This legislation marks a shift from the voluntary monitoring practices that were in place since the onset of the war.
Legislative Details
The draft law, numbered 12131, titled "On Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions," was passed during the second reading with a total of 298 votes. This initiative is part of the Ukraine Facility Plan, as reported by People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Unified Register Restoration
The newly adopted law mandates the reactivation of the Unified Register for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. This public electronic register is essential for managing information related to greenhouse gas emissions from various installations. Key functionalities of the register include:
- Creation, Collection, and Storage: Maintaining comprehensive records of emissions data.
- Accounting and Protection: Ensuring accurate tracking and safeguarding of sensitive information.
- Information Processing: Facilitating the analysis and dissemination of emissions data.
- Electronic Interaction: Enhancing coordination and communication in monitoring activities.
Documentation and Information Requirements
The Unified Register encompasses a wide range of documents and information, including:
- Applications for registration by operators.
- Operators' reports detailing emissions data.
- Monitoring plans and their subsequent amendments.
- Improvement reports and decisions regarding off-site verification.
- Verification reports and decisions to reject operators' submissions.
- Detailed information about installations conducting activities that result in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Quantitative and qualitative indicators of emissions volumes.
- Documents related to the exchange of information for coordinated monitoring and verification efforts.
Automatic Registration and Transitional Provisions
Under the new law, installations engaged in activities listed by the Cabinet of Ministers that result in greenhouse gas emissions are required to register automatically in the Unified Register.
For operators who did not complete state registration during the martial law period, the following transitional measures apply:
- Submission Deadline: Operators must apply for state registration within 30 calendar days from the law's enactment.
- Reporting Requirements: Operators must submit a monitoring plan and an operator's report, which must be validated as satisfactory based on verification outcomes.
- Exemption for Previous Years: Operators are not required to submit reports for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. However, for 2024, they must submit their reports by the end of the year the law takes effect.
- Occupied Territories: Installations located in areas currently experiencing hostilities or in temporarily occupied regions must register within 90 calendar days following the cessation of martial law or the liberation of the territory.
Current Emission Trends and Future Projections
In 2023, concentrations of the three primary greenhouse gases reached unprecedented levels. The current measures outlined in the new law are projected to achieve only a 2.6% reduction in emissions by 2030, falling significantly short of the required 43% reduction target.
Conclusion
The Verkhovna Rada's adoption of the mandatory greenhouse gas emission monitoring law signifies Ukraine's renewed commitment to environmental accountability and regulatory compliance. By reinstating the Unified Register and enforcing stringent reporting standards, Ukraine aims to better track and manage its greenhouse gas emissions, despite the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts and economic pressures.
