The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), housed at the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), has officially launched the National Carbon Market Policy Dialogue in Ganta, Nimba County.
The two-day forum brings together government ministries, legislators, development partners, civil society, the private sector, women and youth leaders, and academia to deliberate and shape Liberia’s first-ever national carbon market policy.
Opening the dialogue, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the EPA, emphasized that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, with its devastating impacts already being felt in Liberia. He highlighted that the carbon market presents a critical opportunity for the country to secure both environmental and economic benefits by reducing emissions and safeguarding its forests.
Dr. Yarkpawolo outlined four key national issues requiring consensus:
- Ownership of Carbon Resources – clarifying who holds rights to carbon in Liberia.
- Benefit Sharing – ensuring fair and equitable distribution of revenues.
- Market Model – deciding whether to adopt compliance, voluntary, or hybrid structures.
- Institutional Arrangements – establishing a transparent and accountable authority to manage carbon market participation.
The EPA, through the National Climate Change Steering Committee (NCCSC), has already coordinated nationwide consultations in seven counties and developed a draft Carbon Market Policy in collaboration with Liberian experts, international partners, and the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN). Liberia plans to present the finalized policy at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, this November, signaling the country’s readiness to engage fully in sustainable and transparent carbon trading.
Dr. Yarkpawolo expressed gratitude to the Office of the President, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Forestry Development Authority, and international partners, including Canada, the EU, UNDP, the UK Government, Welt Hunger Hilfe, Heritage Partners, and others for their technical and financial support.
“This work is significant,” he noted, “but with the active participation of all Liberians, we can create a policy that not only serves our country but also contributes meaningfully to global climate action.”
Adding the government’s perspective, Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Dehpue Y. Zuo, stressed that the dialogue reflects the strong interest of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and the Liberian people in making natural capital central to national development.
“This gathering brings to bear the attention of the President and the people of Liberia. We are not here for just a session but to provide focused discussion on the importance of our natural capital, which is germane to governance and development,” Minister Zuo said.
He explained that the dialogue is part of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, ensuring that carbon market discussions are inclusive and owned by Liberians.
He further called for greater coordination, collaboration, cooperation, and communication, while urging the adoption of innovative financing solutions such as blended financing and green bonds, and ensuring alignment with the Revenue Law, Local Government Act, and community ownership frameworks.
“We cannot own the largest share of the Upper Guinea Forest and live in poverty,” Minister Zuo emphasized. “This new dispensation under President Boakai seeks to transform natural capital into growth, development, and opportunity for all Liberians.”
In a brief statement, the Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Hon.Rudolf J. Merab also underlined that the future of Liberia depends on the responsible management of its natural resources—whether timber, gold, iron ore, or the newest one, carbon.
“The way we handle it will determine how our country grows. If we divide it among a few rather than managing it holistically, Liberia risks losing out in the future,” he warned.
He called for unity, patriotism, and a national-first approach, urging participants to put country above individual or group interests.
As Liberia prepares for COP30, the EPA, Ministry of Finance, FDA, and Partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and sustainable carbon market policy that can position Liberia as a regional leader in climate action, while creating new opportunities for national development and prosperity.
