DAKAR, SENEGAL – In a bold stride towards accelerating climate action across the region, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ambassador to the West African Carbon Alliance and Climate Finance, delivered a powerful address at the second West Africa Carbon Market Hub Workshop held at the RIU BAOBAB Hotel in Dakar.
The high-level workshop brought together ministers, diplomats, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders from across West Africa. Designed to enhance regional cooperation and build institutional capacity, the event focused heavily on the role of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which facilitates international collaboration in carbon markets and promotes equitable benefit-sharing.
A Call for Regional Unity and Economic Sovereignty
In his remarks, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized the urgent need for strengthened regional alliances to develop robust carbon markets. He argued that such cooperation is not only vital for environmental progress but also key to achieving economic sovereignty in the face of global financial uncertainties.
“In an era where multilateralism and international climate finance face significant challenges, it is vital that we strengthen our collaborations to innovate and address poverty in our region,” he stated.
Liberia’s Commitment to Climate Action and Forest Conservation
Dr. Yarkpawolo reiterated the unwavering support of President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. for carbon trading as a tool for environmental conservation and economic development. Liberia, home to over 40% of West Africa’s remaining forest cover, is positioning itself as a leader in leveraging carbon credits to protect its critical forest and mangrove ecosystems.
The EPA’s role is central to Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID)—a five-year national strategy targeting $8.4 billion in investments, with climate finance forming a significant component.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also announced Liberia’s ambitious target of a 64% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, aligning with global climate goals. Although Liberia contributes minimally to global emissions, it remains highly vulnerable to climate impacts, prompting a strong emphasis on adaptation strategies in its revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0.
Strengthening Regional Platforms for Climate Finance
Acknowledging the support of the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, Dr. Yarkpawolo praised the organization’s role in building technical capacity and advancing Article 6 implementation in the region.
In closing, he called for the establishment of a comprehensive financing platform to support climate actions across West Africa, advocating for carbon pricing mechanisms that reflect the true environmental and social value of emissions reductions.
“We need financial instruments that drive sustainable development while delivering real climate benefits for our people and our planet,” he concluded.
The workshop in Dakar marks a pivotal moment in the region’s climate journey, reinforcing the shared commitment of West African nations to carbon market integration, sustainable development, and environmental resilience.
About the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance
Founded in 2017, the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance is a regional initiative created by and for West African countries.
Its mission is to strengthen the region’s presence in global carbon markets, facilitate technology transfer, and secure results-based climate finance to support the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Member countries include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
