Issues of documenting the environmental consequences of the war, assessing the damage caused, and developing approaches to environmental restoration were key topics during a meeting of the UNDP project board on environmental damage assessment.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine Ihor Zubovych, Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management Olena Kryvoruchkina, representatives of the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine, international partners, and experts. The meeting took place at the Environmental Damage Assessment Coordination Center, an institution established within the UNDP project with the support of the Government of Sweden.
During the event, studies were presented on the identification of explosive substances in soils, pollution of water and aquatic organisms resulting from hostilities, as well as a gender assessment of environmental damage. Special attention was given to the pilot case “Kamianska Sich” and approaches to assessing damage and restoring park areas affected by the war.
“For a proper assessment of environmental damage and subsequent compensation for losses, it is critically important to consolidate the efforts of all state authorities and strengthen international support. In the context of a full-scale war, the Ministry is systematically working to protect the environment, and the presented studies provide the necessary analytical basis for decision-making and improving public policy,” said Ihor Zubovych.
Participants of the meeting confirmed their intention to continue cooperation to strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to document and seek compensation for environmental damage caused by Russian aggression.
Within the UNDP project on environmental damage assessment in Ukraine in 2025, in addition to analytical support and assistance in improving legislation, the State Environmental Inspectorate received 10 mini mobile laboratories, 15 modern quadcopters, supplies and consumables for 12 laboratories, and equipment for approximately 600 inspectors. The project also provided training for inspectors to enhance their capacity to detect and assess environmental damage.
