Eco-stove training for women to help Liberia reach target

About 40 women from five vulnerable communities in Liberia's capital of Monrovia have been trained in the production of 400 eco-stoves.

The women who have acquired the requisite skills are expected to help the country reach its Nationally Determined Contributions 2030 target.

Liberia has a national target to produce 300,000 energy-efficient stoves by 2030 as part of its efforts to reduce deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for climate change.

A statement issued by the United Nations Development Program, or UNDP, said the intervention is linked to improving livelihoods and promoting diversification and access to renewable energy by using innovative and sustainable methods to reduce deforestation and to access clean energy.

"This is a starting point for contributing to the achievement of this target. We can only succeed in meeting this target if everyone plays a part," UNDP Energy and Environment Specialist Moses Massah noted.

He stressed that the restoration of the ecosystem remains a global effort aimed at ensuring that countries of the world take the appropriate steps needed to help end poverty, combat climate change and prevent the extinction of animals.

However, he urged the eco-stove ambassadors to use the knowledge as an opportunity to improve their lives and help Liberia reverse the degradation of its ecosystem.

The women within their various groups are expected to use the sales from the eco-stoves as startup capital to establish business enterprises, which will increase income generation and improve their livelihoods.

"We have no choice but to take drastic actions to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems or we will have a hard price to pay," Massah said.