SUSTAINABLE OCEAN INITIATIVE-SOI INFORMATION (OCEAN-RELATED CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS) WHITE PAPER Office of the MEAs March 24, 2023 MR. JEFFERSON NYANDIBO Manager MEAs/Focal Point UNFCCC DR. JOHN NYEMAH NATT JR Focal Point Abidjan Convention on Coastal and Marine Environment DR. EMMANUEL OLATUNJI Focal Point IPBES JOHN KANNAH Coordinator, National Determine Contribution J.S. DATUAMA CAMMUE Focal Point CBD It is seen as scientific evidence that our coastal and marine areas are face with challenges such as, so much pressure from climate change that comes with a anthropogenic contribution of increasing overall temperatures, increasing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) which is black carbon and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), and altered patterns of precipitation; another anthropogenic pressure is pollution, that comes due to earth sources and activities e.g. industries etc. which develop thermal pollution that results to (telluric contamination and current), pollution due to offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation; Mangrove degradation and overfishing which also add pressure to the coastal and marine ecosystems. Most of the observed challenges since the mid-20th century are very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations, pollutions, Mangrove degradation and overfishing activities. It is also proven that our sea temperature yield from 30 o c to 32 o c in Liberia and is projected to rise more in the future. Furthermore, patterns of land use, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine areas and grazing land management in Liberia and globally are shaped by and contribute to climate. A 2020 survey by National Meteorological and Oceanographic Center (NAMOC) makes clear the scope of the challenges climate change presents to the coastal and marine environment (John Natt et al., 2020). Among that report’s the challenges of the coastal and marine environment was detailed as: Climate changes — temperature increases, increasing CO 2 levels, and altered patterns of precipitation — are already affecting Coastal and Marine biodiversity and also produced a high degree of biological diversity from the extremely rare manatee, monk seal; and a variety of cetaceans, major breeding colonies of sea turtles, water bird colonies and the concentrations of wintering waders arriving from European grounds. Used of coastal waters by industries and factories that later dump back to it source after used, which develop thermal pollution that result to telluric contamination and current. This effect changes the water temperature which allow aqua-species to migrate to another body of water or die in the process. The effect of overfishing in the coastal and marine ecosystems will affect the services that ecosystems provide. Biodiversity now faces a number of threats: deliberate captures sea turtles as well accidental capture of dolphins, manatee and turtles entangles in fishing nets, degradation of mangrove and land base pollution of human origin. Thus, these challenges in the coastal and marine environment introduces major uncertainties into the plan et’s current and future capacity to protect and manage biodiversity by means of climate change, pollutions, mangrove degradation and overfishing. Furthermore, activities in the coastal and marine environment produces approximately 2% CH 4 and 25% N 2 O –of the world’s total anthropogenic GHGs (Science update 2015). In the interest of sustainable ocean as well as limiting losses of carbon from coastal and marine environment in the interest of protecting lives underwater, the capacity to regulate must not be accompanied by proportional increases in the above mentioned challenges that will affects the coastal and marine environment. The ability for our coastal and marine ecosystems to remain healthy for humanity without involving these challenges, we need to be supported with technology and research activities for monitoring purposes. Current State of the Coastal and Marine Environment In years back, Liberia signed to the Abidjan Convention to protect the coastal and marine environment and in 2022 Liberia signed the additional protocols of the Abidjan Convention that was adopted by the West African Economy and Monetary Union (WAEMU) known as the WAEMU Regulations on the protection of the coastal and marine environment for pollutions (Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia). Land use practices such as watershed pollution from industries and others, onshore oil and gas seepage to marine water and the emissions of other GHGs such as methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) from household energy, transportation, agriculture, waste, fossil fuel operation and largescale contribution. These challenges affects coastal and marine biodiversity, natural resources, and conservation efforts. The uses of the coastal and marine environment by means of transportation, oil and gas exploration and exploitation, industrial production and overfishing are directly linked to climatic conditions, as are the impacts they provide. The driving variables for biodiversity sustainability are to limit activities that are lead to these challenges. Innovative research strategies are required to determine how the resilience responses of different ecosystems are affected by these challenges. Development of improved simulation models for managed and natural ecosystems will be critical to evaluating how systems respond to these challenges across a diversity of environments. Our coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity provide important and valuable goods and services such as food, amenity benefits, tourism, and carbon sink, but with these challenges develop by anthropogenic activities that is changing the biogeochemical and biophysical of our coastal and marine environment, affecting marine species through direct and indirect impacts. Although new opportunities may be created by changes in the challenges, adjustments will be challenging for the coastal and marine ecosystems. Mechanisms for adaptation are critical for continued food production, conservation of natural resources, and food security. Application of fundamental knowledge and development of techniques and methods to enable adaptation to counter these challenges are needed to improve the resilience of natural and managed ecosystems. Adaptation efforts currently underway must be evaluated to determine potential future adaptation measures and address the related environmental, economic, and social challenges these changes present. 4 EPA’s strategic plan ( Strategic objective 2 ) shows that Biodiversity Changes Ensure the continued monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity status and trends; Address issues associated with governance, legal and financial modalities in biodiversity programs for equitable sharing of resources; Ensure development initiatives with potential adverse effects on biodiversity are subjected to strategic environmental assessments; Set balance between economic development and environmental consideration to ensure sustainability of natural resources; Build strong mechanism for awareness creation and education; Recognize, promote, and uphold traditional and indigenous knowledge, practices, and innovations for the sound management of natural resources; Ensure that biodiversity decision-making and management are people-centered approach; Ensure that biodiversity management and conservation consider economic, cultural, and aesthetic values; Place special emphasis on ecosystems and habitats management. Work with LLA to prepare a Land Use Policy and Strategy; Work with FDA to strengthen Community- based Forestry Policy and Strategy; Work with Ministry of Mines and Energy and develop a National Energy Policy and Strategy; And Expand knowledge and understanding of ecosystem values in government and the population; And Undertake a Mercury Initial Assessment and develop a Nation Action Plan. Strengthen actions on key domestic environmental issues (Chemicals and Hazardous materials Waste; Sustainable resource utilization; Wetlands) as follows: Chemicals and hazardous materials: Develop a national policy for the management of chemicals and hazardous materials; Develop a system for hazardous waste handling and disposal; and Partner with relevant conventions such as the Stockholm and Basel Conventions to strengthen the management of chemicals and hazardous materials. Wastes: Develop a national waste management policy, to include institutional arrangements and governance systems; Design a system for comprehensive waste management including waste segregation, recycling, compositing, and sound waste disposal procedures; Develop a system for hazardous waste handling and disposal Identify and develop waste disposal sites for disposable waste; Incorporate international regulations and guidelines on waste management into national policy frameworks; And develop a waste data system to store national data on different waste streams in the country. Sustainable resource utilization: Ensure the mainstreaming of the SDGs into national policies and development programs; Adhere to international norms and best practices on the implementation of the SDGs; And Design and implement projects for achieving the SDGs. Wetlands: Develop national regulations for the management and sustainable use of wetlands; Revise the existing Wetlands Policy Document to ensure enhance management and sustainable use of wetlands Institute the gazzettment of the remaining four (4) Ramsar wetland Sites: Marshall, Kpatawee, Gbedin and the Mesurado; Update the status of all five Ramsar Sites in Liberia. Ramsar sites are updated once every five years; Develop logistical and human capacities of the Ramsar Team and Conservation Unit to lead the enforcement of Wetlands regulations, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders; Develop a mechanism to involve more women and traditional people in the development of awareness framework for the sustainable use of wetlands; Develop a mechanism to sensitize the population including policy makers, on the importance, benefits, values of wetlands; and Develop projects proposals and solicit funding for the sustainable use of wetlands; and Validate the Water Quality Regulations to include water quality standards for wetlands. 5 Current Research Challenges and Proposed Research Strategy 1: To Explain the Processes Driving the Direct and Indirect Effects of the Coastal and Marine environment on biodiversity and how these effects can be adapted to or be mitigated Coastal and marine challenges adaptation and mitigation strategies and policies rest on a foundation of reliable data and annually research and monitoring of how the processes and components of these challenges in the coastal and marine environment can be minimize by the natural and human-induced changes in the environment, with key attention on coastal and marine resource management. Our research leads to scientific explanations of causes and effects of these challenges and the capability to estimate effects on natural and managed ecosystems, including feedbacks that it may cause. This explanatory power is essential to predictive capabilities and decision-support. Information on the biochemical and biophysical variation on marine lives. Research required includes experiments and biologically based simulation models to quantify the combined effects of challenges on the coastal and marine biodiversity, the occurrence and impact of change in sea temperature and oil and gas spillage pollution and how it react to marine species, and ecosystem services. Current EPA Science Approach: We have limited national network of instrumented watersheds in the coastal areas, and experimental marine zone that are providing limited observational and experimental data. A national grid of 3 permanent sample plots is deployed along the Liberia coastline (in geographic information system format), an area sampling grid, andtrained staffs. These minimum assets permit other researchers and their partners to evaluate status and trends in the coastal and marine environment, to provide a foundation for baseline resource conditions, and to test resource conservation practices, carbon sequestration, and adaptation approaches and their impacts. We have partnership with the Abidjan convention on the coastal and marine environment for the development of large-scale examinations of the responses of the coastal and marine environment challenge to anticipated climate change; 2) evaluations of onshore and offshore pollution from maritime transport, onshore platform spillage and beach pollution; 3) identificationand development of scalable methodologies for assessing potential effects land based pollution form industries, factories etc. and adaptation strategies to minimize it thermal pollution and plastic waste management and; 4) working along with our national governmental counterpart the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority to monitor our marine species resources, on how it is being extracted from our waters and management practices to ensure coordination in the fisheries sector. Research by EPA scientists and their collaborators is helping determine how different coastal and marine pollution formulations, species genetics, species migration processes, and management techniques (including conservation, and integrated species management systems). 6 Anticipated Outcomes: Projections of coastal and marine biodiversity protection at multiple scales under different current and projected challenges. Scalable species-specific geospatial information to support monitoring and assessing the impact of the challenges on our coastal and marine environment (protected areas). Data and conceptual models indicating how these challenges affects 1) coastal and marine biodiversity such as species, mangrove forest and carbon sequestration. Projections of the distribution, incidence, and severity of outbreaks of coastal and marine ecosystems, on the basis of data for responses of host species to changes in climate, weather variability, biochemical and biophysical pollution CO 2 concentration, and other related environmental variables. In addition, we have develop a concept of land-based infrastructure for research, environmental management testing, and education, that will enable us to understand and forecast the nation’s capacity to provide protection and management on coastal and marine biodiversity and other ecosystem goods and services under ever-changing environmental and resource-use conditions. Strategy 2: To Develop Knowledge and Tools to Enable Adaptation of coastal and marine environment challenges, Including Improving the Resilience of Natural and Managed Ecosystems Adaptation to our coastal and marine challenges is a strategic necessity for us, and the government as a whole. In response to Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) Performance,” the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia issued implementation instructions on coastal and marine challenges adaptation planning. The instructions say that “each governmental ministries and agencies that operates within the coastal and marine environment will identify aspects of the challenges that are likely to impact their entities ability to achieve its mission and sustain its operations and respond strategically. Adaptation planning will help a ministry and agency reduce the negative effects and take advantage of new opportunities that these challenges may bring. Integration of these coastal and marine environment challenges adaptation planning into the operations, policies, and programs of the national Government will ensure that resources are invested wisely and that national services and operations remain effective in current and future challenges conditions. By first quantifying and explaining the effects of climate change, onshore and offshore spillage and pollution from industries, factories etc. in the coastal and marine ecosystems and EPA provides a foundation for projecting and then managing the combined effects of these environmental factors on ecosystem responses. Knowledge of mechanisms for adaptation are critical for continued coastal and marine biodiversity conservation. 7 New biochemical and biophysical approach of coastal and marine biodiversity will be developed through breeding programs to ensure coastal and marine biodiversity sustainability despite encountering these anthropogenic challenges, weather variability and extremes, and atmospheric composition, land based pollution in the coastal and marine environment. Predictive capabilities, including simulation models to quantify the combined effects of anthropogenic challenges in the coastal and marine ecosystems are being developed to increase the resiliency of the coastal and marine environment via the use of models as decision support tools. Development of improved simulation models for managed and coastal and marine ecosystems will be used to evaluate how systems respond to anthropogenic challenges. Simulation models will include integrated hydrodynamic, hydrology, geological properties of the coastal and marine environment, biochemical and biophysical properties and coastal and marine species biodiversity status. Models that include economic and social feedback mechanisms are essential for identifying the range of potential outcomes. The EPA within its Strategic Plan of 2022 to 2026 also calls for the establishment of biodiversity consortia to coordinate research, improve stakeholder access to coastal and marine ecosystems, facilitate adaptation planning, and contribute to the national environmental assessment. Current EPA Science Approach: Working on developing a National coastal and marine data collection and accessible system to conserve species under threat from anthropogenic challenges We have been working to develop Intramural and to sponsor coastal and marine research and development on productivity in species protection which will provide a basis for developing research investment strategies to address changes, environmental stresses, and resource constraints. We have been working to do Research on land based pollution, onshore and offshore pollution, and climate change interference to coastal and marine biodiversity that will ensure the protection of coastal and marine lives. Will need to perform scientific, statistical, and remote sensing – based technological capacity enables EPA to develop and disseminate large-scale geospatial, coastal and marine space – specific, scalable information to monitor and assess the effects of anthropogenic challenges on the Nation’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Will need to develop a laboratory that will be use by neighboring countries (Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast) and offers the ability to conduct general research in the coastal and marine ecosystems. We have Extensive expertise in coastal and marine risk assessment and risk management that leads to better surveillance and management strategies for its ecosystems. 8 Anticipated Outcomes: To develop Science-based strategies and practices that enable management of coastal and marine biodiversity, given the challenges associated with pollution, heat stress, seabed stress, atmospheric deposition, ozone, and changes in species growth. Projections of species control and multiple scales under different current and projected anthropogenic challenges, management, and policy scenarios or options. New method of coastal and marine techniques are expected to be developed that are resilient to the stresses induced or exacerbated by these anthropogenic challenges. New techniques and fishing practices that allow for greater adaptability to these challenges. New risk assessment and planning processes are expected for projecting anthropogenic challenges. Projections of the outcomes from coastal and marine environment user s’ choices for adapting to a best practice functions. Large-scale geospatial, coastal and marine species specific information is expected to help monitor and assess theeffects of anthropogenic challenges on the Nation’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Strategy 3: Develop Knowledge and Tools to Help Mitigate Atmospheric GHG Emissions through Reductions in Gross GHG Emissions and Increases in Carbon Sequestration in coastal and marine ecosystems and Other Managed Lands EPA research can ensure that coastal and marine ecosystems will play significant roles in reducing atmospheric GHG concentrations through carbon storage and reduced emissions. Fishermen, and ports and maritime can increase sequestration by adjusting best practices; this would be highly cost-effective relative to mitigation options in other ecosystems and can potentially return value to the coastal and marine environment, coastal communities, and society as awhole. Given the high global impacts potentials of pollutions, management of these pollutions, particularly from marine transport, onshore and offshore activities, land based pollution for industries and climate change is of particular importance. New data series that are timely, accurate, and unbiased are critical to the effectiveness and efficiency of carbon offset markets or income potential. Current EPA Science Approach: Nationally coordinated measurement and monitoring and modeling of carbon sequestration and GHG emissions coastal and marine surveys and Analysis, National Resources Inventory (NRI) to enable annual and periodic reports and provide projections of carbon storage andGHG emissions on coastal and marine ecosystems. Broad-based research on input/output species protection efficiencies, including health improvement and species migration. Sustained research, development, and use of alternatives to mines chemical, petroleum products and minimizing marine transport pollution. 9 Anticipated Outcomes: Economically viable strategies and technologies for reducing GHG emissions and increasing carbon sequestration considering all relevant fluxes while improving confidence estimates (ERS). Will improved coastal and marine management practices that influence CO 2 , N 2 O, and CH 4 emissions to marine biodiversity. Technologies and information for reducing GHG intensity on (marine species) and developing a system extraction. Strategy 4: Support Decisions, Including Policymaking, Via Information and Techniques EPA Science Approach Will Provide to National Government, Stakeholders and Collaborators The scientific research and many ongoing core information programs produced and funded by International partners have been used for years to address a range of questions from detecting coastal and marine anthropogenic challenges trends and effects to the use of remote sensing, surface-based observations, and related analyses in resource management applications. To maximize the effectiveness of this basic research, results must also be applied by national ministries or agencies administering conservation programs, directly managing and using the coastal and marine resources, by providing management advice to fishermen, coastal communities’ dwellers, ships and boats owners and mining, cement, steel and others industries , or carrying out regulation. The EPA has strong relations and interactions with internal and external partners and stakeholders and develops resources to support public discussion and planning, adaptive management, and policymaking about the environment. EPA encourages the development of new methods, models, decision methodologies, and other resources that facilitate economic analysis and decision- making under conditions of uncertainty, and integration and interpretation of information from the natural and social sciences in relevant decision contexts. This effort includes supporting and improving existing models and decision-support mechanisms. Development of decision-support resources cannot be isolated by us only but all national institutions. Rather, success depends on developing strategies for integrating knowledge from throughout the agency and making it available within needed time frames in usable formats to internal and external stakeholders. EPA ’s strategy to better understand human environmental interactions recognizes the need for basic research in the natural sciences and the human dimensions of global change for producing decision-support resources. Education, outreach, and new science-based information systems are needed to achieve literacy and action to mitigate and adapt to anthropogenic challenges. EPA provides good leadership and works with its stakeholders and partners to support scientific and educational activities about the natural environment and to provide extension professionals and the public with the capacity to disseminate the information necessary to develop responses to anthropogenic challenges, and to encourage the development of the next generation of coastal and marine sciences professionals. 10 Current EPA Science Approach: Direct linkage of the biochemical, biophysical and social science research communities to education, outreach, and technology transfer professionals ensures that new knowledge is translated touseful products and given to the public and private sectors so that they can make better decisions. Regularly scheduled reports of coastal and marine users to enable us to project from the current season to a decade in the future, taking into consideration coastal and marine biodiversity. The coastal and marine resources Management Survey provides data to help analyze the effects of these anthropogenic challenges policies on coastal and marine lives and the potential for users to provide information on catchment processes, resources lost and gain. The coastal and marine ecosystems models will need to be developed with detailed regional information on environmental consequences, including GHG emissions that cover global markets and linkages with it blue economy values. These models will be used to answer a widerange of questions that encompass the effects of pollutions and environmental policies such as regulation of confined users operations. The annual NaFAA coastal and marine ecosystems Data and other large-scale remote sensing applications area focal point throughout government, academia, and the private sector for use in geospatial applications at multiple levels in precise analyses of environmentally affected the natural environment. Anticipated Outcomes: Annual input to our inventory, and estimates and changes of GHG emissions, sinks, and carbon stored in the coastal and marine ecosystems. Projections of carbon storage outcomes of anthropogenic challenges, management, economic, and policy scenarios. With national partners, work toward establishing and implementing a synergies that includes the reduction of these anthropogenic challenges on coastal and marine biodiversity. 11 References Dr. John Nyemah Natt Jr, Prof. J Stanford Flomo, Debra Kiatamba (2020). Survey report on the meteorological and Oceanographic status in Liberia. A Report by the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Center of Liberia. Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia. (2022). Strategic Plan: 2022 – 2026 Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov.lr 12