Ukraine joins LIFE programme for environment and climate
Today, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius is in Kyiv, Ukraine where together with the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ruslan Strilets, he jointly signed an agreement on Ukraine’s accession to the LIFE programme for environment and climate. Ukraine is the first non-EU country to join the programme. By joining the LIFE programme, Ukraine could benefit from LIFE’s support to help restore its environment after the destruction brought about by the Russian invasion, be it pollution, destruction of ecosystems, or other long-term effects. Commissioner Sinkevičius witnessed some of the destruction when he visited Zdvizhivsky forestry - a significant area of the forest was destroyed by military infrastructure, including dugouts and trenches and the whole area is mined. He also visited “Teteriv forestry” company, which suffered damages caused by the occupiers and a new modern laboratory which monitors water quality coming from Dnieper river basin and which has received EU funding.
Commissioner Sinkevičius said: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is causing a substantial immediate damage to water supply and sewerage systems, sea, land and air pollution which will have a long-lasting environmental impact. Repercussions on human health can last for a very long time. Through this partnership, Ukrainian public and private organisations will be able to receive financial support for projects to clean polluted areas, rebuild after the destruction in a way that protects and restores nature and is in harmony with a circular and zero emission economy.”
Military equipment and toxic chemicals in water, soil and the air could persist for decades. After the pollution and destruction, the reconstruction will be highly resource-intensive, in terms of energy, construction materials and others. In the short term, the LIFE programme could support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts through a needs analysis and the mobilisation and capacity building of different actors to tackle soil and water decontamination through nature-based solutions. In the medium and long term, as in other countries participating in LIFE, projects can aim to develop and demonstrate eco-innovative techniques and approaches, promote best practices and behavioural changes and others. Ukrainian applicants can already submit proposals under the 2022 LIFE calls for proposals. In order for a project to receive funding, Ukraine first needs to ratify the association agreement.