Liberia Assesses COP30 Outcomes at The National People's Climate Justice Summit 2025
Liberia’s experience at the latest United Nations climate conference in Brazil came under review at a Climate Justice Forum panel held recently at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, where stakeholders examined both the opportunities and unresolved challenges emerging from COP30.
The discussion brought together representatives of civil society, youth groups, women-led organizations and regional institutions to evaluate what the global talks delivered for Liberia and how remaining gaps could affect a fair transition, inclusive climate financing and long-term development.
Talking about the issues of climate finance; promise versus access, Sylvia Diamond Dorbor, technical lead at the Green Future Initiative Platform and Liberia’s chief negotiator on loss and damage at COP30, said access to climate finance remains a major stumbling block for African countries.
“Funding exists to address climate impacts, but accessing it, identifying the right channels and meeting reporting requirements are still very difficult,” Dorbor explained.
She highlighted progress made on operationalizing the loss and damage fund under what she described as the Barbados implementation framework, estimated at about $250 million for 2025–2026. However, she cautioned that access is largely restricted to government institutions.
“Civil society organizations are excluded,” she said, noting that only national budget-support mechanisms qualify. In Liberia, agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Disaster Management Agency can submit proposals.
Dorbor also pointed to expanded adaptation finance commitments, with global pledges to triple funding to roughly $120 billion. Given Liberia’s minimal contribution to global emissions, she described this as a significant opening.
“This financing could help Liberia expand agroecology, renewable energy and other climate-resilient initiatives,” she said.
She further cited progress on forest finance, including discussions around a proposed tropical forest facility fund designed to mobilize up to $125 billion to reward forest conservation. For Liberia, one of the most forest-rich countries in West Africa, Dorbor said the initiative could be transformative.
Liberians serving on the panel discussion also pointed out the need for more youth engagement, adding that, youths can contribute large to game-changing impact in the climate fight.
Climate justice advocate Ezekiel Nyanfor said COP30 marked progress in amplifying youth involvement in Liberia’s climate planning. Ahead of the talks, he said young people and civil society worked with the government to shape the country’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
“Young people’s priorities were reflected in the document,” he said.
At COP30, Liberia engaged partners such as UNICEF on strengthening youth and child participation in climate action. According to Nyanfor, discussions are continuing locally with the EPA and UNICEF to turn those commitments into practice.
He emphasized that climate policy must connect to everyday survival. “People won’t engage on climate issues if they can’t meet basic needs,” he said. “Climate change is about livelihoods.”
Nyanfor also raised concerns about limited youth representation at global negotiations, noting he was the only young Liberian following adaptation talks at COP30 alongside the lead negotiator. He called for stronger mentorship and intergenerational inclusion.
For her part, ActionAid Liberia’s Country Director, Madam Elizabeth Gbah Johnson stress the need for Justice, inclusion and financing reform in combating climate change and ensuring that countries hard hit climate impacts get the fair share of finances in dealing with the crisis.
She said that not only did the COP30 allowed space for strong advocacy, but added that equity and justice for vulnerable nations is key.
“Our concern was whether women, children and marginalized communities are truly being considered,” she said.
While acknowledging progress, Johnson warned that complex funding procedures often prevent countries like Liberia from accessing adaptation finance. “The systems are too complicated, and many countries are left out,” she said.
She also argued that climate finance should not be routed exclusively through central governments, urging greater support for community-led initiatives and stronger attention to gender and grassroots participation in future COP processes, including COP31.
Another panelist, Yoney Butler, head of the Liberia Rural Women Organization for Climate Action said rural women must experience the practical climate solutions because they are at the centers of Liberia’s food production as they make up over 70% of the work force in Liberia’s agriculture sector.
COP30 outcomes matter deeply for women at the community level, especially regarding technology transfer.
She pointed to clean cooking technologies as a priority under Liberia’s NDC 3.0, noting that improved cookstoves are being introduced but remain unaffordable for many rural households.
“The cost is too high for rural women,” Butler said.
Her organization plans to train women to locally produce cookstoves, a move she said would reduce emissions, lower costs and improve health outcomes.
The panelists also called for regional cooperation and the road ahead. Speaking about the Economic Community of West African States, Ezekiel Nyanfor underscored the importance of regional solidarity in climate action. He called for improved forest mapping and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure major polluters contribute fairly through climate funds.
The forum ended with participants adopting a communiqué backing Liberia’s national climate agenda and calling for increased public awareness of adaptation and mitigation strategies.
As Liberia prepares for future climate negotiations, the panelists agreed that the real test lies in implementation ensuring that international climate commitments translate into concrete benefits for communities, women and young people most affected by climate change.