Ukraine's eco-budget for 2026: what measures will the state finance?

Ukraine's eco-budget for 2026: what measures will the state finance? shutterstock

Maria Semenova

Ecology remains one of the least prioritized areas for the country. Its expenditures amount to slightly more than 0.001% of the total budget

The Ukrainian parliament has approved the country's main financial document. Budget revenues in 2026 are expected to reach UAH 2.9 trillion, while expenditures will exceed UAH 4.8 trillion. Funding for environmental protection, ecology, and geological exploration measures will amount to UAH 6.3 billion.

This is according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture.

The relevant ministry has also published the structure of expenditures within the environmental budget:

  • UAH 2.5 billion is allocated for the development of water management;
  • UAH 1.2 billion next year will be directed to environmental protection measures and the preservation of the nature reserve fund;
  • UAH 567 million will be allocated for environmental control measures;
  • UAH 302 million is provided for forestry management, including forest protection and restoration activities;
  • UAH 187 million is earmarked for the development of the mineral resource base and the launch of geological exploration programs. The placement of this expenditure item alongside others seems a bit ambiguous, as these measures have the potential to drive economic development but, on the contrary, may negatively impact the environment.

In total, the 2026 budget allocates UAH 50.7 billion for the Ministry's activities. Slightly more than 12% of this amount will be directed to environmental initiatives. In terms of next year's national budget expenditures, spending on the environment will account for slightly more than 0.001%.

According to the Ministry of Finance, next year will see continued funding for energy modernization measures in the residential sector and the introduction of green technologies for businesses. In particular, UAH 0.6 billion is earmarked for the Energy Efficiency Fund, and the Decarbonization Fund will receive UAH 1.9 billion.

EcoPolitic previously reported on how much money from the state budget in 2025 was allocated to protect the environment in frontline communities.

Related
The government will step up measures to protect marine waters from pollution caused by ships and ports
The government will step up measures to protect marine waters from pollution caused by ships and ports

The document will tighten controls on the discharge of liquids into the sea and clarify the procedures for managing waste from ships

No critical exceedances: air quality in Kyiv and Ukraine’s regional centres on 15 October
No critical exceedances: air quality in Kyiv and Ukraine’s regional centres on 15 October

The air is currently most polluted with dust in Odessa and Kyiv

Air pollution levels in Kyiv and Ukraine’s regional centres on 14 October
Air pollution levels in Kyiv and Ukraine’s regional centres on 14 October

At present, the air in Chernihiv is the cleanest, whilst that in Chernivtsi is the most polluted