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Updating Ukraine's key achievements on the path to European environmental integration: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, posted 14 May 2024 17:53

Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, together with MPs and members of the public, updated Ukraine's key achievements on the path to European integration at thematic hearings at the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, organised at the initiative of the Committee's Chairman Oleh Bondarenko, the Environment People Law (EPL) NGO and SaveDnipro PO.

"The progress achieved by Ukraine has been recognised by the European Commission as 'good' - that is, 'four' on a five-point scale. In 2 years, we have approved 13 European integration laws in the field of environmental protection - the same number as in 5 years before russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 2 points - our score for work in 2022 - 2023. 1 point - for 2014-2022," said Ruslan Strilets.

The Minister spoke briefly about the main points:

  • Ukraine has ratified two amendments to the Espoo Convention, thus ending a 20-year dispute with Romania.
  • Ukraine has finally joined the Minamata Convention and gained access to the targeted resources of the Global Environment Facility. The issue had been relevant for 10 years.
  • Ukraine has abandoned the Soviet chemical safety management system and adopted the European model.
  • The launch of waste management reform was an issue that had not made progress for 20 years.
  • Ukraine was granted observer status in the Seville Process even before it became an EU member. These are opportunities to restore industry using the best available technologies.
  • The development of climate governance has been completed. The Climate Office was opened.
  • The Global Methane Pledge action plan to reduce methane emissions was approved.
  • Subsoil use reform is completed. Ukraine joins the EU's 2030 Commodity Strategy.
  • We finalise the implementation of the forestry reform.

"This is all the result of our joint work - the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, MPs, and the public," said Ruslan Strilets.

According to him, for further qualitative changes, it is important to reform the state environmental control system - to change the approach and move from the system of targeted control of the enterprise to the system of daily monitoring of potential environmental impact. The SEI reform is among the top 5 steps for 2024, as defined in the European Commission's report. It also includes:

  • reducing and controlling industrial pollution;
  • preserving the Emerald Network areas;
  • developing waste management reform and launching the first extended producer responsibility system - on the example of packaging;
  • and circulation of forest reproductive material.

In addition, in accordance with the Government's Priority Action Plan for this year, we plan to submit another 8 European integration bills to the Verkhovna Rada. For example, on the principles of state climate policy.

"There is a lot of work ahead. I strongly believe that together we will shape the necessary legislative framework that will not only ensure our EU membership. These changes will soon be felt by Ukrainians in their everyday lives," Ruslan Strilets emphasises.

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