Using Data Science to Transform India's Brick Kilns
Rights Lab project lead: Doreen Boyd
Funder: MSIF
Duration: April 2023 - March 2025
Programme: Measurement and Geographies
Brick kilns across the “Brick Belt” of south Asia can be thought of as objects of UN Sustainable Development Goals intersectionality - SDG 8 (decent work) and those relating to urbanisation (SDG 11, 12), environmental degradation and pollution (SDG 3, 14, 15), and climate change (SDG 13). The material risks to the SDGs posed by brick kilns are exacerbated by the industry being unregulated and relying on a traditional manual production system, meaning working conditions are harsh and precarious and environmental impacts unchecked.
This project provides a data science approach, underpinned by satellite EO data, to reducing environmental impacts and improving worker welfare in the brick production industry of India. Project stakeholders, in India, will understand how information provided via a data and technology platform (GeoAI) to inform their varied work in the brick kiln industry.
Outcomes include enhanced capabilities to (i) regulate firing technologies in kilns; (ii) target worker rights; (iii) plan liberation activities; and (iv) deliver community resilience/education towards decent work in a changing climate. The project’s outcomes also include evidence on what works, ready for scale-up across surrounding countries.
New Training Module
Our new training module (available in English only at present) is now available and free for all. Through a self-guided training journey including quizzes, interactive visualisations, and recommendations you can explore how worker welfare and climate change are linked within the context of the Indian Brick Kiln Sector.
You can access the training module here:
https://xerte.nottingham.ac.uk/play_51145
Download our reports:
Recommendations for Worker Welfare: Brick Manufacturing Responses to Climate Change for Workers
Recommendations for Worker Welfare: Brick Manufacturing Responses to Climate Change for Kiln Owners
Recommendations for Worker Welfare: Brick Manufacturing Responses to Climate Change for Policymakers
Recommendations for Worker Welfare: Brick Manufacturing Responses to Climate Change for CSOs