The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) has strongly disputed a recent Global Forest Watch (GFW) report, echoed by local and international media, which claimed Liberia lost 160,000 hectares of pristine forest in 2024—allegedly releasing nearly 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The FDA insists the figures are “grossly exaggerated” and misrepresent the country’s verified national data.
In September 2025, the FDA, working with the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, completed a comprehensive remote sensing and spatial analysis of Liberia’s forest cover from 2000 to 2024. Using internationally recognized methodologies aligned with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) guidelines, the study formed the basis of Liberia’s Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL), formally submitted to the UNFCCC in January 2026.
The FDA’s findings show that Liberia lost 31,986 hectares of primary forest in 2024, a figure derived from high‑resolution satellite imagery, ground‑truthing protocols, and nationally calibrated forest definitions. This contrasts sharply with GFW’s estimate of 160,000 hectares.
The FDA attributes the verified forest loss to several key drivers: Expansion of cocoa plantations, particularly by Burkinabe farmers in southeastern Liberia, slash‑and‑burn cultivation practices, illegal and unregulated mining within forest estates, encroachment and other human‑driven pressures, and these findings align with ongoing field reports and national observations.
According to the FDA, discrepancies between its data and GFW’s stem from methodological differences. Global models often apply broad forest definitions and canopy thresholds without country‑specific calibration or ground validation. By contrast, Liberia’s assessment integrates localized definitions and field verification, making it more reliable for policy and investment decisions.
“Global tools provide useful approximations,” the FDA noted, “but they cannot substitute for country‑driven, scientifically validated monitoring systems.”
The FDA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, stating that all data from the national forest assessment is available for review. Stakeholders, researchers, and development partners are encouraged to engage directly with the agency for authoritative information.
The authority also acknowledged ongoing challenges in forest governance, including illegal activities and land‑use pressures. It emphasized that reforms are being strengthened, enforcement measures expanded, and partnerships leveraged to improve monitoring, conservation, and community engagement.
Despite the challenges, the FDA underscored Liberia’s dedication to sustainable forest management. The government views its forests as a critical national and global asset, vital for biodiversity, climate resilience, and community livelihoods.
“Forest loss is a real concern requiring urgent action,” the FDA stated. “But public discourse and policy must be guided by accurate, credible, and nationally validated data.”
FDA urged the Liberian public, international partners, and the global community to treat the GFW report with caution and rely instead on Liberia’s official data submitted to the UNFCCC. By defending its figures, the FDA seeks to ensure that national policy and international engagement are grounded in evidence, not overstated claims.
