Legal and Policy Expertise with Civil Society at the Forefront of Ukraine’s Green Recovery

Kyiv / Berlin
July 28, 2025

As the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025) convened in Rome, attention focused not only on reconstruction but on the critical question of how Ukraine rebuilds: can the path to recovery also become one of resilience, sustainability, and renewal?

On the conference margins, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection led a pivotal roundtable “The Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Green Recovery of Ukraine” gathering more than forty stakeholders, including over thirty leading environmental and green civil society representatives from Ukraine and abroad. Research institutes, among them IKEM, joined the discussions to highlight the essential role of civil society and independent policy expertise in shaping a green and secure future.

The dialogue was frank and forward-looking. Civil society voices identified key barriers: chronic underfunding of protected areas, the imperative to integrate sustainability throughout the recovery process, and the necessity to ensure gender equality is embedded in new and transformative sectors — including the growing renewable energy field. One point was especially clear: upholding robust environmental protections is non-negotiable, even in times of crisis. “Environmental Impact Assessments are not a luxury for peacetime—they are a safeguard for the future,” participants affirmed, emphasizing that ecological and social resilience must underpin Ukraine’s recovery, regardless of emergency conditions.

Ievgeniia Kopytsia, speaking on behalf of IKEM, articulated a vision moving from aspiration to necessity: “The green transition is not a long-term aspiration; it is a security imperative.” She stressed that Ukraine’s recovery must be rooted in science-based policy, coherent regulation, and a just transition mindset. “We cannot rebuild what was broken by war using the same extractive models that made us vulnerable to crisis. Recovery must be regenerative—ecologically, economically, and socially.” Legal innovation, data transparency, and alignment with the European Green Deal, she argued, are indispensable to avoid repeating past mistakes or cementing polluting legacy infrastructure.

A landmark outcome of the roundtable was the unveiling of the Civil Society Roadmap for the Sustainable Recovery of Ukraine. Developed through cross-border collaboration among Ukrainian and international CSOs, with significant input from research organizations, this roadmap was shaped within the Build Ukraine Back Better platform — where IKEM is a partner. The document offers a blueprint that anchors ecological resilience, people’s security, and participatory decision-making at the core of Ukraine’s recovery policy.

Green Recovery Amid War: A Strategic Imperative

Is it possible to prioritise a green recovery while war continues? The unanimous response from civil society and policy experts was: not only is it possible, it is essential.

Despite significant challenges, Ukrainian civil society, supported by international partners and expertise from global and local think tanks, continues to prioritize climate resilience, ecosystem protection, and renewable energy transformation. As one roundtable participant stated: “Ukraine’s future depends on rebuilding with nature, not against it.”

While the road ahead demands sustained commitment and concrete policy action, the spirit of open and collaborative dialogue—exemplified by the URC2025 roundtable—provides a foundation for innovation and effective partnership. At IKEM, we affirm that Ukraine’s green recovery—a vision grounded in evidence and inclusivity—is not only attainable but essential for lasting security. Research-driven policymaking, active civil society engagement, robust partnerships, and the mainstreaming of environmental goals remain fundamental to building a brighter and more secure Ukraine.

IKEM’s Commitment: Long-Term Action for Ukraine’s Energy Transition

At IKEM, we support Ukraine’s energy transition with concrete action beyond policy statements. As a founding partner of the Europe-Ukraine Energy Transition Hub (EUETH), we facilitate technological innovation and modern legal frameworks to rebuild Ukraine’s energy sector. This independent, interdisciplinary platform brings together experts to provide research, policy dialogue, and strategic guidance for a sustainable, resilient, and EU-integrated Ukrainian energy market.

by IKEM – Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility e.V.