The Ministry of Defence is developing two new environmental standards rooted in NATO principles and reflecting insights gained from Ukraine

Representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence discussed with NATO representatives the current military environmental standards and the potential for developing new ones, incorporating Ukraine's experience. 

“Our country has unique experience in addressing the environmental consequences of hostilities. For this reason, the Ministry of Defence is proactively focused on developing two new military environmental standards that align with NATO specifications. This experience will be valuable for the Alliance as well,” said Colonel Yurii Sytnyk, Head of the Department of Mine Action Main of the Directorate of Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety, during the 27th meeting of the NATO Environmental Protection Working Group (EPWG) at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

According to him, the first of the new standards, "Best Environmental Practices for the Rational Use of Military Training Areas," will set environmental requirements for accommodating personnel undergoing basic military training. The second standard, "Ensuring Environmental Safety of Troops (Forces) in Field Camps of Military Operations," will focus on reducing the environmental impact of such facilities.

Both documents are currently in the process of approval for the second version. Their implementation will not only help mitigate the environmental damage caused by the war but also strengthen Ukraine's cooperation with NATO member states.

It is essential to highlight that before russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence developed and adopted four military environmental standards in accordance with NATO requirements. Some of these need to be revised due to the ongoing hostilities in our country's territory.