Ecosystem-Based Sustainability Transitions: Applying Environmental Biology and HSSE Frameworks for Green Industrial Growth in the Delta Industrial Corridor, Nigeria

Abstract

The economic growth has been realised due to industrialisation in Nigeria, which has also led to environmental degradation in the country, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like the Delta Industrial Corridor. The sustainability transition approach based on the ecosystem presented in the study makes use of Environmental Biology and the framework of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) to analyse the effects of industries and the possibility of green innovation. This study aimed to estimate the levels of HSSE implementation, quantify key ecosystem indicators (air, water, and soil quality), and evaluate the impact of HSSE integration on ecosystem health and eco-entrepreneurial development. The mixed-method design involved a field study with combined sampling approaches which included field sampling and institutional survey with five industrial zones, Warri, Effurun, Ekpan, Udu and Ovwian. APHA (2017) standards were used to analyse the samples of air, water, and soil, and HSSE data were obtained in the form of structured questionnaires, validated with the help of Cronbach's alpha (>=0.78). Findings showed high concentrations of SO2, VOCs, and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr) which were above the NESREA and WHO standards, and biodiversity and vegetation cover that were low in the areas near industry centers. The average HSSE indices were 70, with significant correlations with the positive environmental quality (r = -0.812, p = 0.01) and green innovation (r = 0.853, p =0.01). Waste control, policy enforcement, and sustainability innovation were found to be some of the principal predictors of ecosystem health by regression analysis (R2 = 0.71, p less than 0.001). The work suggests entrapping of environmental compliance, promoting a circular economy, and formation of an Ecosystem-Based Industrial Management Authority (EBIMA). To sum it up, incorporating the principles of environmental biology and HSSE into each other may bring about sustainable industrial change, promote ecological stability and trigger the transition to the state of ecologically friendly economic development in Nigeria.