By VAYE ABEL LEPOLU
Monrovia – The Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency has announced major progress in the development of a national Carbon Trading Policy and a complementary Climate Change Law, positioning the country to benefit from the global carbon market while protecting its rich forest resources.
According to the Executive Direct of EPA Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, the initiative is being spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with strong support from the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), following a July 2024 mandate from the National Climate Change Steering Committee (NCCSC) chaired by President Joseph Boakai.
As part of the process,Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo said Liberia signed a Letter of Agreement with the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN). The partnership provides technical assistance in drafting the policy and conducting a national forest inventory to determine the country’s carbon stock. This inventory will establish the baseline for Liberia’s participation in international carbon markets.
To ensure national ownership, the Executive Direct of EPA mentioned that, the capacity building programs and trainings have been rolled out for government technicians, civil society actors, and other stakeholders.He added that, later this month, CfRN experts will conduct advanced on-the-ground training using aerial photography and modeling technologies to measure Liberia’s forest and mangrove carbon stock.
Meanwhile Dr. Yorkpawolo to group of that, the draft Carbon Trading Policy has undergone technical reviews and has been presented to the NCCSC.
According to him,public consultations have already taken place in seven counties, engaging local leaders, county authorities, and community representatives. Similar sessions will soon cover the remaining counties to ensure broad input.
However, he stresses that, in a bid to strengthen inclusiveness, the EPA will host a National Dialogue on the Draft Carbon Trading Policy on August 21–22, 2025, in Ganta, Nimba County.
He stated, the event will bring together county superintendents, ministers, civil society groups, youth and women leaders, the media, religious leaders, and development partners.
Following the dialogue and policy validation,Dr. Added that Liberia will move to draft a comprehensive Climate Change Law. The law will not only enshrine the Carbon Trading Policy but also establish legal frameworks, institutions, and enforcement mechanisms for climate governance. Importantly, it will ensure fair distribution of carbon market benefits to forest-dependent and vulnerable communities.
Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo say the government remains committed to building a transparent, accountable, and inclusive carbon market system that safeguards forests, uplifts communities, and strengthens Liberia’s role in global climate finance.
“The EPA, FDA, NCCSC, and all partners call on citizens and civil society to actively participate,” the release noted. “Together, we can ensure that Liberia’s natural wealth becomes a source of resilience and prosperity for generations to come.” he said.
