The preparatory meeting with the leadership of the Parliament of Liberia concluded successfully last week in Monrovia, Liberia.
Attendance
- Hon. Simeon B. Taylor, Committee Chair of Environment and Climate Change
- House of Representatives member Eugine J. M. Kollie, Committee Chair on Lands, Mining, and Natural Resources
- Dr. Benjamin Karmoh, Technical Advisor
- Alex Gborlee, Head of Joint Committee, Parliament Secretariat
- Boimah Kondo, Chief of Staff, Office of the Committee Chair on Environment and Climate Change
- AGNES Team
Meeting Summary
The discussions were smooth and focused on Liberia’s internal arrangements and planning activities for the upcoming West Africa meeting. The Parliament expressed strong support for the process and committed to assisting in various areas, including:
- Protocol arrangements at the airport
- Transportation and pickups
- Introducing key partners
- Providing event materials, among other logistical aspects
Background
Climate change is today’s most important challenge, yet many countries are still poorly equipped to deal with its undeniable and increasingly profound impacts. Scientists, with near unanimity, project that we are moving towards a 4°C temperature rise by the end of the century, the effects of which will impact us all.
A Looming Crisis
Climate change knows no borders, and its impacts are already being felt across Southern Africa. Scientists, in near unanimity, project a catastrophic 4°C temperature rise by the end of this century. The consequences of such warming are dire, including coastal city inundations, food production risks, water scarcity, and the loss of vital biodiversity, including coral reefs. However, a glimmer of hope lies in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on 1.5°C, which calls for global CO2 emissions to decrease by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Global Cooperation: The Paris Agreement
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, 197 parties, including 196 countries and the EU, adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015. The agreement’s goal is clear: limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Achieving this requires global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to net-zero emissions by 2050. The Paris Agreement is a binding international treaty that commits nations to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change, based on the best available science.
The Role of Parliaments
In this critical climate context, parliaments play a pivotal role. They craft policies, pass legislation, and oversee the implementation of climate response measures. However, many African parliaments, particularly in the Southern Africa region, are inadequately prepared to effectively engage in climate action. Few countries on the continent have enacted the necessary climate change legislation.