Locations
Project Summary
Liberia has rich and diverse natural resources and is a global biodiversity hotspot. Linkages between socio-economic and environmental issues in the context of sustainable development in Liberia and the sub-region, especially for women and marginalized groups, are critical.
Climate change, deforestation and threats to protected areas are likely to affect various sectors including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, hydropower generation and health. Rising sea levels have accelerated coastal erosion, damaging infrastructures and affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Low-lying areas are frequently flooded due to inadequate drainage systems and poor waste management. Early warning systems in Liberia remain nascent. It is estimated that a one meter rise in sea level will place 230,000 people at risk and cause the loss of 2,150 km of land valued at US$250 million.
Increased rainfall and flooding will lead to a greater vulnerability to diseases such as malaria, cholera, and diarrheal. Planning and resource allocation are not evidence-based due to limited data and knowledge of current climate risks and anticipated climate change impacts.
Liberia ranks amongst the lowest countries in the world in terms of electrification and energy access. 82.3 percent of the total population and 96.9 percent of the rural population have no access to electricity (HIES, 2016).
Charcoal and firewood are the main sources of energy for cooking and heating for an estimated 95 percent of the population. Only 2 percent of the population has access to clean fuels and technologies for Cooking.
With a humid, tropical climate, an average temperature of 27 Celsius (81 Fahrenheit), and monthly solar radiation on horizontal surface ranging between 4 KWh/m2/day during the rainy season and 6 KWh/m2/day during the dry season, Liberia’s solar energy potential is significant. The country has the potential to generate 1,400 to 1,500 KWh/p of solar energy.
With the plethora of challenges, the Energy and Environment programme seeks to support the government’s efforts in achieving diversified and inclusive economic growth through investments in sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, food security, job creation, and improved resilience to climate change and natural disasters. UNDP works to empower the population and build a resilient nation. It supports the government in developing and implementing projects that improve the lives of the people including women, youth, and People with Disabilities.
Objective
To strengthen Liberia’s capacity to manage its environment for sustainable development through improved resilience to climate change and disasters, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and waste management, access to renewable energy and promotion of eco-tourism. UNDP, through the Energy and Environment (E&E) Programme, proposes to tackle these challenges within a broader development context that would facilitate synergy amongst the four thematic/focus areas of UNDP’s work:
1. Livelihood Diversification, Disaster Resilience and Climate Change;
2. Biodiversity Conservation Ecotourism and Sustainable Land Management;
3. Renewable Energy Access and
4. Waste Management.
Expected Results
By 2024, Liberia will have diversified and inclusive growth underpinned by investments in sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, food security, job creation, and improved resilience to climate change and natural disasters.
Support the government through Ministries Agencies and Commissions to address environmental issues and mitigate their impact to support the collective growth and development of the country.
Climate resilient programs, plans, and policies in key sectors developed.
Capacity for disaster risk governance, preparedness, and awareness at the national and sub-national levels strengthened.
Gender-sensitive livelihoods diversification schemes established for improved adaptation to climate change, disasters, and biodiversity management.
Policies and institutions strengthened to promote sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem services, and biodiversity at the national and community levels.
Environmentally friendly and energy-efficient cooking stoves accessed by households.
A conducive environment for investment and use of alternative energy sources created among others.
Achievements
Through its Energy and Environment (E&E) Programme, UNDP is supporting the government through relevant Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) to address environmental issues and mitigate their impacts to support the collective growth and development of the country. The Programme is tackling these challenges within a broader development context that would facilitate synergies in the areas of livelihood diversification, disaster resilience, Climate Change, biodiversity, conservation, ecotourism, land management, renewable energy access, and waste management. Additionally, it provides support to promote diversified, and inclusive economic growth along a low-carbon and climate-resilient pathway. It is underpinned by investments in sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, food security, job creation, and improved resilience to climate change and natural disasters in Liberia.
Hydrological equipment procured and delivered to the Ministry of Mines and Energy for hydrological Services. The equipment is expected to improve hydrological data collection in the country.
The endorsement letter for the PPG of the USD10 million allocated to Liberia under the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund for urgent climate change adaptation needs was signed and submitted. The concept paper (PIF) was completed and submitted and is awaiting approval by GEF.
Supported capacity-building training for the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) in mainstreaming environment and climate activities into budgetary allocation to pave the way for robust coordination within the Aid Management Unit at MFDP.
Agribusiness and Fish processing schemes manuals completed, and training conducted for 95 women (51 in agriculture and 44 in fish processing) in Lofa and Rivercess counties.
The County Environmental Action Plan for Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties was completed and submitted.
Community engagements held on the completion of an eco-based ecotourism facility. A print for the facility was completed and a contract was offered for the construction of a women-led eco-based guesthouse in Sebehun, Grand Cape Mount County to promote eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.
The development of the Africa Minigrid Program project proposal was completed, and validation is pending.
The Green Climate Fund Solar for Health funding proposal completed, submitted, and awaiting approval by GCF. For Liberia specifically, with support from the Ministry of Health, the national ambition is 288 healthcare facilities. Liberia is requesting a total of $36 M GCF grant. Government co-financing will be finalized during the first phase of implementation of the project.
Agreement signed with a CSO to carry out a waste management project in 4 urban centers in Lofa County. Work is ongoing.
The process for the setting up of three WASH windows at three county service centers in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties, is completed, and some of the items were delivered to the WASH Commission. 14 motorbikes are to be delivered to the incoming leadership.
Established the multi-stakeholder waste resource recovery platform to improve coordination in the sector.
Forty-five women, drawn from Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Bong in 2023, trained in producing eco-stoves. Each of the 45 women produced ten (10) eco-stoves totaling 450 pieces. Each county received 50 stoves as a start-up for business and designated as Green Gold Liberia representatives in the counties. The rest were distributed to vulnerable communities in Kakata. Under the same initiative, the construction of a production center was completed by Green Gold Liberia in Gbarpolu County. Statistically, a total of 111 women from 7 counties have been trained over 3 years to produce 1,110 eco stoves. In 2021, twenty women from vulnerable coastal communities in Montserado County produced 200 eco stoves. In 2022, forty-five women from rural communities of Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu Counties produced 450 Eco stoves, and in 2023, forty-six women from Margibi, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties, produced 460 Eco stoves.
Quick Facts
| Start date | March 2020 |
| End Date | December 2024 |
| SDG 13 | Inclusive Green Growth/Climate Change |
| Donor | UNDP, Global Environment Facility |
| Total resources required | USD$ 58, 226, 800,00 |
Total Resources Allocated | |
| UNDP TRAC | USD$3,760,000 |
| Donor | USD$42, 939,800 |
| Government | USD$ 2, 500,000 |
| Unfunded | USD$9,027,000 |
| Partners | Environment Protection Agency (EPA), RREA, MOA, MIA Society for the Conservation of Nature, Mine and Energy, etc. |
