Ukraine—Support in Approximation of the EU Environmental Acquis

Ukraine faces a number of environmental challenges, including air pollution, lack of water resources, land degradation, solid waste management, biodiversity loss, human health issues associated with environmental risk factors, along with climate change. The economic development of the country has been accompanied by unbalanced exploitation of natural resources and low priority of environmental issues, which has made it extremely challenging to achieve sustainable development.

On the other hand, the environmental policy of Ukraine aims at stabilizing and improving the environment through the integration of environmental policy in economic and social development to ensure environmental safety for people, the introduction of an environmentally balanced system of resource use, and conservation of natural ecosystems.

Hence, Ukraine’s ongoing reform agenda is fully aligned with and facilitated by the Association Agreement, which provides for gradual approximation of Ukrainian legislation in accordance with European Union (EU) environmental rules, policies, standards, and development of sector strategies on air, water quality, waste management, and industrial pollution.

The signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union and its member states opened up new implementation opportunities to environmental standards. Implementation of EU legislation in Ukraine environmental protection occurs within eight sectors and is governed by 29 sources of law (Directives and the EU Regulations) establishing common rules and standards to be reflected in domestic law.

The EuropeAid project, Support to Ukraine in Approximation of the EU Environmental Acquis (air quality and waste management) aims to effectively raise Ukrainian public authorities’ capacities in designing and implementing key reforms stemming from the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, including the capacity to carry out legal approximation process with the EU.

Sample Activities

• Assist in the transposition and implementation of air quality and waste management mandates of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
• Improve the institutional capacity of authorities at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry for Regional Development, Building, and Housing of Ukraine.
• Raise public awareness of environmental issues.
• Support implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy.