Developing a strategic pathway to guide sustainable brick production in Mexico

There are approximately 17,000 artisanal brick kilns in Mexico, or one third of all brick kilns in Latin America. These kilns are rudimentary open kilns which emit high levels of short-lived climate pollutants in Mexican cities. Over half the brick production (58%) is concentrated in just three states: Puebla, Jalisco and Guanajuato, where demand for bricks is high.   

Mexico’s National Institute for Ecology and Climate Change is working with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Centre for Human Rights and Environment to provide tools and support to develop policy frameworks for the brick sector through the Policy and Advocacy network for Latin America. It is working to increase knowledge and identify policy options that can support government action to modernize the sector.  

A business model is being developed for a municipality from Jalisco or Guanjuato to explore private investment opportunities to modernize artisanal brick production and reduce emissions of black carbon and other pollutants. 

The initiative supports the development of a strategic pathway to guide sustainable reconstruction efforts throughout Mexico through the development of a pilot kiln program in the State of Guanajuato, which later be transmitted to other localities and States across the country. 

Mexico is a focus country for the CCAC’s Bricks Initiative  which promotes and creates enabling environments that achieve substantial reductions of black carbon and other emissions from the sector and transform it into a healthier, more profitable, and socially responsible industry.