DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – President George Weah has called for a fundamental shift in the approach to climate investments, particularly from major greenhouse gas-emitting countries. These nations, he insisted, must develop new initiatives for emission reduction and significantly increase financial pledges for United Nations climate financing initiatives.

He made the statement on Saturday at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change also known as COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He began his address by acknowledging the unprecedented challenges the world faces due to climate change, citing record-breaking heat, droughts, flooding, and other disasters that have occurred with increasing frequency in 2023.

President Weah: “Today, let me reiterate that major greenhouse gas emitting countries will need to develop new initiatives for emission reduction, and not only fulfill –  but significantly increase –  the financial pledges that they have previously made for funding United Nations climate financing initiatives.

At the same time, care should be taken to overhaul and regulate carbon credit financing mechanisms to ensure more transparency and accountability, so that they are not used merely as an avenue for high emitters to avoid responsibility for reducing emissions.”

The Liberian President stressed the need for a candid assessment of the progress made under the 2015 Paris Agreement, emphasizing that the climate shocks experienced in 2023 serve as both a wake-up call and a call to action. He urged all countries present at COP 28 to adopt a more realistic agenda, implement concrete actions, and increase financial commitments to combat the climate emergency effectively.

President Weah also addressed the need to overhaul and regulate carbon credit financing mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. He cautioned against the misuse of these mechanisms as an avenue for high emitters to evade responsibility for reducing emissions.

Emphasizing the vulnerability of nations like Liberia to the impacts of global warming, President Weah emphasized the importance of increased financial support for adaptation and mitigation. He called for urgent consideration of compensation for the loss and damage already inflicted by climate change.

MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency has joined other countries to ensure the fulfillment of their obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UNFCCC.

The Framework guides countries on reporting their greenhouse emissions, progress towards their NDCs, Climate Change impacts, and adaptation, the support provided and mobilized and support needed and received.

Against the backdrop of the Framework, the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia launched Liberia’s Biennial Transparency Report and third National Communication Project which provides the necessary tools on the Country’s Reporting requirements under the paris agreement.

The Project was launched under the theme” Achieving Liberia’s Reporting Requirements through an integrated approach.

Liberia’s Reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement further empowers it to act towards limiting the global average temperature increase to as close to 1.5C as possible above preindustrial levels to strengthen climate resilience and to make financial flows consistent with regular reporting by Countries of transparent information on the implementation and achievement of their National objectives.

Starting at no later than 2024, as part of the enhanced Transparency framework, Liberia among other Countries will follow a single universal transparency process that wil provide a clear understanding of climate change actions and support that will periodically take stock of the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

At the Project launch, EPA’s Executive Director, Prof. Wilson Tarpeh emphasized that the National Work for the success of the program requires Liberia’s commitment and dedication to the Objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Prof. Tarpeh affirmed the EPA’s unflinching support in leading the front of ensuring that Liberia reports to the UNFCCC Secretariat consistent with the requirements of the Paris accord.

The EPA Boss disclosed that Liberia has produced several climate change reports such as the Initial National Communication, and Intended National Determined Contribution among others meant to communicate with international partners.

For his part, Assistant Planning, Research and Development Minister of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Johnson Willabo said the Nationally Determined Contribution that Liberia has revised remains one of the best towards driving developments collectively as a Country.

Minister Willabo assured the Mines and Energy Ministry’s continued collaboration with the EPA and other lined Agencies to ensure all reports align with the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, The PAPD.

44 Participants from relevant Ministries and Agencies attended the launching program.

Efforts to fulfill Liberia’s obligation as a party to the UNFCCC begin now and continue on the road to its development of the third National Communication Biennial Transparency Report as well as successive reporting processes.