Third Policy and Advocacy Network Asia Meeting

Organisers: ICIMOD, Climate and Clean Air Coalition

About the meeting

The Policy and Advocacy Network (PAN) Asia meeting will bring together governments, policy makers, stakeholders, and influencers to share and receive updates about the state of brick production and understand newer and sustainable solutions for cleaner brick production.

We are organising the third PAN Asia meeting in collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), for brick producers from Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. It will provide a common platform to discuss and present brick kiln related local, regional, and national issues. It also aims to identify brick production related policies, ensure harmonization of policies, and sharing of best practices to promote cleaner and more efficient brick production.

The first PAN Asia meeting was held on 18–20 February 2015 in Kathmandu Nepal, followed by the second meeting on 20–21 June 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, the outcomes of which were incorporated into the brick sector factsheets for Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Pakistan. The outcomes of the meetings also helped establish an incubation centre for the Technical Resource Development Committee (TRDC) unit under the Federation of Nepal Brick Industries (FNBI) to undertake research and development activities.

Background

Brick production in the region has changed in recent years. New technologies, science, and research in emission measurements have helped the industry understand the importance of cleaner brick production. However, in Asia, red fired bricks are still the most preferred building material in comparison with other alternative materials. Asia alone accounts for 87% of the global production, i.e., 1300 billion bricks each year.

Although the brick industry contributes significantly to the economy, it also has adverse impacts on environment and health. Brick production generates particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide emissions and is major source of black carbon and other short-lived climate pollutants. These emissions contribute heavily to global warming, melting of glaciers, and have adverse health impacts.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has been partnering with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to coordinate and upscale activities related to the brick sector, at a regional level across South Asia and beyond. Thus, as part of our initiative, we have helped accelerate the reduction of black carbon and other emissions from brick kilns by introducing and promoting zig-zag kiln technology. In particular, ICIMOD has held several meetings with governments and policy makers to intervene at social and policy levels in the Punjab district in Pakistan, with support from the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC), National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) and Brick Kiln Owners’ Association of Pakistan (BKOAP).

Agenda