Following the catastrophic 2015 earthquake that left over 866,000 homes in ruins, a Nepalese startup called Build up Nepal has been at the forefront of sustainable reconstruction. Their innovative solution, the ECO2Brick, is an eco-friendly, interlocking compressed earth brick made from locally sourced soil, sand, and minimal cement. Unlike traditional fired bricks, these eco-bricks do not require high-temperature kilns, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 90% and reducing construction costs by around 40%. To date, the initiative has enabled the construction of more than 11,000 houses, created over 2,200 jobs, and empowered local communities to rebuild using affordable, resilient materials.
The ECO2Brick technology not only lowers the carbon footprint but also enhances building safety. During a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in November 2023, structures made with these bricks remained standing, proving their durability. As a finalist for the 2024 Earthshot Prize, Build up Nepal plans to scale up by building 100,000 homes by 2030, which would save an estimated one million tonnes of CO₂. This model of combining sustainable construction with local entrepreneurship is gaining recognition as a promising approach to rebuilding disaster-prone areas while fostering economic growth and community resilience. More