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think about a sustainable method.”

“During construction of a building using traditional materials and technology, people do not consider the excessive use of energy and water, or the negative impact on the environment,” he said.

The application of green technology for construction would save energy, water and the environment, he opined.

He suggested redesigning the textbook curriculum to popularise green technology among the new generations.

AFM Saiful Amin, professor civil engineering at Buet, urged the government to promote green construction to save public money spent on pollution control.

“The government has been spending billions of taka to control environmental pollution. If green construction can be promoted and ensured, the government will be able to save huge amounts of funds created to control pollution,” he said.

He called upon the government to give incentives to companies or projects that promote as well as use eco-friendly construction materials.

Md Abu Sadeque, executive director of Centre for Housing and Building Research, recommended the use of alternative bricks, as brick kilns are responsible for huge carbon emission.

Quoting a survey of the Department of Environment, he said, “Brick kilns are responsible for 58 percent of air pollution, and the social cost of manufacturing a concrete block is Tk 44, whereas it is Tk 60 for a brick.”

Saying that use of concrete and hollow blocks reduces the use of rods, cement and other construction materials, he said, “We can produce high quality stone blocks by processing river sand. Many countries have adopted this technology.”

Tanjim Ferdous, national consultant of Communication and Campaign Management, United Nations, moderated the webinar.