The head of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Svetlana Grinchuk, described this as a necessary step for implementing state policy in the area of climate change.
How does the ETS work and why is it important?
The emissions trading system operates in many countries around the world, including the EU, China, Mexico, and Switzerland. The essence of the mechanism is simple: the government sets an overall limit on greenhouse gas emissions, and businesses receive or purchase quotas. If a company reduces its emissions, it can sell surplus quotas to other market participants.
"This creates economic incentives for businesses to invest in energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies," explains the minister.
When will the system be operational?
The roadmap outlines three phases for implementation:
- 2025-2027 – preparatory phase: development of laws and creation of necessary tools.
- 2028 – pilot launch to test the mechanism.
The operational phase will commence no earlier than three years after the lifting of martial law, to ensure integration occurs under conditions of economic stability.
Another important change: public hearings on environmental permits
In addition to the roadmap for the ETS, the government has approved a new procedure for conducting public hearings in the process of issuing integrated environmental permits. This is part of a reform aimed at reducing industrial pollution.
“From now on, public opinion will carry more weight in decision-making regarding enterprises that may impact the environment,” emphasized Grinchuk.
These innovations will help Ukraine not only fulfill its commitments under the Paris Agreement but also become more environmentally responsible on its path toward EU accession.