MONROVIA – Stakeholders have reached a consensus to incorporate climate action within the framework of land rights, aiming for a sustainable and inclusive approach to land formalization.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
The decision was reached at the end of a two-day conference jointly organized by Landesa, a global advocate for land rights and women’s empowerment, and the Rights and Rice Foundation.
It ran from January 30 to 31, bringing together various stakeholders to deliberate on the intersection of climate change and land rights.
Constance Teage, the country director of Landesa, said participants explored possible amendments of existing pro land rights laws to include climate adaptation and mitigation. She highlighted the need to address the lack of provisions for reforestation in laws governing community forest usage, emphasizing the importance of ensuring sustainable practices alongside land rights.
The conference, titled “Land Rights for Inclusive Climate Action and Sustainable Development,” was held at the Ellen Johnson Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
Ms. Teage emphasized the significance of integrating climate change considerations into discussions on land rights, particularly given that customary land constitutes a significant portion of Liberia’s landmass. The conference, she added, aimed to raise awareness among community members and supporting institutions about the impact of climate change on land tenure and foster discussions on integrating climate adaptation and mitigation into land formalization processes.
She said: “And so, if we are addressing climate change over a long period of time, we are essentially addressing the issue of climate change within the land sector. And so, this is the reason why we have this conference. We wanted to make sure that community members that are impacted by climate, institutions that are working to support communities go through the formalization process understand what climate change is, how it is impacting the country, and start to discuss how we can start to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation within the formalization process.”
Ms. Teage further stressed the interconnectedness of land and climate issues, noting their impact on forests, wetlands, and public health. The outcomes of the conference are expected to pave the way for a resilient and climate-smart land tenure system in Liberia, potentially serving as a model for other African nations facing similar challenges.
Key immediate outcomes include the production of a comprehensive conference report, the compilation of a data profile of attendees, and the drafting of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Landesa and partnering organizations. Long-term objectives involve institutionalizing climate measures within the formalization process, establishing a dedicated climate change thematic group, and garnering commitments from international partners.
Teage reiterated the importance of addressing climate change within the context of land rights, emphasizing the need for legislative and policy reforms to strengthen climate resilience in Liberia. She highlighted the firsthand accounts from community members across Liberia, detailing the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, weather patterns, and overall livelihoods.
The conference attracted a diverse array of stakeholders, including policymakers, members of the 55th Legislature, Josephine Nkrumah (ECOWAS Permanent Representative to Liberia), civil society representatives, farmers, and community leaders. Participants hailed the event as a significant step forward for West Africa in addressing the intersection of land rights and climate change.
Speaking at the opening earlier, Everlyne Nairesiae, emphasized the pressing need for climate action within the framework of land rights, striving for a sustainable and inclusive approach to land formalization. Nairesiae highlighted that as Liberia faces the repercussions of climate change, the conference outcomes could chart a course towards a resilient and climate-smart land tenure system, serving as a model for other African nations confronting similar challenges.