm, we are committed to delivering pro bono, skilled volunteering and fundraising initiatives that have positive impacts in our communities, society and for the environment.

“We look forward to working with WaterAid over the next three years to progress its mission to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene solutions through climate resilient projects with a lasting legacy.”

Adam Garley, country director for WaterAid Mozambique, said: “Climate change is having a devastating impact across Mozambique, with more frequent droughts making it harder for people to get water, and floods and cyclones contaminating or destroying fragile water and sanitation systems.

“Ensuring access to a sustainable supply of clean water and decent toilets will help communities break the vicious cycle of poverty and disease and build a better future,” he concluded.