Cement production key to Nigeria’s emission crisis – GBCN

The President of the Green Building Council of Nigeria, Danjuma Waniko, has highlighted cement production and the building sector as major contributors to Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking at the GBCN workshop in Abuja on Thursday, Waniko emphasized the need for targeted actions to address these issues, which he described as central to the country’s climate challenges.

“Cement production alone accounts for 23% of Nigeria’s national greenhouse gas emissions.

“This figure is significantly higher than the global average of 11%, largely because our economy is not heavily industrialised.

“Cement is a critical input in the construction of buildings, and the more we build, the more cement we use, resulting in increased emissions,” Waniko said.

Waniko stressed that buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of global energy-related emissions, with their design, construction, and operation heavily reliant on energy-intensive processes and materials.

“Buildings contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of materials like cement and the energy consumed during their operation,” he said.

He noted that the link between buildings and emissions extends beyond construction materials to energy consumption in homes and offices.

“For instance, when you turn on an air conditioner, the energy consumed is often generated from fossil fuels such as petroleum and natural gas. This process releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,” Waniko said.

He further explained the cascading effect of emissions from buildings on other sectors.

“What happens in the building sector impacts other sectors. Taking action here can deliver broader mitigation solutions, potentially exceeding the 40% contribution of buildings to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, most Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) lack clear strategies and targets for addressing emissions in the building sector,” Waniko added.

While acknowledging the contributions of sectors like transportation and aviation to emissions, Waniko reiterated that the building sector’s influence is unparalleled.

“Even the materials used in construction are part of the problem. For example, the production of cement releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, making it one of the highest-emitting processes globally,” he said.

Waniko outlined practical solutions to reduce emissions from buildings and construction. These include designing energy-efficient cooling systems, increasing natural ventilation, and using alternative roofing materials. He also stressed the importance of making buildings less dependent on carbon-intensive materials like cement.

The GBCN president concluded by underscoring the council’s focus on decarbonisation and resilience at both national and subnational levels.

“We aim to catalyze change by developing a globally adaptable tool to address building-related emissions. Our efforts in Nigeria will be consolidated with input from other countries and stakeholders through the World Green Building Council Network. Together, we will create a unified NDC scorecard that can be applied worldwide,” he said.