Battle to prevent poisoning of Ukraine – where is the Ministry of Environment?

For two years, the Parliament of Ukraine has been trying to introduce in Ukraine “green” tariff for energy production through waste incineration. Currently, the draft law №4835-д «On amendment of some laws of Ukraine to stimulate use of domestic waste as alternative source of energy” is on the agenda of the Parliament¹. Positions of EPL and of the EU on the proposed legislative initiatives are presented on the web-site². Manager of the Environment Sector of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jean–Francois Moret spoke against “green” tariff for waste incineration³.

In the condition of absence of state control over chemicals including dioxins, furans as envisaged by EU Directive EC 2010/75 “On Industrial Emissions” as well as unwillingness and inability of Ukrainian business to invest into purification equipment, “green” tariff for waste incineration will cause a wave of environmentally hazardous incineration and thus will create deadly hazard for health of Ukrainians.

In the battle against this deadly hazard for the environment and human health, the key role should be played by the central environmental body – the Ministry of Environment of Ukraine. However, in its reply to EPL’s information request regarding the position of the Ministry on 4835-д draft law on “green” tariff for waste incineration, the Ministry of Environment replied that among supported draft laws was 4835-д draft law on the condition that some of its provisions are improved. As regards the “green” tariff for waste incineration, the Ministry noted that these issues are beyond authority of the Ministry of Environment and belong to the sphere of authority of the Ministry of Regional Development and State Agency of Energy Efficiency. The response of the Ministry of Environment to EPL’s information request can be found here⁴.

Such a vague position of the Ministry of Environment, unclear statements, negligence for events aimed at prevention of adoption of “green” tariff for waste incineration, lack of any support for initiatives of civil society in this field prove that the Ministry of Environment does not fulfill its tasks envisaged by the Provision of the Ministry and the current legislation, shifts off its responsibility and keeps silent regarding the vitally important issue for Ukraine.

The Ministry of Environment has developed the plan of implementation of European directives according to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement including 3 Directives on waste issues. In the Framework Directive on waste, waste incineration is not prioritized. Also, Ukraine signed the Paris Agreement and according to the recommendations of the European Commission of 26 January 2017, the countries-signatories of the Paris Agreement are to promote decarbonization of the economy and to decrease waste incineration that substantially contributes to climate change.

The civil society call on the Ministry of Environment to realize its mission and tasks in the field of environmental protection and make all possible steps to prevent adoption of “green” tariff for waste incineration.

We demand that the Ministry of Environment releases on its web-site the official position of this central environmental authority regarding “green” tariff for waste incineration and makes sure that its actions do not tarnish Ukraine’s image in the eyes of the European Community.