Sustainable, Carbon-Saving Construction - Uganda

Sustainable, Carbon-Saving Construction trains young Ugandans in an innovative, carbon-saving building technology, giving them construction skills that improves education, opportunities and livelihoods.

Fast facts:

Research by a leading British quantity surveyor concluded that construction costs can be reduced by up to 30% using the ISSB. This is because the blocks are made on site and are uniformly shaped, while there is little mortar used between courses and much less need for plastering.

The problem

Uganda has one of the fastest growing populations on earth. There is an urgent need for skills training and for developing employment opportunities, while at the same time meeting basic humanitarian needs. While there are many charities working in education, water and sanitation, few give much thought to the environmental impact they are making.

The solution

This activity advocates for the use of carbon-saving Interlocking Stabilised Soil Block [ISSB] for construction as an alternative to the traditional fired brick, which is devastating Uganda’s forests. The ISSB is a compressed block of moistened soil, mixed with a little cement, which is cured rather than fired. ISSB is stronger and more durable than the traditional fired brick.

Helping the planet

Since the ISSB is not fired, no trees are chopped down to fuel brick kilns. Ancient forests are preserved and C02 emissions drastically reduced.

Helping people

This activity is also transforming communities, building low-cost school buildings and installing rainwater storage tanks and sanitation facilities. Using a curved block, rather than the straight one used for buildings, they construct rainwater harvesting water tanks at a fraction of the cost of other kinds of tank. These water tanks provide a valuable supplementary water supply for schools and homes. By doing this, this activity is responding to water and sanitation needs in a country where many still have no access to clean water.