CIRCULAR ECONOMY IS A MILESTONE FOR GREEN RECOVERY IN UKRAINE
The Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre has set its new promising milestone aiming to expand its own activities and support Ukraine in green recovery!
Under the European Union-funded, EU4Environment Action, the National conference on “Circular Economy For Green Recovery of Ukraine” took place on 19 December 2023, in a hybrid format. This year’s event provided a platform to further discuss the challenges and opportunities for the country’s green recovery, which were presented at the Green Recovery in Ukraine conference organised by the European Union in Vilnius at the end of November.
“Ukraine is increasingly receiving many projects from UNIDO and other foreign donors. Most of them are aimed at developing the circular economy, which is a signal and benchmark for a large part of society. However, Ukraine has always lacked real-life examples (cases) of circular economy principles and practices, and this needs to change.
Currently, the Ministry of Economy and the EU are working together to amend the regulatory framework of Ukraine and this activity will be completed by the middle of this year. The essence of this activity is to develop various initiatives for further changes in the Ukrainian regulation.
Due to the war, tons of construction waste are accumulating in Ukraine. There are many challenges, including logistical constraints, challenges with access to foreign markets, etc. Ukraine has to cope with them. The Ministry of Economy intends to launch cross-cutting projects and implement pilot projects. Also, our Ministry is fully open to cooperation with international organizations and encourages everyone to engage in an active dialogue.
Finally, I would like to inform you that the EU has already developed a plan to support Ukraine (the Ukraine Facility Plan) for the next 4 years, totaling 50 billion euros. Among other things, the funds will be allocated for reforms, private sector financing, regional reconstruction, etc. Starting next year, well-known institutions such as the EBRD and the World Bank will provide grants for priority projects. Therefore, Ukrainian business has a great chance to develop projects and receive grants for their implementation,” said Nadiia Bihun, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
The hybrid format conference brought together 300 participants (40% women), including representatives of national and international organisations, business, central and local authorities, public and non-governmental organisations, business associations, and experts in sustainable development, resource efficient and cleaner production, waste management and environmental protection. The three panel discussions examined the main enablers of the circular economy in Ukraine, namely political support, development of national knowledge and practical experience in implementing the circular economy, and engaged national and international partners in discussing how resource efficiency and the circular economy can help Ukrainian businesses succeed and the country’s economy recover.
“The circular economy and resource efficiency are crucial issues for Ukraine and the world at large. Today, a lot of attention is paid to the development of business models in the circular economy, as we need to move from a linear economic model to value-added processes within circular processes, i.e., the processes of product reuse, recovery, waste recycling, etc. All waste recycling models are elements of the circular economy.
Ukraine is currently at war and will have to rebuild after the russian aggression. This reconstruction should be based on the principles of the circular economy. The EU will always help Ukraine in its green recovery, as Ukraine is on the verge of joining the EU. One of the key principles of recovery is the principle of “build back better” – it will contribute to the country’s sustainable development.
Today I would also like to mention a special fund from the European Commission to support the recovery, reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine called “A NEW UKRAINE FACILITY: Recovery, Reconstruction, Modernization of Ukraine”. This special financing instrument will provide consistent support to Ukraine for the period 2024-2027, adapted to the challenges caused by the war and related to supporting Ukraine. Through the A NEW UKRAINE FACILITY program, Ukraine will receive substantial support for its post-war recovery.
We hope that the EU and Ukraine will work together in a fruitful and effective way on the green recovery”, noted Ms. Chloé Allio, Head of the Department for Economic Cooperation, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
In 2019-2023, the EU4Environment Action conducted 26 assessment in Ukrainian companies (14 RECP Club members and 12 demonstration companies) on the application of the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) methodology. A total of 116 RECP measures were recommended, which could potentially generate annual savings of almost €1,169,923 and reduce negative environmental impacts by 3,323 tonnes of CO2 eq/year and 1,777 tonnes of waste/year. To date, 9 companies have already implemented 24 RECP measures and 6 measures are in progress, with expected annual savings of €213,333. In addition, 15 national companies from different industries have been consulted on green recovery. These indicators show the positive results and trends of the RECP methodology application in small and medium-sized enterprises and the first steps towards Green Recovery.
UNIDO has been cooperating with Ukraine for many years, implementing projects aimed at greening its economy. In particular, I have personally worked in the field of environment protection and resource efficiency in different parts of the world for more than 10 years.
Today, Ukraine is facing terrible circumstances of war. The topic of Ukraine’s recovery was actively discussed in Vilnius in November this year. Today, at the conference, which is also dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre, the topic of green recovery should be fruitfully continued.
Ukraine needs to harmonize its legislation with EU standards. Ukraine’s membership in the EU is possible only if its economy is strengthened, so a green recovery based on the circular economy will accelerate this process.
Circular economy is often associated with small areas, such as eco-industrial parks. But it can also be applied at the level of regions and municipalities, in terms of sustainable green construction.
UNIDO is currently working with 12 oblasts in western Ukraine to strengthen economic, social, and other ties between these regions. And just in Vilnius-2023, we emphasized the establishment of ties at the level of municipalities. As a representative of UNIDO, I am proud that UNIDO is helping Ukraine in green recovery and moving towards a better sustainable future. Ukraine needs to move forward on its green recovery path!” said Mr. Stephan Sicars, Senior Coordinator for Ukraine, UNIDO.
The EU4Environment Action also launched initiatives on Industrial Waste Mapping and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). Industrial waste mapping was carried out in 25 enterprises in the municipalities of Slavuta and Davydiv in western Ukraine. Two municipalities were selected on the basis of a study that identified the potential volumes of accumulated industrial waste and waste treatment facilities, the presence of waste sorting/processing or disposal facilities, and the availability of waste management plans for these facilities.
The pilot PEF project was launched at the end of 2002 with a special awareness-raising event, which resulted in the training of 31 experts. In this area, pilot PEF-studies were carried out in 3 companies. This work will further promote the potential benefits of PEF methodology for Ukrainian companies, especially those interested in the EU single market for green products.
Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya, EU4Environment Project Manager, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit, UNIDO, summarized the results of the RECP Center’s activities in Ukraine, focusing on the achievements in each area of activity highlighted during the three panel discussions. “Today we have talked a lot about the circular economy, but it would not have been possible without the implementation of the RECP methodology, which the RECP Centre has been implementing for 10 years.
The colleagues have already mentioned that the joint efforts of the European Green Deal, the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Vilnius, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine are united by one important goal – the green recovery of Ukraine. UNIDO will continue to look for partners for Ukraine to help it in these difficult times.
I would also like to mention business cases, which are very necessary for Ukraine. This area of activity needs to be intensified and developed.”
Background
The “European Union for Environment” (EU4Environment) Action aims to help the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries to preserve their natural capital and increase people’s environmental well-being by supporting environment-related action, demonstrating and unlocking opportunities for greener growth, and setting mechanisms to better manage environmental risks and impacts. The Action’s implementation period is 2019-2024. For more details, please click here.
