Environmental Restoration of Ukraine

by Zoï Environment Network and Conflict and Environment Observatory

With the war in Ukraine still ongoing, many details of the already widespread damage to its natural environment remain unknown. Nevertheless, both the overall planning for environmental restoration and faster action in areas where it is possible can and should go ahead.

Ideally, restoration would aim to return Ukraine’s environment to its pre-war condition. However, it is painfully clear that some of the damage cannot be reversed within a foreseeable time or resource frame, if ever.

On the other hand, questions are emerging as to whether there may be opportunities to improve on, rather than merely restore, the pre-war environment.

Both immediate and longer-term restoration actions will require strong coordination among various domestic and international actors as well as clear and inclusive priorities.

These are the findings of this paper prepared by Zoï Environment Network, which was commissioned as a contribution to Ukraine’s High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of the War.