Members of Parliament participating in the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance (PCF) Project engaged the Leadership of Parliament on climate change and climate financing issues on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, in Committee Room One of the Parliament Building, Freetown.
The engagement aimed to discuss the ongoing PCF Project, its activities, progress, and status in Sierra Leone. The project is implemented by the Climate Parliament in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the Green Climate Fund.
Providing background on the initiative, Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Steering Committee on the PCF Project, highlighted its importance to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development. She emphasized that the project supports Parliament’s role in promoting sustainable development through climate financing and green energy initiatives.
In his welcome remarks, Hon. Yusuf Mackery, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Climate Change, noted that fifteen African countries are participating in the project, which seeks to expand access to energy through climate financing mechanisms. He explained that a Parliamentary Steering Committee was established three years ago to coordinate with relevant institutions in implementing the project. Hon. Mackery called on the Parliamentary Leadership to fully embrace the initiative, describing it as vital to national development.
Representing the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, Deputy Opposition Leader II, commended the organisers for the engagement. He stressed that green energy is central to national development, describing the project as a positive step. He urged collective action to address climate change and called for increased financial allocation and support for climate-related interventions.
Similarly, representing the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, Deputy Leader of Government Business II, commended the Chairman of the Environment and Climate Change Committee and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to mitigating climate change. He acknowledged the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio in advancing climate-related policies, laws, and regulations, and assured Parliament’s support in prioritizing funding for climate initiatives.
Climate change experts also participated virtually, delivering presentations on various aspects of the project. These included:
Dr. Sergio Missana, Secretary General of the Climate Parliament, on green energy constituencies and the PCF Project; Wilbourne Showers, Policy Coordinator at the Climate Parliament, on the progress of the PCF Project in Sierra Leone; and Eliza Cocksworth of UNIDO, introducing Phase II of the project.
In her presentation, Aminata Dumbuya, Climate Finance and Energy Advisor at UNIDO, highlighted the organization’s work in supporting Parliament to strengthen climate legislation, improve budget oversight, develop climate project pipelines, and align national efforts with NDC 3.0 targets for economy-wide emission reductions across key sectors.
Contributing to the discussions, Hon. Quintin Sallia-Konneh, Chairman of the Lands Committee, applauded the project and called for its sustainability.
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, emphasized the climate-related laws passed by Parliament and referenced the Paris Climate Change Agreement, highlighting its provisions for smaller and vulnerable countries. He also raised concerns about bureaucratic challenges in accessing climate finance, stressing that funds should be more accessible to smaller nations.
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, Opposition Whip, welcomed the initiative, underscoring the challenges associated with climate financing and environmental legislation, and reaffirmed Parliament’s role in promoting environmentally sensitive and friendly laws.
Other Members of Parliament made meaningful contributions, underlining the collective commitment to addressing climate change through effective legislation, financing, and oversight.