In the years prior to the full-scale Russian war of aggression, Ukraine continuously increased its climate action ambitions despite the difficult security, political and economic situation that already prevailed even then. On 31 July 2021, Ukraine submitted its updated NDC target, in which the 2030 target is significantly strengthened. Ukraine’s GHG emissions (including land use, land-use change and forestry — LULUCF) are to be reduced by 65 per cent below the 1990 levels by 2030. The goal is to also achieve climate neutrality by 2060 at the latest. Ukraine has been a member of the NDC partnership since June 2019.
The country has developed a strategy for ecosafety and climate change adaptation by 2030. The implementation of the strategy aims to fulfil Ukraine’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement regarding the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to the impacts of global climate change.
In 1995, Ukraine ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and joined the Cartagena Protocol in 2003. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was submitted in 2010.
The IKI in Ukraine
Since 2008, IKI has supported Ukraine’s climate action, adapting to climate change, conserving natural carbon sinks, and preserving biodiversity. Right from the beginning, Ukraine and Germany have worked closely together within the IKI. Ukraine is a priority country of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is currently funding 17 projects in Ukraine with a total approved budget of EUR 278.5 million, of which 8 are bilateral projects (total budget: EUR 74.3 million) and 9 are regional/global (EUR 204.2 million for all participating implementing countries).
IKI in Ukraine focuses on ambitious climate policies, greenhouse gas emission mitigation, and developing NDC plans. Ongoing projects support Ukraine’s recovery, promoting climate-friendly, green, and resilient transformations.
IKI projects in the country (last updated: November 2023):
- bilateral: 8 ongoing, 12 completed
- regional: 7 ongoing, 4 completed
- global: 3 ongoing, 1 completed
In addition, the IKI plans to support 2 new bilateral projects with a total budget of EUR 27.5 million. One of that is the jointly selected GIZ project from the IKI country call “Supporting Ukraine in the implementation of the Paris Agreement and Adaptation to the impact of climate change in the Black Sea region” with a funding volume of 17.5 million euros. Additionally, 3 new regional/global projects with a budget of EUR 64.8 million are in planning.
IKI partner ministries in Ukraine:
- Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
- Ministry of Energy
- Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development
- Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food
Priority Areas of Work in Ukraine
Ukraine and Germany have a close, long-standing cooperation in the climate and biodiversity sector. Since 2008, the IKI has supported Ukraine in its climate action efforts, in the adaptation to the impacts of climate change, and in the conservation and restoration of natural carbon sinks and the conservation of biodiversity.
The focus of the commitment of the IKI in Ukraine is on an ambitious climate policy and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the ongoing IKI projects support the further development of the Ukrainian NDC (nationally determined contribution) and the corresponding sector strategies including their implementation. The reduction of energy intensity and the associated actions towards energy efficiency play a crucial role in this respect.
Due to the effects of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the IKI portfolio will in the future increasingly focus on the requirements of Ukraine for climate-friendly and resilient reconstruction. At the same time, the climate-relevant and biodiversity-friendly transformation will be promoted and accelerated. For this purpose, selected ongoing projects and initiatives will receive complementary contracts, involving topping-up of the IKI funding volume by around EUR 42 million in seven bilateral and regional projects.
IKI Implementing Organisations
Currently, the running IKI projects in Ukraine are implemented by different organisations and institutions. The following insitutions are currently implementing the projects, funded by the IKI on behalf of the German Government, in Ukraine:
- BE Berlin Economics GmbH
- Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) e.V.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- International Finance Cooperation (IFC)
- KfW Entwicklungsbank
- The World Bank Group
- Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt von 1858 e.V (ZGF)