The environmental NGOs, members of WG3 “Environment, climate change and energy security” of the UNP EaP CSF and WG5 “Energy, transport, environment and climate change” of the US CSP, appealed on 2022, June 21 to the leadership of the European Union to clearly link the post-war Reconstruction plan of Ukraine “RebuildUkraine” with environmental reforms and harmonization of national legislation with the environmental acquis of the EU.
We received a response to this appeal from the European Commission, namely the Directorate of DG Env under the signature of Davor PERCAN (Regional & Bilateral Environmental Cooperation).
On behalf of Ursula von der Leyen, thank us for breaking an important topic. The importance of environmental reforms and the connection between environmental governance and general reforms in the field of the rule of law and the fight against corruption are pointed out.
Ruslan Gavrilyuk, coordinator of UNP WG3:
It is emphasized that the Association Agreement remains the basis of cooperation between the EU and Ukraine (an important clarification for understanding the situation of planning our next steps) with all commitments made, including those under Annex XXX.
The importance of ensuring the ecological rule of law is highlighted, which requires constant efforts in the implementation of reforms. It is necessary to develop the administrative capacity to ensure the irreversibility of the initiated reforms and the launch of new ones (and this is where we have the biggest gap).
They agree with us that Ukraine should strengthen efforts to implement the environmental component of the Association Agreement. Accelerated adoption of new environmental legislation (in particular in the areas of nature conservation, waste management, including waste prevention, air quality, and reduction of industrial and greenhouse emissions, including the emissions trading system), and increased capacity for implementation and enforcement will be critical to the country’s progress .
Letter EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL ENVIRONMENT, Brussels, 19.08.2022
Appeal WG3 UNP EaP CSF and WG5 of the UA CSP on Environmental Priorities in the Reconstruction of Ukraine, 21.06.2022
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS UKRAINE RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION, Brussels, 18.05.2022