The British Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, and Minister of
Economy and First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia
Svyrydenko, have today formally launched Ukraine's Green
Transition Office.
During the event, Harris and Svyrydenko signed a memorandum of
understanding and gave remarks on the Green Transition Office's
work and Ukraine's approach to decarbonisation in the context of
the upcoming COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. The pair
committed to ongoing cooperation to ensure Ukraine will emerge
from the war with a clear policy framework for green transition
and the ability to attract finance to fund its
transformation.
The UK has committed over £1 million in international development
funding for the Green Transition Office via the FCDO's Ukraine
Resilience and Energy Security programme. The Office was designed
with the help and advice of the UK's Climate Change Committee,
established in 2008.
The Green Transition Office will help implement Ukraine's
National Energy and Climate Plan, a cross-sector plan setting out
milestones and policy measures to help Ukraine meet its goal of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65% compared to 1990 levels
by 2030. The Green Transition Office will provide expert advice
and support to Ukraine's ministries, with a view to attracting
green investment and enhancing the role of business in Ukraine's
green recovery.
Speaking at the event, Martin Harris said:
As Russian attacks target Ukraine's energy and power
infrastructure, the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine in
rebuilding an energy system that is more secure, more
sustainable, decentralised and smarter. We are helping Ukraine
plan for a Net-Zero future and for integration with European
energy markets.
By providing expert advice and mobilising businesses, the Green
Transition Office will help transform Ukraine's economy.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economy
Yuliia Svyrydenko said:
The opening of the Green Transition Office is an important step
that demonstrates Ukraine's commitment to sustainable economic
development. We aim to incorporate the green transition into our
strategies and plans for Ukraine's recovery. This will help us on
our way to the EU and create new business and investment
opportunities.
Collaboration with international partners, including the United
Kingdom, is crucial to advancing the green agenda, and we urge
the media and the public to support us in covering this important
step for Ukraine's future.
Andriy Kitura, Head of the Green Transition Office said:
Our task is to develop effective mechanisms for implementing the
principles of the green transition in Ukraine's economy. Together
with our international partners, we will work to attract green
investments and help Ukraine achieve the climate and energy goals
defined in the National Energy and Climate Plan. Today, we are
launching a platform for cooperation, innovation and gradual
movement towards a sustainable future.
Olena Pavlenko, President at DiXi Group said:
Recovery of Ukraine in line with European standards is a task
that cannot be done by a narrow circle. This process requires the
involvement of experts, business, international donors, and the
local communities – only a united effort can produce a quick and
high-quality result. The Green Transition Office should become
one of the tools for communication and cooperation between all
stakeholders to achieve ambitious goals in the energy, climate
and economic development as a whole.
Announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2024, the
Green Transition Office builds on the UK's support to Ukraine's
National Energy and Climate Plan, one of the policy measures
Ukraine was required to develop in order to unlock €50bn of
funding under the EU's Ukraine Facility. One of the Office's key
responsibilities will be implementing Ukraine's National Energy
and Climate Plan.
The UK's support to Ukraine's energy system also includes vital
repairs and protection to energy infrastructure in the face of
Russian attacks. This includes emergency support to reconnect
customers to the grid, as well as the delivery of generators for
those cut off from the power network.
