Escalating conflict aggravates climate and ecological difficulties in Ukraine

In a crass twist of fate, Ukraine's arduous journey towards environmental protection and alignment with EU standards has been derailed by Russia's 2022 invasion, leading to environmental devastation and long-lasting consequences.

While the war has seen a decrease in industrial greenhouse gas emissions and destruction of energy facilities, it has also given rise to new hazardous emissions linked to military operations. Pollution, including chemicals from munitions and other contaminants, has resulted in deteriorated air quality, soil impairment, and an increased risk of forest fires. The Black Sea and Sea of Azov are particularly at risk due to chemical releases and damage to marine infrastructure.

Newly unveiled findings, detailed in the report titled "Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine," shed light on the impact of war on specific environmental and climate aspects. This knowledge serves as a vital tool for assessing the war's influence and provides valuable insights for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Moreover, these findings help monitor Ukraine's transition to a greener future, focusing on zero-pollution, low-carbon, and nature-preserving aspects. The study intends to support Ukraine's national and local authorities in understanding the magnitude of challenges ahead, aiding informed decisions on implementing the Ukraine Plan, a crucial part of the Ukraine Facility, aimed at bolstering Ukraine's road to EU membership.

In recent years, Ukraine's air quality has remained relatively within national criteria, with exceptions being nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (CH2O) levels. However, the war has introduced atypical air pollution patterns related to military operations.

Since 2021, Ukraine has made strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving a 62.5% decrease compared to 1990. Yet, the war has caused destruction of industrial and energy facilities, leading to a drop in GHG emissions. Simultaneously, new GHG emissions associated with military operations have emerged and amounted to 77MtCO2-eq in the first 18 months of the war.

Local authorities are active in climate action, with over 50% of the national population partaking in the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Eastern Partnership. They have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by 2030. Furthermore, they have planned adaptation measures to tackle extreme heat, floods, and mass movements in their territories.

Forest resources have been under immense pressure due to military activities, deforestation, habitat destruction, and the threat of explosive remnants and wildfires. Climate change has further exacerbated the risk of forest fires, with wildfires accounting for 45-65% of forest cover losses every year. In 2024, Ukraine suffered record-breaking wildfires, responsible for burning over twice the area burnt in the entire EU over the same period.

Soil health, crucial given agriculture's significant role in Ukraine's economy, is also of concern due to soil erosion affecting 40% of the country's soil. The war has worsened the situation, allowing toxic elements such as lead, mercury, and arsenic to enter food chains and pose risks to public health.

The Black Sea, under pressure from human activities like nutrient and contaminant overload, marine traffic, climate change, fishery, and invasive species, faces additional concerns due to military actions and the increased release of chemicals and habitat destruction. Unfortunately, environmental monitoring has been impossible since the start of the war due to inaccessibility of the coast and inability to perform marine surveys.

In the face of this complex environmental landscape, it is crucial to establish and improve monitoring networks, ensuring transparent reporting for reliable data collection essential to understanding and mitigating environmental impacts effectively.

The war-induced environmental devastation in Ukraine has led to deteriorated air quality, causing an increased risk of forest fires and health concerns, specifically regarding nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (CH2O) levels.
In an attempt to protect and restore the environment, Ukraine's journey towards EU standards and alignment has been disrupted by Russia's invasion, with new findings indicating the war's significant impact on biodiversity, climate-change, and general-news aspects.
As Ukraine works towards a greener future, environmental-science plays a crucial role in assessing the war's influence and providing valuable insights for reconstruction, focusing on zero-pollution, low-carbon, and nature-preserving standards in agriculture and other industries.
The war has caused significant declines in industrial greenhouse gas emissions, but it has also resulted in new greenhouse gas emissions associated with military operations, amounting to 77MtCO2-eq in the first 18 months.
The Black Sea, already under pressure from human activities and climate change, faces additional concerns due to military actions and increased chemical releases, making environmental monitoring not only necessary but essential for understanding and mitigating environmental impacts.
Political decisions in war-and-conflicts situations, such as Ukraine's, often have far-reaching effects on agriculture, food, and health, highlighting the intricate relationship between environmental science and politics as essential factors in shaping the future of the country.