Dr. Olalekan Fatoki, a researcher at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, has urged Lagos to address its escalating climate challenges by emulating Hamburg, Germany.
Fatoki made the revelation in an interview with newsmen on Saturday, saying the city ranked as the tenth most vulnerable coastal city globally.
“Lagos faces rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, heat waves, and severe flooding, which threaten the lives of over 24 million residents.
“With the population projected to reach 35 million by 2050, he emphasizes the urgency for bold action,” he said.
He said that Hamburg’s renewable energy strategy stood out as a key lesson for Lagos, adding the German city has invested heavily in solar, wind, and biomass energy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Fatoki suggested that Lagos could adopt similar measures by incentivizing the use of solar panels and exploring wind energy investments to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as well as curb carbon emissions.
He said that waste management was another critical area where Lagos could benefit from Hamburg’s circular economy model, which emphasised recycling and waste reduction.
“Lagos, plagued by inadequate waste disposal, could introduce comprehensive recycling initiatives to curb pollution, create jobs, and minimise landfill dependency, aligning with sustainable resource use.
“Flood protection also provides a valuable blueprint for Lagos. Hamburg has invested in levees, flood barriers, and efficient drainage systems to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and heavy rains,” he said.
Fatoki called for Lagos to prioritise similar infrastructure to safeguard vulnerable communities from worsening climate impacts.
The researcher, who acknowledged challenges like poor urban planning, corruption and weak law enforcement, remained optimistic that Lagos can become a climate-resilient metropolis by learning from Hamburg’s successes.
He stressed that immediate action, robust governance and active public participation were very vital to securing a sustainable future for the city’s growing population.
