[{"id":"2ca8","elType":"section","settings":{"jet_parallax_layout_list":[{"jet_parallax_layout_image":{"url":""},"_id":"c9f4c2b","jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet":{"url":"","id":""},"jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile":{"url":"","id":""},"jet_parallax_layout_speed":{"unit":"%","size":50,"sizes":[]},"jet_parallax_layout_type":"scroll","jet_parallax_layout_direction":"1","jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction":"fade-in","jet_parallax_layout_z_index":"","jet_parallax_layout_bg_x":50,"jet_parallax_layout_bg_y":50,"jet_parallax_layout_bg_size":"auto","jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop":"transform","jet_parallax_layout_on":["desktop","tablet"]}]},"elements":[{"id":"63c1","elType":"column","settings":{"_column_size":100},"elements":[{"id":"9149b81","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"About the EKMS","title_color":"#000000"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"},{"id":"f7102f3","elType":"widget","settings":{"text":"Divider","color":"rgba(122,122,122,0.36)","gap":{"unit":"px","size":2,"sizes":[]}},"elements":[],"widgetType":"divider"},{"id":"e346601","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"Why was the EKMS created?","title_color":"#000000"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"},{"id":"654b3cf","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>In an effort to bridge knowledge management gaps, the EKMS was created to strengthen institutional coordination between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other Liberia government institutions as well as Nongovernmental Organizations that have direct linkages with environmental policies and development. It was also created to increase access and dissemination of key information and promote adequate public awareness and education.<\/p>\n<p>The EKMS is an output of the Cross-Cutting Capacity Development Project (CCCD). The project funded by the GEF and implemented by the EPA in partnership with the UNDP in collaboration with Natural Resources Management Agencies of Liberia. The project is in line with GEF-6 CCCD Strategy objective 1, 3, and 5 which call for countries to: a) integrate global environmental needs into management information systems and monitoring, b) integrate MEA provisions into national policy, legislative, and regulatory frameworks, and c) update NCSAs, respectively.<\/p>\n<h3>Development Challenge<\/h3>\n<h4>A1. Global Environmental Challenges<\/h4>\n<p>Liberia is located on the southwest coast of Africa, and boarders the Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Liberia is divided into 15 counties, which are subdivided into 90 districts. Although Liberia is a rather small country, it has significant biodiversity. There are 600 bird species, 150 mammals, 75 reptiles and over 2000 flowering plants. Some notable species in Liberia include western chimpanzees, forest elephants, and leopards. Liberia also has rich forests; around 42% of the Upper Guinea Forest of West Africa is contained within Liberia (Republic of Liberia, 2014; Republic of Liberia, 2004). Liberia also has numerous natural resources such as timber, rubber, gold diamonds, and iron ore. Economically, the forestry and agriculture sectors are two of the most important sectors in Liberia. Agriculture accounts for over 70% of livelihoods (Dorliae, 2012).<\/p>\n<p>Liberia faces numerous environmental challenges including land degradation, fragmentation, deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. The dependence on forestry presents a unique environmental risk as Liberia\u2019s forest is part of the West African Hotspot. This (once) rich ecosystem has faced severe deforestation; only ten percent of the original forest remains, of which around 40% lies in Liberia. Unfortunately, this remaining forest is at risk serious risk of deforestation. Over the past two centuries, Liberia has lost over 60% of its forest cover (Republic of Liberia, 2004), and deforestation rates have increased since 2000. Increases in deforestation and land degradation are largely due to displaced people clearing land. Also contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and land degradation is unsustainable farming practices, mining, charcoal production, invasive species, hunting, and unregulated timber extraction. Poaching is also rampant and mitigation measures are lacking; the draft Wildlife Management and Protected Areas Act remains in draft form (Dorliae, 2012).<\/p>\n<p>Climate change also poses a real threat to Liberia. Among other threats, Liberia\u2019s economy and human health could be threatened by rising temperatures and water scarcity. Currently, the country does not have strong capacities for mitigation and adaptation; Liberia has no institutions that offer climate change education or research programs (although, the University of Liberia does offer programs on the environment). Additionally, there are no organized or coordinated programs for meteorological, hydrological, or climate research and observation. Currently, only fragmented services are available. Along with a lack of observation networks, government bodies are hindered by inadequately-trained staff (Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia, 2013).<\/p>\n<p>Although aware of the environmental situation, Liberia has struggled to address these environmental issues. The civil wars, which lasted for more than 10 years, served to exacerbate the situation. Poverty also presents a serious challenge; causing degradation and drawing attention and resources from environmental concerns. Over 60% of Liberians live in poverty. Of these, over 40% of citizens live in extreme poverty (Dorliae, 2012). The outbreak of Ebola in 2014 also threatened Liberia\u2019s progress, as the crisis became a priority for the government and stretched already limited resources. Fortunately in January 2016 the outbreak was declared resolved. Overall, there has been slow progress in sustainable development and meeting obligations under the Rio Conventions.<\/p>\n<h4>Root Causes<\/h4><p>There are a few key root causes of environmental degradation in Liberia. The most critical include: human settlements and population pressures; shifting cultivation; timber exploitation; and rubber plantations.  More generally, root causes are related to over-exploitation of biological resources; poverty; political instability and wars; education; and inadequate law enforcement (Republic of Liberia, 2004).  From a reporting perspective, one root cause of Liberia\u2019s development challenges is the fact that Focal Points are located in different agencies, which thereby limits coordination and collaboration between them.<\/p><h4>A2. Capacity Barriers<\/h4><p>Liberia has undertaken numerous initiatives to address environmental issues.  Despite the achievements Liberia made, Liberia continues to face important challenges to meeting environmental goals.  As a Rio Convention mainstreaming project, the proposed strategy sets out to meet barriers identified in Liberia\u2019s 2006 National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA), which was undertaken though a consultative process and participatory approach that involved numerous stakeholders from various sectors.   Through the inclusive and consultative process of the NCSA, stakeholders identified a number of areas that explain the difficulty in fulfilling the obligations of the Rio Conventions.  The NCSA identified the following barriers that cut across the three Rio Conventions:<\/p>","text_color":"#000000"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"},{"id":"25aa8f3","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"What does the EKMS include?","title_color":"#000000","typography_typography":"custom"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"},{"id":"7766","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Environmental Knowledge Management System (EKMS) is an integrated online knowledge platform which strive to draw on and complement a growing agenda on the Rio Conventions within the Natural Resource Management Sector and external partners to scale up environmental initiatives.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The EKMS provides free and open access to information from key government and other institutions in Liberia relating to the implementation of the Rio Conventions \u2013 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The EKMS is deployed under the supervision of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with twelve relevant government institutions. Information access on this platform include reports, publications, case studies, tools and guidelines, institution\u2019s technical documents, and other related materials.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Additionally, the EKMS provides a platform for government institutions and other contributors to share latest blogs, news and stories related to the Rio Conventions implementation process.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","text_color":"#000000"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"},{"id":"51302d0","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"Acknowledgement","title_color":"#000000","typography_typography":"custom"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"},{"id":"7a9dbae","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>The EPA gratefully acknowledges financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) for the development of this Environmental Knowledge Management System (EKMS).<\/p>","text_color":"#000000"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"},{"id":"8a1ae94","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"Disclaimer"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"},{"id":"3162138","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>The Environmental Knowledge Management System (EKMS) provides free and open access to important information from key government and other institutions in Liberia on implementation of the Rio Conventions. The information in the EKMS is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This website contents can not be taken to reflect the views of its sponsors.<\/p>","text_color":"#000000"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false}],"isInner":false}]