Monrovia, Liberia – September 26, 2025 – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has received an Elemental Analyzer valued at €100,000 from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a significant boost to the country’s scientific capacity in climate change research and blue carbon management.

An Elemental Analyzer is a scientific instrument used to measure the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur content of samples. In Liberia’s case, the equipment will be applied to study mangroves and wetland ecosystems, helping scientists accurately determine carbon storage and accumulation rates, which are essential for understanding blue carbon potential.

The donation falls under the IAEA’s regional project RAF7020, “Establishing Regional Capacities to Assess the Importance of Carbon Sequestration in Aquatic Systems for Climate Change Mitigation, Environmental Conservation, and Economic Purposes.” The initiative aims to establish five African laboratories for blue carbon assessment and accumulation rate studies by 2026.

Liberia was prioritized for the equipment during the project’s midterm coordination meeting in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in August 2024, following recognition of the EPA’s readiness to lead in blue carbon ecosystem research and conservation.

Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, along with the Environmental Policy Council, the Governing Board, and the Senior Management Team, received the equipment with support from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.

The analyzer will allow Liberia to measure carbon stocks and accumulation rates in mangroves and wetland ecosystems, produce national blue carbon inventories, and generate credible scientific data to guide climate change policies and coastal management strategies. It is also expected to position Liberia as a hub for blue carbon research and collaboration in West Africa.

Highlighting the significance of the donation, Mr. Rafael Sarji Ngumbu Sr., Director of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety at the EPA, said the development underscores Liberia’s rising profile in regional climate research.

“This milestone demonstrates Liberia’s growing recognition as a leader in blue carbon research and a regional centre for advancing scientific understanding of aquatic ecosystems. The data generated will not only help Liberia meet its climate commitments under international conventions but also provide long-term benefits for environmental protection, coastal community resilience, and sustainable development as well as Liberia’s participation in the carbon market,” Ngumbu said.

Liberia is home to some of West Africa’s largest mangrove forests, which are vital for carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and supporting local livelihoods. With the new equipment and support from the IAEA under the AFRA framework, the EPA says the country is now better positioned to carry out cutting-edge research and contribute to global climate action.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the equipment is used effectively to benefit national development priorities, environmental conservation, and regional cooperation.