Reducing emissions and air pollution from informal brick kilns

INTRODUCTION:

In many low- and middle- income countries, it is commonly believed that weak state and regulatory capacities limit the ability to reduce pollution and mitigate climate impact. In Bangladesh and across South Asia, most brick manufacturing takes place in informal, traditional coal- fired kilns. These kilns are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, leading to an enormous public health burden.

RATIONALE:

In Bangladesh, efforts to improve the brick kiln industry over the past 30 years have had limited success. Our past work suggests that a correctly operated zigzag kiln (a traditional kiln type that accounts for 81% of the sector) can not only improve efficiency but also increase kiln profits. However, most zigzag kilns in Bangladesh are incorrectly operated, leaving these social and private benefits unrealized. Improving energy efficiency presents an alternative strategy to reduce emissions and pollution while also delivering productivity gains.

RESULTS:

We developed a low- cost intervention to improve the energy efficiency of zigzag kilns and conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the intervention among 276 kilns in Bangladesh.

Our study included a control arm and two intervention arms (a “technical” arm and a “technical+incentive information” arm). All kilns assigned to both intervention arms received information, training, and technical support to adopt operational improvements that improve fuel combustion and reduce heat loss in the kilns.

These improvements specifically targeted how coal is fed during the firing process and how bricks are stacked inside the kiln, along with several other aspects of operation.

Kilns assigned to the “technical+incentive information” arm also received explicit information regarding the business rationale for incentivizing workers to adhere to the new practices. There was high demand for the intervention, with 65% of intervention kilns adopting the intervention’s recommended firing and stacking practices.

Notably, 20% of control kilns also adopted these practices, bolstering the interpretation that demand was high. There were no differences in adoption between the two intervention arms and no use of incentives or benefits in the “technical+incentive information” arm. We studied the intention- to- treat (ITT) effect of random assignment to the intervention, as well as the impact of the intervention after adjusting for compliance using an instrumental variables (IV) framework. Among compliers, the intervention led to substantial reductions in the amount of energy used to fire bricks (23%) and corresponding reductions in carbon dioxide (20%) and particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 μm (20%).

These gains were achieved without any evidence of a rebound in energy demand. Kiln owners also benefited financially from the intervention; production of the highest quality category of bricks increased in intervention kilns and spending on fuel per brick declined. The primary costs of the RCT were the training costs and technical support costs throughout the season. Using a social cost of carbon of 185 USD per metric ton to value the reductions in CO2 emissions, we find the benefits of the intervention outweighed the costs by a factor of 65 to 1, and that these reductions were achieved at an average cost of 2.85 USD per ton.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study demonstrates that meaningful reductions in emissions by traditional kilns are achievable, even in the absence of stronger regulations, if they can be made financially attractive to private kiln owners.

Source: Science 08 05 2025

Pope Francis' influence on sacred architecture

Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, may not have written an encyclical addressed to architects, but his pontificate leaves an indelible influence on sacred architecture. His words and actions demonstrated a shift from the Pope as monarch to a pastor, concretized by choosing to stay at the modest Casa Santa Marta. There, he said daily Mass at a common chapel and joined ordinary people in the cafeteria for meals. He compared the Roman Catholic Church to a field hospital to underscore its mission to heal the sick, not only physically but, more importantly, spiritually.

Sanctuario De La Salle.

The Manila Times interviewed architects Bong Recio and Carlos Arnaiz about the place of spirituality in their architectural practice. Recio, who was involved in designing the Church of the Gesu at Ateneo de Manila, seeks "spiritual guidance when designing spaces such as places of learning. Unlike commercial projects, these spaces provide the environment that will help shape future lives; thus the importance of relevant design in this case."

Arnaiz, who designed Sanctuario De La Salle in Biñan and who studied philosophy before architecture, felt that "the spaces we build are our reflection of the ideas we have about our world. We try to ground our work every day on questions of how self and community relate to the mysteries of the spirit."

Both architects demonstrate what can be called Pope Francis' architecture of pardon, one of the concrete fruits of the extraordinary Year of Mercy the late pontiff declared in 2016. Not a few churches here and abroad were built following the idea of compassion to communicate openness to everyone. The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord at Megamall, with a designated space for children, encourages invitation rather than insulation and exclusion.

Church of the Gesù in the ADMU campus.

Other transformations in church buildings that architects and this writer have observed are the following: a greater dominance of the image of Christ, like the enormous cross at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in Powerplant; the presence of water features, symbolizing the "fountains of divine mercy," like the holy water fountain at the Church of the Gesu; more commodious spaces for the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and as seen at the Sto. Niño de Paz Church in Makati commercial center, improving on the dingy water closet style that was uncomfortable both for the confessor and penitent.

Pope Francis' Laudato Si, his encyclical on the Earth as Common Home, stands to influence construction significantly. According to Recio, "For too long, development, instead of enriching people's lives, seems to have been having the opposite effect. As developers build taller buildings, cities have become more dense, with projects oftentimes promoted as green developments. Sustainable architecture is very much on the rise, but I feel not enough is being done. I am recalling what I just read this morning about 21 reclamation projects in Manila Bay: two ongoing and 12 approved. Where will it end?"

A few weeks before his death, Pope Francis allowed the advancement of the cause of sainthood of Antonio Gaudí, the architect of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia. Arnaiz said of the latter's accomplishments: "The manner in which he harnessed the inventiveness of structural materials, such as steel reinforced concrete. Understanding the hidden geometries that make these materials perform and stimulate, while at the same time being an homage to the natural world. These surround us by creating columns that resemble trees' courtyards that feel like underwater, environments, and windows and doors that remind us of the mouths and eyes of animals."

Calling Gaudí both a saint and a pioneer for architects, Arnaiz said that he has dedicated his practice "to find contemporary translations of this blend of technology and ecology for our 21st century."

Pope Francis has changed the grammar of church architecture to one that conveys God's closeness and clemency, as well as a commitment to love the earth and nature.

Source: Manila Times

The architects' role in sustainable urban conservation

Urban conservation and sustainable urban design are integral to disaster risk reduction management, especially in the Philippines, where many heritage towns are highly vulnerable to natural calamities. Typhoons, earthquakes and floods pose significant threats to these areas, aggravated by aging infrastructure and climate change.

Architects can collaborate with local government units (LGUs) to combine urban conservation efforts with sustainable urban design to safeguard cultural heritage and improve disaster resilience.

Many Philippine historic towns were not designed to withstand modern environmental challenges. As a result, retrofitting and adaptive reuse have emerged as vital strategies, strengthening these structures while preserving their historical integrity. Some traditional building materials, like wood, bricks, and adobe stones, necessitate reinforcement to adhere to contemporary safety standards.

Urbanization's unregulated developments encroach upon heritage sites, increasing their vulnerability to disaster risks. Historic towns in coastal and riverine areas are vulnerable to floods and rising because aging drainage and sewage systems intensify flooding problems. The same is true of those in earthquake-prone areas because of their delicate foundations and the lack of seismic retrofitting.

Vigan, a Unesco World Heritage site known for its well-preserved Spanish-era architecture, remains at risk from seismic activity. The magnitude-7.0 earthquake in July 2022 caused damages to its historical structures, including the Vigan Cathedral and old-century houses along Calle Crisologo. In response, Unesco's collaborative project with Icomos Philippines protects Vigan's historic structures, helps them recover from earthquake damages, and restores them for future generations.

Conservation efforts have focused on adaptive reuse and sustainable materials in Taal, Batangas, and its well-preserved ancestral houses. Taal is exposed to earthquakes, volcanic activity and flooding. Taal's LGU coordinates with national agencies that conduct restoration projects and initiate conservation efforts. It has mapped out high-risk zones and developed flood management systems to protect heritage sites and residential areas.

Iloilo City's Calle Real has been the focus of revitalization efforts to preserve its architectural heritage while enhancing structural resilience. The restoration of its Art Deco and Neoclassical buildings incorporated retrofitting strategies to reinforce them against seismic movement. A flood mitigation strategy, the Iloilo River Esplanade project integrated natural floodplains and green infrastructure to bolster urban resilience. These initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach to heritage conservation and sustainable urban design which can create disaster-resilient communities.

The framework of several national policies integrates disaster resilience with urban conservation. Republic Act (RA) 10066 mandates LGUs to protect and conserve the Philippines' cultural heritage. RA 11961 reinforces efforts in cultural mapping and enhances cultural heritage education programs nationwide. The Green Building Code of the Philippines promotes climate-responsive design, which can be applied to heritage buildings through passive cooling techniques and adaptive reuse. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 encourages LGUs to integrate disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies into local urban planning. The Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 supports climate adaptation and nature-based solutions benefiting heritage towns in flood-prone areas.

Architects can translate these national policies into tangible built environments. Their expertise is essential for the preservation and adaptive reuse of heritage structures. The Green Building Code of the Philippines demands that they be adept in climate-responsive design and selecting sustainable materials. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 require them to integrate resilience into their designs by creating structures capable of withstanding natural disasters while minimizing environmental impact. In implementing these policies, architects bridge the gap between legislative objectives and the development of a sustainable and culturally enriched built environment.

Architects advocate for nature-based solutions that mitigate disaster risks. They ensure that policies and urban planning frameworks respect historical authenticity and climate resilience. Green infrastructure, such as tree-lined buffer zones, bioswales, and wetland restoration, enhances heritage sites' aesthetic and ecological value and protects them from climate-related threats.

Collaboration with LGUs and community engagement are essential in crafting local conservation strategies integrating disaster risk reduction and management. Many residents perceive conservation as solely the preservation of old structures, overlooking its role in enhancing resilience against natural hazards. Architects can address this misconception by demonstrating how conservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings contribute to safety, sustainability and climate resilience. Public awareness campaigns, workshops and participatory planning sessions can involve communities in decision-making processes.

Given the Philippines' rapid urbanization and climate-related threats, integrating disaster risk reduction into urban conservation as interconnected disciplines is imperative. Sustainable interventions should focus on retrofitting and strengthening historic structures, improving drainage and flood control systems, promoting mixed-use development in heritage districts, and incorporating green. Architects play a vital role in this transformation, working with urban planners, landscape architects, and local stakeholders to ensure that heritage towns remain livable and well-prepared for future challenges.

Source: Manila Times