Wising up on global emissions standards in Lagos State
Dr. Lanre Towry-Coker, FRIBA, FNIA, MA Law (UL), Ph.D, a former commissioner for housing in Lagos State, with a doctorate from Lagos State University, is founder of Towry-Coker Associates since 1976, and a professional architect with a postgraduate qualification in Architecture from the University of North East London. He had his professional training at the world famous Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom (ACI.Arb.); a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA), he was elected Fellow of The Royal Institute of British Architects, (founded 1834), in November 2016, and is one of only forty architects worldwide to be so honoured. He is also the author of the book, “Housing Policy And The Dynamics Of Housing Delivery In Nigeria: Lagos State As Case Study” published by Makeway Publishers, and available on Amazon and also at The Royal Institute of British Architects, Portland Place. London.
Implementing and adhering to global emissions standards in Lagos State is crucial for mitigating air pollution and its adverse effects on public health and the environment. Here are some steps that could be taken in this regard:
Adopting stringent emissions standards: Establishing and enforcing strict emissions standards for vehicles and industries can significantly reduce air pollution. This might involve regular emission tests for vehicles and regulations for industrial emissions.
Investing in public transportation: Encouraging and improving public transportation systems can reduce the number of individual vehicles on the road, cutting emissions significantly. Implementing cleaner fuel options or even transitioning to electric buses can be a step forward.
Promoting electric vehicles (EVs): Incentivizing the adoption of electric vehicles through tax breaks, subsidies, or infrastructure development (charging stations) can help reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
Enhancing urban planning: Planning cities to reduce traffic congestion and prioritise pedestrian-friendly zones and cycling lanes can cut down on emissions and promote healthier modes of transport.
Supporting renewable energy sources: Shifting energy production to renewable sources like solar or wind can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions from power generation.
Public awareness and education: Educating the public about the importance of reducing emissions, the impacts of air pollution, and how individual actions can contribute to a cleaner environment is essential.
Industry regulations: Implementing regulations on industrial emissions through cleaner production processes and technologies can significantly contribute to reducing air pollution.
Simply doing nothing is not an option: Witnessing the daily diesel and petrol emissions from dilapidated cars and other condemned vehicles from Japan and elsewhere, makes me wonder if there’s anyone actually monitoring the effects on both public health and environment around us. I can’t believe that is the case. A ‘laissez faire’ attitude to public health is just not an option anymore.
These efforts will require a collaborative approach involving government policies, private sector cooperation, public support, and potentially international partnerships to access technology and resources necessary for the implementation of cleaner and more sustainable practices.
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