Since the 2010s, Ukraine has made strides in climate action and sought to align its environmental policies with EU standards. However, Russia’s invasion in 2022 caused severe environmental damage, releasing toxic pollutants from military activities. This war has also hindered Ukraine’s ability to track environmental changes, as noted in a new report by the JRC.
Initially, emissions dropped due to reduced industrial output. Yet, the war has introduced new greenhouse gas emissions from military operations, resulting in air and soil pollution. The destruction of ecosystems, particularly in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, poses lasting risks to health and biodiversity.
The JRC report titled “Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine” offers key insights into how the war has affected various environmental aspects. This data is crucial for planning Ukraine’s recovery and green transition, focusing on reducing pollution and preserving nature.
Air quality in Ukraine has been a mixed picture. From 2018 to 2022, some pollutants met national standards, but nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde exceeded those limits. A staggering 42,900 premature deaths in 2019 were linked to air pollution, which is around 10% of Ukraine’s total health crises. Since the war began, new patterns of air pollution due to military activities have emerged.
By 2021, greenhouse gas emissions had dropped by 62.5% from 1990 levels, but post-war calculations indicate a reduction of 23-26% in emissions due to damage to industrial sectors. Military operations have generated an estimated 77 million tons of CO2 emissions in just over a year.
Local administrations in Ukraine are actively engaging in climate initiatives. Within the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, 363 local governments aim to reduce their emissions by 33% by 2030, while also preparing for weather extremes like floods and heatwaves.
Forests, while covering only about 20% of Ukraine, are crucial. Approximately 1.7 million hectares of them are affected by war-related activities, leading to deforestation and habitat loss. Wildfires have drastically increased, with 965,000 hectares burned in 2024 alone, significantly impacting biodiversity.
Soil health is critical for Ukraine’s economy, where agriculture constitutes 11% of GDP. However, 40% of the soil is suffering from erosion, compounded by toxic elements released during the conflict, which threaten food safety.
The Black Sea’s health is also under significant pressure due to human activities and military actions. Increased pollution has raised concerns, but ongoing conflict has made environmental monitoring and assessments nearly impossible.
Understanding these trends requires better data collection and monitoring networks. As Ukraine works towards rebuilding and a greener future, reliable information will be vital for guiding effective environmental policies.
The original article was published in the JRC.