Attachments
High-Level
Working
Group
on
the Environmental
Consequences
of
the
War
Andriy
Yermak
and
Margot
Wallström,
Co-Chairs
Introduction
Ukraine has suffered catastrophic damage since Russia's full-scale military attack in February 2022.
The loss of human life and the deep suffering across society is incalculable.
The natural environment has been one of the war's significant casualties, and addressing this damage has been a priority for the Ukrainian Government and civil society.
Despite Ukraine's commitment to date, the needs remain great. This includes more detailed monitoring of the ongoing damage for legal, remediation and health purposes; increasing criminal investigation capacities; addressing the environmental concerns of land mine clearance; and beginning now to implement green recovery, reconstruction and significant economic transformation.
All of this must be a joint effort with Ukraine's international partners. There are many areas where international leadership is required, not only in providing technical assistance and resources, but also clarifying international policy, law and best-practice. It is important that the necessary support and attention to these issues is provided now, even while the war continues, as reconstruction planning and implementation is already underway.
Ukraine recently entered negotiations for accession to the European Union. Satisfying the requirements to join the EU includes incorporating significant environmental safeguards, and this process will guide many areas of specific reform. The Working Group notes the progress already made by Ukraine, including legislative alignment and institutional reforms, as detailed in the European Commission's report of November 8, 2023.
Several issues within this report should be considered cross-cutting themes, relevant to all recommendations:
1. Inclusive policymaking should be a priority. There is no question of the benefits from public consultations, and especially in a context with such a robust network of experts and organizations on these issues. Policies will also be strengthened if they consider the impact on both men and women, as well as persons of all ages and circumstance.
2. Gaining the full trust of the Ukrainian people, donors and investors will require a firm commitment to transparency and countering corruption. This will be critical to carry out the proposals here.
3. The “planetary boundaries” framework should help guide Ukraine's recovery and rebuilding. This scientific framework shows us that global resources are limited, and that all countries must undertake a multipronged effort to reduce pollutants, protect natural areas and lower the stress on the environment and the climate. This orientation will help Ukrainians see all the interconnected factors that are related to environmental recovery, while also ensuring that Ukraine contributes positively to the global effort to address climate and ecosystem health.
This is an important moment to strengthen accountability for environmental crimes in war, as well as pioneer sustainable approaches to recovery. The recommendations presented in this report are intended to assist Ukraine and its international partners to map priorities within this enormous task.
Ukraine's efforts in this area, together with its partners, will show that it is possible to rejuvenate natural resources and build a resilient society after war. We turn to the international community to support the recommendations here, under the policy lead of Ukraine.