Liberia's NDC 3.0 (2025)
LiberiaFood System Overview
Agriculture and forestry are the main source of income for over 60% of Liberia's population. In 2021, it made up 31% of Liberia's GDP. 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. Fisheries represent approximately 10% of Liberia’s GDP and employ approximately 3 million people throughout the West African coast.
NDC Development
The revision and update process of Liberia’s NDC 3.0 was led by the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia. 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. Per the NDC, “;ocal authorities and traditional leaders from all 15 counties enriched the process with grassroots perspectives and rich indigenous knowledge critical for natural resource management […] [and] civil society organizations, women’s groups, youth networks, and environmental NGOs played a crucial role in integrating equity and justice into the NDC.”
Food System Measures
Liberia's NDC 3.0 outlines a range of measures related to food systems.i In the Agriculture sector, Liberia commits to reducing agricultural GHG emissions by 40% below BAU levels by 2035. By 2027, the country will introduce incentives and programs to promote low-carbon agriculture practices, such as conservation agriculture, no/low tillage, agro-silvopastoral systems, improved lowland rice cultivation, multi-cropping, organic fertilizers, fertigation, composting, crop rotation, and sustainable agricultural waste management. Additionally, Liberia aims to establish 100 farmer field schools and train at least 5,000 farmers to implement conservation agriculture, soil carbon sequestration methods, and low-emissions livestock systems by 2028. By 2035, the country will provide support for crop and livestock diversification, climate resilient seeds, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), water harvesting, irrigation systems, and increased soil fertility.
In the fisheries sector, Liberia commits to adaptation targets to increase the ability of fishing communities and fisheries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2035, the country will establish two Marine Protected Areas and four co-managed fishery areas in coastal and aquatic ecosystems associated with fish production in coordination with fishery communities. The NDC includes support for alternative fishery livelihoods by developing the foundational structures and extension services needed to increase aquaculture production and reduce the impact on marine fisheries, including through provision of 25 aquaculture kits to smallholder fishers by 2028. The country will establish co-managed fisheries areas in all coastal counties by 2035, where community land is used for fish farming and marine activities, reinforcing land tenure and sustainable livelihoods.
NDC Implementation
Liberia’s NDC 3.0 recognizes that the achievement of the NDC targets is contingent upon receiving adequate international support, including mobilizing significant investment through mechanisms such as grants, concessional loans, carbon markets under Article 6, and public-private partnerships. Further, a dedicated climate finance window will be established to support initiatives led by women.
Sources
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.
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.