Analytical Paper on Compliance with EIA and SEA Rules in Ukraine

by NGO Ecoclub and WWF-Ukraine

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) procedures are crucial tools for mitigating anthropogenic environmental risks, promoting sustainable development, and incorporating environmental considerations into economic planning and public policymaking. In the context of martial law and the large-scale post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, their importance is growing significantly. On the one hand, numerous challenges arise related to environmental safety and the urgent need for recovery. On the other hand, Ukraine is progressing toward European Union membership, and alignment with EU environmental legislation is an inherent part of the European integration process.

The proper application of EIA and SEA procedures should ensure balanced decision-making that takes into account environmental impacts, public participation, transparency, and oversight of the implementation of planned activities. However, the practice in Ukraine reveals a number of systemic issues: formalization of procedures, attempts to circumvent them, lack of enforcement of environmental conditions, limited access to registers, poor report quality, limited institutional capacity among authorized bodies, and inconsistent integration of procedures into the overall permitting system.

Failure to comply with EIA and SEA procedures, or their formal application, poses risks not only to the environment but also to Ukraine’s international image, commitments under the Association Agreement, and the broader EU accession process. Delaying the resolution of these issues may lead to a decline in trust among the public, investors, and international partners in state bodies.