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Ecoplatform established as a part of the Intensive Reform Package initiative

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30.04.2014

Experts of NGO "Ecoclub", Resource analytical centre "Society and Environment", National Environmental Centre of Ukraine, International charitable organization "Ecology-Law-Human Being", WWF, and NGO "Bureau for environmental investigations" agreed to take part in environmental platform of Reanimation package of reforms. The top priority initiative of the environmental platform is to launch functional assessment of environmental impact.


This initiative aims at introducing an efficient European model of assessment of the environmental impact in Ukraine. It would prevent negative impact of environmentally dangerous industrial entities on the environment and health of the population, ensure the transparency and integration of public opinion into the assessment of environmental impact made by industrial entities, contribute to the implementation of environmental component of the Association Agreement and European Energy Community, as well as will secure performance of Ukraine's commitments within the framework of international law (Aarhus Convention and Espoo Convention).
 
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be regarded as a process of making decisions or granting licenses, certain elements of which should be mandatory. Otherwise, this process would not make sense. In order not to create grounds for corruption, the mechanism of EIA should be clear, concise, and transparent; it should ensure the efficient participation of public, responsibility and possibility to interpose an appeal.
 
Environmental impact assessment is a process of analysis of positive and negative impacts that a suggested project, plan or policy will make on the environment. The assessment specifically aims at providing decision makers with the information that would allow for mainstreaming environmental issues into decision making process with regard to adoption, rejection or amendment of a project, policy or activity under consideration (according to the UN Environment Programme and the General Assembly Resolution 42/184 of 11 December 1987 – A/RES/42/184).
 
Environmental impact should be assessed prior to issuing/obtaining license for a commercial activity. It aims at identification and assessment of possible impact of environmentally dangerous commercial activities on the environment (the draft law on EIA).
 
The next amendments to environmental platform of Reanimation package of reforms will concern climate change, nature reserve fund, biodiversity, strategic environmental assessment and administrative reform.
 
NGO "Bureau for environmental investigations" and ICO "Ecology-Law-Human Being" started to develop the conception of first priority steps to reform the system of environmental protection. This conception will be soon disseminated for discussion among all the stakeholders.