Context:
Rapid population growth and urbanisation in Bangladesh are leading to a sharp rise in demand for housing and infrastructure. As a result, the construction industry is growing by eight per cent annually. However, traditional building materials, especially burnt clay bricks, have a massive impact on the environment and climate. The industry is also marked by inefficient and often illegal production methods, which exacerbate environmental and social problems. Limited natural resources like gravel, a high dependency on cement and a lack of technological innovation are making the transition to green building materials more difficult.
The Government has introduced regulatory measures to reduce environmental pollution, but implementing the regulations remains a challenge. At the same time, there is a lack of political and economic incentives for companies to produce sustainable materials on a large scale. Better political, economic and technological conditions are needed to facilitate climate-adapted urban development.
Objective:
National, municipal and private sector leaders in Bangladesh are implementing a just transformation in the construction sector in terms of the environment, climate and society.
Approach:
The project, which is supported financially by the European Union (EU), promotes green building in Bangladesh. It has three priority areas:
1. Adapting policy and regulatory documents: it advises governmental actors on developing a strategy for climate-friendly construction. It supports cross-departmental dialogue between various stakeholders.
2. Ensuring quality: it develops institutions that test and certify construction materials. This makes it easy to identify certified, environmentally friendly products on the market.
3. Promoting industry: through training courses, the project facilitates an environmentally and socially just transition in the construction industry.