Liberia’s climate crisis is worsening, and civil society leaders are demanding action to protect vulnerable communities. After the recent National People’s Climate Justice Summit, held on December 15-16, concerns mounted about the government’s slow response despite years of policy promises.
“Climate justice is crucial for Liberia,” said Loretta Pop-Kai, head of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia. She called for policies that reach local levels, focusing on empowering women and youth while safeguarding those most affected by climate change.
Despite contributing less than 0.04% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Liberia is highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Recent flooding displaced over 100,000 people, while coastal erosion is claiming parts of the shoreline at alarming rates. Agriculture, which employs over 60% of the population, faces threats from unpredictable weather patterns, leading to heightened food insecurity.
The summit underscored initiatives like agroecology, clean energy, and disaster preparedness, yet tangible implementation remains lacking. Past commitments, like those from the June 2025 call for increased climate resilience, have not transitioned into meaningful action. Civil society advocates argue that while discussions are expanding, real funding and support for local adaptation efforts have not followed suit.
For instance, Liberia has initiated engagement with international frameworks for climate finance, but many local organizations still cannot access these resources. This gap restricts the ability of community-based groups, including women-led initiatives, to implement necessary changes.
Experts emphasize that without a clear timeline and stricter enforcement of climate policies, progress will continue to falter. “Government budgets must align with community needs,” Pop-Kai stressed, urging immediate action to enhance early-warning systems and finance that directly benefits local populations.
Recommendations from the summit included expanding rights to land, improving the transparency of climate funding, and increasing access to clean energy. Such steps are essential, especially for women and youth, who play vital roles in local climate responses.
While the Boakai administration has made some strides—like reviving early-warning system projects—challenges remain. Experts point to public debt and bureaucratic hurdles as significant barriers to effective implementation. “Climate finance needs to flow to those on the ground, not just remain a topic of discussion,” echoed Anthony Kollie, deputy director of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The urgency is clear: Liberia must act decisively to support its most at-risk communities. The gap between promises and action threatens not only the environment but also the livelihoods and futures of many Liberians.
