Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo, head of Liberia’s EPA, called for urgent actions and accountability on the country’s NDCs during a Civil Society Stocktaking Program. With a goal to cut emissions by 64% by 2030, he emphasized the importance of reassessing progress and ensuring that stakeholders collaborate to make necessary adjustments. Civil organizations play a vital role in holding leaders accountable and pushing for inclusive climate policies.
In a recent address in Monrovia, Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urged for increased accountability and urgent action regarding Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to combat climate change. Highlighting the need for substantial progress, he stressed that Liberia must move beyond mere commitments to ensure real actions against climate challenges.
Liberia’s submitted NDC 2.0 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64% by 2030, with 10% of this reduction relying on domestic resources and 54% on international support. As the initial 2021-2025 implementation phase ends, Dr. Yarkpawolo called for a thorough assessment to identify successes, gaps, and necessary adjustments to achieve climate objectives effectively.
Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that now is the time to evaluate achievements critically and focus on improvements. He appealed to all stakeholders, including the government, international partners, and civil organizations, to convert commitments into tangible actions that will benefit Liberia’s populace.
He recognized the vital role of civil society organizations, urging them to hold leaders accountable for climate commitments. Dr. Yarkpawolo pointed out that vulnerable populations, who are often the hardest hit by climate impacts, should be prioritized in policy advocacy efforts. His acknowledgment of MDG Loretta Pope Kai and the NCSCL emphasized that monitoring must be an ongoing commitment.
To enhance transparency, the EPA will introduce a new monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure all climate projects correspond with Liberia’s NDCs effectively. Dr. Yarkpawolo asserted that stocktaking should also uncover obstacles to climate action and devise practical solutions to overcome them.
He stressed climate change as a critical national issue for Liberia, moving beyond discussions towards urgent, decisive actions. He insisted that stakeholders recognize climate change as a national emergency, warning of dire consequences for the environment and future generations if no effective measures are taken.
Abraham Tumbey from the UNDP highlighted the organization’s role in Liberia’s NDC processes, including the 2025 revision efforts. He emphasized involving women and youth in decision-making processes concerning climate change issues. Loretta Pope Kai also acknowledged the discussions on climate change and encouraged active participation for impactful results.
The context of Liberia’s climate commitments is rooted in the country’s submissions under the Paris Agreement, where it aims to address global warming by significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The NDCs require a balanced approach between utilizing national resources and seeking international cooperation to meet the ambitious targets set by the government. As Liberia approaches the end of its implementation phase for these commitments, evaluating progress and making necessary adjustments have become crucial.
In conclusion, Dr. Yarkpawolo’s call for accountability emphasizes the need for Liberia to translate its climate commitments into actionable outcomes. With the introduction of a new monitoring framework and active engagement of civil society, there is a focused intent to identify gaps and reinforce strategies to combat climate change effectively. Recognizing climate change as a national emergency highlights the urgent need for collaborative efforts from all sectors of society to secure a sustainable future for Liberia.
Original Source: gnnliberia.com
