Summary for app

The production of fired bricks is a major source of emissions. These bricks are also relatively expensive, which means fewer people can afford disaster-resilient housing. In come compressed stabilised earth bricks (CSEBs), which are less polluting and cheaper to produce and disaster resilient. The manufacturing of these bricks is also a viable business if there is capacity, investment, and a market for this product. Entrepreneurs in Nepal have been capitalising on this opportunity – selling bricks, creating jobs, and reducing emissions.

The problem

Almost half of the housing stock in Nepal does not meet safety standards because of unaffordable construction materials, chief among them fired bricks. This leaves millions at risk of disasters. Moreover, the manufacturing process of such bricks is a source of concern in itself, given that it accounts for 37% of CO2 emissions in Nepal, contributing to warming, air pollution, melting of Himalayan glaciers, and disasters. Therefore, the brick industry’s polluting nature and the affordability of fired bricks are major issues that contribute to climate-induced disasters and disaster-prone housing.

The solution

We help communities build green, safe, and affordable houses by replacing fired bricks with compressed stabilised earth bricks (CSEBs). The production of our interlocking earth bricks emits 75%–78% less CO₂ and is 90% less polluting than the production of fired bricks. CSEBs are stronger than fired bricks as construction materials because of their interlocking feature and the use of a building technique using rebars. CSEBs are also cheaper than fired bricks (around 25% cheaper in housing construction, depending on house size and type). This solution offers sustained benefits through contributions to emission reduction, lower costs, and climate-resilient housing.

The approach

We sell machines for CSEB production, along with training and support packages, to local entrepreneurs in Nepal. The entrepreneurs then manufacture the bricks, sell them, and build houses, which are especially popular with low-income families. This solution reduces CO₂ emissions and provides disaster-resilient housing while fostering local empowerment. We also assist entrepreneurs in creating a market of trust for this technology by introducing local governments to its benefits, constructing demonstration houses, and conducting social media campaigns promoting the technology.

The results

As of 2022, we have engaged 306 entrepreneurs, who have built 8,120 houses, created 3,170 jobs, and saved 74,227 tons of CO2 emissions. This marks significant progress, up from 6,009 houses till 2021, demonstrating the scalability of this solution. As a large segment of the Nepali population is entering the middle class, we are leveraging their demand for low-cost housing to grow our market. Moreover, as many south Asian countries have begun imposing limits on fired brick production, we expect an increased demand for CSEBs, which are cheaper, stronger, and more eco-friendly. Niruta B.K., an entrepreneur from Dhading District of Nepal, shares her story: ‘When we started our business, the locals were not convinced about CSEBs. But now we’ve built a good demand for our bricks, and we’re acquiring another CSEB machine to increase production’.