Bangladesh's Fight Against Pollution: Strategies And Initiatives

Bangladesh is taking several steps to reduce pollution, particularly air pollution, which is currently among the worst in the world. Dhaka, the capital, has an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 77.1 micrograms per cubic meter, more than eight times higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency's standard. Air pollution is responsible for about 20% of premature deaths in Bangladesh, reducing the average life expectancy by 6.8 years. To combat this, Bangladesh is transitioning from traditional fuel-burned bricks to alternative bricks made from concrete blocks, which will save agricultural topsoil and reduce air pollution. The country is also exploring clean energy options, including nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas, and implementing policies such as the Air Pollution Control Rules to improve air quality management.

Transitioning to clean energy sources

Bangladesh's energy transition is particularly challenging due to its limited renewable energy sources. Solar and wind resources are modest, and the country has weak hydropower potential. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has made some progress. It has installed solar power plants with a capacity of 541.7 MW, with an additional 911.8 MW in progress, as well as a 149 MW wind power plant. Over six million solar home systems have been set up in off-grid areas, and improved cookstoves have been distributed to rural regions. These initiatives have helped Bangladesh achieve 2.93% renewable energy in its energy mix, with a target of 15% by 2030, 40% by 2041, and 100% by 2050.

To further its transition to clean energy, Bangladesh is investing in nuclear energy, with two new nuclear power plants under construction. While nuclear energy is emission-free, it has been a costly endeavour, with the Rooppur project costing $12.65 billion. Bangladesh is also exploring liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a nearer-term option to improve air quality, as it burns cleaner than coal and oil.

The country is also taking steps to improve energy efficiency, which is key to a successful clean energy transition. The government has prioritised the rollout of prepaid gas meters to residential customers to disincentivise gas usage and encourage efficiency. Additionally, the installation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems will improve the monitoring of gas flows and reduce methane leaks.

Bangladesh's transition to clean energy sources is a work in progress, and the country is committed to ramping up green energy initiatives. While challenges remain, the country is taking steps to address its energy needs while reducing pollution and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Reducing vehicle emissions

Bangladesh is taking several measures to reduce vehicle emissions, a major source of air pollution in the country. Here are some key actions being undertaken:

New Vehicle Emissions Standards:

The Department of Environment (DoE) has revised the 2005 vehicular emission standards for diesel and petrol-run vehicles. The new standards propose a significant reduction in carbon monoxide emissions for petrol-run vehicles, from 4.5% to 0.5%. For diesel-run vehicles, the proposed standards are 60 Hartridge Smoke Units (HSU) for turbocharged vehicles and 50 HSU for non-turbocharged vehicles, a reduction from the previous standard of 65 HSU. These standards aim to improve air quality in Dhaka and across Bangladesh.

Encouraging Electric Vehicles:

Bangladesh is promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce pollution and reliance on fossil fuels. The country is setting up a lithium-ion battery production plant with an annual capacity of 1 gigawatt. Local companies, such as Bangladesh Lithium Battery Ltd., are leading the way in this transition. The government has also formulated the Automobile Industry Development Policy 2021, which offers tax holidays and financial incentives for local manufacturing of electric cars. Additionally, the popularity of hybrid vehicles is growing in Bangladesh due to lower operational costs and government incentives.

Phasing Out Internal Combustion Engines:

Bangladesh intends to phase out internal combustion engines and replace them with electric vehicles. This transition is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve air quality. The transport sector currently accounts for 9% of total GHG emissions in the country. By switching to electric vehicles, Bangladesh aims to achieve its goal of reducing emissions by 3.4 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2030 in the transport sector.

Improving Enforcement:

While Bangladesh has set emission standards, there has been a lack of proper enforcement due to limited facilities and equipment. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) issues fitness certificates to vehicles but lacks the necessary equipment to examine vehicular emissions in most of its offices. To address this issue, the government needs to invest in emission test facilities and equipment to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of the new standards.

Addressing Adulteration of Fuel:

The adulteration of diesel and petrol by unscrupulous traders is a significant concern. Professor Mohammed Ehsan, a mechanical engineering teacher at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, highlights that impurities mixed with diesel and petrol result in vehicles spewing out more pollutants. Strict implementation of laws and regulations is necessary to tackle this issue and reduce vehicle emissions.

Overall, Bangladesh is taking important steps to reduce vehicle emissions by introducing new standards, promoting electric vehicles, phasing out internal combustion engines, improving enforcement, and addressing fuel adulteration. These measures are crucial in improving air quality and reducing the health and environmental impacts of pollution in the country.

Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)

Bangladesh has made significant progress in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) over the years. Here are some of the key initiatives and interventions:

Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Approach: CLTS is a bottom-up approach that empowers communities to take ownership of their sanitation facilities. It involves "triggering" processes that ignite community interest in ending open defecation and encourage the construction of simple toilets. This approach has been successful in reducing open defecation practices and increasing access to sanitation facilities.

Rainwater Harvesting: Bangladesh experiences both flooding and drought, making access to water a challenge. The government and NGOs have implemented rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for household use, improving access to safe water, especially in rural areas.

Arsenic Mitigation: Many groundwater sources in Bangladesh are contaminated with arsenic. The government has implemented programs such as drilling deeper wells, installing community-based arsenic removal filters, and promoting alternative water sources like surface water and rainwater harvesting to mitigate arsenic contamination.

Community-Based Handwashing Stations: Handwashing is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases. The government and NGOs have set up handwashing stations in public places like schools, markets, and bus stations to improve handwashing practices and promote better hygiene.

Sanitation Entrepreneurship: Bangladesh has encouraged the development of sanitation-related businesses by providing training and support to individuals. This has created job opportunities and increased access to affordable sanitation products and services.

Behavior Change Communication: The government and NGOs have conducted behavior change communication campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of WASH practices. These campaigns aim to improve hygiene practices and reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

Low-Cost Sanitation Technologies: Bangladesh has developed and promoted affordable sanitation technologies such as pour-flush latrines and pit latrines, making them more accessible to households.

Public-Private Partnerships: The government has formed partnerships with the private sector to increase investment and improve the quality and accessibility of WASH services. These partnerships have helped address funding gaps and enhance the efficiency of service delivery.

Menstrual Hygiene Management: Many girls and women in Bangladesh lack access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities, impacting their health and education. The government and NGOs have implemented programs to increase access to these essential products and facilities, including installing menstrual hygiene management units in schools.

School-Based WASH Interventions: Interventions in schools have improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for students, contributing to better health and attendance.

Overall, these initiatives have led to significant improvements in the WASH sector in Bangladesh. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring sustainable access to safe water and sanitation facilities, especially in rural and remote areas. Continued collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society is crucial to address these challenges and achieve universal access to WASH services.

Using alternative bricks to reduce air pollution and save topsoil

Bangladesh is taking decisive steps to address its air pollution crisis, which has severe impacts on the health, economy, and environment of the nation. One key initiative is the transition to alternative bricks, which holds the promise of reducing air pollution and conserving agricultural topsoil.

The Problem with Traditional Brick-making

The country's brick-making industry, with around 7,000 brickfields, consumes approximately 3,350 million cubic feet of topsoil or clay annually to produce about 23 billion bricks. This large-scale extraction of topsoil degrades agricultural land, rendering it infertile and threatening sustainable agriculture and food security. The current brick-making methods also contribute to air pollution, with brick kilns in the Dhaka region alone releasing millions of tons of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other hazardous compounds each year.

Alternative Bricks to the Rescue

Bangladesh is shifting towards alternative bricks, such as concrete blocks, compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs), hollow concrete blocks, and other innovative solutions that do not rely on topsoil. The Bangladesh Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI) is leading the way in developing these alternative building materials. These alternative bricks are made from locally available resources like dredged river soil, cement, sand, and iron. By using these alternative materials, the country can significantly reduce the pressure on topsoil while also cutting down on air pollution.

Government Support and Policy Changes

The Bangladesh government has recognised the environmental challenges posed by traditional brick-making and is taking proactive measures. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister, announced that alternative bricks would be prioritised for official constructions. The government has set a target to use alternative bricks for all government works starting this year. Additionally, the Bangladesh Brickmaking and Brick Field (Control) Act 2019 discourages the use of topsoil from agricultural land for brick-making, aiming to protect arable land and promote sustainable materials.

Benefits of Alternative Bricks

Alternative bricks offer a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. Their production cost is about half that of conventional burnt bricks. By using alternative materials, Bangladesh can save a significant amount of topsoil while still meeting the growing demand for infrastructure development. This approach demonstrates the country's commitment to environmental stewardship and sets an example for other nations to embrace innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Bangladesh's transition to alternative bricks is a commendable step towards reducing air pollution and conserving topsoil. By implementing policy changes, encouraging sustainable practices, and investing in alternative materials, the country is paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future, ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the environment.

Implementing stricter controls on industrial emissions

Bangladesh is taking steps to address its severe air quality crisis, which has far-reaching consequences for the health, economy, and environment of the nation.

One key measure is the implementation of stricter controls on industrial emissions. Major rivers in Bangladesh have experienced a severe decline in water quality due to industrial discharge and unmanaged waste, including plastics and untreated sewage. To combat this, Bangladesh has agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% unconditionally and by a further 10% with international financing support, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

The country has also established environmental laws and regulations, such as the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act (BECA) of 1995, which provides a comprehensive framework for environmental protection and establishes the Department of Environment (DoE) as the lead agency for regulating pollution, enforcing standards, and granting environmental clearances. However, enforcement of these laws has been weak, and challenges such as a lack of political will, corruption, and public apathy have hindered progress.

To strengthen its efforts, Bangladesh should focus on demonstrating a strong political will to protect the environment, enhancing enforcement of existing laws, raising public awareness, and collecting comprehensive data on pollution and climate vulnerability across the country. By taking these steps, Bangladesh can effectively reduce industrial emissions and improve its overall environmental sustainability and resilience.

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