IPNews-Monrovia,Liberia-16 August 2018: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the National Adaptation Plans (NAP) project has formally launch the National Policy & Response Strategy on Climate Change in Monrovia.
The National Policy & Response Strategy on Climate Change was developed with the support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa since September 2016. It was subsequently validated on January 27, 2017 at a national stakeholders meeting.
Speaking at the launch of the policy and response plan, Finance and Development Minister Samuel Tweah lauded authorities of the Environmental Protection Agency-EPA, UNDP and other partners for ensuring Liberia fully contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions through the formulation of the policy and response strategy.
Minister Tweah stated that the effects of global warming are having dire consequences on national development effort and with the launch of the climate change policy and response strategy, Liberia would now mitigate current challenges in alleviating poverty and other environmental issues confronting the country.
The Liberia Finance and Development Minister Tweah, serving as ‘chief-launcher’ for the climate change policy and response strategy, said with the launch of the climate change policy, it would accelerate the government of Liberia properly develop qualitative, effective and coherent climate change adaptation plans.
For his part, EPA Executive Director, Nathaniel K. Blama, congratulated various partners and sectorial collaboration in the attainment of the caving of a profound national policy document which now sets the stage for a comprehensive sectorial strategies approach to addressing keys issues of climate change and response.
Hon. Blama sated that the new climate change policy and response strategy also seeks to enable better coordination of climate change works and approaches for Liberia and provides a path for opportunities, cooperation and collaboration between the government and stakeholders.
The Liberian environmental expert said further the policy provides further impetus to past and ongoing efforts 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.
Speaking further, Hon. Blama said the launch of the National Policy & Response Strategy on Climate Change,and response strategy with the collaboration of the UNDP, EPA and University of Liberia will additionally lead to the signing of a agreement for support toward 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.
Blama narrated that The program’s mission for setting up of a graduate program in environmental science at the University of Liberia 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 formal launch of the climate change policy and response strategy was attended by high level policy makers, senior government officials, Members of the Legislature, partners, representatives of the donor community, international and local NGOs, women and youth groups, and research and academic institutions.
