The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has amended the procedure for conducting air monitoring. They will help develop Ukraine's monitoring system in line with EU standards. One of the significant innovations of this European integration document is the introduction of an air quality index in Ukraine similar to the European one.
The relevant announcement was made on the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
These changes are part of the implementation of European air quality standards in Ukraine and the implementation of Law No. 2973 of March 20, 2023, on the reform of the environmental monitoring system.
In addition to the introduction of the European-style air quality index, the Cabinet of Ministers' resolution also addresses the following issues:
- defines clear requirements for air quality assessment in different zones and agglomerations;
- improves the procedure for approval and implementation of atmospheric air monitoring programs;
- makes the implementation of air quality management measures more transparent in areas where pollution levels exceed established thresholds.
"Currently, the atmospheric air monitoring system in Ukraine does not provide a complete picture of its condition. That is why we are gradually implementing complex and systematic data collection, which will allow us to conduct appropriate analysis. And make management decisions based on it. With the adoption of this decision by the Government, we have become one step closer to the European-style atmospheric air monitoring system", – said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ruslan Strilets.
Now the team of the Ministry of Environment is working on the preparation of approaches and criteria for the implementation of the air quality index on the European model, so that it starts working as soon as possible.
As EcoPolitic reported, in March of last year, the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 7327 "On the state system of environmental monitoring".
