EU calls on Ukraine to continue decarbonization efforts, preparations for emission trading

MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax) - The European Union-Ukraine focus dialogue on the European Green Deal and the green transition has been put on hold because of the crisis, and when Ukraine is ready, Brussels will also be ready to resume this dialogue to support the restoration process, but already today it calls on Kiev to resume work to agree environmental and sustainable goals, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius said.

The European Commission is inviting Ukraine to continue decarbonization efforts as part of the Energy Community and the decarbonization roadmap, having more clear-cut commitment to meeting the nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets and to the climatic neutrality path, Ukrainian media quoted Sinkevicius as saying in a statement at a joint meeting of Ukrainian government and the European Commission in Kiev on Thursday.

The commissioner also called on Ukraine to adopt a long-term development strategy for emission reduction within the framework or in addition to the reconstruction plan and to agree the adopted control rules, including the national climatic and energy plan and a system to monitor its implementation.

Carbon price formation is key to decarbonization, Sinkevicius said, adding that the European Commission is inviting Ukraine to introduce a functioning system of monitoring, accountability and inspection at the level of introduction as the first step toward creating an emission trading system.

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement contains the environment chapter and the list of directives that Ukraine needs to address, and it is not the easiest part, he said.

Ukraine has made serious progress in many fields, such as assessing the impact on the environment and managing water resources and waste, which Sinkevicius described as a major achievement. The European Commission is really impressed with this significant progress, because this legislation has already been adopted by the parliament, he said. However, Ukraine will have to make additional efforts to agree it, minimize allegations and ensure that the public is involved in decision-making, he said.