Ukraine Synchronizes ESG Standards with the EU: Oleksiy Yatsiuk

The Green Transition Office presented a comprehensive roadmap for implementing ESG principles in Ukraine during the Responsible Business Conduct for the Recovery of Ukraine: A Path to Sustainable Investments and European Integration. Oleksiy Yatsiuk, an ESG expert at the Green Transition Office, talked about plans to adapt European standards and how ready Ukrainian businesses are for the new requirements.

Research by the Green Transition Office shows that under current CSRD criteria about 2,966 companies in Ukraine would be affected. In the European Union 82,647 companies fall under reporting requirements. But the European Commission has already proposed changes under the Omnibus I package that could significantly cut the number of companies that have to report. Under the updated EC criteria the number in Ukraine could drop to around 334 companies and in the EU to 12,881 companies.

"We should expect changes to CSRD as proposed by the European Commission to be adopted. In the first or second quarter of 2026 there will be a vote in the European Parliament and Council on the final text of Omnibus and publication of the amended CSRD. At the start of 2026 the EU is expected to roll out simplified ESRS reporting standards and new company rules," Oleksiy Yatsiuk commented.

A study on how ready Ukrainian businesses are for ESG implementation conducted by the Green Transition Office in 2025 found a low level of awareness about sustainable development. 29% of business representatives are hearing about sustainable business for the first time and only 7-9% are familiar with IFRS, GRI, CSRD and UNGC standards.

At the same time 87% of businesses support implementing ESG standards but only 5% of companies are ready to report right now. Key challenges include 68% of companies seeing the need to collect and process large volumes of ESG data as a problem and 77% pointing to a shortage of qualified specialists. Meanwhile 87% believe digital solutions will improve their readiness for ESG reporting.

The Green Transition Office together with partners developed a roadmap covering seven areas: sustainability reporting (translating directives, legislative changes, preparing infrastructure for report verification, creating a digital platform), EU Taxonomy (translating delegated acts, developing national legislation), implementing the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), reforming public investment management, monitoring sustainable financing flows, a green financing platform and integrating Sustainable Development Goals.

On Ukraine's implementation path the expert outlined specific stages: "In 2024 the Sustainability Reporting Strategy was adopted. In 2025 legislative amendments were submitted to the Verkhovna Rada and a vote is expected. In 2026 Ukraine plans to sync up its criteria, requirements and reporting standards with European Union rules."

Joining Oleksiy Yatsiuk in the snapshot session were Caroline Bright, Regional Lead for ESG Advisory at the International Finance Corporation, and Olena Uvarova, Associate Professor and Head of the International Laboratory on Business and Human Rights at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and UNDP Specialist on Business and Human Rights.

A detailed analysis of changes in European ESG regulations, their impact on Ukrainian businesses and an online self-assessment tool for determining reporting obligations are available on the Green Transition Office website.

https://youtu.be/dOAFA6VGJAY?si=bZcex-DYgEj_NC5O

Published on 31.10.2025