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Liberia’sNationalAdaptationPlanProcess

StocktakingreportandpreliminaryroadmapforadvancingLiberia’sNAPprocess

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TableofcontentsAcknowledgments ................................................................................................................................... 1

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 2

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 4

Overview of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process ............................................................................ 4

Added value of a NAP process to Liberia ................................................................................................ 5

Analyzing the NAP-relevant setting, processes and actors in Liberia ..................................................... 5

a. VulnerabilityofLiberiatoClimateChange................................................................................................5

b. PolicyandplanningentrypointsforClimateChangeAdaptation.............................................................6

c. InstitutionalMechanisms:NationalClimateChangeSecretariat(NCCS)..................................................8

d. ExistingClimateChangeAdaptationandMitigationInitiativesofRelevancetoNAP...............................8

e. StakeholderMapping.................................................................................................................................9

f. StocktakingoftheNAP(SNAP)Analysis..................................................................................................11

g. CapacityDevelopmentNeedsAssessmentinLiberia..............................................................................12

h. GapAnalysisofexistingclimatechangeadaptationinitiativesinLiberia................................................17

Deriving entry points and strategic intervention areas for the NAP process ......................................... 17

Suggestions for a roadmap for Liberia’s NAP process .......................................................................... 18

The role of the EPA in the NAP process and implementation of the Road Map ................................... 26

References ............................................................................................................................................ 27

Annex 1: List of Workshop Participants (Day 1 and 2) .......................................................................... 28

Annex 2. Liberia’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) ................................................. 31

Annex 3. Assessment of success factors of the SNAP Tool ................................................................. 33

Annex 4. Results of Work Group Exercises for the NAP process in Liberia ......................................... 35

Annex 5. Summary of Liberia’s NAP preparatory process workshop: Days 1 & 2 ................................ 40

ListoffiguresFigure1:EnvironmentandClimateChangePolicyProcessinLiberia,1972-2015.................................6Figure2:OrganizationofNationalClimateChangeSecretariat(NCCS)..................................................8Figure3:StakeholdermapfortheNAPprocessinLiberia....................................................................10Figure4:ResultsofStocktakingoftheNAP(SNAP)AnalysisforLiberia...............................................11Figure5:GapstobeaddressedintheNAPprocessforLiberiausingtheframeworkoftheLEGNAPGuidelines.............................................................................................................................................17ListoftablesTable1:NationalBudgetingProcessStepsinLiberia.............................................................................7Table2:PrecursorstoClimateChangeStrategies/PoliciesNationalInstruments..................................7Table3:SWOT-AnalysisofexistingClimateChangeAdaptationprocessesinLiberia..........................11Table4:InstitutionalandindividualcapacitydevelopmentneedsassessmentinLiberia....................14Table5:StrategiestoovercomeinstitutionalconstraintsinLiberia.....................................................16

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Table6:PreliminaryNAPProcessRoad-MapforLiberia......................................................................19Table7:PreliminaryNAPRoadmapActivitiesandTimeline.................................................................24AcronymsandAbbreviations

AfDB AfricanDevelopmentBankAFT AgendaforTransformationAMCEN AfricanMinistersConferenceontheEnvironmentAU AfricanUnionBFP BudgetFrameworkPaperBOP BudgetOptionpaperBPN BudgetPolicyNotesCARI CentralAgriculturalResearchInstituteCC ClimateChangeCCA ClimateChangeAdaptationCCAP ClimateChangeActionPlanCIRDev/EWS ClimateInformationforResilientDevelopment/EarlyWarningSystemCSOs CivilSocietyOrganizationsCOP ConferenceofthePartiesECOWAS EconomicCommunityofWestAfricanStatesEPA EnvironmentalImpactAssessmentFAO FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNationsFDA ForestryDevelopmentAuthorityFCPF ForestCarbonPartnershipFundFFI FaunaandFloraInternationalGEF GlobalEnvironmentFacilityGHG GreenhousegasHIV HumanImmunodeficiencyVirusIDRC InternationalDevelopmentResearchCentreIFAD InternationalFundforAgriculturalDevelopmentIPCC InternationalPanelonClimateChangeLDCs LeastDevelopedCountriesLDCF LeastDevelopedCountriesFundLEG LeastDevelopedCountriesExpertGroupLINGO Liberia'sInternationalNon-GovernmentalOrganizationForumLMA LiberiaMaritimeAuthorityLINA LiberiaNewsAgencyLISGIS LiberiaInstituteofStatisticsandGeo-InformationServicesLWSC LiberiaWaterandSewageCorporationMACs Ministries,Agencies&CommissionsMFDP MinistryofFinance&DevelopmentPlanningMGCSP MinistryofGender,ChildrenandSocialProtectionMIA MinistryofInternalAffairsMICAT MinistryofInformation,CulturalAffairsandTourismMLME MinistryofLand,MinesandEnergyMoA MinistryofAgricultureMHSW MinistryofHealthandSocialWelfareMoT MinistryofTransportMPEA MinisterofPlanningandEconomicAffairsMPW MinistryofPublicWorksMRU TheManoRiverUnionM&E MonitoringandEvaluationNARC NationalDisasterManagementCommission(withinMinistryofInternalAffairs)NAP NationalAdaptationPlan

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NAP-GSP NationalAdaptationPlan–GlobalSupportProgramme(UNDP-UNEP)NAPA NationalAdaptationProgrammeofActiontoClimateChangeNCCS NationalClimateChangeSecretariatNCCSC NationalClimateChangeSteeringCommitteeNDRR NaturalDisasterRiskReductionNEP NationalEnergyPolicyNGO Non-governmentalOrganizationNOCAL NationalOilCompanyofLiberiaNPA NationalPortAuthorityofLiberiaNTPS NationalTransportPolicyStrategyPIF ProjectIdentificationFormRREA RuralRenewableEnergyAgencyREDD+ ReducingEmissionsfromDeforestationandForestDegradationSNAP StocktakingofNationalAdaptationPlanSWG SectorWorkingGroupSWOT Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,ThreatsAnalysisUNDP UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammeUNECA UnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforAfricaUNEP UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgrammeUNFCCC UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChangeUSAID UnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment

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Acknowledgments

The write up of this report benefited greatly from the insights and support of the participants of the NAPWorkshopinBuchananCitybetweenMay13and15,2015.BenjaminS.KarmorhJr.andJeremiahSokanfromthe Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia for their organizational support during the workshop. XXXprovidedsuggestionsonthedraftreport.XXX,areacknowledgedfortheirinputsinfinalizingthisreport.

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ExecutiveSummary

TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)oftheGovernmentofLiberia(GoL)requestedsupportfromUNDPtoconductaworkshoptostarttheirNationalAdaptationPlan(NAP)process.TheworkshopwouldprovidewithentrypointsfortheGoLtoinstitutionalizeLiberia’sNationalAdaptationPlan(NAP)process.Inresponse,UNDPledGlobalSupportProgrammeonNAPs1(NAP-GSP)agreedtosupporttheGovernmenttofacilitatethestartupoftheNAPprocessinLiberiaandconducttheworkshopandastocktakingofLiberia’sactivitiesrelevanttotheNAPprocess.ThemainresultsfromtheNAPworkshopanditsstocktakingexercisewereasfollows:• ClimateInformation.Thereislimitedscientificdataandinformationonclimateimpacts,withoutaclimate

projectionplan.Thereislimitedknowledgeofcurrentclimatevariabilityandnoearlywarningdata.Thereis a need to develop and disseminate a set of standard scenarios for Liberia. There is also limitedinformationonvulnerabilitystudies.

• ThereisaGlobalEnvironmentalFacility(GEF)project“StrengtheningLiberia’sCapabilitytoProvideClimateInformation and Services to Enhance ClimateResilientDevelopment andAdaptation to Climate Change”whichwillprovidetheequipmentandcoveragetogeneratethenecessaryclimatedatathatcanbeusedtosupporttheNAPprocess.However,thiswillnotbefullyimplementeduntil2017.TheprojecthasbeenCEOEndorsed,withEPAandtheMinistryofTransport(MoT)asexecutingagenciesandUNDPasGEFAgency.

• HumanandInstitutionalCapacities.Thereisaninadequateleveloftechnicalknowledgeonadaptationtoclimatechangeofstaffofsectoralministries.TheClimateChangeSecretariatdoesnothaveadequatestaffcompetency. Itwas identified that the relevantministriesdonothave theexperts and technicians, andthereis limitedtrainingonclimatechangeissues.Relatedtoclimateservices,thereis limitedcapacitytomonitor, forecast, archive, analyze and communicate hydro-meteorological and climate changeinformation.

• LongTermVisionandMandate.Thereisnotacoherentexistingnationalplan/strategyonadaptationoralongtermplanonclimatechange.Thereisalackofplanningforfutureclimatechangeimpacts.Thereareplan/strategies that are not syncwith eachother, such as theNationalDisaster Relief Strategy and theNationalClimateFramework.TheinstitutionalarrangementsinplacethatcansustaintheNAPprocessinthelongtermdonothaveadequatefinancialandtechnicalsupport.TheEPAisinchargeofcoordinatingand implementation of the national climate change agenda. The National Climate Change Secretariat(NCCS) is theoperationalarmof theNationalClimateChangeSteeringCommittee (NCCSC), isweakandnotworkingproperly.

• Implementation. TheNational Adaptation Programmeof Action (NAPA) (EPA, 2008) represents the firstsystematicadaptationactionstakeninLiberiawithafocusoncoastaldefenseandagriculture.ThecoastaldefensepilotprojectisledbytheMinistryofLand,MinesandEnergy(MLME),theagriculturepilotproject(with a focuson a small numberof counties) ledby theMinistryofAgriculture (MoA), and theClimateInformationforResilientDevelopment/EarlyWarningSystem(CIRDev/EWS)Project,executedbytheMoT.Althoughthisadvances,thevolumeofexistingadaptationprojectsislimitedtotheNAPApilotprogram.Atthesametime,theexistingNAPApilotprojectshavealimitedintervention(e.g.workingin600metersofcoastallineinBuchanan),andareinadequateintermsoftheneedsinLiberia.Thereisalsolimitedcapacityforimplementation.

• It is expected that the NAPwill build on the experience on the NAPA, scaling up the pilot projects oncoastal defense and agriculture, and including additional sectors such as energy, forestry and wastemanagement&health.However,therearelimitationstoassessandprioritizeadaptationoptionsinthesenewareas.

• Mainstreaming.Climatechangehasbeenintegratedintothenationaldevelopmentdocument,theAgendaforTransformation(AFT)2030, ina limitedway. IntheAFT,climatechange is included inPillarV,Cross-cuttingIssues,aspartofEnvironment,andamongotherissuessuchasHIV/AIDS,HumanRightsandLaborand Employment. As there will be a change in Government in 2017, there is an opportunity to betterintegrateclimatechangeintothenationaldevelopmentagenda.Asforsectoraldevelopmentdocuments,climatechangeisonlyidentifiedintheFoodandAgriculturePolicyandStrategy(2008)oftheMinistryof

1Financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF).

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Agriculturewherethereisafocusonfoodsecurity,sustainableagricultureandclimatechangeresilience.As for other sectors, there is no integration of climate change in the development planning andimplementationprocesses.Thereislackofcapacityofsectoralministriestointegrateadaptationintotheirstrategies.

• Participation. There is limited stakeholder participation in national planning for adaptation. However,there are opportunities to use the current processes to integrate adaptation into national planning, asthere are many national policies that go through consultation processes (e.g. National DevelopmentAgenda).

Underthislocalcontext,theGoLdraftedaRoadMaptoaddresstheseissuesundertheNAP.Theroadmap,foresees short term, medium term and long-term activities that account for political, organizational andoperationalfactorsandissues.ThedraftingofthisroadmapfollowedthemainobjectivesofaNAPprocessassuggestedby theUnitedNations FrameworkConventiononClimateChange (UNFCCC) and LeastDevelopedCountries ExpertGroup (LEG) Technical Guidelines, including to take amedium- and long-term approach toreducing vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change and to facilitate the integration of climatechange adaptation (CCA), in a coherent manner, into relevant new and existing policies, programmes andactivities, in particular development planning processes and strategies, within all relevant sectors and atdifferentlevels,asappropriate.Theroadmaphasseveralshort-termactivities(1-6months)thatmaybeconductedbytheGoLindependentlyand takesadvantageof theNAPWorkshopmomentum. It is recommended thatEPA leads these short termactivities, with the participation of the other relevant Ministries and stakeholders identified during theworkshop.

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Introduction

TheGovernmentofLiberia (GoL) throughtheEnvironmetalProtectionAgency (EPA) requestedsupport fromthe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to conduct a workshop to startup their NationalAdaptation Plan (NAP) process. The workshop would identify entry points for the GoL to institutionalizeLiberia’sNAPprocess.Inresponse,aNAPworkshopandstocktakingexercisewasheldinBuchananattheBassaWomenDevelopmentAssociationTrainingCenterbetweenWednesdayMay13andFridayMay15.A total of 40-50 representatives of various institutions participated in the workshop (see Annex 1). Theagencies andorganizations representedat theworkshop included theEPAand theNationalClimateChangeSecretariat (NCCS),MinistryofFinance&DevelopmentPlanning(MFDP),MinistryofLand,MinesandEnergy(MLME),MinistryofAgriculture(MoA),NationalDisasterManagementCommissionoftheMinistryofInternalAffairs (NARC-MIA), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Ministry of Public Works(MPW),MinistryofTransport(MoT),LiberiaWaterandSewageCorporation(LWSC),LiberiaMaritimeAuthority(LMA), Land Commission,National Port Authority (NPA), LiberiaNewsAgency (LINA) and theUNDP countryoffice.The goal of theworkshopwas to identify the necessary steps to start Liberia’s NAP process throughmulti-stakeholdersengagement.Thespecificobjectivesoftheworkshopincluded:

• Enhance understanding of the NAP process with key stakeholders in the GoL according toUNFCCC/LEGTechnicalGuidelines;

• Discuss lessons learnt fromongoing climatemainstreaming and relevant initiatives, such as theNationalAdaptationProgrammeofActiontoClimateChange(NAPA);

• Discuss thepotentialentrypoint for theNAPprocess inLiberia taking intoaccount thepoliticaleconomy,includingexistingpolicies/planning/strategic/budgetingprocessesandrelatedprojectsandprogrammes;

• Identify specific technical and institutional needs and priorities to support the integration ofmediumandlong-termclimatechangeadaptationintoexistingnationalandsub-nationalplanningprocesses;

• DraftaroadmaptoadvancetheNAPprocess;• Establish a framework for drafting a Project Identification Form (PIF) to support the NAP

preparation.The result of the workshop and UNDP mission was a draft roadmap to operationalize the NAP process inLiberia. The roadmapwaselaboratedby theparticipantsof theworkshopand validated through integrativediscussionswithallrelevantactorsfortheNAPprocesspresentattheworkshop.Theroadmap,foreseesshortterm (1-12months),medium term (1-2 years) and long-term (2+ years) activities that account for political,organizationalandoperationalfactorsandissues.OverviewofNationalAdaptationPlan(NAP)process

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process was established in 2010 as part of the Cancun AdaptationFramework to complement the existing short-term orientated, “urgent and immediate” focused, NationalAdaptationProgrammesofAction(NAPAs).TheNAPprocessistosupportalldevelopingcountries,especiallythe least developed countries (LDCs), in meeting their medium- and long-term adaptation needs. The NAPprocess is meant to play a critical role in reducing vulnerability and, building adaptive capacity bymainstreaming adaptation into all sector-specific and national development planning. The Least DevelopedCountries Expert Group (LEG) has published the NAP Technical Guidelines to help countries put in place asystemtoimplementtheirNAPprocess.ThemainobjectivesofaNAPprocessaccordingtoUNFCCCandLEGTechnicalGuidelinesare:

• Totakeamedium-andlong-termapproachtoreducingvulnerabilitytotheadverseeffectsofclimatechange.

• To facilitate the integrationof climate changeadaptation, in a coherentmanner, into relevantnew

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and existing policies, programmes and activities, in particular development planning processes andstrategies,withinallrelevantsectorsandatdifferentlevels,asappropriate.

AddedvalueofaNAPprocesstoLiberia

AssuggestedbytheUNFCCCandtheTechnicalGuidelinesprovidedbytheLEG,therearesomecharacteristicsthattheNAPprocessinanycountryshouldfulfil.TheNAPprocessshould:

• Followacountry-drivenfullytransparentapproach;• Be based and guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional and indigenous

knowledge;• Notbeprescriptive,norresultintheduplicationofeffortsundertakenin-country,butratherfacilitate

country-owned,country-drivenaction.The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process for Liberia seeks to build upon the foundation laid by theexperiencefromtheNAPA,toscaleuptheprogrammesunderthatinitiativeandexpandintonewareas.Thus,theNAPprocesscanaddvaluebyidentifyinggapsandareasforgreaterstrengthening,andtapopportunitiesformoreeffectiveclimateresponsiveplanningandbudgeting.AnalyzingtheNAP-relevantsetting,processesandactorsinLiberia

a. VulnerabilityofLiberiatoClimateChangeLiberia, like other developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs), is vulnerable to theimpactsofclimatechange.WhileLiberiahasalowcarbonfootprint,theimpactandeffectsofclimatechangemayhavesevereconsequencesinmultiplesectorsandareas.AccordingtoUSAID(2013),expectedchangesintemperatureandprecipitationby2050and2080formostofthecountry, includingMonrovia,areofwarmerandwetterclimate.ThemostconservativeestimateshaveMonroviawarmingbyanestimatedaverageof1.3°Cby2050and1.90°Cby2080.Thesechanges in temperatureandprecipitationmayaffectseveralsectorsandareas across Liberia, including agriculture, fisheries, forests, energy production related to the availability ofwaterresources,coastalareasandhealth.Someofthesecasesarepresentednext:

• Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests. In Liberia, as much as 70% of the population depends onagriculturefortheir livelihoods.Ruralareas,whichareasmuchas80%vulnerabletofoodinsecurity(EPA,2013)dependmainlyonproductionofriceandcassava,withbushmeatandfishbeingthemainsources of protein. Climate projections suggest that rice will be negatively impacted by highertemperatures,evenwithadequateprecipitation.Uplandrice,thepredominantcroppingsystem,willbe impactedbychanges in seasonalityofprecipitation.Cassava isamore resilient crop,adapted tohightemperatures,droughtanderraticrainfall.Geographically,agriculturalproductioninthecountiesofBong,Lofa,andNimbawillmostlikelybeaffectedduetoclimatechange(USAID,2013).

• Fisheries will also be affected by climate change due to the increase in sea temperature, and will

dependonthetypeofecosystemandfishery.Changesinprecipitationandevapotranspirationcouldalsoaffectinlandwaters.Climatechangewill impacttropicalforestsduetochangesinaridity.Someprojectionsto2050indicatethatforestsineasternLiberiaarethemostlikelytobeimpactedduetodrierclimate.

• CoastalAreas.The350milescoastallandareasinLiberiaareverymuchpopulatedandcaneasilybe

affectedbyclimatechange.Thecombinedeffectsofongoingcoastalerosion,climatechangeinducedsealevelrise,changeinthefrequencyandintensityofstorms,increasesinprecipitationandwarmeroceantemperatures.Erosion,coastalfloodingandwaterpollutioncanaffectcoastalareas.Accordingto USAID (2013), an increase of 1m in sea level about 50% (48 km2) of the total land loss due toinundation will be the sheltered coast. Parts of Monrovia (Hotel Africa areas and Bushrod Island),

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WestPoint,NewKruTown,RiverCess,Buchanan,andRobertsportwouldbegreatlyaffectedastheyarelessthan1mabovesealevel.

• Health:ForLiberia,theexperienceoftheEbolaoutbreakisstillveryfresh.Thiseventuncoveredthe

deficiencies of Liberia’s health system and the need for improvement. On the other hand, manydiseases, such asmalaria anddengue, are linked to climatic variations. According to Liberia’s InitialNational Communication (2013), changes in rainfall will lead to increased vulnerability to malaria,cholera and diarrheal diseases, as well as increased incidences of Lassa fever, schistosomiasis,lymphaticfilariasis,yellowfever,hepatitisA,andintestinalworms.TheincidencegeographicareaofdenguefevercouldaffectLiberia,asitmayexpandfromneighbouringCôted’Ivoire.

• Energy andWater Resources: It is expected that thewater flow in the St. Paul River Basinwill be

reduced by 0.7%–25% in the 2020s, which will likely reduce hydroelectricity production from theMountCoffeehydropowerplantlocatedinthebasin(LiberiaInitialNationalCommunication,2013).Atthesametime,watersupplytoMonrovia,thecapitalcity,couldalsobeaffected.

b. PolicyandplanningentrypointsforClimateChangeAdaptationFigure1 shows theevolutionofenvironmentalandclimatechangepolicy in Liberia from1972and2015.Aswith other countries in the region, climate change policy is fairly recent, with the establishment of thegoverningstructuresaroundthelastdecade.TheEPA,theNationalEnergyPolicy(NEP)andtheEnvironmentalProtectionandManagement(EPML)Actwereestablished in2002.Thefirstactiondirectlyrelatedtoclimatechangewas theNationalAdaptationProgrammeofAction (NAPA),whichwas launched in2008 (EPA,2008).Later, in 2010, the National Climate Change Steering Committee (NCCSC) and the National Climate ChangeSecretariat (NCCS) were launched by the President of Liberia. In 2012, Liberia presented its first NationalCommunicationandin2014,Liberiabeganthedevelopmentofitsclimatechangepolicy.Figure1:EnvironmentandClimateChangePolicyProcessinLiberia,1972-2015

NationalPlanningFramework:Climatechangehasbeenintegratedintothenationaldevelopmentdocument,the2012-2017AgendaforTransformation(AFT)2030,inalimitedway.IntheAFT,climatechangeisincludedin Pillar V, Cross-cutting Issues, as part of Environment, and among other issues such as HIV/AIDS, HumanRightsandLaborandEmployment.AstherewillbeachangeinGovernmentin2017,thereisanopportunitytobetter integrate climate change into the national development agenda. The nextNational Planning exercise2017-2022 may offer a new opportunity to mainstream climate change into the National Planning andbudgetingframework.During theNAPprocess, between2015 and2017, it is expected that climate changewill be included in thebudgetpolicy,aprocessthatwillrequirethecoordinationbetweenMFDPandEPA.Table1showsthenationalbudgetingprocessinLiberia.Itisexpectedthatclimatechangeshouldbeintroducedduringthefirststagesofphase I, supportedbythetimelyappraisalof individualadaptationoptions foreachsector, througheach forthesectorworkinggroups(SWG).

1972.MLMEestablishedwith

madates,including

environmentalprotecpon

1999.NaponalEnvironmentalCommissionof

Liberia

2002.EstablishmentofEPA,NEP,

EPMLLiberiarapfiestheUNFCCC

2008.NAPAdevelopedand

approved

2010.PresidentlaunchesNCCSC

&NCCS

2011-2014.Liberia'sFirstNaponal

CommunicapoREDD+proposal

approved

2014.Liberiabeginsto

developclimatechangepolicy

2015.BeginningofNAPProcess

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Toreachthisstage, in is importantthatthe identification,categorizationandappraisalofadaptationoptionshas taken place, including economic, ecosystem and social costs and benefits and possibilities for possiblepositiveandnegativeimpactsfromadaptationmeasures.Someofthechallengesinclude:a) lackofdataandinformation to support the categorization and appraisal of adaptation options; and b) Limited coordinationamongrelevantministriestoincludeclimatechangeadaptationoptions(andassociatedfunding).Table1:NationalBudgetingProcessStepsinLiberiaSTAGES OBJECTIVE PhaseI1.EstablishmentofSectorWorkingGroup(SWG) LaunchtheSWG,setmeetingschedulesandvenues2.Conductrevenueestimationandprojectcosting

MFDPtoproviderevenueestimatebasedonforecastreport

3.DraftBudgetOptionpaper(BOP)forcabinet Prioritysettingandagreement,withassociatedcosting4.BudgetcallCircular1drafted InclusionofallnecessaryadjustmentsfromCabinet5.Ministries,Agencies&Commissions(MACs)preparesBudgetPolicyNotes(BPN)

MACswilldraftprojectsandrecurrentactivitiesbasedonapprovalfromCabinet

6.CabinetApprovedraftBudgetFrameworkPaper(BFP)

Draftedbudgetframeworkforcabinetapproval

7.PresentationofBPNtoLegislature CabinetapprovedBPNsenttoLegislaturePhaseII8.BudgetCallCircular2 Willconstitutetheadjustedprojectsandrecurrent

activities9.SpendingAgenciessubmitdetailedbudget DetailedbudgetsubmittedbyMACs10.BudgethearingbyMFDP Justifytheneedforincrementorotherwise11.Legislaturereviewsbudgetthruhearings HearingofallspendingMACsbythelegislatureSectorstrategiesTable2showsthepolicies,strategiesandlawsthatsupportclimatechangepolicyinLiberia,forbothmitigationandadaptation.Thetableshowsthatforsectoraldevelopmentdocuments,climatechangeisonlyidentifiedintheFoodandAgriculturePolicyandStrategy (2008)of theMinistryofAgriculturewhere there isa focusonfoodsecurity,sustainableagricultureandclimatechangeresilience.Asforothersectors,thereisnointegrationof climate change in the development planning and implementation processes. There is lack of capacity ofsectoralministriestointegrateadaptationintotheirstrategies.Table2:PrecursorstoClimateChangeStrategies/PoliciesNationalInstruments

Policy/Strategy/Law Endorsement/Approvaldate

Ministry/Agency

SectorialFocus

EnvironmentalProtectionandManagement(EPML)Act

2002 EPA Environmentprotection,biodiversityconservation,lowemission,etc.

ForestryReformsLaw(2006) 2006 FDA Forestry,sustainablelivelihoodNationalAdaptationProgrammeofAction(NAPA)

2008 EPA,MLME,MoA

Adaptation:Environment,Agriculture,Coastaldefense

NationalEnergyPolicy(NEP) 2009 MLME Accessibleandsustainableenergy,lowemission

REDD+ReadinessPreparationproposalforsupportoftheFCPF

2011 FDA,EPA Carbonsequestration,reforestationandavoideddeforestation,sustainablelivelihood

FirstNationalCommunication 2013 EPA Emissiontracking,climatechangevulnerabilityandadaptation

PetroleumLaw2013 2015 NOCAL Petroleumexplorationandproduction,energyuse,environmentalprotection

FoodAndAgriculturePolicyAndStrategy

2008 MoA Foodsecurity,sustainableagriculture,climatechangeresilience,etc.

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RenewableEnergyandEnergyEfficiencyPolicyandActionPlanofLiberia

2006 RREA,MLME

Renewableenergy,affordableandsuitableenergy,lowemission

NationalTransportPolicyStrategy(NTPS)

2009 MoT Efficientandaffordabletransport,lowemissions

c. InstitutionalMechanisms:NationalClimateChangeSecretariat(NCCS)The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), is the operational arm of the National Climate ChangeSteeringCommittee(NCCSC).Forthepastseveralyears,theNCCSandNCCSCwerenotoperativeduetolackoffundingtosupportstaffandoperations.Thissituationchangedin2014throughtheNationalAdaptionPlanforActionframeworkundertheUNFCCCplatform.Underthat,theneedtore-activatetheNCCSandNCCSCwasstressedandcatalyticfundingfromtheGEF/LDCF/UNDPprojectswasallottedtojumpstarttheNCCS.TheNCCSwasre-activatedinSeptember2014andoperationalsinceOctober,2014;andiscurrentlyhousedattheEPA.Under the current structure, the chairman of the NCCS was theMinister of Planning and Economic Affairs(MPEA), with members including MLME, MoA, MoF, Ministry of Gender and Development, ForestryDevelopmentAuthority(FDA),EPA,NationalInvestmentCommission,LiberiaMaritimeAuthority,MIA,WorldBank,UniversityofLiberiaandFauna&FloraInternational(FFI).Under a new proposed structure, the Office of the President or Office of the Vice President would be theChairman,withtheMFDPandtheEPAasCo-Chairmans.Membersof theNCCSwould includeMoA,MGCSP,FDA, MLME, National Investment Commission, LMA, MIA, World Bank, UNDP, Association of LiberianUniversities,Ministry of ForeignAffairs, a Civil SocietyOrganization and FFI. Thenew structurewill have anorganizational structure as presented in Figure 2: Organization of National Climate Change Secretariat(NCCS)Figure2.Figure2:OrganizationofNationalClimateChangeSecretariat(NCCS)

d. ExistingClimateChangeAdaptationandMitigationInitiativesofRelevancetoNAPNAPA.TheNationalAdaptationProgrammeofAction(NAPA)(EPA,2008)representsthefirstclimatechangeinitiative and the first set of systematic adaptation actions taken in Liberia with a focus on three areas: 1)Coastaldefence,ledbytheMLME;2)Integratedcropping/livestockfarming(withafocusonasmallnumberofcounties) led by the MoA; and 3) Climate Information for Resilient Development/Early Warning System(CIRDev/EWS)Project,executedbytheMoT.PleaseseeAnnex2formoredetails.

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TheCoastalDefenceproject,called“EnhancingResilienceofVulnerableCoastalAreastoClimateChangeRisksinLiberia”hastheobjectivetoreducetheincidenceoffloods,erosion,siltationanddegradedlandscape.TheprojectcoversareasofMonrovia,BuchananandRobertsports.Itstartedon2012foraperiodof3yearsandacostofUSD60million.Theexpectedresultsoftheprojectaretoprotectbeachesfromerosion,increasesocio-economicpotentialoftheaffectedareas,improvetheuseofcoastalresourcesandestablishedurbangrowthplanningschemes.TheClimate Change Adaptation Agriculture Project has the objective to reduce vulnerability of farmers toclimate change by diversifying crop farming through the cultivation of soybeans, lowland rice and smallruminants rearing. It is for 2 years at a cost of USD 5 million. The expected results are to strengthen thecapacities of rural communities, increase the sustainability of livestock and crop production and reduce thepovertylevelsofaffectedcommunities.The Climate Information for Resilient Development/Early Warning System (CIRDev/EWS) Project has theobjective to generate hydrometeorological data and improved networking for themeasurement of climaticparameters. The project started in 2013 for 2 years at a cost of USD 3million. The expected results are toincreasetheavailabilityofhydrometeorologicaldata,strengthenedthenationalcapabilitytoforecastclimaticevents thereby reducing level of vulnerability to climate hazards and to strengthen the coordination amongclimaterelatedinstitutions.There is a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project “Strengthening Liberia’s Capability to Provide ClimateInformationandServicestoEnhanceClimateResilientDevelopmentandAdaptationtoClimateChange”whichwillprovidetheequipmentandcoveragetogeneratethenecessaryclimatedatathatcanbeusedtosupporttheNAPprocess.However,thiswillnotbefullyimplementeduntil2017.TheprojecthasbeenCEOEndorsed,withEPAandMoTasexecutingagenciesandUNDPasGEFAgency.ItisexpectedthattheNAPwillbuildontheexperienceontheNAPA,scalingupthepilotprojectsonadaptationactivities,andincludingadditionalsectorssuchasenergy,forestryandwastemanagement&healthtoaddressmediumandlong-termadaptationpriorities.However,therearelimitationstoassessandprioritizeadaptationoptions in these new areas. There is also the need tomainstream these adaptation initiatives into nationaldevelopmentplansandpoliciesandincludeclimatechangefinanceintonationalbudget.National Communication to UNFCCC: Liberia provided its Initial National Communication to theUNFCCC in2013. The document presents the national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, and assessments for GHGmitigation,climatechangeandvulnerabilityandtechnologytransferandtechnology.REDD+: In 2011, Liberia finished it’s the REDD+ readiness preparation proposal from the Forest CarbonPartnershipFund(FCPF).Priority Sectors for NAP. Priority sectors have been identified for the NAP process. These are: a) Costaldevelopmentandmanagement;b)Agriculture;c)Energy(hydropower);d)Forest(landscapemanagementforclimateresilience);e)Healthandwastemanagement.SomeofthesesectorssuchascosatalmanagementandagricultureareacontinuationoftheNAPA,wheretheobjectiveistoscaleupthecurrentNAPApilotprojects.e. StakeholderMappingForanoverviewofthedifferentactorsrelevantfortheNAPprocess,astakeholdermappingwasdeterminedduring the workshop through interactive participation with the workshop participants (see Figure 3).2Themapping is divided into four types of actors that are highly relevant for a successful NAP process: (i)Government institutions, (ii) Non-Government organizations, (iii) private sector, and (iv) donors andinternationalorganizations.ThemappingshowsthemostimportantinstitutionsandactorsfortheNAPprocess

2Forcompleteresultsofworkinggroupsessionsandasummaryfothefirsttwodaysoftheworkshop,pleaseseeAnnex4andAnnex5,respectively.

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towards the center, and the least important actors and stakeholders towards there periphery. Some actorshavebeen identifiedasvetoplayers,namelythose institutionsoragencies fromwhichtheNAPprocessmaydependgreatly,andwherewithoutthem,theprocesswouldfail.Themost importantgovernment institutions includetheEPA,NCCS,MoA,MLME,MoT,MPW,MIA,MGCSP,Forest Development Authority and RREA. Other government institutions include theMinistry of Education,MinistryofInformation,CulturalAffairsandTourism(MICAT),LandCommission,BureauofConcessionandtheNational InvestmentCommission.Othergovernment institutions relevant to theprocess,butnotas relevantincludetheNationalPortAuthority,theMinistryofForeignAffairs,theMinistryofCommerceandIndustry,theCentral Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) and the National Legislature. Of these institutions, the vetoplayersidentified,thosestakeholderswhoarecriticalfortheNAPprocessweretheEPAandtheMFDP.OtherimportantplayerswereMoAandMLME.As for theNon-Governmental actors, they includenon-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Liberia'sInternational Non-Governmental Organization Forum (LINGO), international NGOs (Oxfam, Action AidInternational, the InternationalDevelopmentResearchCentre (IDRC), Conservation International, Fauna andFlora International (FFI), among others), farmer cooperatives, civil society and universities. For the privatesector,twoactorswereidentified,ConcessionsandtheFirestoneCorporation.As forDonors and International Organizations, those identified as key players were UNDP, the Food andAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO),theUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, the International Fund for AgriculturalDevelopment(IFAD)andbilateraldonors.Figure3:StakeholdermapfortheNAPprocessinLiberia

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f. StocktakingoftheNAP(SNAP)AnalysisAnassessmentof thekeyareas for theNAPprocesswas conducted. Figure4 summarizes the resultsof theassessmentoftheseareas,whichinclude:i)climateinformation;ii)Humanandinstitutionalcapacities;iii)Longtermvisionandmandate;iv)Implementation;v)Mainstreaming;andvi)Participation.PleaseseeAnnex3foracompleteoverviewoftheSNAPresults.Overall,theratingonthecapacitiesfortheNAPprocessisrelativelylow,between0.5and2outof5(Figure4).In theviewof thestakeholdersof theprocess, thestrength is in implementationof adaptationprojects,asthere is some experience with the NAPA projects in coastal management, agriculture and early warningsystems.However,thevolumeofexistingadaptationprojectsislimitedtothethreeNAPApilotprogrammes.Atthesametime,theexistingNAPApilotprojectshavea limitedintervention(e.g.working in600metersofcoastallineinBuchanan),andareinadequateintermsoftheneedsinLiberia.Thereisalsolimitedcapacityforimplementation.Theotherareathatisratedaboveaverageisparticipationofstakeholdergroupsinvolvedinnationalplanningforadaptationasmanynationalpoliciesgothroughconsultationprocesses.Figure4:ResultsofStocktakingoftheNAP(SNAP)AnalysisforLiberia

Theareaswhichratelowerarehumanandinstitutionalcapacities,thelongtermvisionandmandateandtheavailabilityofclimateinformation.Intermsofthehumanandinstitutionalcapacities,thetechnicalknowledgeonadaptationtoclimatechangeofstaffofsectoralministriesisinadequate,astherelevantministriesdonothave the experts and trained technicians on climate change adaptation.One of the reasons is that there islimitedtrainingonclimatechangeissues.AtthesametimetheNCCSdoesitisnotadequatelystaffed.Relatedto climate services, there is limited capacity tomonitor, forecast, archive, analyze and communicate hydro-meteorologicalandclimatechangeinformation.In terms of climate information, the level of availability of existing climate projections is limited,without aclimate projection plan. There is a need to develop anddisseminate a set of standard scenarios for Liberia.Thereisalsolimitedinformationregardingthelevelofavailabilityofexistingvulnerabilitystudies.Thelowestratedcomponentisthemainstreamingofadaptationissuesintothenationaldevelopmentstrategyand sectoral strategies. As mentioned earlier, climate change has been marginally integrated into nationaldevelopment agenda (AFT 2030) as a cross-cutting issue among other sectors. At the sectoral level, climatechangehasonlybeenidentifiedintheFoodandAgriculturePolicyandStrategy.Othersectorsdonotintegrateclimatechange into theirdevelopmentplanningand implementationprocesses.Basedon this stocktaking,astrengths,weaknesses,opportunitiesandthreats(SWOT)analysisispresentedinTable3.Table3:SWOT-AnalysisofexistingClimateChangeAdaptationprocessesinLiberiaStrengths(internalorigin) Weaknesses(internalorigin)

NCCSCandNCCSestablished

On-goingexperiencewithimplementationofNAPA

Limitedclimateinformation(noearlywarningdataorscientificdataonclimateimpacts)

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projects

Stakeholdersalreadyidentifiedandtheirgoodwill;theyaremotivated

InclusionofclimatechangeonAgendaforTransformation(NationalDevelopmentPlan)asatransversalissue

Availableinformation

NCCSisnotadequatelystaffed

Institutionsareweakandunderfunded

Weakinstitutionalcapacity;Relevantministriesdonothaveexperttechnicians

Lackoffinancialsupport

Lackofpoliticalwill

NAPAinterventionisminimal;lackofimplementationcapacity;notmuchimplementationpower

Opportunities(externalorigin) Threats(externalorigin)

Donor’sfunding;

LiberiaisworkingtoaddthepoliticalwilltocompletethebeginningoftheNAPprocessbyOctober2015

ForthcomingNationalDevelopmentPlanin2017

Nationalpoliciesgothroughconsultationprocess

ExperiencefromNGOsofclimatechangeadaptation

Sustainability;nolongtermplanonclimatechange;nopolicyonthebooks

Futurepoliticalwill(by2017)

Limitedinstitutionalcoordination

Lackoffinancialsupportthenextphase

Limitedtimeforinformation

Outsideofagricultural,lackofinclusionofCConsectoralstrategiesorplans

g. CapacityDevelopmentNeedsAssessmentinLiberiaAs identified in theprevioussection, there isa lackof institutionaland technical capacityonclimatechangeadaptationinLiberia.Tobetterunderstandthelevelofcapacitiesandthetypeofactivitiestoovercomethesebarriers,welookedintothepolicy,organizationalandoperationallevel(Table4).Atthepolicylevel(society’sgoals,rulesandlaws),theviewisthattheinstitutionalcapacitiesneededinvolvethemainstreamofclimatechange intonationalpolicieswhichwouldbenefitbyhaving firstclearadaptationand mitigation policies and laws for financing climate change actions. This process would benefit frominformationonexistinginstrumentgapsandassessmentofadaptationoptions,andtheinvolvementofMACsandrelevantstakeholders.Tostrengthenthesecapacities,climatechangeshouldbeelevatedtoadebatablepoliticalissuethroughtheinvolvementofhighlevelpoliticalparticipation,suchasincludeitintheagendaforthe African Ministers Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). To include climate change into nationalpolicies, integrate climate change in the review and formulation process of national policies and coordinateinter-sectoralpolicydialoguewith theparticipationofall stakeholders tocomplement theprocess, includinginformationofthecostandbenefitsofadaptationoptions.At theorganizational level (structures,processesandcooperationamong stakeholdersandkey institutions),there are three main areas. First, there is the need to provide stronger political clout for the NCCS andintegrateclimatechange into legislativecommittees foremergingdevelopment issues. Second, theneed forenhancinginstitutionalcapacitysuchastheintegrationofCCAintotrainingprogrammesinacademic/researchinstitutions, country-based learningplatforms, fostering research initiatives and creationof synergies amongclimate change programs. And third, in terms of coordination, the need of CCA coordination mechanismswithinsectorsandbetweenagenciesandamongworkinggroupsatcounty,districtandclanlevel.Tostrengthenthesecapacities, first includeCC intocabinetdiscussions,createhousecommitteesonclimatechange, natural disaster risk reduction (NDRR) and green/sustainable development and have consultativemeetings to review institutional policies. To development capacity and training, include climate change into

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curriculumdevelopmentandprovidehands-ontrainingopportunitiesandmentoring.Forcoordination,setuptechnicalworkinggroups/unitsonCCwithinagenciesandthink-tanksandCCnetworksincounties.Thisshouldbe informedbyconductingcasestudies,vulnerability/risksassessmentsandsitevisitandsurveys,etc.Thereshouldberegularandperiodicmonitoringandreportingonalltheseissues.Finally, at theoperational level (financing, implementationandoversight), there is theneed forahigh leveloversightforclimatechange,ensuringaneffectivemanagementteam.Tostrengthenthiscapacity,ishasbeenidentifiedthattheVicePresidentheadtheNCCSandincludetheseactivitiesintothenationalbudget.Thereisalso need to provide adequate funding to support implementation, as well as secure GoL co-financing forinternationally fundedprojects. InclusionofCC into theplanningandnationalbudgetprocess should securefundingfromtheverybeginningoftheprocess.Thereisalsotheneedforafavorabletaxregime(e.g.publicprivatepartnerships(PPP)andpaymentsforenvironmentalservices(PES)).Engagementandcapacitybuildingoftaxadministrators(LRA/MFDP)onCCshouldengagethemontheseissues.Finally,thereisalsotheneedforcraftinganeffectivemonitoringandevaluation(M&E)framework.

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Table4:InstitutionalandindividualcapacitydevelopmentneedsassessmentinLiberia

Levelofcapacities

Whatinstitutionalandindividualcapacitieswouldbeneeded?

Whichactivities(trainingandbeyondtraining)couldstrengthencapacities?

Policy

Societalvalues,goals,rulesandlaws

• Mainstreamclimatechangeinnationalpolicies

• Clearpolicyonadaptation(NAP)• Clearpolicyonmitigation(REDD+)• Createawarenessatcountyandnational

level• Legislationforfinancingclimatechange

adaptationormitigation• Reviewexistinginstrumentsandestablish

gaps• Information(cost/benefitsofadaptation

indollars)toinformpolicyaction• InvolvingMACs/relevantStakeholders

• Makeclimatechangeadebatablepoliticalissue

• Coordinateinter-sectorialpolicydialogue

• Reviewandintegrateclimatechangeactivitiesinnationalpolicies

• AfricanMinistersConferenceontheEnvironment(AMCEN)highlevelparticipation

• Surveysoncost/benefitsofadaptation

• Visitationtoclimaterelateddisastrousissuesduetoclimatechange

• ParticipationofallstakeholdersOrganizational

Structures,processesandcooperation

• StrongerpoliticalcloutforNCCS• Legislativecommitteesforemerging

developmentissues• CCAcoordinationmechanismswithin

sectorsandbetweenagencies• CCAcoordination(workinggroups)atclan,

districtsandcountylevel• Createsynergiesamongclimatechange

programs• Enhancinginstitutionmanpower

development• Climatechangetrainingprogrammesin

academic/researchinstitutions• Fosteringresearchinitiative• County-basedlearningplatforms• Provisionoflogisticalsupport

• Cabinetdiscussions• Createhousecommitteeonclimate

change,NDRR,green/sustainabledevelopment

• Consultativemeetingtoreviewinstitutionalpolicies

• Curriculumdevelopment• Provisionofhands-ontraining

opportunitiesandmentoring• Technicalworkinggroups/unitsonCC• Setupthink-tanksandCCnetworksin

counties• Conducingcasestudyandsitevisit,

survey,etc.• Vulnerabilityassessmentorrisks

assessments• Regularandperiodicmonitoringand

reportingOperational

Financing,implementingandoversight

• Highleveloversightforclimatechange• Ensuringeffectivemanagementteam• GoLco-financing• Provisionofadequatefundingtosupport

implementation• Localcountryresourcemobilization• Taxregimes(eg.PPP,PES)• Cratingeffectivemonitoringand

evaluationframework

• VicePresidentheadNCCS• Nationalbudget• Engage/buildcapacityoftax

administrators(LRA/MFDP)• Designingprogramsandprojects• Establishingthink-tank• Inclusionofclimatechangeincounty

developmentagenda• Carryoutmonitoringandevaluation

Fromthepreviousdiscussion,itisevidentthattherearesomeinstitutionalconstraintsthatneedtoberesolved.Tocomplementthepreviousanalysis,

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Table5showsanevaluationofthepotentialstrategiestoovercometheseinstitutionalconstraintsinvariousareas, namely financial resources for climate change, institutionalmandates, technical skills and knowledgeandcoordinationacrossgovernmentinstitutions(inter-ministerialcoordination).For financial resources, the main challenge observed is that climate change has not been a factor in thenationalbudget,resulting into lowbudgetappropriationandGoLco-financingforexternallyfundedprojects.Thisisaconsequenceofthelimitedawarenessamonglineministriesandagencyaboutclimatechangefundingand the lack of buy-in from policymakers and politicians. Some of the strategies identified tomainstreamclimatechangeintothenationaldevelopmentprocessesistoarticulateastrongcaseforclimatechangefundsintothenationalbudgetbyincreasingtheawarenessamongpolicymakersandlineministriesofthesocialandeconomicimpactsofclimatechangeintheirspecificsectors,aswellasclimatechangefunding.Thisshouldbedonewithincreasedcoordinationamongkeyactors,expertsandstakeholdersonclimatechangeinLiberia.Atthesametime,itisviewedthatinstitutionalmandatesarefragmentamongministriesandagencies,duetonotspecificlegislationonthematter,amongotherthings.Toovercomethis,thereneedtobeareviewofthelegislation and the mandates of line ministries and agencies and revoke unnecessary mandates to avoidambiguity.Workshopparticipants identifiedtheneedtotake lessons learnedfromworkshoptoourrelevantinstitutions.Thebarriersonthetechnicalskillsandknowledgeisthelimitedavailabilityofspecializedprofessionals,limitedtrainingopportunities, the lackofacademicprogramswithCC in theircurriculumand inadequatesupport toresearch institutionsand limitedcapacityofextensionsupportservices.Toovercomethesebarrierssomeofthe things identified are to provide more training to technical personnel at line ministries and agencies,research institutions and extension staff, develop curriculum in academic and learning institutions and linkextensionservicestoclimatechangeinformation.In termsof inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination, there ispoorcoordinationbetweensectorsandany synergies of coordination areweak. This is due to the absence of a functional technicalworking group(TWG)onclimatechange,MACsdonothaveadequateknowledgeaboutthe impactofCCandlacktechnicalexperts on climate change adaptation. There is also limited knowledge sharing amongMACs, whichmakesassessinginformationfromlineministriesabigchallenge.Toovercomethesebarriers,firstthereisaviewthattheGoLneedstostrengthenandempowertheNationalClimateChangeSecretariat(NCCS),reflectedinbudgetandstaffing.AstrengthenedNCCSshouldenhancecoordinationamongrelevantinstitutions.TheNCCSshouldprovidecomprehensiveperiodiccoordinationmeetingandprovidetheplatformforknowledgesharing.Atthesame time, thiswouldprovide theenvironment to establish a functional technical group in the sector,withfocal persons assigned to each lineministry, providing access to information and data collection from eachMAC.Finally,synergiesshouldbecreatedamongstdonorpartnersandGoLtoensureharmonizationofclimatechangeadaptationinitiatives.

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Table5:StrategiestoovercomeinstitutionalconstraintsinLiberia

Area NatureofbarriersinLiberia StrategicresponsestoovercomebarriersFinancialresourcesforclimatechange

• Limited efforts to articulate climatechangeactivities

• Climatechangehasnotbeenfactorinthenationalbudget(lowbudgetingappropriationandGoLco-financing)

• Lackofbuy-inandcommitmentfrompoliticians,policymakerand/ordecisionmakers

• Limitedinformationonclimatechangefunds

• Awarenessamonglineministriesandagencyforclimatechangefunding

• Limitedfinancialdata

• Mainstreamingclimatechangeintonationaldevelopmentprocesses

• Takestockofexistingclimatechangefunds

• Articulatestrongcaseforclimatechangefundsinnationalbudget

• Increaseadvocacyandcampaigningforpolicymakers.Explainpolicymakersthesocialdamagesandeconomicbenefitsofclimatechange

• Increaseawarenessamonglineministryandclimatechangefunding

• Widenfinancialdatainformation• Increasecoordinationamongkey

actors(expertsandstakeholders)Institutionalmandates

• Issuesoffragmentmandatesespeciallyexistingamongministriesandagencies

• ThereareseveralMACsconcernwithclimatechangerelatedfunction

• Theexistinglegislationcarved• Noinformationondatacollectionon

climatechangeissueinLiberia

• Needtoreviewthemandateoflineministriesandagenciestoavoidambiguity

• Revokeunnecessarymandates• Fast-strikeongoingdecentralization

andreformprocesses• Reviewlegislationstoidentifyover

lappingmandates• Needtotakelessonslearnedfrom

workshoptoourrelevantinstitutionsTechnicalskillsandknowledge

• Limitedcapacityofextensionsupportservices

• LackofCCprograminacademicsandresearchinstitutions;lessexpertinthesector

• Limitedspecializedprofessionals• Misplacementofprofessionals• Inadequatesupporttoresearch

institutions• Limitedtrainingopportunities

• Trainingofextensionstaff;Needtotrainmorepeopleonclimatechange

• Needtolinkextensiontoclimatechangeinformation

• Developcurriculuminacademicandlearninginstitutions

• Build capacities of researchinstitution; material support intoresearch

• HarmonizationofexistingpoliciesDialogueandcoordinationacrossgovernment(interministerial-coordination)

• Clarityofsectorleadabsent• Poorcoordinationbetweensectors;

synergiesofcoordinationareweak• Absentoffunctionaltechnicalworking

group(TWG)• MACsdonothaveadequate

knowledgeabouttheimpactofCC• Lackoftechnicalexpertsinclimate

changeadaptation• Assessinginformationfromline

ministriesisabigchallenge• Limitedknowledgesharing• Lackofsynergiesbetweendonorsand

GoL

• StrengthenandempowertheNationalClimateChangeSecretariat(NCCS)(budget,staffing)

• Enhancecoordinationamongrelevantinstitutions

• Createcomprehensiveperiodiccoordinationmeeting;Createaloopinvolvingdropbox,emailstoshareinformation

• Establishafunctionaltechnicalgroupinthesector

• Focalpersonassigntolineministryfordatacollection

• CreatesynergiesamongstdonorpartnersandGoLtoensureharmonization

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h. GapAnalysisofexistingclimatechangeadaptationinitiativesinLiberiaComparingprocess elements envisaged in the four stepsof theNAPGuidelineswith the situation in Liberiadescribedintheprevioussectionsofthisreport,wecanidentifysomeshortcomingsandgaps,aspresentedinFigure 5. The value added of the NAP process for Liberia would be to address the key gaps, and developstrategiestoaddressthosegaps.Inthisprocess,thereneedstobeacomprehensivestocktakingofexistingclimateinformationandvulnerabilitystudies.Also,thereneedstobemechanismsandinstrumentstomainstreamclimatechangeonplanningandbudgetingatthenationalandsubnationallevel,involvingkeysectorssuchasagriculture,coastalmanagement,energy, health, public works, etc. For that, an assessment and valuation of adaptation options is required.There is also a lack of institutional and technical capacity and no long term implementation strategy foradaptation.Finally,monitoringandevaluationforadaptationprocessesisalsolacking.Figure5:GapstobeaddressedintheNAPprocessforLiberiausingtheframeworkoftheLEGNAPGuidelines

DerivingentrypointsandstrategicinterventionareasfortheNAPprocess

As discussed in the previous sections, currently Liberia does not have specific national climate changeadaptationpolicies inplace.LiberiaseekstoutilizetheNAPprocesstomainstreamclimatechange intotheircurrent development policies, and influence various government departments to drive theprocess. There isalsoaneedtohaveasystemorframeworktoupdatemediumto longtermplansandprocessingadaptationinformation. Liberia is also seeking to build capacity to conduct adaptation assessments to start the NAPprocess. TheGoL plans to utilize existing institutional structure to conduct assessments to help identify the

� NAPProcessjustbeginning� Comprehensiveinventoryofdatamissing

� LackofinformationonclimateprojectionsandVAs

� NointegrationofCCAonbudgetingandplanning

� Nolongtermimplementationstrategy

� Lackofinstitutionalandtechnicalcapacity

� M&Eofclimatechangeadaptationnotoperational

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countriesvulnerabilitiestoclimatechange.Also,theneedtoestablishastrongM&Esystemwouldprovidethegeneralsupportfortheprocess.As elaborated in the SWOT analysis, themost salient feature of the adaptation experience in Liberia is theimplementation of the pilot projects under the NAPA. However, these processes need to be strengthenedduring theNAPprocess. Another potential entry point is the budgeting process as Liberia aims to integrateclimatechangeconcernsintotheirnationaldevelopmentplanningandbudgeting.Basedonananalysisofexisting relevantCCAprocessesandcapacities inLiberia, thereareseveralgaps thatshouldbeaddressedbyasuccessfulNAPprocess.To fill thesegaps, therearevariousstrategic interventionareas thatneed tobeaddressed.ANAPprocess that integratesactivities toaddress thesegapswillprovideadded value to existing CCA initiatives. It is important to note that the implementation of these strategicinterventionareasrequirestheengagementofkeystakeholdersandactors,aswellasengagingpoliticiansandpolicymakerstohavethepoliticalbacking.Thestrategicinterventionareasare:

I. Climate Information. Generate base information on climate projections, vulnerability studies andeconomicassessmentofadaptationoptions.

II. Capacitydevelopment.Supportmeasurestobuildinstitutionalandtechnicalcapacity.III. Intersectoralcoordinated implementation.NeedtostrehgthentheNCCSandcoordinationwithline

Ministries.IV. Planning and Financing. Integrate climate change into planning and budgeting,matching financing

needswithsources.V. ImplementationofM&EsystemforCCA.EstablishM&EsystematEPAtoensuretrackingofprogress

ofclimatechangeadaptationprocess.SuggestionsforaroadmapforLiberia’sNAPprocess

As part of the results of the workshop, a draft roadmap of the NAP process was established (Table 6),identifying the key aspects of theNAPprocess relevant for Liberia and associated activities that need tobeundertaken, identifying the responsible institutions for those activities. A tentative list of outputs for eachactivityanda timeframewere identified,aswellaspossiblesourcesof financing. It isworthnoting that thistablewillprobablyneedtoberevisedwhenLiberiaformallyproceedwiththeNAPprocess.Eachof theactivitieshavebeenclassifiedasshort term(3,3-6,6-12months),mediumterm(1-2years)andlongterm(3-5years),suggestingaperiodof2015-2019.Table7presentstheseactivitiesinatentativetimelinetobecarriedout.Specificinstitutionalrolesandresponsibilitieshavebeenidentifiedforeachoftheactivitiesidentifiedintheroad-map.