The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a two-day National Youth Dialogue September 15-16, 2020 on the revision of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

This is part  of efforts by the Government of Liberia, through the EPA to submit a revised NDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by early 2021. The dialogue was convened in the City of Ganta, Nimba County. 

Liberia’s economy, population, and environment are highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. A range of studies, including the Republic of Liberia’s Initial National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) notes that the impacts of climate change are expected to intensify as changes in temperature and precipitation affect economic activity.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs), like Liberia face a disproportionate impact from climate change. This is due to their high reliance on climate sensitive sectors and natural resources that are being affected by changes in precipitation patterns, floods, droughts, temperature extremes, disruptions in trade and energy infrastructure among others, yet they are least responsible for changes in global climate.

However, in 2015, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement, where countries committed to the common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, together with the aim of strengthening the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.

Like other Countries, Liberia hopes to anchor its revised NDC on the objectives of the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). The ACE empowers individuals and society at large to take action on climate change though its 6 elements: education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation. 

In 2015 Liberia submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). The document outlines the country’s intended actions to contribute to the global effort to combat climate change, with climate change adaptation and mitigation targets including an overall target of reducing Green House Gas (GHGs) emissions by at least 10% by 2030.

The Liberian Legislature ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in June 2018 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, bringing the country one step closer to reaching its goals for low-carbon, climate-resilient development.

Liberia has an opportunity to revise and resubmit its NDC in the next few months. This includies raising ambition in mitigation and/or adaptation actions, as part of the Paris Agreement’s NDC update process. The enhancement will include the addition of new sectors LULUCF, blue Carbon, Short-Lived Climate Pollutants and Green Corridors, considering the adaptation and mitigation benefits of these sectors.

The dialogue specifically focused on enabling broad based and inclusive youth participation in the revision of NDCs s aimed at meeting its emissions reduction targets in 5 sectors-Energy, Forestry, Agriculture, Waste and Transport.

The exercise was funded through the UNDP Climate Promise Initiative – which includes support for enhancing adaptation and mitigation ambitions, broad engagement of the private sector, youth and gender stakeholders, and development of an NDC financing strategy. 

The key objectives were to enhance youth understanding and capacity to participate in the NDC revision; prepare youth submission on the revised NDC; understand the key outcomes/deliverables to be achieved from Liberia’s NDC revision process; and to enhance collective and increased Youth participation and involvement to promote climate and development.

The dialogue is amongst series of activities funded through UNDP  global flagship promise on climate change, support to national Governments in their NDC implementation beginning now to 2030.

UNDP Climate Promise supports over 100 countries, including Liberia to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, delivered in collaboration with a wide variety of partners.