Residents of Volyn’s coal mining communities understand the need to transition to heating based on renewable energy sources, but they expect to see real steps from the state and support at the local level.
These are the findings of a survey conducted by Ecoaction together with the research agency Info Sapiens in the Novovolynsk, Lytovezh, and Poromiv communities.
Ukraine has set itself an ambitious goal — to become climate neutral by 2050. This implies a gradual phase-out of fossil fuels, including in the heating sector. Consequently, coal regions, which have relied on coal mines for decades, will have to rethink their energy future.
Survey participants generally support the transition to renewables, especially if it contributes to community’s energy independence. However, before taking the next steps, some basic issues need to be addressed: insulating homes, modernising heating networks, and improving heat consumption accounting systems.
Half of respondents in Novovolynsk said they would support switching centralised heating to renewables even if it slightly increased their bills — but by no more than 200 hryvnias per month. In rural areas, where individual heating systems prevail, interest in solar panels or heat pumps depends heavily on access to financial assistance. The most desirable options include partial compensation for equipment costs and installation.
“Across different communities, between 80% and 91% of respondents agree that it is personally important for them to support environmental solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even during wartime, almost half support the idea of reducing fossil fuel use,”
— notes Anastasiia Bushovska, energy policy expert at Ecoaction.
According to her, communities are generally ready for change, provided they are not left to face it alone. People expect state support, subsidies, awareness campaigns, and consultations with experts.
The full report based on the study results is available on Ecoaction’s website.
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Translated from Ukrainian by Ecoaction volunteer Elizabeth Kostiana.