In an effort to empower young people in the fight against climate change, EPA, UNDP, and partners, hosted a two-day stocktaking workshop of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) focusing on youth inclusion.

The event held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, from December 16-17, 2024, was under the theme “Climate Promise: From Pledge to Impact - Leveraging the Climate Promise to Enhance Government Capacity.”

This important gathering, organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth & Sports, and the Federation of Liberian Youth, aims to evaluate Liberia’s progress in implementing its climate commitments ensuring young people’s active participation in the NDCs process.

Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA, highlighted the pivotal role of young people in climate action. He urged participants to concentrate on environmental education and green job creation as the two critical areas, adding that quality environmental education and the creation of green jobs should be central to youth engagement in Liberia’s climate initiatives.

“In sustainability, we consider how the current generation can utilize resources to ensure their availability for future generations,” Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo stated. 

He wants stakeholders to prioritize innovative projects, hands-on internships, and Eco-friendly business initiatives that could create jobs and provide skills and careers for young people that are centered around a green purpose while addressing climate challenges.

The stocktaking workshop created a platform for dialogue on the challenges limiting youth participation in climate policies and actions.

Christine Umutoni, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, said it was good that young people had come together with a shared commitment to ensure that they are not passive participants in this process, but active influential leaders driving the nation’s climate agenda.

Ms. Umutoni said the collaboration among all the partners including the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Liberia National Student Union, UNDP, UN Women, and UNICEF is a testament to the strength of partnerships that drives tangible change.

“Together, we are taking stock of how effectively young people's inclusive strategies are embedded within Liberia’s NDCs and exploring the critical gaps and barriers that young people, face in contributing to climate solutions. This is not just an evaluation, but a call to action, an opportunity to listen, learn, and improve,’’ she noted.

Liberia’s NDC 2.0 was developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, which included technical experts, national and sub-national officials, women, youth, and private sector representatives. Notable achievements from this process include the Ganta Declaration, a commitment by young people to remain engaged in the NDC development and implementation.

UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative for programme Louis Kuukpen emphasized commitment and dedication to promoting youth-focused climate actions and initiatives. 

Kuukpen spoke of the global challenges of climate change, especially for the young and vulnerable, stressing that the solutions must involve and empower them as key drivers of change. 

He also noted that UNDP is working to build the capacity of youth leaders with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to lead and engage in climate action effectively.

“As we look ahead to NDC 3.0, the revision process presents an important opportunity to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and actively integrated into our climate strategies,” he added. 

UNDP's Deputy Resident Representative urged participating youth leaders and groups to remain active and engaged in discussions, sharing their experiences, ideas, proposals, energy, innovation, and determination as Liberia strives to strengthen its commitment to climate resilience and sustainability.

“Let’s make this stocktaking process a turning point to identify solutions, break down barriers, and ensure that the next NDC of Liberia is more inclusive, effective, and ambitious than ever before,” Kuukpen intimated.

Liberia’s ambitious climate targets aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64% below the projected business-as-usual levels by 2030. 

This stocktaking exercise assesses the effectiveness of youth participation in implementing these targets. It includes documenting young people's perspectives on the progress of NDC 2.0, challenges, lessons learned, best practices, strengthening inclusion, and evaluating how youth are integrated into Liberia’s climate strategies, mitigation, and adaptation measures.

Participants proposed actionable recommendations to enhance the role of young people in climate strategies, including improving awareness and opportunities in the agricultural and financial sectors.

The event featured group discussions, presentations on Liberia’s NDC commitments, and collaborative sessions to develop recommendations for NDC 3.0.

Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Federation of Liberian Youth, Mano River Union Youth Parliament, Tubman University Volunteer Movement, Liberia National Students’ Union, Youth Climate Change Initiative-Liberia, and Liberia Youth for Climate Action.

This event underscores the importance of inclusive climate actions. As Liberia works toward achieving its climate goals, the voices of young people remains pivotal in driving transformative change.

The organizers encouraged all stakeholders to support and participate in this critical stocktaking process to ensure that Liberia’s climate commitments reflect the needs and aspirations of all its citizens.