Center for Environmental Initiatives Ecoaction is a Ukrainian civil society organization that unites efforts of experts and activists in a joint struggle to protect the environment. We advocate for energy efficiency, renewable energy, countering climate change, clean air for all, and sustainable development of agriculture in Ukraine since our founding in 2017. Ecoaction has been monitoring cases of potential negative environmental damage caused by russian aggression since February 24 2022, following the start of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Even though the war still rages on, we advocate for the basic principles of the green post-war reconstruction that would ensure sustainable economic and community development.
Our activities help us unite active citizens, influence decision makers and encourage them to conduct more environmentally friendly government policy.
Located in Kyiv, Ukraine.
+38 044 357 78 41
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Advocacy:
Advocated setting the target of achivieng climate neutrality of Ukrainу by 2050 and supported including this goal into the climate law.
The revision of the nationally determined contribution (NDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement and setting a more ambitious goal.
In cooperation with other NGOs pushed for the rise of the carbon tax rate, resulting in it tripling from 10 to 30 UAH per ton of CO2.
Successful advocacy for a 2035 coal phase-out date in electricity generation which has been announced by the Ukrainian government in 2021 and reconfirmed in 2023
Implementing first successful campaign for the just transformation of coal mining regions in Ukraine.
Advocated to increase financial state aid to the minimum of 1% of state and local budgets for the implementation of energy-efficient measures by the population.
Partial adaptation of the EU Nitrates Directive in Ukraine with further identification of areas vulnerable to nitrates pollution and laying out rules for sustainable farming.
Passing “The amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding Restoration and “Green” Transformation of the Energy System of Ukraine” that provided new mechanisms for the development of distributed RES generation such as net billing.
Successful advocacy for “green” international energy aid for Ukrainian municipalities.
Action:
Petition for the transition to 100% renewable energy (RES) in Ukraine by 2050 signed by 14 000 people
Regarding Global Climate Policy Priorities
- Climate finance:
1.1. We call for support for implementing the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to ensure adequate funding for developing countries and to introduce additional financial obligations for the countries carrying out military aggression.
1.2. We support the expansion of the Loss and Damage Fund and increase in its financial capacity as a mechanism for providing climate-just funding to support countries that are most vulnerable to climate change effects.
1.3. We support the development of market and non-market mechanisms provided for in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement but with mandatory consideration of ensuring environmental integrity and additionality of projects, avoiding double counting of emission reductions by making specific adjustments, prioritizing only high-quality carbon credits, taking into account the rights and interests of local communities and indigenous peoples, and preventing greenwashing.
- Phasing out of fossil fuels: it is important that the Parties agree on a complete phase-out of fossil fuels as the main way to achieve the Paris Agreement goals, as well as set timelines for the transition and refusal of fossil fuel subsidies.
- The impact of war on climate, russia’s accountability and reporting: it is important to continue work on developing a solution for the accountability for greenhouse gas emissions related to international armed conflicts. In addition, we believe that Ukraine should continue to advocate for the inadmissibility of the inclusion of emissions (not related to military operations) from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories) to the Inventory on Greenhouse Gases Emissions and Absorption of the Russian Federation.
- Ecosystems and biodiversity conservation: ecosystems’ conservation and restoration are an integral part of achieving the Paris Agreement goals. Herewith, it is important that ecosystems’ conservation and restoration are not used as the only way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. This should happen simultaneously with a rapid phase-out of all fossil fuels and a sharp reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors.
Regarding the Priorities of Ukraine’s Climate Policy
- Climate neutrality by 2050: we welcome Ukraine’s establishment of the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 within the draft law “On the basic principles of state climate policy” and draw attention to the fact that Ukraine’s updated nationally determined contribution to the Paris Agreement in 2025 should also establish this goal. Herewith, ensuring its actual implementation — rather than documentary establishment — will become critically important in the coming years to restrain global warming at the rate of 1.5°C.
- Preventing emissions during reconstruction: one of the key priorities in this area is the construction of new buildings according to the standards fostering the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (nearly-zero energy buildings, NZEB). In addition, it will be crucial to ensure the functioning of effective mechanisms for monitoring compliance with these standards, as well as coordination of state sectoral strategies, changes in standards, decisions on issuing activity permits, and regional development plans.
- Strengthening Ukraine’s participation in global climate initiatives:
3.1. Development of decentralized small generation from renewable energy sources (RES) and energy storage systems should be state priorities. RES facilities are less vulnerable to russian attacks and have relatively short commissioning periods.
3.2. Ukraine should join the countries of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), an international coalition of governments and partners working together to promote the phase-out of oil and gas production.
3.3. Ukraine should continue to develop and implement its strategies to reduce methane emissions, as well as strengthen monitoring and reporting systems to meet international obligations in this area. Priority actions should include reducing methane emissions through the implementation of climate measures in oil and gas and coal sectors, and agriculture, as well as the establishment of a waste management system.
- Carbon markets: to ensure the effectiveness of the future emissions trading system (ETS) in Ukraine, it is necessary to make it obligatory again and improve the system of monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gases. Besides, the future ETS in Ukraine should focus on achieving actual emission reductions rather than a formal sale of allowances.
- Mobilizing “green” finance: given the high dependence of Ukrainian reconstruction on foreign aid, Ukraine should introduce powerful financial mechanisms and strengthen existing ones to contribute to decarbonization. Among such mechanisms are the tax on carbon dioxide and a new Fund for Decarbonization and Energy Efficient Transformation.
- The problem of promoting false solutions to combat climate crisis: Ukraine, in its policy of achieving climate goals, should not focus its efforts and investments on the development of expensive and dubious technologies and solutions, such as the development of nuclear energy, geoengineering, technologies for capturing carbon from the atmosphere, and greenhouse gas offsetting schemes, but rather concentrate on the development of decentralized renewable energy sources and phasing out of fossil fuels.
- Involvement in climate policy development: as Ukraine continues to develop a legal basis for the national climate policy, it is important to strengthen the mechanisms of public involvement in law-making processes. In addition, it is important to create tools that will better involve the local level in the process.
November 14, 17:30
Decolonization of climate solutions: civil society`s role amid war, crisis, and neo-colonial influence
Location: Ukraine Pavilion
Details tba.
Organizers: NGO Ecoaction, CAN EECCA
November 15, 13:00-14:00
The role and place of just transition in NECPs
Location: Ukraine Pavilion
This event aims to look at the examples of integration of the just transition principles in various European countries’ national energy and climate plans (NECPs), including Ukraine’s which was adopted earlier in 2024, and take stock of the lessons learned for future implementation and possible revisions.
Organisers: NGO Ecoaction, Energy Community Secretariat, CEE Bankwatch Network
November 18, 15:00-16:30
Measuring Climate Impacts Across the Cycle of Armed Conflicts
Location: Side event 9
This event will launch a novel methodology for estimating conflict emissions and explore how this can be used by conflict affected states across the cycle of armed conflicts and within the UNFCCC. Using examples from Ukraine and the Middle East, speakers will explore its value and how it can be used by conflict-affected states throughout the cycle of armed conflicts.
November 20, 11:30-13:00
Measuring Climate Impacts Across the Cycle of Armed Conflicts
Location: Ukraine Pavillion
This event will mark the launch of this guidance on estimating the climate impact of conflicts in a transparent and consistent manner, applicable to past, present and future conflicts.. Additionally, the event will explore how this guidance can be applied by conflict-affected states throughout the armed conflict cycle and can be integrated into the UNFCCC process.
Climate damage caused by russia’s war in Ukraine – a Report
The war in Ukraine has caused extensive devastation, has led to significant environmental damage and had a detrimental impact on the global climate. The assessment shows that greenhouse gas emissions attributable to 24 months of the war totalled to 175 million tCO2 e. This exceeds the annual emissions of a highly industrialized country like The Netherlands, putting 90 million new petrol cars on the road, or building 260 coal-fired power units of 200 MW each. Despite this, emissions resulting from warfare persist unchecked.
Potential environmental impacts caused by russian aggression in Ukraine – an Interactive map
Since the start of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine Ecoaction has recorded over 1700 cases of potential negative environmental damage caused by russian aggression. A complete assessment of the damage will be possible after the end of active hostilities. But Ukrainians will feel the consequences of this war for years. The data is collected from open sources and is constantly updated by a group of Ecoaction volunteers.
The green reconstruction of the residential sector of Bucha – a Study
In the study implemented by Berlin Economics and Ecoaction we`ve assessed the cost and benefits of reconstruction of residential buildings damaged by war to the highest energy efficiency standards. The evaluation was conducted using the city of Bucha as a case study and showed that the energy-efficient reconstruction will help create 350 to 690 jobs, save up to 14.2 million cubic meters of natural gas per year and reduce up to 31,447 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
The impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the state of country’s soil – an Analysis
This study aims to research the impact of military operations on soil by assessing its ecological and geochemical state in areas of active hostilities to determine the criteria for soil pollution according to the degree of damage. Based on its findings, the study also seeks to propose the main measures for post-war restoration of the soil in Ukraine, taking into account the regional landscape and geochemical features and types of land use.
Case study: Outpatient Clinic in the Kyiv Region Has Become an Example of Green Reconstruction
In the outpatient clinic of the village of Horenka, in the Kyiv region, a ground-water heat pump and a solar power plant were put into operation. This is the first medical facility in the area where such an energy-efficient system is installed, and it should become an example of green reconstruction of the country.
The project was initiated by Greenpeace CEE and implemented in cooperation with NGOs Ecoaction, Ecoclub, Charitable Foundation Victory of Ukraine with the assistance of the Hostomel military administration and the Hostomel primary health care centre.
With media inquiries or partnership proposals please contact us at press@ecoact.org.ua