Svitlana Grynchuk: Ukraine is building a comprehensive infrastructure for climate policy implementation

The war is significantly slowing down efforts to combat climate change, so Ukraine faces a double challenge: eliminating the consequences of Russian aggression and building a new climate policy. On the sidelines of the COP29 in Baku, Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, presented to international partners and the media the main directions of Ukraine’s climate policy, achievements and immediate plans.

‘Over the past 30 years, the average temperature in our country has increased by 1.2°C. This affects all spheres of our life – from agriculture to water supply and threatens food security. Explosions, fires, damaged oil refineries and chemical plants, and destroyed infrastructure are exacerbating the climate crisis – over almost three years of war, we have about 180 million tonnes of additional CO2-eq. Despite this, we continue to restore ecosystems and build the infrastructure for implementing climate policy,‘ said Svitlana Grynchuk.

Among the key things, the Minister noted:

• ‘Ukraine has already adopted a framework climate law that brings us closer to the EU and to fulfil our international obligations;
• We are already working on a long-term strategy for low-carbon development. This document will cover the development of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, sectoral policies and measures for decarbonisation, the formation of a green finance market, etc;
• We are working on launching an emissions trading system and reforming the taxation of carbon dioxide emissions;
  revise Ukraine’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement to present it to the international community in time.

‘Yes, we are facing challenges that require decisive action, new approaches and collective efforts. After all, our climate policy is not only about international obligations but also about reconstruction, European integration and international cooperation. So we are moving forward with confident steps,’ said Svitlana Grynchuk.