International environmental forum «Environment for Ukraine»: green recovery and modern environmental policy

The team of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine participated in the first International Environmental Forum «Environment for Ukraine», which brought together government officials, representatives of European institutions, and international organizations.

The forum’s key topics included Ukraine’s green recovery, climate change adaptation, European integration, and modern environmental policy.

«Environmental protection no longer exists in isolation. It is an integral part of how we will rebuild our country. It is our commitment to the European Union and to future generations of Ukrainians. Ultimately, people are at the center of all our decisions», - said Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of economy, environment, and agriculture.

He added that even amid the full-scale war, Ukraine is not postponing its environmental agenda, as these changes are first and foremost essential for the Ukrainian people themselves.

During thematic panel discussions and roundtables, experts addressed issues related to biodiversity conservation, the expansion of protected natural areas, sustainable forest resource management, and financing mechanisms for the green transition.

The Head of the State Forest Resources Agency, Viktor Smal, focused in particular on green recovery and climate resilience. His remarks highlighted the concept of climate reserve forests and the preservation of naturally regenerated forest areas.

«More than 500,000 hectares of mined forests continue to perform their ecosystem functions, and these territories can be considered climate reserve forests. They have the potential to serve as a foundation for attracting international green financing and developing carbon credit mechanisms, as these ecosystems continue to absorb CO₂», - emphasized the Head of the State Forest Resources Agency.

According to him, revenues generated from the sale of carbon certificates could become a source of funding for the future demining and restoration of these areas.

Another significant reserve lies in naturally regenerated lands, which formally remain classified as agricultural land despite having developed into fully functioning forest ecosystems through natural succession.

«The State Forest Resources Agency is undertaking extensive efforts to ensure that local communities officially recognize these areas as forests. Thanks to cooperation with local self-government authorities, more than 60,000 hectares have already received this status. However, we understand that the potential for voluntarily transferring naturally regenerated lands to permanent forest users is nearly exhausted. Therefore, the next step will be the creation of a financial incentive system for local communities», - noted Viktor Smal.

He further explained that the State Forest Resources Agency, together with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, is developing a compensation mechanism for local communities. Under this mechanism, once a naturally regenerated land plot is transferred to a permanent forest user, the community will receive compensation equal to 64% of the land’s normative monetary valuation. The forest user will reimburse this amount in equal installments over a period of four to eight years.

«Climate reserve forests and naturally regenerated territories can become an important component of the country’s green recovery and transform our natural resources into a tool for sustainable development and post-war reconstruction», - concluded the Head of the State Forest Resources Agency.