Екодія - центр екологічних ініціатив

Ukraine has aleady recorded more than 5,000 cases of destruction to its forests, soils, air and water directly connected to the Russian full-scale invasion, now in its third year. Ecoaction was able to take soil samples in certain areas and conducted analyses of soil from the embattled Donbas region. The results revealed extensive contamination with highly toxic heavy metals caused by the fighting. In some areas, single sample measurements for mercury, vanadium and cadmium were more than a hundred times the usual levels. Heavy metals are highly poisonous when absorbed through food or water in high concentrations, as they accumulate in the body and often can't be broken down. Read more about the environmental consequences of Russia's war and how Ukraine plans to bring the aggressor to justice in Deutsche Welle article: https://lnkd.in/e7nJgyd7 Ecoaction's publication "The impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the state of country’s soil" is available here: https://lnkd.in/e2pdsEJD #RebuildUkraineGreen #environment #ecocide

The Ukrainian government wants to bring two new power units online at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Station in Western Ukraine, arguing they will help shore up the country's energy grid that Russian bombs have decimated. The quickest and fastest way to do so, they argue, is to buy Russian-made reactors currently sitting in storage in Bulgaria at an estimated cost of $600 million. But the deal needs lawmakers’ sign-off, and several parliamentarians and NGOs are alleging the deal could blow a massive hole in the country's tattered budget for outdated technology that won't necessarily help Ukrainians stave off looming blackouts. "Ukrainian energy and environment NGO Ecoaction has raised concerns about the proposals for Khmelnytskyi, arguing that the project would rely on obsolete Russian-made equipment and that the use of outdated technology can lead to serious safety and efficiency problems. Instead, the group argues, the better investment would be in smaller electricity-generating facilities, including renewables, distributed across a wider area". Read more in the article in POLITICO Europe: https://lnkd.in/eCyGAi9H

This is our colleague Oleksandr. He used to help our Climate Department to advocate for decarbonisation of Ukraine. Now he is protecting our country in Armed Forced of Ukraine and he needs our help. He is raising 350 000 UAH (around €8 000) for the pickup truck for his unit. Donate to support him here: PayPal: btertychna@gmail.com His unit is located in remote locations that are hard to reach without manoeuvrable all-road vehicles. This truck will help to provide the unit with food supply, evacuate the wounded soldiers etc. Almost half of the needed amount is already raised. And every donation helps to get even closer to the goal! Please, donate and share this post.

If we’ve learned one thing from the Ukraine Recovery Conference #URC2024 in Berlin, it’s that municipalities remain central to Ukraine’s recovery. 🤝 This year marked a milestone for local authorities, with over 200 municipal representatives engaging with potential donors, sharing recovery strategies and promoting transparency and accountability. We were delighted to see the launch of the Coalition for Sustainable Municipalities, informed by research we conducted with Ecoaction - Centre for Environmental Initiatives 🇺🇦 on the role of municipalities in the national rebuild. 🌿 As we prepare for URC2025 in Italy, the focus must remain on inclusivity and sustainability. But for a truly green reconstruction, more attention should be paid to the environmental risks of development. Read our new blog post by Mariia Lukianova: https://lnkd.in/eyv7FQwQ

What are the biggest geopolitical risks to #ClimateAction in 2024? In 2024, the world is facing one of the most volatile geopolitical outlooks in decades, with more than 50 countries (half of the global population) going to the polls. Additionally, ongoing conflicts, extreme weather events, trade disputes and resource competition are contributing to geopolitical volatility. With the world nearly half way through a “critical decade” for climate action, overcoming geopolitical risks in order to start rapidly cutting emissions is paramount to limiting global warming. Carbon Brief has asked a range of scientists, policy experts and campaigners from around the world what they think the biggest geopolitical risks to climate action will be in 2024. Read in the article the opinion of Ecoaction's board member Anna Ackermann: https://lnkd.in/eZKKu2-n

❗🌲 Ecoaction and dozens of other NGOs are concerned about the possibility of the Ukrainian Parliament adopting draft law No. 9516. It proposes to abolish the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure for all sanitary clearcuts smaller than 10 hectares. In the Carpathian regions of Ukraine more than 15% of all timber is harvested by such logging. Representatives of civil society organizations have repeatedly pointed out violations in the designation of these felling operations. The problem has been also confirmed by 🇪🇺 EU institutions. The EIA procedure is the only safeguard against massive abuses, when large areas of healthy forests are cut down under the guise of drying out or pest control. If the 9516 is passed, it will primarily affect old-growth forests in the Carpathians. Ukrainian legislation prohibits commercial logging in such forests. However, there will be no restrictions on sanitary clearcuts after the EIA procedure is canceled by the 9516. At the same time, there is a high risk that such logging would lead to a violation of the Regulation on Deforestation Free Products (EUDR) requirements, as forest degradation will occur due to the transformation of natural old-growth forests into artificial monocultures through clear-cutting. 📢 In view of the above, 31 non-governmental organizations have signed a letter to EU institutions and Ukrainian Parliament to preserve Ukraine’s ecologically valuable forests and warn Ukrainian Members of Parliament about the risks of adopting the Draft Law 9516 and the implication regarding the EUDR. Read the letter by the NGOs and spread the word: https://lnkd.in/eQxBu-Ve Ukrainian nature conservation group (UNCG) Earthsight Rainforest Relief EuroNatur Foundation ClientEarth European Civic Forum Focus, društvo za sonaraven razvoj / Focus Association for Sustainable Development Environmental Investigation Agency Wild Heritage Bruno Manser Fonds AbibiNsroma Foundation Comite Schone Lucht 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄

The total climate damage caused by the russian federation in two years of full-scale invasion of Ukraine amounts to $32 billion. This exceeds the annual emissions of a highly industrialized country like The Netherlands, putting 90 million new petrol cars on the road, or building 260 coal-fired power units of 200 MW each. This data comes from the updated assessment of the Initiative on GHG accounting of war. This is the fourth iteration of the study on the impact of the war on the climate conducted by the Initiative for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounting from War in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine and NGO Ecoaction. Read more here https://lnkd.in/eBN6Ee4Z

Today in Berlin starts the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference #URC2024 With partner CSOs we prepared the joint recommendations to foreign governments, international partners, and national authorities to partner with local communities and rebuild the energy sector green. This document outlines how to provide the much needed support for Ukrainian communities that will help them develop more sustainable and resilient energy systems. Learn more here https://lnkd.in/eDDEyKe6

Considering the toll of destroyed and damaged thermal power generation in Ukraine due to russian attacks, the inevitable end of the coal era is near. Ukrainian NGOs prepared a Position on #JustTransition of Ukraine's Coal Regions. The statement emphasizes the need to support coal communities despite wartime challenges and undertake measures that would ensure a successful just transition. The European Commission must sustain its support for Ukrainian coal regions, ensuring they are not left behind, as Ukraine progresses towards EU membership and anticipates a coal phase-out in electricity generation before 2035. Read Civil Society's Position on the Just Transition of Ukraine's Coal Regions: https://lnkd.in/de5gbnCi Germanwatch e.V. NGO Ecoclub Razom We Stand RePower Ukraine Charitable foundation GIZ Ukraine #JustTransition4UA

The Ukrainian government recently unveiled its Ukraine Plan, a key component of the EU’s 2024-2027 Ukraine Facility, which aims for a sustainable recovery with a EUR 50 billion financial boost. Key steps include commitments to low-carbon, circular, and nature-friendly reconstruction. But there's still room for improvement. To deliver on its promises, the plan must ensure: 🤝 Meaningful stakeholder engagement  💰 Allocation of funds to sub-national authorities  ⚠ Do no significant harm and leave no one behind principles  🌿 At least 20% of the budget for climate, environmental and green transition measures Read the new CEE Bankwatch Network blog by Ecoaction's Mariia Diachuk to learn more about the environmental and social aspects of the plan and its potential impact on Ukraine’s future: https://lnkd.in/dCZx9Vjm #RebuildUkraineGreen