Liberia's NDC

Food System Overview

Agriculture and forestry are the main source of income for over 60% of Liberia's population.[i] In 2021, it made up 31% of Liberia's GDP.[ii] It provides income for many households engaging in cassava, rubber, rice, oil palm, cocoa, or sugarcane production. Liberia depends on food imports with more than 80% of its staple food, rice, being imported.[iii] Fisheries represent approximately 10% of Liberia’s GDP and employ approximately 3 million people throughout the West African coast.[iv]

NDC Development

The revision and update process of Liberia’s NDC was led by the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia with the support of NDC Partnership through the Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP). The process involved a participatory approach and included stakeholders such as line ministries and agencies of government, the private sector, civil society organizations, youth and women groups, and a range of national experts.[v]

Food System Measures

Liberia's NDC outlines a range of measures related to food systems.[vi] These measures encompass initiatives such as the introduction of incentives and programs aimed at fostering low-carbon agricultural practices and the adoption of sustainable livestock systems. Additionally, there is a strong focus on creating policy frameworks and incentives to promote low-emission techniques within the production and processing systems of key agricultural and tree crop value chains including conservation agriculture, no/low tillage, agro-silvo-pastoral systems, improved lowland rice cultivation, multi-cropping, organic fertilizers, fertigation, composting, crop rotation, and sustainable agricultural waste management. The NDC also states Liberia aims to implement several measures in the fisheries sector and commits to fully integrate fisheries into climate change adaptation and food security policies at the national level by 2025.

NDC Implementation

Liberia is working on establishing a comprehensive tracking system to diligently monitor the support received for NDC implementation, with a particular focus on exploring international carbon market mechanisms as outlined in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, Liberia also recognizes the importance of a MRV system for transparency and accountability, with the need for support to strengthen this system. In addition, with support from the NDC Partnership, Liberia is creating a plan for NDC implementation. This plan will set out a timeline and actions for the short and long term. It will cover necessary conditions, policy frameworks, institutions, MRV systems, gender equality, and financial strategies to achieve the NDC's climate goals.

Sources

[i] International Trade Administration. (n.d.). Liberia - Agricultural Sectors. International Trade Administration. Retrieved November 11, 2023, from https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/liberia-agricultural-sectors.

[ii] International Trade Administration. (n.d.).

[iii] International Trade Administration. (n.d.).

[iv] World Bank. (2019). Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries. Retrieved from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/483401576480235332/pdf/Concept-Project-Information-Document-PID-Liberia-Sustainable-Management-of-Fisheries-P172012.pdf.

[v] Republic of Liberia (2021). Liberia’s Revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Accessible at: https://disasterlaw.ifrc.org/sites/default/files/media/disaster_law/2022-05/Liberia’s%20Revised%20Nationally%20Determined%20Contribution%20%28NDC%29.pdf

[vi] Liberia’s Revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). | FAOLEX. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2023, from https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/fr/c/LEX-FAOC206208/.