As a result of Russia’s large-scale aggression, Ukraine’s carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 180 million tonnes. This was announced by Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, at the conference Climate and Energy Policy of Ukraine in the Context of EU Accession.
Hrynchuk noted that all countries of the world face an important task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fighting energy poverty and achieving decarbonisation goals. However, according to her, Russia’s military actions have dealt a significant blow to Ukraine’s environmental achievements, and our greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 180 million tonnes of carbon dioxide due to the hostilities.
The minister also stressed that the actions of the aggressor country are undermining Ukraine’s efforts in the field of climate policy and environmental sustainability. Hrynchuk stressed that it is important for Ukraine not only to work towards the goals of sustainable development and recovery, but also to document environmental crimes.
‘Our task and the task of the entire international community is to prevent a repeat of what is happening now. And we will raise these issues during the COP29 conference,’ Hrynchuk added.
