Article 9 of chapter II of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia encourages the government to pursue bilateral, regional and international cooperation in areas of mutual concerns. Thus, Liberia is party to some treaties and laws and a member of international and regional organizations for global protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources. However, it was after Liberia’s participation in June of 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, awareness about environmental protection gained some momentum in some circles.

Prior to 1992, there was hardly any mention of environment in Liberia, except for considerations about the need to conserve the natural resources, primarily forest and wildlife. However, as a consequence of the prolonged civil strife, environment was never a major issue. After the presidential election of 1997, as people began to rebuild their lives and the shattered economy, environment, water pollution, and deforestation became special concerns in national development issues. Notwithstanding as to the scope and complexity of environmental issues and their impact on national socio-economic development, the lack of a national institutional authority for overall management of environmental issues, and the lack of a national policy and the framework law to protect the environment have precluded effective and sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges facing Liberia. As a commitment to environmental management, the Government of Liberia in 1999 established the National Environmental Commission of Liberia (NECOLIB)

and charged it with the executive authority over all programs and activities relating to environmental matters in the country. The commission, was intended to evolve into an independent environmental protection agency. The Liberia Environmental Protection Agency, commonly known as the EPA, is the principal authority in Liberia for environmental management and protection. It was established by an Act of the Legislature on November 26, 2002, and subsequently published into handbill on April 30, 2003.

Founding Principles

The creation of the EPA was guided by the National Environmental Policy (NEP), which mandated the establishment of the agency to ensure the sound environmental management of Liberia’s natural resources. The NEP aimed to harmonize functions between agencies and ensure the long-term economic prosperity of Liberia through sustainable social and economic development.

Legal Framework
The EPA operates under three primary legal instruments:
1. The National Environmental Policy (NEP): Provides a broad framework for implementing national objectives and plans related to the environment.
2. The Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia: Establishes a legal framework for sustainable development, management, and protection of the environment by the EPA in partnership with
regulatory ministries and organizations.
3. The Act Creating the Environmental Protection Agency: Details the legal mandates and authority of the EPA to manage, coordinate, monitor, and supervise environmental protection efforts in consultation with relevant
stakeholders.

Objectives and Principles
The objectives of the NEP include improving the physical environment, enhancing the quality of life, and improving the economic and social living conditions for present and future generations.

The EPML outlines several principles and objectives, such as:
1. Sustainable development
2. Precautionary principle
3. Polluter-pays principle
4. Intergenerational equity
5. Public participation
6. International cooperation in managing shared environmental resources.