Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the National Adaptation Plans (NAP) project will on Wednesday, August 15, launch the National Policy & Response Strategy on Climate Change.
The NAP project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
According to the EPA Communication Specialist, Danise Love Dennis, the event takes place by 11: 00 AM at the Bella Casa Hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia.
The policy was developed with the support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa beginning September 2016. It was subsequently validated on January 27, 2017 at a national stakeholders’ meeting.
Dennis said, while it is true that Liberia’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is insignificant, the effects of global warming are having dire consequences on national development effort and could increase the current challenges in alleviating poverty, a release from the EPA said.
The climate change policy, according to her will ensure that a qualitative, effective and coherent climate change adaptation process takes place.
In addition, she noted that the policy will serve as the pillar for comprehensive sectoral strategies and seeks to enable better coordination of climate change work in the country and provides opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between the government and stakeholders.
The policy provides further impetus to past and ongoing effort with which Liberia is engaged, including the National Adaptation Plans and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), submitted prior to the signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015.
On the sidelines of the launch of the National Policy & Response Strategy on Climate Change, Denise revealed that the UNDP, EPA and University of Liberia will sign an agreement for support towards the setting up of a graduate program in environmental science at the University of Liberia through the National Adaptation Plans project with funding from the Green Climate Fund.
Said Denise: “The program’s mission is to prepare students to address the social and biophysical complexities of environmental problems. Along with the required core courses, the program will draw upon the strengths of current programs and resources to develop a unique program that combines the features of interdisciplinary, environmental literacy, integration of qualitative and quantitative skills, problem-solving in the context of climate change resilience and adaptability.”
The event will be attended by high-level policymakers and representatives from government entities, partners, representatives of the donor community, international and local NGOs, women and youth groups, and research and academic institutions. Following the official launch, copies of the policy will be distributed amongst participants and posted on the EPA website.