The Ukrainian delegation is working on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which has started in Türkiye. For the fifth time, Ukraine has opened its national pavilion, which showcases the country's environmental challenges and practical solutions, in particular on decarbonisation and green recovery. At the same time, the development of Ukraine's environmental legislation and its integration with European law were discussed on the sidelines of the Conference. This was reported by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
"Ukraine is the solution"
This is the ambitious slogan under which the Ukrainian pavilion is operating this year. Its programme includes more than 70 events involving officials, businesses, experts and international organisations. The authorities decided to present Ukraine's experience under full-scale war as a strong argument and an example for tackling global climate challenges.
"Ukraine has practical experience of solutions that are important for many countries today: the development of decentralised energy, the introduction of green technologies and the restoration of ecosystems. Even amid the full-scale war, we are continuing climate reforms and working on green recovery," Minister of Economy Oleksandr Kravchenko said at the opening of the pavilion.
An important part of the events and the installations themselves is devoted to the impact of the war on Ukraine's environment. The thematic zones of the exhibition show the consequences of the war for aquatic ecosystems, in particular the Black Sea. Part of the programme is dedicated to green recovery technologies.
Environmental European integration
On the sidelines of the Conference, Ukrainian delegates had the opportunity to discuss progress in implementing European environmental legislation. As the Ministry of Economy reported, this was discussed at a meeting between Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi and Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) Jan Dusík. In addition to the European Commission's report on Ukraine, the parties discussed the development of Ukraine's National Emissions Trading System. The relevant draft law has been submitted to DG CLIMA for expert comments.
"We must ensure its compliance with European rules, prepare the responsible institutions and create clear conditions for business. At this stage, the expert recommendations of the European Commission are particularly important for us, so that we can take them into account when finalising the draft law and further preparing for the launch of the system," Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi said.
EcoPolitic notes that there are four draft laws on the National ETS: one from the ministry and three from MPs, registered on the website of the Verkhovna Rada. The Ministry of Economy did not specify which of them was submitted to the Europeans. A detailed analysis of all the documents is available in this article.
