For Ukrainian communities, "environmental protection" remains a rather vague concept. Almost everywhere, greening has ceased to be a form of urban beautification and has become a measure for “adapting to climate change.” And the danger posed by wastewater has secured a prominent place for sewage systems in environmental programs, despite the fact that they belong to the realm of engineering networks and the housing and utilities sector. The Khmelnytskyi region is no exception.
EcoPolitic has prepared another feature for you from the series on the use of the environmental tax at the local level and environmental programs from various parts of the country.
Let us remind you – the environmental tax is a mandatory payment that enterprises pay for polluting the air, water, and soil during their planned activities. These funds “settle” in the state budget, and a portion is transferred to special Environmental Protection Funds (EPF) in the budgets of oblasts, cities, and communities. They can only be allocated for environmental protection measures. The pool of activities eligible for funding – which is quite broad and ambiguous – is determined by Resolution No. 1147 of the Cabinet of Ministers from 1996.
Regional vision of nature protection
Khmelnytskyi Oblast has outlined how it will protect the environment in its program for 2026–2030. The money for implementing these activities is planned to be sourced mainly from the state and local budgets, including from the EPF.
Let us briefly review nearly 40 pages of measures in Khmelnytskyi’s environmental program. Notably, the program does not specify forecasted implementation costs.
Climate policy: mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Under this direction, plans include constructing energy-efficient buildings, using recycled construction materials and smart internal communication systems, developing local “green” energy, and encouraging the adoption of electric transport. Adaptation to climate change will also be pursued through greening-in particular, by expanding green spaces in communities and establishing “green corridors.”
Prevention of industrial pollution. The region plans to reduce water resource pollution through “wastewater” initiatives – there are 20 items related to the construction and reconstruction of treatment facilities and sewage systems, as well as the purchase and repair of equipment. Maintenance of water supply and wastewater networks in good condition is listed as a separate measure. Other actions in this direction include repairs to hydraulic structures and developing air quality monitoring systems.
Efficient waste management. This includes constructing waste processing and waste incineration plants, dealing with banned agricultural chemicals, setting up pressing lines for waste paper and PET bottles, purchasing garbage trucks, containers, and so on.
Balanced use of natural resources in the regions. Under this heading, Khmelnytskyi Oblast combines efforts to improve the hydrology of several local rivers, create water protection zones, maintain wells, and restore ecosystems through the reclamation of degraded areas.
Conservation and Restoration of Biodiversity and Natural Ecosystems. This area includes a series of measures regarding the nature reserve fund (NRF): from maintaining a cadastre and safeguarding it to anti-poaching efforts, forest fire prevention, and more.
Effective State Governance in the field of environmental protection and nature management. Here, measures are primarily “administrative”, including scientific research, drafting of project documentation, publication of educational materials, and holding events.
Environmental protection of the regional center
The environmental protection program in Khmelnytskyi is scheduled for the years 2026–2030. Its total budget amounts to almost UAH 3.2 billion, with OEPF funds accounting for approximately UAH 21.3 million.
How does Khmelnytskyi plan to improve air quality? Let’s review several measures. The city plans to spend UAH 618 million to increase the share of electric transport and about UAH 87 million to upgrade its bus fleet. An additional UAH 30 million is allocated for road widening.
The following measures will be directly implemented using OEPF funds:
- prevention of unauthorized burning of leaves and waste – UAH 150,000;
- organization of the Sustainable Energy Day – UAH 300,000;
- installation of green roofs and rain gardens – UAH 400,000.
Direct emission reductions will be addressed by MKP “Khmelnytskyteplokomunenergo”, investing over UAH 90 million of its own funds to replace heating networks, overhaul boilers, and restore thermal insulation.
Almost all activities for the “rational use of plantings” are planned to be funded by OEPF. Here are several examples:
- UAH 1.2 million – greening initiatives;
- UAH 500,000 – preparation of projects for land allocation for parks, squares, and NRF sites;
- UAH 500,000 – construction and expansion of a petting zoo in Chekman Park;
- UAH 450,000 – special activities at NRF sites;
- UAH 450,000 – development of land management documentation for NRF sites.
In the block dedicated to rational water resource use, funded by the environmental tax, it is planned to:
- purchase special equipment for cleaning water bodies – UAH 2.4 million;
- improve technical condition and landscaping near water bodies – UAH 1.4 million;
- conduct biological remediation of water bodies – UAH 1.6 million;
- dredge rivers – UAH 1.45 million.
The lion’s share of the special fund’s resources will be directed toward measures related to waste management. For example, UAH 1.2 million is planned for purchasing garbage trucks and containers, UAH 1.9 million for waste collection, transportation, and disposal, UAH 600,000 for developing a local waste management plan, and UAH 460,000 for promoting smart waste handling.
Environmental programs of smaller communities
In the city of Dunaivtsi, the environmental protection program is scheduled for the years 2022–2028. There are only 17 measures, but funds from the local OEPF are defined as the main source of financing for these activities.
Most of the initiatives are focused on greening. As part of the environmental program, plans include expanding park areas, creating flower beds, and even purchasing landscaping equipment and machinery. Funds from the environmental tax will also be used to address land management issues and carry out community cleanup efforts, particularly along riverbanks.
Lenkovetska Village Council planned to implement five initiatives funded by the environmental tax for 2023–2025. These include the purchase and planting of seedlings and shrubs, as well as the purchase of waste bins and containers. The eco-program also covers the elimination of unauthorized landfills, maintaining the sanitary and environmental condition of water bodies and their coastal areas, and combating quarantine plants.
The measures of its environmental program in the draft for 2026–2028 were divided by the Smotrytska Settlement Community into three blocks. They also plan to finance their implementation through the special environmental tax fund:
- Protection from pollution and waste management. This includes a variety of activities, ranging from the removal of unauthorized waste dumps and the organization of waste collection sites to the promotion of composting.
- Protection and rational use of water resources. This involves, in particular, monitoring water quality, protection of zones around water intakes, and reducing discharges of wastewater into natural water bodies. For this, of course, they plan to install treatment facilities.
- Greening and biodiversity conservation. This block provides for measures such as sanitary pruning and shaping of tree crowns, controlling ragweed and hogweed, and greening of parks, squares, and streets.
