Ukraine opens "Climate Office" to lead green reconstruction and reduce carbon footprint
Ukrainian Climate Office opened in Kyiv on Friday thanks to the support of the European Union and the International Climate Initiative of Germany.
Environmental Minister Ruslan Strilets said the new agency would contribute to climate change mitigation in Ukraine, Rubryka reports.
What is the problem?
According to the latest estimates of Ukraine's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and international experts, additional emissions of greenhouse gases caused by military actions in Ukraine amounted to about 33 million tons of CO2.
The largest share of these emissions comes from fires — more than 23 million tons of CO2. 80% of fires occur in the territories where hostilities were or are happening. According to initial estimates, the post-war reconstruction will account for about 49 million tons of emissions.
Minister Strilets previously said that, despite Russian aggression, Ukraine did not abandon its obligations to the international community, particularly regarding climate policy.
"As before the Russian invasion, Ukraine wants to contribute to implementing the European Green Deal. We want to achieve climate neutrality, although it will take even more effort now," the environmental minister said.
According to Strilets, Ukraine has not abandoned its intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030.
"We have transformed our climate ambitions into concrete goals and written them down in the Ukraine Recovery Plan, which was presented in Lugano in July of this year," he added.
What is the solution?
To support Ukraine's climate goals to reduce emissions, the partners helped the country open the "climate office," which will contribute to positive changes in the environmental landscape and climate policy.
The project will be co-financed by the European Union and the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).
How does it work?
Minister Strilets said this agency would be the last link to complete the development of climate governance in Ukraine.
Photo: Telegram / Ruslan Strilets
The Ukrainian Climate Office will help the government implement climate policy, assist regions and businesses with decarbonization and adaptation projects, attract green finance for the post-war recovery
The new agency will also establish cooperation with partners under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and help Ukraine join the international carbon market, contributing to the development of the emissions trading system in Ukraine.
Developing and supporting special approaches to climate financing for Ukraine will be one of the office's priority areas of activity.
Photo: Telegram / Ruslan Strilets
Strilets said that carbon certificates would be introduced in 2025, allowing Ukraine and its producers to realize excess volumes of CO2 that were not emitted.
"In 2026, the emissions trading system will be fully operational in Ukraine. We need to verify all available data and show the world our potential regarding free quotas," the minister said. "We are ready to share free emissions and contribute to the global climate track. The support of our partners is important to our country, and we feel it from the beginning of our struggle for justice and peace."
As Rubryka reported, Russia's war against Ukraine aggravated the environmental problems of the entire world. Ukrainians are most worried because it is unclear what post-war Ukraine will be like.
Will nature cope with the consequences of the Russian invasion, which is doing everything to turn Ukraine into a scorched earth? Will Ukrainian cities and villages manage to heal all these terrible and painful wounds? Read more in our article: Start with yourself: how activists from Zaporizhzhia adjust their region to climate change.
