Carbon Emissions in Ukraine: Mining Sector Responsible for 49%

The significant environmental impact of Ukraine’s mining industry has been underscored by new research conducted by the organization SaveDnipro in partnership with SaveEcoBot. Pavel Tkachenko, a co-founder of SaveEcoBot, presented these findings, revealing that mining operations are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

The study, which analyzed data from 2020 to 2024, highlights that mining enterprises extensively contribute to both CO2 and other harmful pollutants. These emissions primarily stem from facilities involved in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a voluntary global standard for transparency that is active in over fifty countries.

The analysis emphasizes that approximately one out of every two tons of CO2 emissions in Ukraine is attributed to the mining sector. Mining companies are also responsible for discharging 51% of all wastewater into surface water bodies.

This widespread pollution has raised concerns among environmental advocates and the public alike, as it significantly impacts air and water quality across the nation. The report goes further by ranking the mining companies that have the most substantial environmental footprints.

Noteworthy contributors include DTEK Zakhidenergo, which produces over 7 million tons of CO2 annually, followed by ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih with more than 5 million tons. Other significant contributors include Kyivteploenergo, Centrenergo, and Ivano-Frankivsk Cement.

These findings serve not only as an awareness tool but also as a starting point for future governmental actions. Tkachenko pointed out that the list of top polluters does not constitute a legal judgment but rather a statistical framework for analysis.

Such rankings can help prioritize regulatory attention and investment towards companies with the highest environmental impacts. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has recently adopted a regulation that mandates real-time monitoring of emissions from industrial enterprises.

This initiative aims to enhance transparency and improve control over environmental compliance among mining operations and other industries. The forthcoming system will channel data from automated monitoring devices directly to the Ministry of Economy and the State Environmental Inspection, allowing for more effective oversight of ecological data.