Interesting times are here in the Nigerian Green space, President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Dubai for the COP28 Global Climate Action Summit, was not just a diplomatic event; it marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s commitment to a sustainable and eco-friendly future.
The significance of this vision extends beyond international relations; it delves into the realm of landscape architecture and its crucial role in shaping a greener tomorrow.
In his address during a high-level meeting with stakeholders and investors at the COP28 climate summit, President Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions and modernize the country’s transportation systems. His words reverberated with a sense of purpose and urgency, signaling that Nigeria is taking substantial steps toward a more environmentally conscious path.
Amos Alao, President of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN), lauded President Tinubu’s vision, emphasizing the importance of landscape architecture in achieving these goals. Alao urged, the Federal Government to include Landscape Architects in the recently approved Inter-governmental Committee on Carbon Markets and the National Council on Climate Change to help drive the visionary plan of the President.”
Green infrastructure, a cornerstone of landscape architecture, encompasses features like urban forests, green roofs, water shed development, biodiversity promotion, sustainable urban planning, land restoration and remediation. These elements play a vital role in sequestering carbon, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and enhancing overall environmental quality.
Furthermore, thoughtful landscape planning can improve public transportation and infrastructure, reducing the reliance on carbon-intensive vehicles, sourcing regional materials with shorter supply chains, reducing energy dependence on cooling systems and improving on city greening, promoting eco-friendly alternatives and ameliorating the impacts of climate injustice.
In the words of President Tinubu, “As we unveil our initiatives, I challenge other nations to emulate our strides in mapping out their sustainable futures with a clear understanding that Africa is a beacon of innovative solutions to climate-related challenges.” This statement underscores the vital role that landscape architects play in pioneering these innovative solutions, a vista for other African countries to follow in this stride.
In conclusion, President Tinubu’s visionary approach to sustainability is not just a call for change but a call for collaboration in the Nigerian Environment and Energy Sectors. Landscape architects, with their expertise in sustainable design and green infrastructure, are poised to be instrumental in Nigeria’s journey towards a greener, more eco-friendly future. As the world watches Nigeria’s ambitious efforts, it becomes evident that landscape architecture is not just a profession; it is a catalyst for positive change on the path to a sustainable tomorrow.
Nigeria must prioritise efforts to strengthen the development of a comprehensive Landscape Development Plan by 2050 and a road map to a Landscape Charter by 2025.
The writer is the President, Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN).
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