With UNDP support, the Government of Ukraine moves forward with its ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions

Ukraine’s renewed climate goals include reforms in all sectors that will reduce negative impacts on the environment while improving livelihoods, promoting clean and smart cities and ensuring competitiveness of the economy.

KYIV, 17 September 2021 – The Government of Ukraine today presented its updated strategic climate change action plan to the media, outlining the steps it will take to achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC2) to the Paris Agreement. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the EU Delegation to Ukraine, answered journalists’ questions at a special meeting called for the occasion.

Ukraine’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement was adopted by the Government in July this year, targeting a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 65 percent by 2030 compared to the levels of 1990.

During the event, Manal Fouani, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of these renewed commitments and pledging UNDP’s support in meeting them. “UNDP is ready to help Ukraine develop effective climate architecture, particularly concerning the use of innovative financial instruments,” she said. “We also will help ensure Ukraine takes into account gender considerations and a human rights-based approach.”

Under the EU/UNDP EU4Climate Project, Fouani said UNDP is providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources to develop a Roadmap and Investment Plan that should help ensure the successful implementation of the NDCs.

Iryna Stavchuk, Deputy Minister for European Integration said all measures to decarbonize and modernize enterprises in Ukraine are designed to support long-term economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable. “This plan will make Ukraine’s economy even stronger and more attractive to foreign investors,” she said. “Decarbonization is identified as one of the key priorities of the Energy Community, an international agreement that guides the way for Ukraine’s economic integration into the EU.”

Torsten Woellert, Energy Minister Counsellor to the EU Delegation to Ukraine said the EU supports the initiative because it will help harmonize Ukraine’s development with European climate plans such as the European Green Deal. “The EU therefore fully endorses Ukraine’s goals as declared in the updated Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement,” he said.

The plan outlines a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over the next ten years through several complex solutions, including:

·       Modernizing and upgrading energy infrastructure and industrial enterprises;

·       Developing renewable energy sources;  

·       Increasing share of renewable energy in total energy consumption;

·       Introducing energy efficiency measures in more sectors of the economy;

·       Promoting thermal modernization of buildings;

·       Ramping up organic agriculture and resource-efficient agricultural practices;

·       Encouraging the use of electric vehicles and upgrading transport fleets;

·       Introducing more efficient waste management;

·       Accelerating reforestation schemes and reforming forest management.

Ukraine’s next steps in implementing its commitments are:

·       Developing a framework law on the Low-carbon Emission Development Strategy of Ukraine until 2050;

·       Developing a draft law on the Ukrainian Climate Fund and amendments to the Budget Code of Ukraine, and then submitting both to the Verkhovna Rada;

·       Developing sectoral climate vulnerability assessments and appropriate adaptation action plans; and

·       Creating and seeking approval of a regulatory and analytical framework for the introduction of the Emissions Trading System.

For reference

EU4Climate helps governments in the six EU Eastern Partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) to take action against climate change and towards a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy. Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UNDP, EU4Climate supports countries in implementing the Paris Agreement and improving climate policies and legislation with an ambition of limiting climate change impact on citizens’ lives and making them more resilient to it.

The Climate Promise initiative, implemented by UNDP, aims to support global, transformational climate action by supporting countries to enhance their NDCs in 2020 and beyond. The initiative is being delivered in over 119 countries – making it the world’s largest support offer of this kind. UNDP’s Climate Promise is supported by Germany, Sweden, EU, Italy, Spain and other core contributors.

For more information please contact: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader at Yuliia.Samus@undp.org, +380971391475