Cabinet of Ministers submits bill to Verkhovna Rada on updating environmental policy to 2030

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has officially approved a bill developed by the Ministry of Economy and Environment, which provides for the update of the State Environmental Policy Strategy for the period up to 2030. The document has already been sent to the Verkhovna Rada for review.

Key priorities of the new strategy

According to an official statement from the ministry, the updated document outlines the main vectors for the development of the environmental sector in Ukraine by 2030. Among the main goals are the restoration of war-damaged territories, adaptation to climate change, and the implementation of obligations necessary to meet the benchmarks for accession to the European Union.

The bill contains specific action mechanisms:

• systematic recording and assessment of damage caused by Russian aggression;
• mapping of contaminated areas and identifying priority zones for their cleanup;
• consideration of the state of the natural environment and climate risks when planning the use of water, land, and other resources.

Air, waste, and the "polluter pays" principle

The document pays particular attention to improving air quality in cities. It proposes combining monitoring with practical measures to reduce pollution levels and applying the "polluter pays" principle. In addition, the strategy envisages reducing the volume of waste generated through the widespread reuse of industrial residues, by-products, and materials obtained as a result of destruction, instead of using primary raw materials.

Also in focus is the improvement of the environmental monitoring and control system, rules for handling chemical products, prevention of industrial pollution, and the assessment of the impact of plans, programmes, and individual projects on the environment.

Comments on the initiative

Irina Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine, emphasised the need for accurate data for the restoration of damaged territories.

«Щоб відновлювати території, пошкоджені війною, потрібно знати, де забруднені вода й ґрунти, які ризики це створює для людей і природи та де слід діяти першочергово. Законопроєкт закладає ці завдання в екологічну політику до 2030р. Він також враховує, що під час відновлення потрібно готуватися до посух і повеней, раціонально використовувати природні ресурси та запобігати новому забрудненню» (To restore war-damaged territories, it is necessary to know where water and soils are contaminated, what risks this poses to people and nature, and where action should be taken first. The bill incorporates these tasks into environmental policy up to 2030. It also takes into account that during restoration, it is necessary to prepare for droughts and floods, use natural resources rationally, and prevent new pollution), — noted Irina Ovcharenko.

History of the document's development

Work on updating the State Environmental Policy Strategy, adopted in 2019, began in the relevant ministry in January 2026. During a working group meeting held after analysing the implementation of the previous document for 2019–2025, the idea of extending the strategy's validity to 2035 and increasing attention to frontline regions was also discussed.