New Delhi, May 9 -- A handful of inexpensive changes in how Bangladeshi brick kilns are run have cut energy use by nearly a quarter and slashed emissions - a breakthrough that could transform one of South Asia's most polluting industries, a new study has found. The findings may hold promise for similar informal kilns in India.

Just five low cost measures can help brick kilns boost energy efficiency, help slash carbon dioxide and air pollutant levels, according to the paper published in the journal Science.

Tested in 276 brick kilns in Bangladesh, the interventions - which included changes to fuel feeding, kiln insulation, brick stacking and worker incentives - led to a 23 per cent drop in the amount of energy used to fire bricks, leadi...