Liberia - Develop national sulfur fuel standards and the capacity to enforce mandatory vehicle inspection

Rationale

The Republic of Liberia has committed to reducing its economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 64% below the projected business-as-usual level by 2030. 

Transport has been identified as a focus sector in Liberia's enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments and National Climate Change Action Plan. The country needs to provide ambitious interventions that support the increased ambition to reduce emissions by 80% as compared to BAU scenario.

Liberia has access to advance vehicle technology ( EURO VI) through imports. Despite the harmonized regional adoption of the Euro VI standards, the government has not yet implemented this due to a number of factors such as suspending all vehicle inspections in August 2023 to help give way to the conduction of peaceful electoral processes in Liberia. 

In addition, the country is yet to domesticate the ECOWAS fuel standards, and since the country does not have any local refineries, the new standards can be implemented in a short time frame through import of low sulphur fuels.

As part of ECOWAS , Liberia was party to the regionally adopted harmonised standard, which they were to comply to a minimum of EURO 4/IV vehicle emissions standard and diesel sulphur standard of a maximum of 50 ppm in 2020. However, these standards have not been implemented.

In the Transport sector, Liberia commits to reducing GHG emissions by 15.1% below BAU levels by 2030 through the introduction of electric vehicles with focus on rickshaws for private use. The country also plans to promote diesel particulate filters for road and off-road vehicles, as well as mandatory vehicle registration and inspection as well as setting up of a sustainable transport policy by 2025. 

Objectives

This project aims to:

• Enable the Government of Liberia to endorse a mandatory vehicle inspection programme.
• Enable the Government of Liberia to endorses a vehicle labelling system to register the level of SLCP emissions from the transport sector.
• Enable the Government of Liberia to endorse a national sulfur fuel standard for heavy-duty vehicles and engines with increased capacity to implement the national sulfur fuel standard for heavy-duty vehicles and engines. 

Activities

To achieve these objectives the project will:
 

• Conduct pilot projects and demonstration programs in selected regions and cities to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of mandatory testing. 
• Organise workshops, seminars, and hands-on training sessions to equip stakeholders with the skills and knowledge needed to implement and manage the inspection program effectively. 
• Build a coalition of support by highlighting the benefits of vehicle inspection programs, such as improved air quality, enhanced public health, and road safety. 
• Develop a labelling framework by collaborating with international experts and organisations to design a standardised labelling framework that aligns with global best practices and can be tailored to Liberia’s specific context. 
• Conduct public awareness and education campaigns to educate vehicle owners, consumers, and the general public about the vehicle labelling system and its benefits. 
• Establish systems for regular data collection and monitoring of SLCP emissions from the transport sector and create a national database to register and track the SLCP emissions of all vehicles.
• Draft new legislation or amend existing regulations to specify the 50 ppm sulfur limit.
• Clearly define the types of fuels and vehicles that must comply with these standards.
• Organize stakeholder consultations, workshops, and public hearings to discuss the new sulfur standards, gather input, and address concerns. 
• Implement regular fuel quality testing at import, distribution points, and retail outlets to ensure that all fuels meet the 50 ppm standard. 
• Develop a national database to track fuel quality data and compliance rates.

Project Reference: [LR-24-004] Liberia - Develop national sulfur fuel standards and the capacity to enforce mandatory vehicle inspection