𝐄𝐏𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

Monrovia– July 22,2024: The Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Dweh Boley has called on participants of the Regional Climate Change Conference to consider adapting sustainable actions that will address threats of Climate Change.

Speaking at the opening session of the Regional Climate Change Conference on Wednesday, July 15, 2024, at a local hotel in Monrovia, Boley indicated that climate change is one of the most pressing issues impacting human development in West Africa.

The EPA official outlined several environmental challenges Liberia is faced with because of climate change, which include, severe flooding, topsoil erosion, beach erosion, river overflow, scarcity of clean drinking water, declining biodiversity, deforestation, extinction of species of conservation value, wetland degradation, and poor waste management, amongst others.

Boley lamented that those environmental issues are exacerbating the destruction of coastal communities and contributing to high youth unemployment in the country.

Boley pointed out that many of the environmental problems are due to lifestyle and consumer habits, which are common issues throughout the region.

However, the EPA official underscored the critical needs for the West African Parliamentarians and Legislators responsible for climate change legislation in their respective countries to proffer sustainable actions that will address the situation.

He urged his Western colleagues to seize the opportunity to mitigate climate threats and work towards sustainable development.

Boley welcomed the participants of the conference on behalf of President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. and the Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Emmanuel K. Yarkpawolo, who is currently out of the country on international duty.

The conference, themed: “Strengthening the Capacity of National Parliaments in Climate Action Accountability and Reporting,” focused on enhancing legislative oversight and action on climate issues across the region.

The conference brought together Western Parliamentarians, legislators, representatives from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) team, and members of the Liberian Senate.

However, Professor Dr. Abubarkar Sulaimani of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Services of Nigeria reiterated the prioritization of climate change in Nigeria’s national agenda from 2024 to 2028.

He expressed Nigeria’s commitment to working with the African Group of Negotiators Experts Supports (AGNES) to address climate change, emphasizing the need for sustainable waste disposal practices and robust legislative frameworks.

Furthermore, Hon. Kwame Adabail, representing the African Union Development Agency, underscored the critical role of parliaments in shifting, overseeing, and implementing effective climate policies.

“Parliaments are mandated to draft, debate, and enact legislation that drives climate action. Through well-crafted laws, parliaments can set ambitious targets for climate adaptation and build resilient societies,” he stated.

The meeting highlighted the achievements of AGNES, created in 2015 to provide scientific expertise and evidence to inform a common African position in climate change negotiations. AGNES has played a vital role in developing and defending positions on agriculture and gender, leading to significant outcomes such as the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture and the Gender Action Plan at COP23.

The Second West African Regional Forum on Oversights in Climate Actions Accountability and Reporting concluded with several key recommendations, including raising awareness among parliamentarians about national and international climate commitments, sharing best practices in climate law formulation, ensuring effective resource allocation for climate action, and enhancing accountability and transparency mechanisms.

The event, hosted by the Liberian Legislature in collaboration with the EPA of Liberia, showcased Liberia’s efforts in climate change governance and solicited commitments towards establishing a legal framework for climate action. It also provided opportunities for networking, experience sharing, and addressing challenges across West Africa.