Planning the environment remediation
by Environment People Law
The purpose of this policy note is to demonstrate major signposts and legislative basis for post-war reconstruction of Ukrainian economy taking into account the environmental aspect: implementation of horizontal and sectoral reforms based on the principles of balanced use of natural resources and effective management aimed at preserving the environment.
This document offers an overview of the damage caused to the environment of Ukraine by armed aggression on behalf of the russian federation and draws attention to the fundamental role of healthy environment in ensuring public welfare. The following issues are considered in particular: pollution of atmospheric air (due to both warfare and fires caused thereby), water (surface and underground, and also due to destruction of water resource infrastructure ranging from dams to water treatment stations); soils (ranging from contamination with heavy metals caused by shelling and bombing to mechanical destruction of the soil layer structure) and mined areas (which may constitute up to 15% of the total area of Ukraine and the USD 250 billion worth of mine clearance could last up to 70 years).
It is highlighted how warfare caused by the rf aggression in Ukraine has exerted destructive influence on forests, wetland ecosystems, steppes (56%, over 1.6 mln hectars of which ended up in combat zones and/or occupied by the rf troops), natural protected areas (44% of the highest rank areas are in combat zones and/or occupied), and biodiversity, the war-related loss of which can hardly be assessed in full but can jeopardize long-term recovery and community welfare. It is emphasized that there must be improved coordination between the political goals so as to simultaneously deal with biodiversity issues, alleviation of climate change consequences and post-war economy recovery. It will enhance resource use efficiency and contribute to the goal of biodiversity preservation while adhering to sustainable development principles.