MONROVIA – The Paynesville Metropolis Company has formally launched its first-ever Local weather Motion Plan (PCAP), an initiative that outlines the town’s dedication to tackling the rising local weather disaster by daring, community-focused motion.
The launch introduced collectively a wide selection of native, nationwide, and worldwide stakeholders, together with Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who delivered the keynote deal with. She praised PCC’s management and urged deeper cooperation amongst African cities dealing with shared local weather vulnerabilities.
“Liberia is not only our neighbor, it usually looks like a second residence,” Aki-Sawyerr stated. “Our contexts are related, and our challenges are shared. What Paynesville is doing right this moment shouldn’t be symbolic—it’s important.”
Referencing the 2017 Freetown landslide that claimed over 1,000 lives, Aki-Sawyerr stated, “That tragedy shouldn’t be theoretical—it’s lived expertise. Local weather change shouldn’t be coming; it’s right here. And this plan is a strong native response.”
Aki-Sawyerr, additionally Co-Chair of the C40 Cities Local weather Management Group, highlighted the significance of native options to international issues and famous the PCAP’s alignment with worldwide targets to chop carbon emissions and promote environmental justice.
In keeping with PCC, the Local weather Motion Plan units out targets to scale back greenhouse gasoline emissions by 50% by 2030 and obtain carbon neutrality by 2050. Key priorities embody tree planting, waste administration reform, improved drainage methods, photo voltaic power integration, and development of climate-resilient infrastructure.
The plan, developed by multi-stakeholder consultations, was impressed partially by a current city-to-city engagement throughout the Africa Mayors’ Local weather Convention in Freetown.
On the occasion, Paynesville Metropolis Mayor Robert S. Bestman II reaffirmed the Company’s dedication to implementation.
“This Local weather Motion Plan won’t be handled like a doc solely on the cabinets,” Mayor Bestman stated. “We are going to ensure each motion is applied to the fullest.”
The Environmental Safety Company (EPA) welcomed the initiative as a key step in localizing Liberia’s nationwide local weather targets. EPA Government Director Dr. Emmanuel Okay. Urey Yarkpawolo described the PCAP as a possible mannequin for different cities throughout the nation.
“That is what it means to localize international local weather targets,” Dr. Urey famous. “It’s not nearly know-how—it’s about individuals, coverage, partnerships, and political will.”
The EPA stated it intends to collaborate with PCC in mobilizing local weather financing, enhancing monitoring methods, and replicating efficient practices in different municipalities, together with Kakata, Gbanga, Buchanan, and Tubmanburg.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of civil society organizations, non secular teams, youth coalitions, and improvement companions together with UNICEF and the United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP), reflecting broad assist for the town’s environmental agenda.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr used the event to name for better decentralization of authority to native governments in West Africa. “Planning and constructing permits should be devolved to metropolis councils,” she stated. “Native leaders want entry to revenues to ship outcomes.”
With the Local weather Motion Plan now formally launched, PCC has known as on residents, establishments, and companions to play an lively function in realizing its targets. The Company framed the plan as a collective mission to construct a greener, safer, and extra climate-resilient Paynesville for future generations.
