Friday06 December 2024
good-news.com.ua

An expert warns that Ukraine may jeopardize its export sectors due to inaction regarding the CBAM environmental tax.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is already in effect and could impact at least 2,000 Ukrainian companies. The issue lies in the government's lack of response, which hampers businesses' ability to prepare for the new requirements. Specifically, due to the ongoing military situation, funding shortages for eco-modernization, and insufficient support from the government and the EU, a negative effect on exports is anticipated. This was stated by Lyudmila Tsyganok, the president of the Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEW) and the CEO of the Office of Sustainable Solutions, in an interview with GMK Center.
Эксперт предупреждает, что Украина может утратить экспортные отрасли из-за бездействия по внедрению экологического налога CBAM.

She noted that there is currently a disaster in professional training in Ukraine, as no institution in the country is preparing modern specialists who understand EU requirements, can work according to European standards, comprehend decarbonization tools, and are proficient in English. Additionally, all eco-policies and eco-education in Ukraine are disconnected from both EU requirements and the challenges posed by wartime.

Among the main issues, the expert also highlighted the lack of accreditation for Ukrainian emission verifiers by the European Commission, the unrefined reporting procedures, and the shortage of relevant documentation regarding CBAM.

"On one hand, government representatives recognize the inevitability of the consequences. On the other hand, throughout the entire negotiation process, the negotiating group has not developed a sufficient position with the European Commission regarding CBAM. The Ukrainian government is turning a blind eye to the lack of accreditation for Ukrainian emission verifiers by the European Commission. Moreover, a refined reporting procedure is still missing. All of the above leads export-oriented industries towards destruction," said Tsyganok.

In the expert's opinion, the situation is critical.

"Overall, evaluating the situation regarding CBAM, we can already sound the alarm – Ukrainian Euro-integration officials are making commitments and voicing promises. But it is unclear who will fulfill them: there are neither implementation algorithms, nor trained specialists, nor intentions (because all intentions should be backed by clear plans)," she stated.