Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Housing and Cooking – Pakistan

This project incorporates several elements into an integrated, energy-efficient home-building and living solution. By introducing improved brick kilns, a low-energy and high-insulation brick, an energy-efficient home design and a highly efficient stove, this activity is conserving resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while creating more comfortable living spaces for the people of Pakistan.

Fast facts:

Improved brick kiln conserves 40% of fuel;
Improved block insulates four times better than regular brick;
Improved stove uses 30% less fuel than regular wood cooking;

The problem

Pakistan is a developing country where most of its energy is produced through the combustion of wood, charcoal, and fossil fuels – resulting in the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Pakistan’s fast-growing brick manufacturing industry accounts for up to a quarter of Pakistan’s carbon emissions, due mostly to the fact that bricks are made in inefficient kilns where a third of the heat is lost. But with a growing population, Pakistan is in need of housing solutions that are low-carbon yet comfortable.

The solution

This activity introduces a more efficient brick kiln, a compressed earth block, an energy-efficient house design and a more efficient cook stove. The kiln’s improvements consist of the implementation of the use of fly ash and glass wool insulation, a special external covering and a chimney damper. The compressed earth blocks are made of readily available waste material stone dust mixed with sand, silt, clay, and cement. The blocks are mechanically or manually compressed and then air-dried.

The blocks, which insulate better than conventional bricks, can be used in the construction of energy-efficient houses. Stone dust is filled into a wall cavity that acts as an additional insulating layer, resisting heat penetration from the outside and insuring a steady indoor temperature. Floors are also insulated, minimizing interior dampness. A wind catchment system from the floor with louvered windows insures proper air circulation. The home also features a central solar lighting system.

Finally, a smoke-free Shahbaz stove burns fuel more efficiently. The portable stove can be used for both cooking and heating water at the same time, providing disinfected water for drinking and hot water for washing.

Helping the planet

The improved kilns are environmentally friendly, emitting less greenhouse gases. Other pollutants like particulates are also reduced, as well as thermal pollution. Since the compressed blocks do not require firing, no fuel will be used, resulting in zero emissions of greenhouse or other gases.

Better-insulated homes also reduce energy use, conserving natural resources. Higher stove temperatures reduce cooking time and conserve fuel. This helps control deforestation and carbon emissions. Taken as a whole, this project diminishes Pakistan’s carbon footprint and ameliorates global warming.

Helping people

Pakistani families benefit from more safe, cost-effective, and clean living environments. The program makes people’s lives more comfortable while increasing the resilience of communities to the effects of climate change.

Scaling up

The project has the potential to contribute to the sustainable development of all of Pakistan, as well as other parts of the world – like such as India and Bangladesh – where populations are increasing, economies developing and the brick-making industry is growing.