Government approves draft law updating the Environmental Strategy to 2030

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a bill updating the State Environmental Policy Strategy until 2030 and submitted it to the Verkhovna Rada. The document was drafted by the Ministry of Economy and Environment of Ukraine.

The bill clarifies what Ukraine will focus on in environmental protection through 2030. Its priorities include restoring war-damaged areas, adapting to climate change and aligning Ukrainian rules with EU legislation.

What the bill proposes:

• Restore war-damaged areas. Systematically record and assess the damage caused by Russian aggression, map contaminated sites and determine where cleanup and restoration are needed first.

• Use water, land and other natural resources more rationally. Take the state of the environment and climate risks into account when planning their use.

• Improve urban air quality. Combine air quality monitoring with measures to reduce pollution and apply the "polluter pays" principle.

• Reduce waste. Prevent waste generation and make wider use of production residues, by-products and materials from demolition where they can replace primary raw materials.

• Integrate Ukraine's commitments to meet EU accession benchmarks. Establish a single, steady course toward European integration at the strategic level.

The document also provides for improving environmental monitoring, environmental control and rules for handling chemical products. Particular attention is given to preventing industrial pollution and assessing the environmental impact of plans, programs and individual projects.

"To restore war-damaged areas, we need to know where water and soil are polluted, what risks this creates for people and nature, and where to act first. The bill builds these tasks into environmental policy through 2030. It also recognizes that, as Ukraine rebuilds, it must prepare for droughts and floods, use natural resources rationally and prevent new pollution," said Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine.