Julius Berger Champions Sustainable Construction at Future Cities Summit 2026

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reinforced its dedication to sustainable urban development and environmentally conscious construction through its participation in the Future Cities Summit 2026 in Lagos. Organized by the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN), the summit focused on "Building the Future: Scaling Sustainability for Greener Cities," bringing together key stakeholders from the built environment sector to discuss innovative solutions for sustainable construction, urban resilience, and the transition to greener cities.

During a panel session titled "Materials, Methods, and Margins: Low Carbon Construction Constraints and Opportunities," Julius Berger's Regional Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, identified the significant upfront investment required for low-carbon construction as a primary barrier to its widespread adoption. However, he strongly emphasized that sustainable buildings offer substantial long-term value through reduced maintenance costs, enhanced operational efficiency, and lower energy consumption.

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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 advocated for a lifecycle perspective on sustainable construction, stating, "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." He also highlighted the importance of recycled concrete as a sustainable construction material, noting that reusing concrete from demolished structures can significantly cut carbon emissions and lessen reliance on newly manufactured materials.

To accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, Engr. Christl called for greater collaboration among academic institutions, construction companies, material manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. He stressed the need for clear standards and regulatory frameworks to support the use of recycled concrete in Nigeria. "Greater industry collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of sustainable construction," Christl noted. "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."

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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.