Environment &
Climate Resilience

Overview

Liberia’s forests are a global treasure. We intend to keep them that way.

Liberia is home to over 40% of the remaining Upper Guinean rainforest—one of the most biologically rich and globally significant forest ecosystems in the world. These forests store vast amounts of carbon, regulate regional climate systems, and support thousands of plant and animal species, many of them endemic. For millions of Liberians, they are also a source of livelihoods, providing food, fuel, water, and income.
But this natural wealth is under growing pressure. Liberia continues to experience one of the highest rates of deforestation in West Africa, driven by unsustainable agriculture, logging, charcoal production, and weak land governance. Climate change is compounding these risks, with shifting rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, coastal erosion, and more frequent flooding already affecting farming and fishing communities. In coastal counties, entire communities are facing displacement due to sea level rise, while inland, soil degradation and forest loss are reducing agricultural productivity and increasing vulnerability.
BASA Development Initiatives (BDI) approaches environment and climate resilience as a core development issue, not a standalone sector. The program is built on the understanding that livelihoods, ecosystems, and local economies are deeply interconnected, and that long-term resilience depends on managing these systems together.
BDI implements an integrated approach known as the “Restore–Sustain–Earn (RSE) Model”—a practical framework that connects environmental protection with economic opportunity, particularly for women and youth.
The first pillar, Restore, focuses on ecosystem recovery through community-led reforestation, mangrove restoration, and protection of critical biodiversity areas. BDI supports tree planting initiatives, climate education in schools through climate clubs, and local stewardship systems that empower communities to manage and monitor their natural resources.
The second pillar, Sustain, strengthens how communities use natural resources. This includes promoting climate-smart agriculture, sustainable fisheries practices, clean energy solutions, and improved waste management systems that reduce environmental degradation. BDI works with local authorities and communities to improve land use practices, reduce reliance on harmful activities such as slash-and-burn farming and charcoal production, and strengthen community-based governance structures.
The third pillar, Earn, focuses on creating green economic opportunities. BDI supports youth and women to engage in green enterprises such as recycling, waste collection and processing, eco-friendly agribusiness, and small-scale renewable energy solutions. Through circular economy approaches, waste is repositioned as a resource—creating jobs, improving sanitation, and reducing environmental impact. Initiatives such as community-based waste enterprises and green business incubation help link environmental action directly to income generation.
Across all pillars, BDI integrates policy engagement and advocacy, working with government and stakeholders to strengthen land rights, improve environmental governance, and align local action with national and global climate commitments. The goal is clear: protect Liberia’s natural heritage while enabling the people who depend on it to thrive.

Key Objectives