EPA Urges Businesses to Support Liberia’s Climate Goals
By: Emmett S. Yarsiah
MONROVIA, June 30, 2026 – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, has called on the private sector to take a leading role in supporting Liberia’s climate agenda by adopting sustainable and climate-smart business practices.
Dr. Yarkpawolo made the call on Tuesday during the opening of a four-day workshop on Aligning MSME Business Practices with Liberia’s National Climate Goals (NDCs) at the Liberia Chamber of Commerce in Monrovia.
The workshop, organized by the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia in collaboration with the Youth Entrepreneurs Network of Liberia (YEN-Liberia) and supported by the UNIDO GROW-2 Project, brought together representatives of government ministries and agencies, development partners, the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, business associations, and owners and managers of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Speaking at the event, Dr. Yarkpawolo said climate change continues to pose serious challenges to Liberia through rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, flooding, coastal erosion, and other environmental threats affecting communities and businesses across the country.
He noted that MSMEs are the backbone of Liberia’s economy, creating jobs, supporting families, and contributing significantly to national economic growth. However, he said they are also among the sectors most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, achieving Liberia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will require strong collaboration between the government and the private sector.
“The private sector is critical to Liberia’s climate future,” he said, adding that businesses can reduce their environmental impact, invest in cleaner technologies, create green jobs, and promote sustainable economic growth.
He encouraged business owners to view climate action as an opportunity to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, attract investment, and build more resilient businesses.
Dr. Yarkpawolo described the workshop as an important platform for helping MSMEs integrate climate-smart practices into their daily operations while remaining competitive in a changing economy.
He urged participants to actively engage in the discussions and apply the knowledge gained by improving waste management, increasing energy efficiency, responsibly managing natural resources, and adopting environmentally sustainable business practices.
The EPA Executive Director also thanked the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, development partners, and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative, emphasizing that partnerships are essential to building a greener and more sustainable Liberia.
The four-day workshop is expected to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs to align their operations with Liberia’s climate commitments and contribute to the successful implementation of the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
