COBENEFITS OF AIR POLLUTION REDUCTON FROM BRICK KILNS BY MOVING TO CLEANER TECHNOLOGY IN BANGLADESH

Abstract:

Brick kilns in Bangladesh are highly polluting because they use crude technology and low quality coal as fuel with high ash and sulfur content. The air pollution impact of the brick kilns is enhanced by the fact that the brick burning season coincide with the dry season when air pollution levels are at their peak. Recently, a comprehensive study on this issue has been carried out and various policy options for way forward including move to more energy efficient and cleaner technologies have been evaluated. It has been found that there are major savings in terms of fuel saving and reduction in GHG emission. These benefits have been estimated using established methodologies for a selected option under different scenarios. Uncertainties, in the figures obtained arise from the different assumptions and the methodologies used in the calculations. Thus, the estimates have upper and lower limits rather than specific values. The health cost savings for the Dhaka city population are estimated to be between $23.3 to 38.8 million per year as a result of the cleaner technology adoption in the north Dhaka brick kiln cluster. The savings due to improvement in energy efficiency for the move to cleaner technology for the north Dhaka brick kiln cluster has been estimated to be between $1.78- 2.97 million per year and potential Carbon Finance (CF) earning has been estimated to be between $0.82-1.3 million per year. For kilns within a distance of 25 km from Dhaka, the savings have been estimated at $2.69-6.72 million and $1.23-3.09 for coal saving and CF potential respectively. Equivalent benefits for the whole of the country are $7-28 million and $2.8-12.9 million. The project level cost for the transition to cleaner technology has been estimated at $4.05 million over a four year period. The investment requirements at plant level are believed to be comparatively small and affordable on the part of the most entrepreneurs. The benefits from coal savings will go to the entrepreneurs and will pay back the investment within the project period. GHG emission reduction sales earning will accrue to both the entrepreneurs and the workers of the kilns. The study shows that co-benefits of air pollution reduction measures for brick kilns are very high.