Monrovia, June 30, 2026 – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, says the private sector has a major role to play in helping Liberia respond to climate change and achieve its national climate goals.
Speaking Tuesday at 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, Dr. Yarkpawolo said the fight against climate change cannot be won by the government alone.
The workshop which is organized by the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia In collaboration with Youth Entrepreneurs Network of Liberia, with support from UNIDO Grow-2 Project is bringing 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).
Dr. Yarkpawolo said climate change is already affecting Liberia through rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, flooding, coastal erosion, and other environmental challenges that continue to impact communities and businesses across the country.
He noted that MSMEs are the backbone of Liberia’s economy, creating jobs, supporting families, and contributing to economic growth. However, he said they are also among the businesses most affected by the impacts of climate change.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, Liberia has committed itself under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the country’s ability to adapt to climate change through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
He stressed that achieving these commitments will require strong collaboration between the government and the private sector.
“The private sector is critical to Liberia’s climate future,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “Businesses have the power to reduce their environmental impact, invest in cleaner technologies, create green jobs, and support sustainable economic growth.”
He encouraged business owners to see climate action not as a burden but as an opportunity to improve their operations, reduce costs, attract investment, and build stronger and more resilient businesses.
The EPA Executive Director described the workshop as an important platform for helping businesses understand how they can align their daily operations with Liberia’s climate goals while remaining competitive in a changing economy.
He urged participants to actively take part in the discussions and use the knowledge gained during the four-day training to improve waste management, increase energy efficiency, use natural resources responsibly, and adopt climate-smart business practices.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also thanked the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, development partners, and all stakeholders for supporting the initiative.
He said partnerships between government, the private sector, and development organizations are essential to building a greener and more sustainable Liberia.
He reaffirmed the EPA’s commitment to working with businesses across the country to promote environmental protection while supporting economic development.
The four-day workshop is expected to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs to integrate climate-smart practices into their operations and contribute to the successful implementation of Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions, which form part of the country’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to address climate change.
