Monrovia, Liberia—Environmental and climate justice activists have become increasingly angry over the Liberian government’s decision to vote against a historic UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change. They claim that the action not only goes against the nation’s own climate commitments but also undermines Africa’s moral and diplomatic standing in the global climate debate.
The country’s vote was deemed “deeply troubling” by a group of environmental and land rights organizations, including Green Advocates International (GAI), the Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD), and the Natural Resource Women Platform (NRWP). They warned that it could jeopardize years of international advocacy for climate finance, reparations, and protection for vulnerable communities already affected by climate change.
The resolution, which was approved by 141 UN members, intends to strengthen international legal obligations on climate action and responsibility, with particular safeguards for those who are most at risk from the effects of climate change. Liberia’s opposition was swiftly condemned by Green Advocates International, the Alliance for Rural Democracy, and the Natural Resource Women Platform, who said the government’s position was conflicting with what Liberia had advocated for in international climate forums.
Alfred Lahai Gbabai Brownell Sr., founding president of Global Climate Legal Defense and creator of Green Advocates International, who was awarded the 2019 Goldman Environmental Prize, stated, “We are deeply troubled by Liberia’s position on such a historic global climate justice initiative. It is regrettable that Liberia, the only African nation to vote against the resolution, opted to distance itself from the rest of the continent. Liberia presently represents Africa on the UN Security Council.”
The organizations maintained that the vote is in conflict with Liberia’s persistent requests for climate finance, reparations, green investments, and international assistance for loss and damage caused by climate change the exact mechanisms that the ICJ ruling was intended to promote. Liberia’s documented climate vulnerability worsens the situation. According to a 2024 World Bank Country Climate and Development Report, climate change might cause Liberia’s GDP to decrease by up to 15% and force 1.3 million people into extreme poverty by 2050 if sufficient adaptation measures are not taken.
The nation’s primary food source, rice, is expected to decrease as growth conditions are altered by rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. Threats to public health, food systems, coastal infrastructure, and the overall economy are accumulating. As part of the Paris Agreement and its Expanded Nationally Committed Contributions, Liberia pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64% below normal operating levels by 2030. In particular, international climate funding, technological transfer, and capacity-building support from wealthy nations are necessary to achieve this goal.
According to Windor B. Smith, head of secretariat at the Alliance for Rural Democracy, Liberia has also committed to preserving the Upper Guinean rainforest through community-led conservation, decreasing deforestation, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting a just transition that gives priority to women and vulnerable communities.
African Climate Platform coordinator and Green Advocates staff lawyer, Atty. AL Varney Rogers warned that the diplomatic loss might be more than symbolic. Rogers claims that the vote could harm Liberia’s standing in international climate negotiations and reduce Africa’s collective voice on climate justice. He also disclosed that the African Climate Platform has filed a separate appeal with the African Court, asking for an advisory opinion on the obligations of African countries in addressing the climate issue.
Francis K. Colee, Acting Executive Director of Green Advocates International, gave a striking account of the human cost of climate change while reflecting on circumstances in Grand Bassa County. According to Colee, children in Balawles still gather there to play football even though the field has been engulfed by coastal erosion. The route that connects nearby settlements has been lost to the sea, so vendors and other locals now have to walk through floodwaters.
In addition to coastal dangers unpredictable rainfall, flooding, and rising temperatures are putting increasing strain on Liberia’s agricultural sector, which supports the vast majority of the country’s population. The nation’s main food source, rice, is expected to drastically decrease as the environment deteriorates. Environmental specialists have warned of rising outbreaks of waterborne infections, sanitation problems, and heat-related ailments associated with climatic instability, all of which pose a threat to public health.
Environmental Rights Africa, a coalition of more than 55 civil society organizations led by Green Advocates that promotes a legislative framework for environmental rights across the continent, was also mentioned by the coalition. Peter Quaqua, Head of Secretariat for Environmental Rights Africa, stated that the ICJ advisory decision offered vulnerable countries, particularly those in Africa, a chance to fortify international legal frameworks on climate justice and accountability. Liberia’s decision did not accurately represent the situation on the ground; thus, it should have stood strongly with impacted communities and vulnerable countries.
The groups are requesting that the government provide a public justification for its vote. The Liberian government had not yet released an official statement outlining its stance as of the time of publication. Will Liberia join vulnerable countries calling for environmental justice and climate accountability? Or will it go toward stances that are seen as undermining international climate action?
