Representatives of the Green Transition Office joined the meeting of the International Climate Councils Network (ICCN)
Representatives of the Green Transition Office at the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine joined the meeting of the International Climate Councils Network (ICCN) to discuss the European Union’s new climate goals and mechanisms to achieve them.
The meeting focused on the EU’s 2040 climate target and the role of carbon dioxide removals and international market mechanisms in achieving it.
The European Union has a goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and is currently developing an interim goal for 2040. Achieving climate neutrality requires deep reductions in emissions and counterbalancing residual emissions through carbon dioxide removals. The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change recommended a target of reducing emissions by 90-95% compared to 1990 levels. In July 2025, the European Commission proposed setting a new target of a 90% reduction, but the final target remains under discussion.
Members of the International Climate Councils Network exchanged views on the importance of carbon dioxide removals for achieving climate neutrality and the limited role of international market mechanisms in achieving the EU's nationally determined contribution (NDC).
The discussion also touched on potential areas of cooperation between climate councils in different countries to jointly address global climate challenges.
Mykola Shlapak, General Manager on Climate Change at DiXi Group, expert on climate change and climate policy at the Green Transition Office of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, noted:
"Ukraine's participation in the ICCN is important for exchanging experience with leading climate councils in Europe and around the world. Ukraine, like the EU, has a goal of achieving climate neutrality by mid-century and is currently finalising its nationally determined contribution for 2035. The agricultural sector has significant potential to transform soils from a source of emissions to a carbon sink, creating the conditions for achieving climate neutrality. Thus, the experience of European partners in policies to support carbon dioxide removals provides valuable lessons for shaping our own climate strategy within the framework of European integration. In terms of international carbon markets, Ukraine is currently working on creating the necessary legislative framework to attract climate finance under the market mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. However, after future accession to the EU, the approach to the use of international carbon credits will need to be aligned with EU policy and the EU’s nationally determined contribution."
International exchange of experience within the ICCN and joint efforts to address green transition challenges are key to the successful achievement of climate goals at both the national and global levels.
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