Main Directions of Harmonization of Ukraine’s Environmental Legislation with EU Law

Abstract

Modern challenges and the need to protect the interests of future generations compel states to unite their efforts in the field of environmental security. Since natural processes are not confined by borders, there is a noticeable convergence between domestic laws and international standards. For Ukraine, integration into the EU legal space serves as a key instrument for creating a balanced legal ecosystem that guarantees the effectiveness of management decisions and the stability of social interaction within the environmental sector.
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of Ukraine’s environmental legislation in the context of obtaining EU candidate status and the ongoing legal regime of martial law. Particular attention is paid to recent laws regarding waste management and chemical safety. The study examines the impact of Russian armed aggression on Ukraine’s nature reserve fund, specifically the degradation of Emerald Network sites (with over 1.2 million hectares of affected territories). The dynamics of harmonizing domestic legislation with EU law are analyzed, noting that by the end of 2023, Ukraine had fulfilled 80% of its specialized obligations. Special emphasis is placed on the implementation of the REACH and CLP Regulations, the Law «On Waste Management,» and the Water Strategy until 2050. Key legal gaps have been identified, including the outdated system of legal liability for environmental offenses. The necessity of developing post-war recovery strategies based on an ecosystem approach and the «polluter pays» principle is substantiated. It is concluded that the modernization of environmental law must become the foundation for Ukraine’s ecologically oriented post-war recovery.