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Bankole
Daudu1, Julia Zakharova1, Emmanuel Itodo Daniel 1
1
School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering
University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
B.A.Daudu@wlv.ac.uk
Abstract
This paper investigates the nexus between infrastructure and climate
change in Nigeria, particularly amidst rapid urbanization. Employing a
qualitative methodology, the study delves into industry perspectives,
prevailing sustainable practices, and recommendations through in-depth
interviews with ten seasoned professionals spanning Nigeria's six geopolitical
zones. Study findings underscore a growing awareness of climate change,
manifested through tangible impacts like flooding, heatwaves, loss of
livelihood, biodiversity loss, desertification, and health repercussions.
However, a noticeable knowledge gap persists, particularly concerning the
implications for the built environment. Encouragingly, participants are already
incorporating certain sustainable practices such as green land conservation,
renewable energy, and low-carbon materials, albeit predominantly in highway and
building projects. The study highlights an urgent imperative to expedite the
construction industry's shift toward climate-conscious practices. This
necessitates robust interventions encompassing awareness campaigns, legislative
measures, incentives, and fostering public-private collaboration. The study
underscores that as Nigeria progresses towards its infrastructure development
ambitions, overlooking the sector's environmental implications risks
exacerbating emissions.
Keywords
Climate Change, Civil Engineering Projects, Construction, Emissions,
Greenhouse gases, Nigeria, Sustainability
1. Introduction
Civil engineering projects
worldwide, ranging from railways to skyscrapers, play a crucial role in a
nation's development, impacting the economy, society, and the environment. Recognizing
the environmental consequences, the global community, through the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizes the integration of
sustainable practices in construction to mitigate climate change effects (UN
2019). Nigeria, as the most populous black nation, faces the challenge of
meeting infrastructure needs amid rapid population growth, necessitating
sustainable approaches to prevent exacerbating climate change impacts. The UN
World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development
as meeting current needs while preserving the ability of future generations to
meet their own. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underscores the
importance of inclusive development, with SDG 13 specifically addressing the
need to tackle climate change and its impacts (UN, 2019). Civil engineering
projects contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, necessitating a
shift towards sustainable practices to address climate change (UN, 2022).
Nigeria,
facing rapid population growth, aims to address its infrastructure deficit
through the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, projecting a
substantial contribution to GDP by 2043. However, this growth may lead to
increased carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change impacts already evident
in extreme weather events (FGN, 2020). This study aims to investigate the
sustainability of civil engineering projects in Nigeria and its implications
for climate change. Specifically, the study seeks to address the following key
questions.
1) How do
civil engineering professionals in Nigeria perceive the significance of climate
change in the built environment?
2) What
sustainable practices are currently being employed in civil engineering
projects, specifically in highway and building projects, in Nigeria concerning
climate change?
3) What
recommendations can be put forward to stakeholders to effectively reduce greenhouse
gas emissions in civil engineering projects and foster sustainability in
Nigeria?
2. Background/literature review
2. 1 Climate Change Impacts in
Nigeria
Climate change has had profound
impacts in Nigeria, evident in rising temperatures, fluctuating rainfall
patterns, elevated sea levels, and extreme weather events. Anabaraonye et al.
(2022) described these changes as serious threats to the country's environment,
economy, health, and security. Climate change impacts various sectors in Nigeria,
including agriculture, construction, health, and the economy. Desert
encroachment threatens livestock production, while coastal regions suffer from
erosion and flooding, impacting agricultural productivity. These challenges
contribute to projections of significant GDP reduction by 2050, particularly
affecting agriculture and overall economic stability (World Bank, 2021).
At the
heart of the climate change discourse lies the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), a collaborative platform where scientists, policymakers,
and stakeholders converge to assess the evolving science, address climate
risks, and inform mitigation and adaptation strategies. International
agreements like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris
Agreement reflect global recognition of the crisis, setting ambitious targets
for transitioning towards low-carbon economies and building resilience to
climate impacts. However, challenges abound in translating these commitments
into tangible progress. The case of Nigeria exemplifies this struggle, where
climate policies exist but achieving emission reduction targets remains a work
in progress, highlighting the intricate dance between good intentions and the
complexities of implementation (CAT, 2023). In summary, climate change in
Nigeria manifests through various impacts on the environment, economy, health,
and security.
2. 2 Civil Engineering Projects
Relationship with Climate Change
The relationship between civil engineering projects and climate change...