Agricultural sector and greenhouse gas emissions in Ukraine

Agriculture accounts for a significant share of total greenhouse gas emissions (some 15%). Due to increasing demand for foods, fuels and other products supplied by the farming sector, agricultural emissions to the atmosphere rise from year to year.

Until recently, Ukraine did not pay due attention to controlling and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. It was not until the end of 2019 that the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) passed the Law “On the Principles of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.”

The EU market is one of the most significant destinations for Ukrainian agricultural exports. Therefore, establishing an effective emission control system is an important task for the agricultural sector to successfully develop exports.

In particular, the criteria for crop suppliers and biofuel producers in EU countries are regulated by Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 23, 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. The Directive’s key requirements include control over actual greenhouse emissions throughout the lifecycle of biofuel crops (growing, harvesting, drying, storage and shipping), as well as presenting formal reports.

The study “Ukraine: Agricultural Sector and Greenhouse Emissions” elaborates on the connection between current farming practices/technologies and greenhouse emissions, as well as on prospects for their control, regulation and reduction.