Liberia EPA Boss, Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo. PHOTO/EPA
By FRANKLIN N. KWENAH
At the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, the Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urged the international community to increase financial support to help Liberia combat the devastating impacts of climate change.
Speaking with the BBC on Tuesday, November 12, Dr. Yarkpawolo highlighted the urgent climate challenges facing Liberia, including the impacts on its coastline, forests, and high mountain areas. He emphasized the need for enhanced funding to implement Liberia’s ambitious national climate resilience plan.
Dr. Yarkpawolo explained that Liberia has been severely affected by climate change, particularly through intense droughts, erratic rainfall, and escalating coastal erosion.
“Our coastal cities—like Monrovia’s West Point, Buchanan, and Greenville—are experiencing serious erosion, and rising sea levels are further threatening our communities,” he said.
The country’s food production has also been disrupted, worsening the crisis. As one of the least-developed countries in West Africa, Liberia is home to rich natural resources, including over 40% of the region’s remaining forests. However, it is highly vulnerable to climate change and yet holds great potential for climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
He noted that the government of Liberia, under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, has developed a five-year development plan called the “ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development,” which focuses on climate adaptation and resilience. However, Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that Liberia requires $7 billion to implement this plan, a sum that the country’s government simply does not have.
“This is why we are calling on the international community to honor their climate pledges and provide real financial support for nations like Liberia,” he said. He urged wealthier countries to transform climate commitments into tangible actions. “We need support that goes beyond goals on paper and translates into real improvements for Liberia and other vulnerable countries.”
Dr. Yarkpawolo’s message is one that resonates with many developing nations, which are seeking stronger financial backing to address the devastating effects of climate change. Liberia’s call for support aligns with the broader narrative at COP29, where countries most affected by climate change demand the necessary resources to implement meaningful solutions.
Integrating Climate and Security in Liberia’s National Plans
Group discussions at the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. PHOTO/EPA
In addition to calling for financial support, Liberia is advocating for the integration of climate change and security considerations into its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
On November 12, 2024, Mr. Arthur R. M. Becker, Head of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at Liberia’s EPA, presented this initiative during a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) side event at COP29. He emphasized the importance of integrating climate, peace, and security perspectives into Liberia’s climate policies, particularly in regions prone to conflict and instability.
Mr. Becker explained that climate change could exacerbate existing tensions and contribute to economic and social instability.
“It is crucial for Liberia’s climate policies to consider how climate impacts peace and security,” he stated. “By integrating climate, peace, and security perspectives into our NDCs and NAPs, we can address the complex challenges posed by climate change, especially in conflict-affected areas.”
He pointed out that environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and social unrest are closely linked. In countries like Liberia—emerging from a history of conflict—there is often a focus on immediate security concerns, leaving long-term climate strategies underdeveloped.
According to Mr. Becker, failing to address the link between climate change adaptation and peacebuilding could lead to ineffective policies that do not tackle the root causes of vulnerability. “The relationship between environmental degradation and social instability underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to climate change,” he said.
Mr. Becker urged the Liberian government to ensure that adaptation efforts align with long-term development goals that promote peace and stability.
He stressed the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, from local communities to civil society organizations, in planning processes. This inclusive approach, he believes, will create more effective and sustainable climate adaptation strategies.
Practical Steps for Integrating Climate and Security
Mr. Becker outlined a series of practical steps to help Liberia—and other countries facing similar challenges—integrate climate and security considerations into their national plans.
Mr. Arthur R. M. Becker, Head of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the EPA speaking at COP29 side event. PHOTO/EPA
These include building capacity, developing guiding frameworks, ensuring policy coherence across sectors, setting up robust monitoring systems, and securing international support. He recommended that Liberia invest in data collection to better understand the links between climate vulnerability and conflict risks, such as monitoring weather patterns and resource availability.
He also called for the establishment of frameworks to monitor the effectiveness of integrated climate and peacebuilding approaches.
“We need to track not just environmental outcomes, but also social indicators related to peace and stability,” he said, stressing that both environmental and social goals should be pursued together for lasting impact.
Mr. Becker acknowledged the challenges Liberia and other countries face in mainstreaming climate and security considerations into their NDCs and NAPs. He noted that cultural attitudes toward environmental issues could sometimes hinder recognition of the links between environmental degradation and social unrest.
Furthermore, international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could complicate cooperation due to differing priorities and geopolitical tensions. Nonetheless, he stressed that addressing these challenges is critical for building more resilient societies.
The Role of COP29 and the Global Climate Agenda
The UNFCCC’s annual Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as a platform for countries to assess progress towards the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. This year, COP29 is being held from November 11 to 22, 2024, where world leaders and climate experts gather to discuss progress in tackling climate change.
The Paris Agreement, which has been signed by nearly every country, sets the global goal of limiting temperature rise to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C if possible. Central to this effort is the commitment of wealthier nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and provide financial support for climate adaptation and resilience in vulnerable countries like Liberia.
As COP29 progresses, Liberia’s call for increased financial assistance, along with its advocacy for integrating climate and security considerations, highlights the broader need for comprehensive and inclusive strategies to tackle climate change and its far-reaching impacts.
