MONROVIA – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), Nathaniel T. Blama has launched Liberia’s REDD+ Safeguards Information System (SIS) with a call to sustainably manage Liberia’s forest.
The Liberia REDD+ SIS was recently developed by Conservation International (CI) and Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS) in consultation with Safeguards Working Group (SWG).
AT the official launched of SIS on Tuesday, July 23, Mr. Blama noted that Liberia is the largest custodian of the forest cover of West Africa, but could lose it if is not managed properly.
“Liberia stills remains the largest custodian of the forest found in West Africa but we could lose it if it is not properly managed. In the past our forest resources were used to fuel the conflict and we hope not to return to those ugly past,” he warned.
Speaking further, he noted that the system is user friendly and should be properly used to help Liberia adapt to the impact of climate change.
Also Speaking, the Liberia Forest Sector Project Manager, Elijah Z. Whapoe explained that the Safeguard Information System will help Liberia implement its multilateral environmental obligations.
He added that the system will also be used to report emission level and other relevant information on climate change to multilateral partners including the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Conservation International’s Representative, Robert Llebo, during the official turnover of the system to the Liberian Government through the EPA, expressed hope that it will be used effectively to manage Liberia’s forest for economic development and environmental sustainability.
About the Safeguards Information System
The SIS is a practical, easy-to-use system built on existing information systems, and ensuring that information is accessible in an appropriate format for different stakeholders to meet their needs.
It is being managed by the EPA and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) with funding provided by the FCPF.
Liberia is a signatory to the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In 2013, the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ agreed by parties to the UNFCCC identified the four essential elements that countries aiming to receive Results-Based Payments from REDD+ must have in place; one of these elements is the SIS.
REDD+ stands for countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
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