The expert discussion that took place during UN climate change conference COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, where Ukraine was represented by its pavilion for the first time, showed possible ways of Ukraine's economic recovery that would contribute to the decarbonization of Europe, provide energy security and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Members of European Parliament, in particular Andrius Kubilius and his colleagues from the United for Ukraine network, Ukrainian and international experts were unanimous that Ukraine in the process of post-war economic recovery can significantly contribute to the achievement of Europe's goals of increasing energy security and decarbonization, as well as become an active driver of the implementation of the European Green Deal.
The event "Planning for a Green Recovery: How to Realize Ukraine's Potential to Drive Rapid Decarbonisation in Europe", organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine with the support of the Centre for Economic Recovery and Razom We Stand, presented the main provisions of Ukraine's recovery plan, priority reforms in climate governance and environmental protection, and outlined the role of green finance, in particular for energy efficiency measures, in Ukraine's recovery.
"Ukraine's recovery should be based on green principles to ensure progress towards climate neutrality," said Svitlana Sushko, Deputy Director of the Reform Support Team of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine, opening the event.
In his video address at the beginning of the event, Andrius Kubilius, Member of the European Parliament, former Prime Minister of Lithuania and Coordinator of the Inter-Parliamentary Network "United for Ukraine", expressed confidence in Ukraine's victory in the war with Russia and called for the creation of a "Green Marshall Plan" for Ukraine.
"The rebuilding of Ukraine should be connected with two main themes: the first is integration into the EU, the second is modernization of Ukraine. Modernization of the Ukrainian economy, modernization of the Ukrainian infrastructure should fully comply with what Europe is trying to achieve with its own modernization, the so-called European Green Deal. This is the common interest of Ukraine and Europe - to really create a new Marshall Plan for Ukraine, which we call the Green Marshall Plan", Andrius Kubilius said.
He also noted that powerful solar and wind energy in Ukraine will be very necessary for Europe, which is trying to get rid of dependence on Russian gas. According to Mr. Kubilius, the reconstruction and modernization of industry in Ukraine should go in the same direction:
"For example, Ukraine used to produce a lot of steel, some of these big steel plants were badly damaged, like the ones in Mariupol. The rebuilding of this industry, wherever it takes place, can be aimed at a very clear goal - to make this new production green. We are well aware that steel production was responsible for a lot of CO2 emissions. In every sector we need to look at how to modernize the Ukrainian economy, how to use the funds that will be available to rebuild the Ukrainian industry, and how to achieve a very clear goal - to make Ukraine a green, modern and prosperous country with all our help and all our efforts."
After a video message from Andrius Kubilius and expert presentations from the Center for Economic Recovery, the Reform Support Team of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine and the Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the panelists discussed the role of Ukraine's future economic recovery and decarbonization for Europe and the world.
"We welcome Ukraine's support for the Global Methane Pledge, which will mean benefits for the climate while also reducing gas consumption. Ukraine's recovery must be sustainable and green", said Anna Spitzberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources.
"Ukraine will play a crucial role in the future of a united and decarbonized Europe. A new report by the International Energy Agency says that the global energy crisis caused by Russia is accelerating the transition to more sustainable and secure energy systems”, said Svitlana Romanko, founder and director of Razom We Stand.
The panel discussion was moderated by Kyrylo Kryvolap, the Head of the Center for Economic Recovery, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
To watch the video of the panel discussion, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPJ_loF0npQ
