The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has outlined bold climate resilience strategies at a high-level ministerial session of the Africa Global Climate Week, calling for urgent global support to address the continent’s vulnerabilities. Speaking in Addis Ababa, Dr. Yarkpawolo highlighted Liberia’s climate challenges, including sea erosion that is displacing communities in Monrovia and other coastal cities, erratic rainfall patterns, destructive storms, and pest infestations that threaten food security.
Despite these threats, he stressed that Liberia and Africa at large are not passive victims. “On the contrary, we are building resilience,” Dr. Yarkpawolo declared, unveiling four priority solutions from Liberia’s climate action plan: They are Carbon Market with Integrity Liberia finalizing a national carbon market policy and Article 6 framework to attract investment, ensuring transparency and equitable benefit-sharing with local communities; Protecting Coasts and Nature The government is advancing coastal protection programs in Monrovia and other cities, alongside restoration of mangroves and wetlands to safeguard food systems and the blue economy.
Others include Enforcing Environmental Law with Just Transitions- Liberia is cracking down on illegal mining and mercury pollution under its environmental protection laws, while supporting alternative livelihoods to avoid leaving communities behind and Clean Energy for Resilience Through a new net-metering policy, the country is piloting solar-powered public facilities to ensure essential services remain operational during power disruptions caused by storms. Dr. Yarkpawolo further emphasized Liberia’s conditional commitment under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce emissions by up to 60 percent, contingent on international support.
He urged global partners to act decisively by capitalizing the Loss and Damage Fund for rapid relief, delivering predictable grant-based adaptation finance to African institutions, and supporting initiatives such as the Tropical Forest Facility and a fair, transparent carbon market for the continent. “Africa is not defined by vulnerability alone. We are building resilience,” he affirmed. “By investing in the systems we are building, from Liberia to across the continent, you invest in a safer climate future for all.” The Africa Global Climate Week brought together ministers, policymakers, and climate experts to chart pathways for sustainable development and resilience on the continent.
Author: Cooper K.Sangar Jr.
