Climate models are critical tools for scientists and policymakers in predicting what the future climate will be like. However, climate models can only be as good as the data we put into them.
In some parts of the world, the data that is needed is either difficult to obtain or impracticable to produce. However, a new study has obtained high-quality data from one of the most important regions of the world:
“We have a lot of detail about Norway, yet we know little about Nigeria,” says Professor Edgar Hertwich, professor of industrial ecology at NTNU’s Department of Energy and Process Engineering.
The new study does something about this. The research has been published in Buildings & Cities.
Chibuikem Chrysogonus Nwagwu and his colleagues have investigated the resource use associated with different types of housing in Nigeria. Information of this type is vital for climate scientists. Illustration: Chibuikem Chrysogonus Nwagwu, NTNU/SINTEF
Obtained key figures from Nigeria
Chibuikem Chrysogonus Nwagwu took a master’s degree in industrial ecology at NTNU. He was supported by both Hertwich and PhD student Sahin Akin in his efforts to obtain the important figures.
The researchers looked at greenhouse gas emissions linked to housing in Nigeria. The country is in great need of new housing provision, because the population there has been growing rapidly for several decades.
With a population of over 234 million people, Nigeria is by far Africa’s most populous country. The country is now aiming to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent compared with 2015 before 2030. The conclusion of the researchers is clear.
“If Nigeria is to achieve its emissions targets, energy efficiency must improve, other building materials must be used, and less electricity must come from carbon-based sources,” conclude Nwagwu and his colleagues.
More than 85 percent of Nigeria’s electricity comes from fossil fuels, primarily gas. The country receives substantial revenues from oil and gas, but spends relatively little on research and education. On the other hand, the Nigerian authorities subsidise imports of fuel from abroad. Thus, there is room for improvement in this regard.
Information of this type is often lacking.
Nwagwu considered scenarios from 2020 for homes with a lifespan of 50 years. The outcome is a study that presents important information about the structure, dimensions, energy consumption and opportunities to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from Africa’s most populous country.
Chibuikem Chrysogonus Nwagwu. Photo: Private
“This is the type of information that is missing in global climate studies,” says Professor Hertwich.
Chibuikem Nwagwu now wants to take his doctorate. Nwagwu had worked as Hertwich’s assistant for two years, which helped to finance his master’s studies. Nwagwu is now employed as a researcher at Sintef Manufacturing.
New rules in Norway are causing us to lose talented students
“If we want to do something about the climate, we need people like Nwagwu,” says Hertwich.
However, it can be difficult to recruit more students because of new Norwegian rules that make it much harder for many foreign students to come here.
Students from Nigeria now have to pay high tuition fees. It is quite possible to take a doctorate if the student obtains funding.
“I think we should educate both master’s and PhD students on climate protection in Africa. Africa’s population is growing rapidly and what happens there will affect us all,” says Professor Hertwich.
Source: Chibuikem Chrysogonus Nwagwu, Sahin Akin, Edgar G. Hertwich. Modelling Nigerian residential dwellings: bottom-up approach and scenario analysis. Buildings & Cities. 2024. Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Page/Article: 521–539 DOI: 10.5334/bc.452
