Updated climate strategy of Ukraine: how we will achieve zero emissions

During the forum “Ukraine at COP29: Achievements, Challenges, Prospects” the main elements of the updated Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) until 2050 were presented.

International partners have already endorsed the updated strategy. The main elements of the LDCS were presented at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). In particular, Kurt Vandenberghe, head of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Change, noted its ambition.

‘When we presented the long-term low-carbon development strategy 2050 at COP29, many conference participants were impressed by its ambition. Many countries do not risk setting such high targets. But we know what we are doing, what we want to achieve, and how we want to achieve it. We have attracted the best scientists, and we have clear calculations that confirm the realism of our plan. We have shown the world that even in times of war, Ukraine can defend the state’s interests and implement innovative approaches,’ said Viktoria Kyreieva, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

The updated strategy aligns with the EU’s climate goals and the Paris Agreement. It considers the challenges posed by the war and defines new approaches to rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure. The strategy also includes more relevant policies, measures and instruments to ensure a green economic recovery.

The Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of the global Climate Promise initiative, involved more than 20 national and international experts in preparing the updated strategy.

In particular, at the ‘Ukraine at COP29’ forum, scientists Oleksandr Dyachuk and Roman Podolets presented the results of modelling the pathways to decarbonisation and climate neutrality of the Ukrainian economy. The scenarios were modelled using the best scientific approaches and calculations.

The modelling has confirmed that achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is economically feasible and socially acceptable, even considering the consequences of the war.

According to Roman Shakhmatenko, Team Leader of the Energy and Environment Project Group at UNDP Ukraine, the updated strategy is an important step towards a sustainable future for Ukraine. Thanks to the active cooperation of many parties, Ukraine has combined the experience of national and international experts and created an innovative climate strategy that meets today’s challenges.

After consultations with national and international experts, the updated strategy will be submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, another step towards Ukraine’s integration into the international climate space and fulfilling its commitments under the Paris Agreement.