Liberia: Youth Climate Activists, EPA and Partners Share Experiences at COP 27, Vow to form a United Front in Addressing Climate Challenges
MONROVIA – The pro-environmental group, Liberian Youth for Climate Actions (LYCA), with support from the British Embassy in Monrovia over the weekend held a post COP27- Multi-stakeholders National & and Youth Consultative Dialogue.
The event was attended by officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the British Embassy and over 150 university students, environmental NGOs, and Young Climate activists. It highlighted the outcomes of COP27 with a key focus on “Loss and Damage, Action for Climate Empowerment, Finance, Food & Agriculture, Technology Mechanism, Capacity Building, Adaption & Mitigation, and Gender.”
The Executive Director of LYCA, Ezekiel Nyanfor said the event also focused on children and Youth Pavilion, COY17 & YOUNGO at COP27, climate education, and Negotiation Experiences from the youth.
He added it was intended to bring stakeholders together to chat about a path to overcome climate challenges and how to provide the finance, resources, and tools to effectively deliver climate actions at scale in Liberia.
He thanked the British Embassy for the support and lauded the EPA and other stakeholders for gracing the event.
The post COP27 event, Nyanfor added, served as an opportunity for youths who were unable to attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, such as youth from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations to keep the momentum beyond COP27.
Several panel discussions featuring officials and experts from the EPA, British Embassy and youth climate activists were held.
The EPA Executive Director, Prof. Wilson Tarpeh, sharing the platform with the Deputy British Ambassador to Liberia, Kate Thompson, said the Government of Liberia is committed to work with its local and international partners including the British Embassy and LYCA to intensify the fight against climate change and protect the environment.
“Liberia has the political will to fight climate change,” he said. “President George Weah has demonstrated the government’s willingness to combat the menace of climate change.”
He added this is demonstrated through the President’s actions at home and the international scene where he continues to advocate for support to Liberia and other countries with vast forest resources.
As part of its support, the EPA boss promised to sponsor a member of LYCA to the next UN Climate Convention – 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai, the United Emirates which is scheduled to be held from November 30 to the 12th of December this year.
Ms. Thompson said the British Government was proud to partner with the Government of Liberia and organizations such as LYCA to counter the adverse effects of climate change.
England, she recounted, was the first industrialized nation, and since climate change is vastly exacerbated by industrial pollution, it is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, like all industrialized nations to support efforts in combating climate change.
Also, at the event, the youth held inspire-solution-driven discussions and showcased their engagements at COP27, and at the same time, shared knowledge and experiences on the COP27 negotiation processes and outcomes.
Meanwhile, the British Embassy and several young climate activists were honored by LYCA for their excellent contribution towards LYCA and the fight against climate change.
The event was held under the theme: “COP27 Outcomes: Challenges, Prospects & Opportunities for Liberians, the event will also serve as an opportunity for youths who were unable to attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.”
LYCA is a youth-led pro-environmental group whose purpose, among other things, is to “energize entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs to tackle climate change through innovation and problem-solving.”