Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reiterated its commitment to advancing sustainable urban development and environmentally responsible construction through its participation in the Future Cities Summit 2026, organised by the Green Building Council Nigeria in Lagos.

The company disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the summit, themed “Building the Future: Scaling Sustainability for Greener Cities,” convened key stakeholders from across the built environment sector to examine innovative and practical approaches to sustainable construction, strengthen urban resilience, and drive the transition toward greener cities.

According to the statement, Julius Berger Regional Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, participated as a panellist during the plenary session titled Materials, Methods, and Margins: Low Carbon Construction Constraints and Opportunities, which was held on the second and final day of the summit. The company’s Risk Officer, Mrs Shakira Mustapha, also represented Julius Berger at the event.

“The panel featured prominent industry experts, including General Manager, Saint-Gobain Nigeria, Mr Tope Ilusanmi; Sustainable Finance Consultant, Alitheia Capital, Miss Ruby Uche; and Sustainability and Green Building Consultant, Ariyike Adeshina, who served as moderator,” the statement read in part.

During the discussion, Christl identified the substantial upfront capital required for low-carbon construction as one of the key obstacles limiting wider industry adoption.

He, however, maintained that sustainable buildings generate considerable long-term value by lowering maintenance expenses, improving operational efficiency, and reducing energy consumption.

“Sustainable construction should be viewed from a lifecycle perspective. While initial investments may be higher, the long-term economic and environmental benefits far outweigh the costs, delivering value for owners, occupants, and society as a whole,” Christl said.

Christl also highlighted recycled concrete as a practical solution for reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint. He explained that reusing concrete from demolished structures can significantly cut carbon emissions while decreasing reliance on newly manufactured construction materials.

He further urged closer collaboration among universities, construction firms, material manufacturers, and regulators to develop clear standards and regulatory frameworks that would encourage the wider adoption of recycled concrete across Nigeria.

“Greater industry collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of sustainable construction. By working together, stakeholders can accelerate knowledge transfer, innovation, and the development of practical solutions that can be integrated into projects from the earliest design stages,” Christl noted.

Speaking on the industry’s readiness to embrace sustainable construction, the Regional Manager stated that the major challenge lies not in the availability of technical expertise but in ensuring that research outcomes and emerging innovations are effectively shared throughout the construction value chain.

He stressed the importance of keeping designers, engineers, procurement professionals, contractors, and clients informed about developments such as greener concrete alternatives and other sustainable building technologies.

The panel also underscored the importance of stronger partnerships involving government agencies, academic institutions, financial organisations, and private-sector players in addressing the financial, technical, and regulatory barriers associated with low-carbon construction.

Participants agreed that deeper collaboration remains essential to accelerating Nigeria’s transition toward more sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient urban centres.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc also commended the Green Building Council Nigeria for creating a platform that encourages constructive dialogue and knowledge-sharing on sustainable urban development.

Source: Punch