European Commission recognises Ukraine’s progress in climate and environmental policy

Yesterday, the European Commission presented the Report on Ukraine within the framework of the 2025 EU Enlargement Package – one of the key documents guiding Ukraine’s next steps towards EU membership.

According to the report, Ukraine demonstrates the highest level of progress in the last three years. Despite the full-scale war, the country continues systematic transformation to align with European standards.

The Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving, Hanna Zamazieieva, noted: “The results are already visible – but much work lies ahead. The Agency, together with partners, continues to shape and implement policies that bring Ukraine closer to European standards in energy efficiency, clean energy, and climate neutrality.”

Key findings from the European Commission’s assessment:

Renewable Energy

The European Commission noted that Ukraine has begun implementing the National Energy and Climate Plan until 2030 (NECP). Regulatory progress in biomethane enabled the first export of biomethane to the EU in February 2025 – a significant step towards integrating Ukraine into the European renewable gas market.

However, alignment with EU sustainability and greenhouse gas emission criteria for biofuels, bioliquids, and biomass remains incomplete. The next step must be the full implementation of Directive RED II, as well as addressing key barriers – settling debts and simplifying permitting procedures in renewable energy.

Energy Efficiency

Ukrainian legislation on energy efficiency is largely aligned with the EU Directives on energy efficiency and the energy performance of buildings. Important steps have been taken during the reporting period to further implement the Law on Energy Efficiency and activate its mechanisms.

Nevertheless, effective implementation requires the adoption of additional secondary legislation, strengthened institutional capacity, and improved inter-agency coordination. Monitoring systems must be enhanced, high energy efficiency standards ensured, and the “energy efficiency first” principle integrated into post-war recovery programmes.

In the building sector, Ukraine has advanced in aligning with the 2018 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), but significantly more work is needed to transpose the updated 2024 Directive.

Climate Policy

Ukraine has made notable progress in climate policy. In October 2024, a framework law on state climate policy was adopted, aligned with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Preparation of the second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the update of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy until 2050 under the Paris Agreement are underway. In February 2025, the mandatory system for monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions was restored.

The progress achieved demonstrates that, even under challenging wartime conditions, Ukraine remains committed to energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and climate neutrality.

The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving will continue working to implement European approaches, strengthen energy resilience, and accelerate Ukraine’s integration into the European Green Deal.