There is no doubt Liberia is currently threatened by the rapid and alarming rate of deforestation as recorded by Global Forest Watch. In 2022, according to Global Forest Watch[2], Liberia recorded the highest primary forest loss since 2001. Second, if the proposed agreement is opting to grant exclusive carbon rights to Blue Carbon it will violate the rights of communities that own the land and forest that are the subject of the agreement. Liberia’s Land Rights Law of 2018 is clear that communities own their customary forest lands and the resources on them. While the Blue Carbon agreement may offer an opportunity to reverse the alarming trend of deforestation, the IFMCM believes that failing to fully comply with the existing regulatory framework would undermine the government’s good intention toward conservation.

Source: The Guardian July 17, 2023 15:54 UTC