IPNEWS: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has signed Executive Order No. 155, establishing the Carbon Markets Authority (CMA) a major milestone in Liberia’s climate action and sustainable development agenda.
The new Authority underscores President Boakai’s commitment to tackling the growing challenges of climate change while leveraging Liberia’s abundant natural resources, including its forests, coastline, and renewable energy potential, to generate green growth and strengthen community resilience.
Under the Executive Order, the Carbon Markets Authority will serve as the government’s lead entity for all matters related to climate finance and carbon market development. The CMA will guide national policies, facilitate participation in global carbon trading, and ensure compliance with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement.
The Authority will be headed by the Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer, supported by a Chief Operations Officer and a Chief Financial Officer, all appointed by the President. It will coordinate efforts across key ministries, agencies, and private sector stakeholders to design and implement carbon-related initiatives in sectors such as forestry, renewable energy, agriculture, waste management, blue economy, and sustainable urban development.
To promote transparency and accountability, the Executive Order also establishes two key instruments:
The National Carbon Registry, a system for tracking carbon credit issuance and transactions in line with international standards.
The Liberian Carbon Investment Fund (LCIF), a national trust fund that will manage revenues from carbon market activities and reinvest them into climate-resilient and inclusive development projects.
The LCIF will prioritize programs in rural electrification, clean water access, climate-smart infrastructure, green education, vocational training, and smallholder reforestation and conservation projects. Oversight of the Fund will be provided by a Fiscal Oversight Board, chaired by the Ministry of State.
President Boakai noted that this initiative aligns with Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and positions the country as a regional leader in sustainable carbon finance.
“This Executive Order reflects our government’s determination to protect our environment, empower our communities, and unlock the full economic potential of our natural resources through responsible and transparent climate governance,”
President Boakai said the Executive Order takes immediate effect and will remain in force unless amended or replaced by subsequent executive action or legislation. By: Andrew B Weah, 0770637316/0886429103, andrewbweah@gmail.com
