Economic Assessment of Climate Mitigation Pathways (2015–2050) for the Brick Sector in India

Abstract

India is the second largest producer globally, of fired brick in traditional kiln technologies with 250 million bricks produced yearly. Amongst different sectors, brick production is an important contributor to several SLCPs like black carbon, and ozone precursors like non-methane volatile organic compound and carbon monoxide. This report presented develops and evaluates the evolution of SLCP emissions from India, during 2015–2050, from the brick sector, under two different scenarios of diffusion of cleaner technologies and practices, compared to that under a reference scenario. Net emissions of SLCPs from India in 2015 from the brick sector are estimated at 422.89 GT CO₂ eq. (using GWP-20). Total achievable mitigation of SLCPs in 2050 is 25% under a promulgated policies scenario, while it is 80% under a prospective policies scenario. Mitigation strategies of brick industry require shift from traditional burnt bricks to introducing higher use of unburnt bricks. A cost–benefit analysis shows that SLCP mitigation cost is as low as 59 Rs./tonne of CO₂ eq., which is significantly lower than those estimated for GHG mitigation in India. Actions reducing emissions from brick industry require shift towards manufacturing of unburnt bricks which also reduce warming of the atmosphere and benefit public health.