Government approves Strategy for Reforming State Environmental Control in Ukraine until 2029

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the Strategy for Reforming the System of State Supervision (Control) in the Field of Environmental Protection, Rational Use, Reproduction and Protection of Natural Resources until 2029 and endorsed an operational action plan for its implementation in 2025 - 2027.

"By this decision, the Government has not only approved a step-by-step roadmap for the implementation of the reform, but also demonstrates to the EU and international partners its readiness to pursue the reform. Now the next step is to work hard on legislative changes, approve a number of government acts to fully launch the reform and pilot projects in three territorial districts of the environmental inspection: Polissia, Southwest and Central," said Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

According to her, the reform is based on the transition from a “punitive” model of environmental control to a “preventive” model aimed at mitigating environmental damage, introducing modern technologies and increasing responsibility for environmental damage. We plan to introduce a risk-based approach to planning inspections consistent with European approaches. This will help identify and prevent risks.

Key steps envisaged by the strategy are as follows:

● Removal of duplication of functions of state environmental supervision in different authorities, as well as the possibility of performing permitting and control functions by one authority. All functions of state environmental supervision should be performed by a single integrated state environmental control body.

● Introduction of the principles of proportionality and inevitable liability for environmental damage: not just paying a fine, but eliminating the damage caused to the environment.

● Transformation of the existing bodies of the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine in accordance with environmental resourcing and environmentally friendly principles.

● Strengthening the material base of the industry, in particular by creating modern measurement laboratories. They will operate in accordance with European standards with a much wider range of tests and ensure the collection and proper storage of evidence.

● Introducing a 24/7 emergency response service at environmental control authorities. It is within the framework of pilot projects that such a tool will be tested.

"Investment in human capital are important for us. Reform is impossible without qualified and motivated staff. In addition to competitive salaries, transparent competitions for positions, life and disability insurance for inspectors, a system of professional development and continuous training for inspectors will be introduced. Special attention will also be paid to the employment of war veterans. I thank my colleagues who worked on the preparation and approval of the Strategy for its adoption - this is an essential step that triggers the practical implementation of European environmental control practices in Ukraine," said Svitlana Grynchuk.