Green recovery in Ukraine is a strategic imperative for the European Union

advertisement

Russia’s brutal two-year full-scale invasion has caused severe environmental damage to Ukraine, affecting the country’s rich biodiversity, contaminating land and water resources, and posing a direct threat to public health and safety. giving.

Addressing these challenges is not only important for the environment, but also for the long-term peace, stability and health of the European continent.

In his 10-point peace plan, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rightly emphasized the immediate protection of the environment as a precondition for a just and lasting peace.

Ukraine’s efforts to reduce as much as possible the long-term environmental impact of the war are noteworthy.

Investing in Ukraine as a model for other European countries

The High-Level Working Group recently developed possible future directions in a document entitled “Environmental Agreement for Ukraine”. The document presents a comprehensive set of recommendations, provides a roadmap for Ukraine’s environmental recovery, and emphasizes the intertwined destinies of ecological sustainability and regional stability.

The EU has a fundamental role in this and by supporting Ukraine in these efforts it can demonstrate its commitment to environmental management and strategic geopolitical engagement.

Next week, the European Parliament is expected to approve a long-awaited €50 billion support mechanism for Ukraine. If properly implemented, the multi-year Ukraine Facility could serve as a model for how to address the environmental damage caused by war and support sustainable recovery.

At its best, the Ukraine Facility will help put Ukraine on the path to a green net-zero economy. Supporting Ukraine’s transition to a green economy is an opportunity for the EU to promote innovation, green technologies and sustainable practices in a region important to its strategic interests.

Investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and green infrastructure in Ukraine could serve as a model for other European countries, especially those on the path to EU membership.

The environment is a silent victim of war

There is no doubt that the scale of the reconstruction project will be enormous. As long as wars escalate, the human and environmental costs will increase.

Urgently needed support for Ukrainian facilities is expected to be primarily used to cover Ukraine’s immediate budgetary needs, such as paying salaries for teachers, doctors, and other essential workers.

Ukraine needs more international support to recover from the war, build back better, and deal with Russia’s devastating environmental damage.

Accountability is an important aspect of the work of high-level working groups. International law requires Russia to compensate for the damage caused by its illegal war of aggression.

All approaches to reparation consistent with international law should be considered. The EU is already preparing to use interest earned on frozen assets to support Ukraine. These funds must also be used for environmental remediation.

For too long, the environment has been a silent victim of war. Ensuring accountability for environmental crimes is an important aspect of the pursuit of broader justice and compliance with international law.

Environmental crimes must be held accountable

Throughout the war, Ukraine has demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing accountability for environmental crimes under both domestic and international law.

Last week, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin announced that, for the first time during the war, he had issued a notice of ecocide charges naming five Russian officers as suspects in the deliberate shelling of a research facility containing radioactive material. .

The EU’s legal and diplomatic resources can significantly strengthen Ukraine’s efforts in this regard.

advertisement

The EU can send a strong message about the impact of environmental neglect and destruction during conflicts by supporting investigations and legal action against those responsible for environmental damage.

The EU’s support in reducing environmental damage, holding environmental crimes accountable and promoting Ukraine’s green recovery is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic necessity.

In the current situation, it is fundamental for the EU to proceed with the accession process.

Following December’s decision to open access negotiations with Ukraine, the EU now needs to agree on a negotiating framework setting out guidelines and principles for accession negotiations.

Let’s create a world standard

Support for Ukraine’s efforts to address the environmental impact of the war must be done within the larger framework of Ukraine’s EU accession process.

advertisement

The expectations for accession and the conditions associated with this process will help foster the necessary reforms within the country.

Bringing Ukraine’s environmental policy into line with EU standards is in the interests of both parties.

With the right laws and investments in place, Ukraine’s accession could accelerate Europe’s transition to renewable energy sources.

Ukraine has significant hydropower, solar and wind power potential. Biomass has great potential thanks to Ukraine’s large agricultural sector.

Additionally, Ukraine’s accession could increase domestic sourcing of critical metals and raw materials needed for Europe’s industrial resilience and green transition.

advertisement

This is a moment for the EU to reaffirm its commitment to a sustainable future not just within its borders but across the continent, and to set global standards for environmental responsibility and resilience in the face of conflict.

margot wallstrom Co-chairs the High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Impacts of War. She is a former European Environment Commissioner and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. MEP Heidi Hautala (Green Party/EFA) is the Vice-President of the European Parliament. She is a former Minister of International Development of Finland and a member of the High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Impact of War. Virginius Sinkevicius He is a member of the High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Impact of War, former Minister of Economy of Lithuania, and former Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Parliament.

At Euronews we believe every opinion matters. Contact us at view@euronews.com and join the conversation by submitting your pitch or contribution.