Covenant of Mayors Holds High-Level Conference in Ukraine to Drive Green Recovery Efforts

The Covenant of Mayors – the world’s largest climate and energy movement – celebrated its successful work in Ukraine at a high-level conference held in Lviv on May 10, 2023. The conference brought together mayors and representatives from about 200 Ukrainian municipalities to discuss their achievements and common problems within the framework of the Covenant of Mayors.

The event was dedicated to the important topic of post-war recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine, with a focus on practical strategies for success and development of the future initiative, particularly in the context of the “Green Deal” and other European initiatives. Over 200 participants attended the conference, including representatives of local and national authorities, associations of local authorities, and interested parties from Ukraine and other countries. Representatives of EU institutions and member states also attended the conference, highlighting the importance of international support for Ukraine’s recovery efforts.

Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister of the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, emphasized that successful, sustainable, and people-centered reconstruction is only possible if planning and prioritization are based on reliable and verified data, guided by the principles of the Green Transition. The Ministry of Reconstruction is already implementing these principles in practice, including in the work of the Fund for the Liquidation of the Consequences of Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation, the development of a methodology for prioritizing reconstruction projects, and the review of the State Strategy for Regional Development.

Energy efficiency was highlighted as an important component of reconstruction. The creation of the Fund for Decarbonization and Energy-Efficient Transformation of Ukraine, which will be filled with revenues from the tax on CO2 emissions, will support communities in this matter. The fund will become a permanent source of funding for numerous programs on energy efficiency that are already being prepared for various sectors of the economy. Hanna Zamazeyeva, Head of the State Energy Efficiency Agency, said that “Energy efficiency is a driver that will stimulate economic processes, contribute to the budgetary sustainability of communities and their sustainable development.”

Representatives of international financial institutions and non-governmental organizations, as well as deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, also spoke at the conference. It was noted that the cities that joined the Covenant of Mayors have developed and implemented their Sustainable Development Action Plans for Climate and Energy (SEACAP), which combine a complex of strategic projects for the improvement of all spheres and industries of the city, taking into account possible sources and mechanisms of their financing, as well as their impact on reducing CO2 emissions. As of today, 103 cities have already developed these action plans. 198 mayors have pledged to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, a significant step towards preserving the climate and fighting energy poverty.

The conference demonstrated that the mayors and citizens of Ukraine are active participants in the global community in the fight for our common goal of preserving our planet for future generations. By continuing to move forward together, we can create a sustainable and green future for Ukraine and the world.