How can the “Do No Significant Harm” principle drive Ukraine’s Recovery and EU Accession?

17. July 2024
By Nataliia Vlasiuk

A recent webinar organized by the Ukrainian Climate Office, WWF Ukraine, and WWF Central and Eastern Europe aimed to introduce the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) principle, share experiences from EU Member States, and discuss its potential as a mechanism for Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession. Bringing together representatives of the Ukrainian government and experts from NGOs, the EU and the Croatian and Austrian government the webinar highlighted the importance of not compromising future sustainability, in current recovery efforts.

How can Ukraine ensure that its recovery efforts do not compromise future resources, ecosystems, and societal well-being? This was the central question addressed in a recent webinar organized by the Ukrainian Climate Office, WWF Ukraine, and WWF Central and Eastern Europe. The event aimed to introduce the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) principle, share experiences from EU Member States, and discuss its potential as a mechanism for Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession. Bringing together representatives of the Ukrainian government and experts from NGOs, the EU and the Croatian and Austrian government the webinar highlighted the importance of not compromising future sustainability, in current recovery efforts.

Since it is a rather new mechanism for Ukraine, EU Member States experts shared their experience in applying the DNSH principle in the EU context. It gave valuable insights for Ukraine challenges. It is extremely important for Ukraine, especially in the context of its pursuit of sustainable development and environmental security due to the Russian war.  During the event practical experiences from other countries with applying the DNSH demonstrated successful measures that Ukraine could adopt, emphasizing the need for specific criteria and procedures for assessing and managing harm, tailored to Ukraine’s unique circumstances. The importance of establishing and enforcing standards and thresholds was discussed.

Oleksii Riabchyn, Advisor to the Vice Prime Minister of EU Integration emphasized that rebuilding the country must align with DNSH principle ensuring that environmental consequences of Ukraine’s actions are carefully considered to restore natural habitats and preserve biodiversity.

Representatives from several Ukrainian ministries discussed the advantages and challenges of applying the DNSH principle. It shall be advocated for the need of a whole-government approach and the mainstreaming of DNSH across all sectors and investments, in line with the EU Green Deal.
The necessity of post-benefit analysis and high standards of environmental safety is crucial for every project, every investment, and every initiative with the DNSH principle being a regulatory feature in the Ukraine Facility and mentioned in the Ukraine Plan.

Valeriia Kolomiiets, Regenerate Ukraine Initiative Director of WWF Ukraine stressed the importance of avoiding further environmental damage during Ukraine’s restoration efforts “We must do everything to avoid worsening the situation with the damage caused by the Russian aggression”. She highlighted the role of DNSH principle in monitoring how public funds are spent and whether they will be invested in Ukraine’s safe future and increase our resilience paving the way to the EU.

Julia Jesson, component leader “Capacities for Climate Action”/Ukraine Climate Office”, GIZ, concluded that there is no time to wait for the end of the war, the DNSH principle is a big step forward for investments, especially public investments and their contributions to green transition.

As a result of the event the participants agreed to continue their work on DNSH principle integration, noting that the Ukrainian Climate Office, in collaboration with partners, will develop guidelines adjusted to Ukraine’s special context to ensure DNSH becomes a cornerstone of Ukraine’s recovery strategy.

Recordings of the Webinar Keynotes

Keynote by Andriy Andrusevych (Resource and Analysis Center “Society and Environment”)

Introduction to DNSH and its significance by Fabien Porcher (Policy Officer – Climate Diplomacy, EU DG Clima)

Introduction to DNSH and its significance by Christophe Jost (Senior EU Policy Officer, Bankwatch)

Practical experience with applying the DNSH principle: Keynote by Natalija Šimunović Načelnica (Head of Sector, Ministry for Regional Development and EU Funds Croatia)

Practical experience with applying the DNSH principle: Keynote by Paula Wagner (Policiy Officer, Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technologie Austria)

The event was jointly organized by WWF Ukraine and WWF Central and Eastern Europe, and the Ukrainian Climate Office within Capacities for Climate Action project (C4CA) Project implemented by GIZ and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and co-funded by the EU.