The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia unveils a 5-year strategic plan to enhance environmental sustainability and promote inclusive development.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, December 17, 2024 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia reveals its new five-year strategic plan, covering the period 2025 to 2029.
This development comes after a review of the previous strategic plan (2022-2026), in which 80% of the goals were not achieved.
During a media workshop on December 14 at the agency headquarters, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo said this plan aims at enhancing environmental sustainability and promoting inclusive development.
In his summary PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Yarkpawolo explained, “The agency conducted a SWOT analysis with employees and developed a new strategic roadmap, which integrates elements from the previous plan alongside new insights.
The updated strategic plan, aligned with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), comes with a budget of US$ 32,078 000. It also includes a 2025 work plan, which incorporates unfinished activities from 2024, ensuring continuity in the agency’s objectives.
Under the 2025 work plan, the EPA aims to focus on “Sustaining Environmental Management through Compliance Monitoring, Public Participation, and Reporting.” The strategic outcome of this initiative is to improve the environment for the Liberian public through sustained compliance monitoring, active public participation, transparent reporting, and the establishment of functional local EPA offices across the country.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also highlighted that the EPA’s contribution to the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development focuses on environmental sustainability. This pillar emphasizes responsible management of natural resources, biodiversity protection, and resilience to environmental changes.
The EPA will also work towards fulfilling Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, supporting economic growth, and improving quality of life for citizens.
Key Deliverables by 2029 include decentralization of EPA services across the country while strengthening legal and regulatory framework for environmental protection.
Increase by 50% the number of recycling business operators in Liberia and conduct an inventory of carbon stocks to assess the nation’s climate assets.
Boost domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) by at least US$500,000 through the monetization of climate assets, support the implementation of the NDCs, and expand NDC target coverage.
Distribute over 200,000 affordable improved cook stoves (ICS) as well as collaborate with other agencies on cross-cutting issues as needed, according to the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive development.
Dr. Yarkpawolo firmly outlined that the strategic plan is structured around five core pillars: Governance & Management; Institutional Strengthening & Capacity Building; Information, Education & Communication; Compliance & Enforcement; and International and National Environmental Commitments.
These pillars are designed to ensure effective management and regulation of environmental issues, promoting sustainability, and meeting both domestic and international environmental obligations. The new strategic roadmap represents the EPA’s commitment to enhancing Liberia’s environmental landscape and contributing to the country’s sustainable development goals. Editing by Jonathan Browne
