Today, we’re excited to share how PawCo is making a positive impact on one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – specifically, Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Understanding the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. These 17 goals address global challenges, including those related to hunger, poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. Each goal has specific targets and indicators to measure progress.

Why are the SDGs important? They provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. They recognize that ending hunger and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

In this article, we are focusing on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and how PawCo is striving to achieve and support this critical goal.

What Is SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation?

At PawCo Foods, our mission is to lead the dog food industry towards a more sustainable, health-conscious, and ethical future. Today, we will explore what  SDG 6 means, highlight the environmental benefits of plant-based diets, and explain how PawCo is contributing to a more sustainable world.

As of 2022, approximately 50% of the global population faced significant water scarcity at some point during the year, while around 25% experienced extremely high water stress, consuming more than 80% of their available renewable freshwater resources, according to a UN press release from 2024 . These critical challenges highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management solutions around the world.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Some important goals are:

• Universal access to safe and affordable drinking water.
• Access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for all.
• Improving water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals.

Water is a basic resource that supports life, ecosystems, and human development. However, a major obstacle to reaching these goals is the rising demand for water-intensive agricultural practices, particularly in the production of animal-based food.

The Hidden Water Costs of Animal-Based Diets

Animal farming is a major consumer of freshwater resources. In fact, producing just one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 liters of water​​. This is not just a concern for human diets but extends to our furry friends as well. The environmental impacts of companion animal diets are especially notable, and Gregory S. Okin’s research reveals that dogs and cats in the United States consume as much dietary energy as approximately 62 million people. This is equal to nearly 20% of the US population, showcasing the enormous water footprint associated with animal-based foods​​.

Research by J. Poore gives even more insights into the water usage of different diets. It shows that a vegan diet could reduce an individual’s water footprint by up to 50% compared to a meat-based diet. This large reduction is mostly because plants are generally more efficient in converting water into biomass than animals. This efficiency means that making an equal amount of food energy or protein requires much less water when it comes from plants rather than animals. While plant-based diets can indeed reduce water consumption by up to 20 times compared to diets that include meat, we need to consider that a well-balanced diet, whether plant-based or omnivorous, should be formulated to ensure it includes all necessary nutrients, sometimes requiring careful planning or supplementation​​.

People may not be aware of the environmental costs of eating animal products because the animal agriculture industry tends to downplay how much water their products use and other environmental effects the practices may have. The food production system is also very complicated and broken up, which makes it hard for people to see the full environmental impact of animal-based foods. This makes it hard for people to compare the resource needs of plant-based foods to animal-based foods.

Pawco’s Role in Promoting Sustainable Water Use

At Pawco, we believe that transforming the companion animal food industry is an important step in addressing global water challenges. Our vegan dog food is scientifically formulated to provide all the necessary nutrients while significantly reducing water consumption compared to traditional meat-based dog foods. According to our recent assessment, Pawco’s production of 55,033,947 kcal of vegan dog food over three years has saved approximately 280,673,130 liters of water, which is equivalent to about 112 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This includes 168,403,878 liters of freshwater, or nearly 67 Olympic-sized swimming pools​​.

By choosing plant-based options, we are not only conserving water but also reducing the overall environmental footprint associated with dog food production. This effort aligns with the global push towards more sustainable food systems and the objectives of SDG 6.

The Importance of Awareness and Action

Raising awareness about the environmental impact of food choices is needed to drive change. Consumers, policymakers, and industry leaders must understand the true costs of animal-based diets, including their water footprint. By choosing sustainable alternatives like Pawco’s vegan dog food, we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable future.

Transparency within the industry is also very important. Companies need to be willing to demonstrate their environmental impacts and take responsibility for reducing their water use and pollution. Being open about this will give consumers the power to make informed choices and support brands that prioritize sustainability.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

SDG 6 challenges us to rethink our relationship with water and prioritize sustainable management practices. At Pawco, we are committed to leading by example and promoting a more sustainable dog food industry. Our vegan dog food not only supports the health and well-being of our dogs but also contributes to global water conservation efforts.

As we continue to innovate and advocate for sustainable practices, we invite our PawCo community to join us on this journey. Together, we can make a difference by choosing plant-based diets for our furry friends and asking for more transparency and sustainability in the food industry. Let’s work towards a future where clean water and sanitation are accessible to all, and our environmental impact is minimized.

Author: Juan Felipe Rivadeneira