Green Construction is a Way to Go to Save the Environment

Ariye, Y.K.1, Kaile, A. A.2, Adeniran-Bakare S. M.2, Oladitan, B.F.2.

1
Dynamics Civil Services Limited, Lagos Nigeria
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos

Abstract - Green construction is a sustainable method for construction that has a huge potential for
achieving sustainable development. It is a stimulus for economic growth and Nigeria with its vast
green resources provides an opportunity for its application to rejuvenate the ailing economy and set
the country on the path to greatness and prosperity. All around the world, traditional construction
activities are becoming less affordable, exhaustible, less favourable, and environmentally unfriendly;
green construction on the other hand is becoming more popular as a means to deliver quality projects
that are efficient, safe, resilient, and environmentally friendly. The use of this construction method is
discussed by highlighting green construction methods, green construction materials, green rating
systems and how they can be harnessed to stimulate economic growth and prosperity.
Recommendations are also proffered on how to make this construction method, more popular and
acceptable in Nigeria.
Key Words: Green Construction, Green Resources, Traditional Construction, Sustainable
Development, Environmentally Friendly.
1.0 Introduction
Green Construction refers to environmentally friendly practices utilized for construction purposes.
This method provides an alternative to traditional construction methods that are becoming less
popular around the world because they are sustainable. Ironically, in Africa, our ancestors embraced
green methods to build shelters and their entire livelihood was centred on green practice, even though
they did not really understand the scientific knowledge and technology behind their actions. Green
construction methods involve the design and construction of civil engineering structures and buildings
with objectives to protect the end user, the environment and wisely utilize natural resources and
reduce the environmental impact. United States Green Building Council defines green building as the
designing, construction and operating of buildings to maximize occupant health and productivity, use
fewer resources, reduce water, and negative environmental impacts and decrease cycle costs. The
significant contribution of the construction industry to Nigeria’s economic growth in terms of socio-
economic development through the proportion of workers and acquisition of skills compared to the
manufacturing sector cannot be over weighed (Toriola - Coker et al, 2021). Again, physical facilities
provided by construction industry such as dams, roads, bridges, residential and commercial buildings,
factories, recreational facilities amongst others have significant effect on society, environment and
economy (Toriola - Coker et al, 2021). Isa, Jimoh and Achuenu, 2013, reported that the construction
industry in Nigeria contributes about half of the total stock of capital investment in the Nigerian
economy. According to Acumen Research and Consulting, the size of Green Construction
market round the world is projected to be $774 billion by 2030. The construction industry
therefore plays a vital role in balancing the 3 elements of a nations sustainability, which are economic
sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability, and this can be achieved with the
use of green construction methods.
2.0 Literature Review

The world is becoming increasingly aware of the effect of global warming and the fact that
construction activities using traditional construction methods contribute significantly to this
phenomenon has created awareness in the sector and triggered the need to embrace responsible
construction methods that will protect the environment. Studies carried out by the United States
Environmental Protection agency, for 7 key industrial sectors, projected that from 2011 to 2030, the
construction industry will have the highest rate of increase in emission of about 0.3% annually.
Research carried out by Singh (2018) shows that construction using traditional building methods and
materials consume about 40% of natural resources extracted in industrialized nations with the process
utilizing 70% electricity and 12% of potable water while producing 45-65% of waste disposed in
landfills. Construction activities have been identified as one of the major sources of
environmental pollution and highest consumer of energy, recent statistics shows that the
industry contributes up to 40% of carbon dioxide emission, making it one of the major
contributors to global warming (Dipta et al, 2022). Laeeq et al., (2017) also reported that 56%
of energy used in Sub Saharan Africa continent is utilized by the construction industry.
Statistics from the National Institute of Building Sciences (USA) shows that building
construction activities generate 35% of carbon dioxide, 49% of sulphur dioxide and 25%
Nitrogen oxide found in the air. Obviously, construction activities have impacted the global
environment so much to twist its balance and steps that will stop this dangerous trend are required to
be taken urgently by the industry, hence the keen interest to develop alternative methods for
construction such as green construction. In Nigeria the situation is no different and government has
been called upon to improve existing laws that will enhance quality of working life, education,
training as well as knowledge management for all stakeholders in sustainable construction (Nwokoro
and Onukwube, 2015). Construction is a major and primary sector of the Nigerian economy and its
considerations on the issues of sustainability covers a huge spectrum of the sector (Nwafor, 2006).
Building plays a fundamental role in the realisation of sustainable development (Nwafor, 2006).
Public awareness on environmental issues have increased significantly in Nigeria (Nwokoro and
Onukwube, 2015). The best approach to define and measure sustainability from the environmental
perspective is to focus on natural resources depletion and check if the current rate of resource use can
be sustained into the distant future (Goldemberg, 2000). In the past few years urban and rural
communities have suffered from damages caused by flood, herders and farmers clash have been on
increase across the country due to climate change (Naziru, 2016). In Nigerian cities, combination of
related factors such as poverty, population growth, rapid urbanization, and inability of government to
provide effective housing schemes has given rise to cities with high number of slums in which there
are no waste management systems (Ezeabasili, 2009), this situation has exposed vulnerable citizens to
communicable diseases and other health endangering circumstances (Akinola, Ekpo and Haruna,
2012). Industrial activities such as timbering and logging, textiles and oil exploration have led to
increased water channel sedimentation, water contamination and loss of biodiversity (Ifeanyi, 2002).
Environment refers to both the physical and social circumstances which surround people and have
influence on them, it can also be described as man’s natural habitat and what man has
provided/developed for his comfort (Nwanne, 2013). The environment provides all life support
systems including air, water, land, and materials for fulfilling all development aspirations of man
(Lawanson, 2006). The following barriers were identified as factors militating against practice of
sustainable construction in Nigeria, poor sustainability education in academic institutions, lack of
incentives for designers to facilitate sustainable design, ignorance of lifecycle cost benefits,
sustainable construction regarded as low priority and other issues (Toriola – Coker,2021). The practice
of sustainable construction is still in its infancy in Nigeria (Daniel et al 2014 and Dahiru et al 2010).
Construction industry has been found to cause damaging effects to the environment by means of
waste generation, energy and water depletion and several other forms of damage to the environment
(Aigbavboa, Obioma and Zawane, 2017). The need to make the environment sustainable for the
benefit of mankind and other inhabitants can therefore not be overemphasized and green construction
offers a suitable option.
3.00 Discussion

3.10 Green Construction

Green construction is often used interchangeably with green building or sustainable construction.
Green construction therefore means the use of resource efficient and environmentally responsible
processes in construction to ensure lifetime sustainability of engineering structures. Sustainability of
construction projects implies the full life cycle of the project from the design phase through
construction and commissioning is taken into consideration and carried out in a manner that will cause
least harm to the environment. Sustainability seeks to achieve community health, social equity and
wealth distribution. More than half of the world’s population live in cities, and this has been projected
to rise to 60% by 2030 and to meet this demand, construction activities around the globe is expected
to grow to 2.5 trillion square feet by 2060, this implies that with traditional construction methods
utilised for construction, substantial solid waste will be generated by the construction industry, if
environmentally friendly methods like green construction are not embraced.

3.20 Green Construction Methods

Green construction methods focus on energy and water efficiency, resource efficiency and
overall input of construction projects on the environment. Methods and materials used for
traditional methods of construction are generally not eco-friendly; green construction method,
on the other hand, focuses on using sustainable materials that are eco-friendly. The growing
awareness among construction experts and others that sustainable construction has a potential
to impact the environment positively is pushing green construction to the forefronts
(Robichaud and Anantamula, 2010). The fact that construction industry contributes
substantially to global warming, makes it imperative for the industry to look into ways of
fine-tuning its practices so as to reduce the harm its activities cause the universe. The
developed world has taken up this matter seriously and are developing green construction
methods to arrest this trend so as to make construction activities more environmentally
friendly and responsible.
3.30 Sustainable Development
The three pillars of sustainable development are Economic Sustainability, Environmental
sustainability, and Social Sustainability. The concept of sustainable development is to make scientific
and reasonable planning for the future social development on the basis of ensuring the survival
interests of the present generation, so as to meet the prediction and development needs of present and
future generations (Chen, 2020). Through the rational use of green construction, the construction
industry can meet the developmental needs of the industry and create sustainable development.
Nigeria faces massive developmental and environmental challenges such as depending on oil,
depletion of naturally occurring minerals, desertification, deforestation, environmental pollution, and
others; this has been worsened by insufficient infrastructure, weak institutions, and governance issues.
Nigeria however has produced a policy framework and institutional mechanisms to link its Economic
Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Lack of
expertise, lack of promotional strategies for sustainable construction and lack of demand are the most
critical barriers militating against sustainable construction practice in Nigeria (Daniel, Oshineye and
Oshodi, 2018). Today, the most visible long-term threat facing the world is the danger of over
exploitation of natural resources, which has produced irreversible harmful changes to environmental
conditions which support life on earth and if this challenge is not overcome, there will be no viable
world for our descendants to inhabit (Rim - Rukeh, Ikhifa and Ogbeni, 2007). Embracing Green
construction offers a way to sustainable future.
3.31 Green construction focuses on

 Using environmentally friendly construction materials

 Using newer and more fuel-efficient equipment that will burn less fuel.
 Reducing wastes as much as possible
 Recycling materials such as construction debris, concrete, wood etc as much as possible
 Value Engineering

3.32 Benefits of green construction methods include.

1. It helps to save energy.

2. It reduces water consumption.
3. It helps protect the ozone layer.
4. It creates job.
5. It decreases transportation costs since it encourages use of local materials.
6. It improves environmental health.
7. As more standard construction processes are being developed for green technology, it is
becoming more mainstream and cost efficient.

3.33 Green Construction materials

Materials used for Green Construction are described as Green Materials; these materials have
desirable properties such as sustainability and ability to provide energy efficient structures

Table 1.0 Green Construction Materials

S/NO Material Picture
1 Earthen
Material
2 Earth bags

3 Thatch

4 Insulated
concrete
forms

5 Slate/stone
roofing
6 Cord
wood

7 Straw bale

8 Bamboo

9 Wood
11 Sips

12 Cork

Care should however be taken in the selection of green building materials as choice of
materials used is determined by multiple criteria from environmental, socio economic and
technical perspective (Akadiri and Omolaiye, 2012). The unique characteristics of green
construction methods require adjustments to traditional project management practices to
minimize risks and improve the chances of delivering the project within acceptable costs
(Robichaud and Anantamula, 2010).
3.34 Green Construction Rating System
Rating systems have contributed significantly in advancing the use of green construction
around the world. Though various studies and ratings have been developed to monitor
compliance in green house buildings, implementation of the system has not been fully
embraced in Africa. Ola and Adjekophori (2012) reported that a good number of stakeholders
in the Nigerian built industry have relatively low awareness of the concept of green building.
Some of the construction certification methods developed for rating compliance in the
industry includes;
1. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
2. Green Globes
3. Living Building Challenges
Certifications allows stakeholders in the construction sector follow a structured procedure
and take practical, measurable measures for the planning, construction, operation and
maintenance of sustainable buildings. Pandey, (2016) opined that green building construction
can be largely driven by green building rating systems. However, the decision in selecting an
appropriate green building rating tool has to lean on the climate and various characteristics of
that particular country’s agenda (Lizawati et al., 2015), and also has to be based on four
norms namely, appropriate, accessible, up to date and quantifiable (Wu et al., 2015).
According to Beardi, (2012), rating systems have a gained acceptance around the world,
because they attempt to embody the concept of total quality. Ditpa et al, (2022) advised that
extra credits should be given to the existing rating systems to account for the influence of
architecture in the performance assessment of green buildings. Because of the longevity of its
product, the construction industry is in a unique position to support environmental benefits
through visible good job site practices and structural improvements. Research data show
dramatic increase in the number of development projects seeking environmental certification
which is an indication that demand for green construction is on the rise (U.S. Green Building
Council, 2006a, b). Though the Green Building Council in Nigeria is a non – governmental
organization, they can lead the way to develop a rating system for green construction industry
in Nigeria.
3.35 Green Construction Technology

1. Use of solar power

2. Use of biodegradable material
3. Green insulation
4. Water efficiency technologies
5. Rammed earth
6. Installation and use of smart appliances
7. Low emitting materials
8. Cool roofs
9. Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE)

3.36 Green Construction Methods

1. Lean Construction
2. Prefab, Modular and Industrialized Construction
3. Applying DFMA processes to construction
4. Sustainable Construction materials
5. Using Carbon reduction tools
6. Circular construction
7. Use of Mechanically Stabilized Earth
4.00 Conclusion and Recommendation
4.10 Conclusion
Nigeria is abundantly blessed with green construction materials that can be harnessed for green
construction. With the rising level of awareness around the world on the effects of global warming
coupled with confirmations that traditional construction methods contribute significantly to this
phenomenon, it is now necessary to consider a shift in paradigm on approach to construction
activities. As the population of Nigeria continues to grow significantly, accompanied by mass
migration from rural to urban areas, problems associated with rapid urbanization such as insufficient
housing and health care facilities, rapid depletion of resources used for construction, poor drainage
system and overcrowding has become rampant, it is therefore necessary to look for sustainable
methods that will solve these problems and green construction provides an option. Realistic policies
and legal structures must however be put in place to harmonize government policies among relevant
agencies for establishment and enforcement of green construction measures. With the Green
construction industry around the world estimated to grow to about $774 billion in 2030, stakeholders
in Nigeria should take adequate and necessary steps required to propagate green construction for
sustainable development. The steps required to be taken, will involve, establishment of green
construction factories that will develop green construction materials such as stabilized earth,
structurally insulated panels (SIP), brickwork, improved roofing system and materials for erosion
control and support for retaining walls, and road construction. As the world pays more attention to
protecting the environment and improving the quality of living using green construction methods,
Nigeria with its vast natural resources also needs to develop strategies that will help in understanding
and developing this sustainable method of construction which is a path way to a sustainable future.

4.2 Recommendation

The following measures are recommended for adoption by government to propagate green
construction practice in Nigeria

1. Government should reduce import tax on sustainable technologies

2. Train and retrain experts in green technology
3. Organization of seminars and symposium
4. Creation of a commission that will regulate green construction practice in Nigeria and
establish offices in all the states.
5. There should be a law backing and empowering the activities of the Green Building Council
of Nigeria, to make them more visible in the construction sector
6. Provide incentives that will encourage practitioners to embrace sustainable construction
methods.

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