The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has taken a proactive step in addressing the country’s vulnerability to climate change-related hazards such as flooding, droughts, and rising sea levels.
On Friday, August 9, 2024, the EPA held a high-level dialogue at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, focusing on the implementation of Liberia’s National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
During the dialogue, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, the Executive Director of the EPA, emphasized the critical role that NAPs play in helping countries like Liberia adapt to the impacts of climate change.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, international partners, and local communities, to ensure the effective implementation of these plans.
Dr. Urey highlighted the key challenges that hinder the successful implementation of Liberia’s NAPs, such as limited financial resources, inadequate technical capacity at the local level, lack of data for informed decision-making, and insufficient public awareness about climate change impacts.
He called for collective efforts to develop actionable solutions to these challenges.
The dialogue also served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss best practices, identify funding opportunities, and address the challenges faced in executing adaptation strategies. Dr. Urey emphasized the need for a sense of urgency around climate action, ensuring that adaptation measures are equitable and inclusive.
“The overall vision of the dialogue should be centered on building a resilient future for Liberia, where communities can adapt to changing climatic conditions while promoting sustainable development aligned with national priorities and global commitments under the Paris Agreement,” stated Dr. Urey.
The EPA Executive Director urged stakeholders to commit themselves to taking concrete actions that will lead to tangible outcomes in implementing Liberia’s NAPs.
He emphasized the importance of leaving the dialogue with specific commitments and a renewed energy in the adoption of the Farmington High-Level Declaration for the Implementation of Liberia’s National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
“Let us work together towards a shared goal to enhance resilience against climate change impacts in Liberia through the effective implementation of our NAPs,” Dr. Urey said.
