President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has issued Executive Order No. 155, establishing the Carbon Markets Authority (CMA) a landmark step toward advancing Liberia’s climate action, sustainable development, and participation in global carbon markets. The establishment of the Authority highlights President Boakai’s commitment to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change, while leveraging Liberia’s rich natural resources its forests, coastlines, and renewable energy potential to generate sustainable economic growth and strengthen community resilience.
Under the Executive Order, the Carbon Markets Authority will serve as the lead national entity for all matters related to climate finance and carbon markets development. It will oversee policy formulation, market participation, and compliance with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, ensuring Liberia’s active role in global carbon trade and emission reduction initiatives. The CMA will be headed by the Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, who shall serve as Chief Executive Officer, supported by a Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer all appointed by the President.
The Authority will also coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies, and private sector actors to design and implement carbon-related projects across key sectors including forestry, blue economy, renewable energy, agriculture, waste management, and urban development. To ensure transparency and accountability, the Executive Order further establishes the National Carbon Registry a system to track carbon credit issuance and transactions in accordance with international standards and the Liberian Carbon Investment Fund (LCIF), a national trust fund to manage revenues from carbon market activities and reinvest them in climate-resilient and inclusive development projects.
The Fund will prioritize initiatives such as rural electrification, clean water access, climate-smart infrastructure, green education and training, and smallholder reforestation and conservation programs, with oversight from a Fiscal Oversight Board chaired by the Ministry of State. President Boakai emphasized that this initiative aligns with Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and marks a major step toward positioning Liberia as a leader in sustainable carbon finance and a trusted partner in global climate action.
“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 stated. The Executive Order takes immediate effect and will remain valid unless amended or replaced by future executive action or legislation.
