International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis

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Thirty Years’ Quest for Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh

Received: Feb. 06, 2020    Accepted: Feb. 24, 2020    Published: Mar. 10, 2020
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Abstract

Brick kilns have been the backbone of the construction industry in Bangladesh due to non-availability of stones in enough quantity. Brick kilns in the country use age-old technologies, which are inefficient with high emissions. In addition, the industry uses low quality of coal as fuel, with high ash and sulfur content; there by contributing to the worsening of air quality. This paper discusses the developments in brick making during the past 30 years in search of higher energy efficiency and lower pollution. It is seen that the progress in pollution abatement and energy efficiency improvement have been slow; resulting in considerable health burden for the population and other economic losses for a long time. In recent years, some affordable designs of low polluting and more energy efficient kilns have been introduced by the Department of Environment (DOE) through a number of programs; including World Bank financed Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) Project. These efforts have led to considerable pollution reduction i.e., by more than 70% for PM (Particulate Matter) and coal consumption reduction by around 30% at individual brick kiln level. Large low emission industrial kilns with imported technology are also being established. However, the rollout of these energy efficient and low emission technologies in substantial numbers is yet to be achieved. Some moves are also afoot to increase the use of non-fired bricks. In order to achieve quick all-round gains, both push as pull factors for the change in current situation need to be mobilized. What is needed is a well-articulated time bound ‘Theory of Change (ToC)’ for green and clean brick industry in the country. Success in this endeavor will substantially reduce the air pollution levels bringing health benefits to local population. Concurrently, it will also reduce the land-use footprint, top soil use, loss of agricultural productivity and Green House Gas (GHG) emission from the brick kilns. In addition, this will also improve employment and working conditions for labor employed in the brick sector. A simplified ToC for a cleaner and greener brick sector for a ten years’ period is outlined in this work.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12
Published in International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis ( Volume 8, Issue 1, February 2020 )
Page(s) 11-22
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Brick Kiln, Energy Efficiency, Low Emission, Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, GHG Emission, Health, Top Soil, Theory of Change

References
[1] DOE 2018A: Report S-23 CASE Project, DOE; The 2018 inventory of Brick kilns in Bangladesh prepared by JNU (Jahangir Nagar University), 2018.
[2] DOE 2017: Report on Brick kiln energy efficiency and Emission, prepared by Institute of Heat and Refrigeration Engineering, Hanoi University and Bangladesh Consultants Ltd (IHRE-BCL Consortium), CASE, DOE Report S8A (2017)
[3] DOE 2012: Report on Design and Practice of Improvement of Existing Zigzag kilns with guidelines, prepared by Xian Research and Design Institute in China of Wall and Roof materials, China and Clean Energy Alternatives. Report CASE, DOE S9A (2012)
[4] WB 2011: Introducing Energy-efficient Clean Technologies in the Brick Sector of Bangladesh, WB, Maria Sarraf, Lelia Croitoru, M. Khaliquzzaman, Shakil A. Ferdausi and Jie Li; ESMAP Publication Series, Report No. 60155-BD, The World Bank, Washington DC.
[5] Stephen P. Luby, Debashish Biswas, Emily S. Gurley, Ijaz Hossain; Why highly polluting methods are used to manufacture bricks in Bangladesh; Energy for Sustainable Development 28 (2015) 68–74
[6] DOE 2018B: Report on Brick kiln energy efficiency and Emission, by BCSIR, DOE Contract Report no- S10 (2018).
[7] DOE 2015: Report on Identification and apportionment of Sources from Air Particulate Matter at Urban Environments in Bangladesh; Prepared by Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Report CASE, DOE S13 (2015).
[8] S. K. Guttikunda, M. Khaliquzzaman, Health benefits of adapting cleaner brick manufacturing technologies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Air Qual Atmos Health, 7 (1), (2014).
[9] WB 2018: Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis (2018), World Bank.
[10] Lelia Croitoru, Maria Sarraf; Benefits and Costs of the Informal Sector: The Case of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh; Journal of Environmental Protection, 2012, 3, 476-484.
[11] Sarath K. Guttikunda & Bilkis A. Begum & Zia Wadud; Particulate pollution from brick kiln clusters in the Greater Dhaka region, Bangladesh; Air Qual Atmos Health (2013) 6: 357–365.
[12] Bjorn Larsen, Benefits and costs of brick kiln options for air pollution control in Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh Priorities, Copenhagen Consensus Center, 2016; https://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/sites/default/files/larsen_outdoorairpollution.pdf
[13] Tietenberg 2004: Tradable Permit Approaches to Pollution Control: Faustian Bargain or Paradise Regained?; Tom Tietenberg, http://www.colby.edu/personal/thtieten/; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251762142_Tradable_Permit_Approaches_to_Pollution_Control_Faustian_Bargain_or_Paradise_Regained
[14] Hossain, M. A., Zahid, A. M., Arifunnahar, M. and Siddique M. N. A.; Effect of brick kiln on arable land degradation, environmental pollution and consequences on livelihood of Bangladesh; J. Sci. Technol. Environ. Inform. 06 (02): 474-488 | (2019).
[15] Stein et al 2014: Understanding ‘Theory of Change’ in International development: A review of Existing knowledge; D. Stein and C. Valters; www.theoryofchange.org/.../pdf/UNDERSTANDINGTHEORYOFChangeSteinValters...
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    Mohammed Khaliquzzaman, Appalarajugari Sesha Harinath, Shakil Ahmed Ferdousi, Salim Mohammed Munjurul Hannan Khan. (2020). Thirty Years’ Quest for Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 8(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12

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    ACS Style

    Mohammed Khaliquzzaman; Appalarajugari Sesha Harinath; Shakil Ahmed Ferdousi; Salim Mohammed Munjurul Hannan Khan. Thirty Years’ Quest for Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh. Int. J. Environ. Monit. Anal. 2020, 8(1), 11-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12

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    AMA Style

    Mohammed Khaliquzzaman, Appalarajugari Sesha Harinath, Shakil Ahmed Ferdousi, Salim Mohammed Munjurul Hannan Khan. Thirty Years’ Quest for Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh. Int J Environ Monit Anal. 2020;8(1):11-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12,
      author = {Mohammed Khaliquzzaman and Appalarajugari Sesha Harinath and Shakil Ahmed Ferdousi and Salim Mohammed Munjurul Hannan Khan},
      title = {Thirty Years’ Quest for Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh},
      journal = {International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis},
      volume = {8},
      number = {1},
      pages = {11-22},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijema.20200801.12},
      abstract = {Brick kilns have been the backbone of the construction industry in Bangladesh due to non-availability of stones in enough quantity. Brick kilns in the country use age-old technologies, which are inefficient with high emissions. In addition, the industry uses low quality of coal as fuel, with high ash and sulfur content; there by contributing to the worsening of air quality. This paper discusses the developments in brick making during the past 30 years in search of higher energy efficiency and lower pollution. It is seen that the progress in pollution abatement and energy efficiency improvement have been slow; resulting in considerable health burden for the population and other economic losses for a long time. In recent years, some affordable designs of low polluting and more energy efficient kilns have been introduced by the Department of Environment (DOE) through a number of programs; including World Bank financed Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) Project. These efforts have led to considerable pollution reduction i.e., by more than 70% for PM (Particulate Matter) and coal consumption reduction by around 30% at individual brick kiln level. Large low emission industrial kilns with imported technology are also being established. However, the rollout of these energy efficient and low emission technologies in substantial numbers is yet to be achieved. Some moves are also afoot to increase the use of non-fired bricks. In order to achieve quick all-round gains, both push as pull factors for the change in current situation need to be mobilized. What is needed is a well-articulated time bound ‘Theory of Change (ToC)’ for green and clean brick industry in the country. Success in this endeavor will substantially reduce the air pollution levels bringing health benefits to local population. Concurrently, it will also reduce the land-use footprint, top soil use, loss of agricultural productivity and Green House Gas (GHG) emission from the brick kilns. In addition, this will also improve employment and working conditions for labor employed in the brick sector. A simplified ToC for a cleaner and greener brick sector for a ten years’ period is outlined in this work.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Thirty Years’ Quest for Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Improvement of Brick Kilns in Bangladesh
    AU  - Mohammed Khaliquzzaman
    AU  - Appalarajugari Sesha Harinath
    AU  - Shakil Ahmed Ferdousi
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    T2  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
    JF  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
    JO  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7667
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20200801.12
    AB  - Brick kilns have been the backbone of the construction industry in Bangladesh due to non-availability of stones in enough quantity. Brick kilns in the country use age-old technologies, which are inefficient with high emissions. In addition, the industry uses low quality of coal as fuel, with high ash and sulfur content; there by contributing to the worsening of air quality. This paper discusses the developments in brick making during the past 30 years in search of higher energy efficiency and lower pollution. It is seen that the progress in pollution abatement and energy efficiency improvement have been slow; resulting in considerable health burden for the population and other economic losses for a long time. In recent years, some affordable designs of low polluting and more energy efficient kilns have been introduced by the Department of Environment (DOE) through a number of programs; including World Bank financed Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) Project. These efforts have led to considerable pollution reduction i.e., by more than 70% for PM (Particulate Matter) and coal consumption reduction by around 30% at individual brick kiln level. Large low emission industrial kilns with imported technology are also being established. However, the rollout of these energy efficient and low emission technologies in substantial numbers is yet to be achieved. Some moves are also afoot to increase the use of non-fired bricks. In order to achieve quick all-round gains, both push as pull factors for the change in current situation need to be mobilized. What is needed is a well-articulated time bound ‘Theory of Change (ToC)’ for green and clean brick industry in the country. Success in this endeavor will substantially reduce the air pollution levels bringing health benefits to local population. Concurrently, it will also reduce the land-use footprint, top soil use, loss of agricultural productivity and Green House Gas (GHG) emission from the brick kilns. In addition, this will also improve employment and working conditions for labor employed in the brick sector. A simplified ToC for a cleaner and greener brick sector for a ten years’ period is outlined in this work.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Environment Team, World Bank Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Environmental and Natural Resources Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA

  • Environmental and Natural Resources Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA

  • MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Section