Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Wilson
Published on 2024-03-27 07:59:27
The World Bank Group recently released a new Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for Liberia, highlighting the risks of climate change on the country’s economy and poverty levels. The report emphasizes the importance of proactive action to address these challenges by focusing on adaptation, better planning for low-carbon growth, land use, and investment.
While Liberia is a relatively low emitter of greenhouse gases, it is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. For example, Liberia’s main staple, rice, is sensitive to increased humidity, extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall, and pests that thrive under these conditions. The CCDR projects a potential 13 percent reduction in rainfed rice production by 2041-2050 due to climate change, leading to decreased income, increased reliance on costly imports, and higher levels of poverty and food insecurity.
The report warns of increasing threats from hotter temperatures, erratic rainfall, and climate disasters like floods, windstorms, and heat waves. Despite these risks, Liberia’s readiness to adapt has been limited by a lack of detailed data on climate hazards and disasters. The CCDR suggests pathways for resilient growth and intensified climate adaptation in Liberia, leveraging the country’s vast rainforest and potential for carbon markets and climate financing.
Robert Taliercio, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, notes that the CCDR explores Liberia’s vulnerability to climate change and proposes interventions to enhance resilience, finance climate actions, and support inclusive growth and poverty reduction. The report identifies four priority climate actions: climate risks and readiness, essential infrastructure, human development promotion, and sustainable land management.
Kyle F. Kelhofer, International Finance Corporation Senior Country Manager, emphasizes the importance of private sector involvement in meeting Liberia’s climate goals. The report advocates for creating an enabling environment for increased private sector investment in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and waste recycling to reduce energy costs and promote sustainable development.
The CCDR also calls for scaling up water and sanitation services, improving solid waste management practices, enhancing drainage and flood protection systems, and strengthening the maintenance of unpaved roads. It recommends exploring public-private partnerships for low-carbon mass transit solutions and improving monitoring and enforcement in mining and forestry sectors.
Overall, the CCDR aims to help countries prioritize impactful actions that can foster a low-carbon transition, boost resilience, and achieve broader development goals. These reports provide concrete recommendations to support the transition and inform governments, citizens, private sector stakeholders, and development partners. CCDRs also contribute to other Bank Group diagnostics, country engagements, and operations, attracting funding for high-impact climate action.
Read the original article on New Republic Liberia
