Environmental NGOs are criticizing statement of Ukraine at international climate negotiations

Regardless global call for actions for the post-2012 period Ukrainian government plans to increase its GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2020. At the same time Ukraine calls all other countries to take emission reduction targets.

Officially, the Ukrainian position states that Ukraine is planning to reduce emissions by 20-30% by 2020 from the level of 1990. But the current emissions in Ukraine are only 45% of the 1990 level and such a target means rapid growth of emissions. „Ukrainian statement brings destructive notes to negotiations and means that the government will continue to neglect implementation of emission reduction policies within the country”, says Irina Stavchuk from NGO Working Group on climate change in Ukraine.

Ukraine is listed in the top-20 of the world biggest GHG polluters and keeps being first by the amount of consumed energy per unit of GDP output.

Ukrainian environmental organizations have asked the government to stabilize emissions on the level of 2004 by 2020, or in other words 0% emission growth by 2020. Economic growth should be accompanied with energy efficiency measures and switching to renewable energy sources.

Environmentalists explain that most of the activities needed to fight climate change are necessary for Ukrainian economy. Energy efficiency measures will reduce the country’s dependence on the imported energy sources, while development of renewable energy is necessary in terms of fossil fuels depletion and increase in prices. Other climate change mitigation measures, i.e. waste management, emissions reductions from transport sector, modernization of municipal companies, will positively add to solving environmental and social problems in the country.

Agreement on the international treaty with binding GHG reduction targets is necessary to fight climate change. According to the Stern review delay with actions will lead to annual economic losses on the level of 5-20% of global GDP and make hundreds of millions of people suffer from sea level rise, extreme events, infection diseases and water shortage.

For additional information please contact Iryna Stavchuk 8(095)2732673