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Ukraine

Environmental Public Monitoring (UA0066)

Overview

At-a-Glance

Action Plan: Ukraine Third National Action Plan 2016-2018

Action Plan Cycle: 2016

Status: Inactive

Institutions

Lead Institution: Ministry of the Environment, State Agency for Administration of the Exclusion Zone, Regional and Kyiv Municipal State administrations.

Support Institution(s): Civil society institutions and international organisations (by consent).

Policy Areas

Access to Information, Environment and Climate, Open Data, Public Service Delivery

IRM Review

IRM Report: Ukraine End-of-Term Report 2016-2018, Ukraine Mid-Term Report 2016-2018

Starred: No

Early Results: Did Not Change

Design i

Verifiable: Yes

Relevant to OGP Values: Access to Information , Technology

Potential Impact:

Implementation i

Completion:

Description

Event: Introduction of public monitoring of the state of the environment.; Implementation timeframe: 2016-2018; Entities responsible: Ministry of the Environment, State Agency for Administration of the Exclusion Zone, Regional and Kyiv Municipal State administrations; Partners: Civil society institutions and international organisations (by consent).; Expected results: Ensuring the: Creation of an open list of the largest polluters in the regions as part of the development of a national automated environmental data system. Creation of an electronic system for monitoring radiation safety and environmental threats.

IRM End of Term Status Summary

10. Introduce public monitoring of the state of the environment

Commitment Text:

Introduction of public monitoring of the state of the environment.

Expected results: Creation of an open list of the largest polluters in the regions as part of the development of a national automated environmental data system. Creation of an electronic system for monitoring radiation safety and environmental threats.

Responsible institutions: Ministry of the Environment, State Agency for Administration of the Exclusion Zone, Regional and Kyiv Municipal State administrations.

Supporting institutions: Civil society institutions and international organizations (by consent).

Start date: December 2016..                                     End date: August 2018

Commitment Aim:

This commitment aims to introduce a public monitoring system of the state of the environment in Ukraine. It would provide a transparent mechanism to monitor the enviornment and keep residents informed about enivronment issues and dangers in their regions. This commitment seeks to create an open list of the largest polluters in the regions as part of the development of a national automated environmental data system. It would also create an electronic system for monitoring radiation safety and environmental threats.

Status

Midterm: Limited

By the end of the first year of the action plan, the government delivered the first expected result. On 4 July 2017, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources published a list of the top 100 national polluters on its website. [178] The list identified polluters based on one of three categories of pollution: water, air, and industrial waste. Experts from environmental civil society groups criticized the methodology used to acquire the data, as well as the quality and timeliness of the data. Authorities agreed that the information on ecological pollution remained incomplete. The data portal and monitoring system were at the stage of the basic conceptual design. The three published, publicly accessible environmental datasets [179], [180], [181] present the above-mentioned list in an open data (.xls and .csv) format. However, the government has not integrated the datasets into a single, automatic system. For more information, please see the 2016–2018 IRM midterm report. [182]

End of term: Limited

Although the ministry announced that it updates the datasets annually, [183] as of the end of September 2018, the latest available data was from July 2017. Relatedly, the ministry noted insufficient information and communication technology infrastructure, the lack of institutional capacity, and inefficient coordination of activities related to collecting and structuring ecological information, especially in digital format. The ministry admitted that its methodology was imperfect, as each regional authority submitted the top five polluters in their regions. However, some regions contain more dangerous enterprises than others. The ministry recognized that, instead, the top 100 polluters should be identified nationwide. [184] Considering this, in 2018, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) developed a new methodology for the evaluation of ecological threats. It also developed an integral indicator of negative effect on environment. This indicator includes (1) a potential ecological threat of a facility; (2) a facility’s actual negative impact on environment (in the form of emissions, discharges, waste generation, and waste management); and (3) the current pollution rate of territories (including soils, water surface and underground objects, and the level of damage to the local biosystem). [185] To apply this methodology, in 2018, MENR delegated the monitoring of polluters to a research institution implementing a research project for public funds. [186]

On 28 March 2018 the Cabinet of Ministers adopted decree #244-p. This decree constituted the government’s action plan for 2018. [187] It included the development of a nationwide automated system, Open Environment. The government action plan entails drafting and adopting the relevant concept paper, action plan, and terms of reference for Open Environment. It also calls for a trial operation of several modules of Open Environment by the end of 2018. The government planned for Open Environment to form a digital geo-information infrastructure for the protection of environment and a centralized electronic system for managing ecological information. MENR informed the IRM researcher that it has developed the concept paper on the automated system Open Environment. On 23 July 2018 it received legal approval from the Ministry of Justice, and on 7 September 2018 it submitted the paper to the Cabinet of Ministers for review and adoption. [188] An expert on ecological transparency from civil society confirmed that the government developed the concept paper and that it conforms to European Union regulations. [189]

Various agencies and volunteer projects conduct the monitoring. For instance, on 6 July 2018 the State Agency of Water Resources presented a jointly developed interactive map of river pollution in Ukraine. [190] The ministry envisions this tool as becoming part of the future Open Environment system. This Clear Water map visualizes the pollution of the six biggest rivers in Ukraine to a high precision. [191] An ecologist and civic activist explained that the map demonstrates water pollution by 16 parameters, according to data from 445 locations. [192] The State Agency for Administration of the Exclusion Zone conducts air pollution monitoring exclusively in the contaminated zone. [193]

Did It Open Government?

Access to Information: Did Not Change

At the beginning of the action plan, despite the efforts of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, there existed no transparent mechanism for monitoring the environment in Ukraine. The available information was limited or outdated. For example, publicly accessible pollution data was significantly out of date. Therefore, the government took on the commitment to introduce public monitoring mechanisms. Specifically, it sought to publish an online, open list of the largest polluting industries by region and to develop a national, automated data system to track environmental indicators. The government designed this system to be paired with an electronic system to monitor spikes in unsafe radiation, as well as other environmental threats. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources published the top 100 polluters (up top five polluters in each monitored oblast) and drafted a concept paper of the automated system Open Environment. However, the government has published the lists of top 100 polluters in previous years, [194], [195], [196] and the concept paper has not been adopted by the government yet. Thus, there has been no significant change in government policy on the issue.

Carried Forward?

Given the relevance of this topic in Ukraine, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources should develop and launch the automated system Open Environment. It should present detailed, disaggregated information on air, water, and industrial waste pollution, and radiation contamination in an open data format, with visualization.

[178] “Information about Objects, Which Are the Biggest Atmosphere Polluters,” Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, https://menr.gov.ua/files/docs/news/TOP_100.pdf.

[179] “The List of the Biggest Environmental Polluters in Ukraine—Considering Air Pollution,” Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, 13 July 2017, https://menr.gov.ua/news/31570.html.

[180] “The List of the Biggest Environmental Polluters in Ukraine—Considering Water Pollution,” Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, 14 July 2017, https://menr.gov.ua/news/31574.html.

[181] “The List of the Biggest Environmental Polluters in Ukraine—Considering Industrial Waste,” Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, 14 July 2017, https://menr.gov.ua/news/31575.html.

[182] “Ukraine Mid-Term Report 2016–2018,” Open Government Partnership, https://www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/ukraine-mid-term-report-2016-2018-year-1/.

[183] “Information about Objects, Which Are the Biggest Atmosphere Polluters,” Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, http://data.gov.ua/passport/b348d687-40d6-4039-b346-171096fc6101.

[184] Dmytro Bulyka (Ministry of Ecology of Ukraine), email exchange with IRM researcher, 14 September 2018.

[185] Ibid.

[186] Ibid.

[187] “Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The Decree on 28 March 2018 #244-p, The Government Portal,” Unified Web-Portal of Executive Authorities of Ukraine, https://www.kmu.gov.ua/ua/npas/pro-zatverdzhennya-planu-prioritetnih-dij-uryadu-na-2018-rik.

[188] Dmytro Bulyka (Ministry of Ecology of Ukraine), email exchange with IRM researcher, 14 September 2018.

[189] Antonina Yerysheva (Civic Energy), interview with IRM researcher, 16 August 2018.

[190] “‘Clear Water’: The Online Map of River Pollution in Ukraine Was Presented,” the Government Portal, Unified Web-Portal of Executive Authorities of Ukraine, https://www.kmu.gov.ua/ua/news/chista-voda-prezentovano-onlajn-kartu-zabrudnenosti-richok-v-ukrayini.

[191] Clear Water, http://texty.org.ua/water/.

[192] Antonina Yerysheva (Civic Energy), interview with IRM researcher, 16 August 2018.

[193] Ibid.

[194] “Top Environmental Polluters in Ukraine Have Been Announced,” Ukrainian Pravda, 21 July 2006, https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2006/07/21/3133304/.

[195] “Top Environmental Polluters in Dnipropetrovsk Region in 2007,” Ukrrudprom, 15 February 2008, http://www.ukrrudprom.com/digest/dfdsaqw150208.html.

[196] “Top Environmental Polluters Need to Be Known,” Sivershchyna, 7 February 2011, https://siver.com.ua/news/najbilshi_nashi_zabrudnjuvachi_jikh_varto_znati/2011-02-07-7066.

Commitments

  1. Expand budget transparency system

    UA0087, 2020, Anti-Corruption

  2. Transparency of public assets

    UA0088, 2020, Access to Information

  3. Create general education distance learning system

    UA0089, 2020, E-Government

  4. Open Science

    UA0090, 2020, Access to Information

  5. Online platform for patents and innovation

    UA0091, 2020, Capacity Building

  6. Audit of beneficial ownership register

    UA0092, 2020, Anti-Corruption

  7. Expand uses for e-democracy platform

    UA0093, 2020, Access to Information

  8. Electronic system for transparency in extractive industries

    UA0094, 2020, Anti-Corruption

  9. Establish National Centre for Open Data Competence

    UA0095, 2020, Access to Information

  10. Digital accessibility for persons with disabilities

    UA0096, 2020, E-Government

  11. Increasing youth participation in policy

    UA0097, 2020, Capacity Building

  12. Publish information related to road system

    UA0098, 2020, E-Government

  13. Register for infrastructure contract information

    UA0099, 2020, Anti-Corruption

  14. Publish gender-disaggregated open data

    UA0100, 2020, Access to Information

  15. Infrastructure Data Portal

    UA0070, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  16. Open Standard for e-System

    UA0071, 2018, E-Government

  17. Ensuring Openness and Transparency of Selling Public Assets and Property

    UA0072, 2018, E-Government

  18. Transparency in Public Procurement (Prozorro)

    UA0073, 2018, Access to Information

  19. Awarenss Raising About Social and Economic Development

    UA0074, 2018, Aid

  20. e-Calls for Proposals to Support CSOs

    UA0075, 2018, Civic Space

  21. Beneficial Ownership Registry

    UA0076, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  22. Anti-Corruption Training

    UA0077, 2018, Anti-Corruption

  23. Publishing Environmental Information

    UA0078, 2018, E-Government

  24. Database of Natural Resources

    UA0079, 2018, Access to Information

  25. Interactive Map of Mines

    UA0080, 2018, E-Government

  26. Priority Electronic Services

    UA0081, 2018, Citizenship & Immigration

  27. Online Platform for Executive Bodies and CSOs

    UA0082, 2018, Civic Space

  28. EITI Online Data

    UA0083, 2018, Access to Information

  29. Electronic Resources for Education

    UA0084, 2018, Access to Information

  30. Online Verification of Education Certificates

    UA0085, 2018, E-Government

  31. Free Access to National Repository for Academic Texts

    UA0086, 2018, E-Government

  32. Administrative Service Decentrilisation and Improvement

    UA0057, 2016, Capacity Building

  33. United State Portal Extension; Electronic Government Information Services Unification; Modern Tools for Electronic Identification

    UA0058, 2016, Capacity Building

  34. System for Entities Performing Government Functions

    UA0059, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  35. Free Urban Planning Documentation

    UA0060, 2016, E-Government

  36. Beneficial Ownership Verification System

    UA0061, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  37. CoST Beneficial Ownership Standards

    UA0062, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  38. Transpartent Budget System

    UA0063, 2016,

  39. Starred commitment Open Public Procurement

    UA0064, 2016, Access to Information

  40. Starred commitment Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

    UA0065, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  41. Environmental Public Monitoring

    UA0066, 2016, Access to Information

  42. Community Policing System

    UA0067, 2016, Education

  43. Draft Law on Public Consultations

    UA0068, 2016, Legislation & Regulation

  44. Development of E-Democracy.

    UA0069, 2016, Anti-Corruption

  45. Improve Government Rules on CSO Involvement

    UA0031, 2014, E-Government

  46. Financing of Charities

    UA0032, 2014, Civic Space

  47. Not-For-Profit Status for CSOs

    UA0033, 2014, Civic Space

  48. Public Participation Law

    UA0034, 2014, E-Government

  49. Establishing Rules on Processing Official Information

    UA0035, 2014, Access to Information

  50. Access to Urban Planning Documents

    UA0036, 2014, E-Government

  51. Starred commitment Access to Communist-Era Archives

    UA0037, 2014, Legislation & Regulation

  52. Starred commitment Draft Law on Open Data

    UA0038, 2014, Access to Information

  53. Starred commitment Supervisory Mechanism for the Right to Information

    UA0039, 2014, Access to Information

  54. Compliance with EITI

    UA0040, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  55. Monitoring of Infrastructure Projects

    UA0041, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  56. Adopt Regional Anti-Corruption Programmes

    UA0042, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  57. Corruption Risk Assessment Methodology

    UA0043, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  58. Starred commitment Asset Disclosure on a Single Web Portal

    UA0044, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  59. Law on Administrative Procedure

    UA0045, 2014, Legislation & Regulation

  60. Law on Streamlining Payment of Administrative Fees

    UA0046, 2014, E-Government

  61. Administrative Services Portal

    UA0047, 2014, Access to Information

  62. Draft Law on Decentralisation of Administrative Services

    UA0048, 2014, Legislation & Regulation

  63. Draft Law on Social Services

    UA0049, 2014, E-Government

  64. e-Government Laws

    UA0050, 2014, E-Government

  65. Electronic Readiness Assessment

    UA0051, 2014, E-Government

  66. Government Regulations on Open Data

    UA0052, 2014, Access to Information

  67. Electronic Democracy Development Roadmap

    UA0053, 2014, Anti-Corruption

  68. Open Budget Initiatives

    UA0054, 2014, Access to Information

  69. e-Petitions

    UA0055, 2014, Access to Justice

  70. e-Governance Training for Local Government

    UA0056, 2014, Capacity Building

  71. Laws on Public Participation

    UA0001, 2012, Civic Space

  72. Amendments to the Law on Community Associations

    UA0002, 2012, Civic Space

  73. Amendments to Resolutions on Collaboration with Civil Society

    UA0003, 2012, E-Government

  74. Training for Public Servants on Consultations

    UA0004, 2012, Capacity Building

  75. Harmonisation of Access to Information Laws

    UA0005, 2012, Access to Information

  76. By-Laws on Access to Information

    UA0006, 2012, Access to Information

  77. Guidelines for Classifying Data

    UA0007, 2012, Public Participation

  78. Public Information Recording Systems

    UA0008, 2012,

  79. Law on Public Broadcasting

    UA0009, 2012, Civic Space

  80. Public Access to Information in State Registers

    UA0010, 2012, E-Government

  81. Starred commitment Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

    UA0011, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  82. Law for Controlling Declarations of Public Servants

    UA0012, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  83. Public Declarations of Officials’ Assets

    UA0013, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  84. Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest

    UA0014, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  85. Updated Anti-Corruption Laws

    UA0015, 2012, E-Government

  86. Regional Anti-Corruption Programmes

    UA0016, 2012, E-Government

  87. Law on Competitive e-Government Procurement

    UA0017, 2012, Anti-Corruption

  88. Starred commitment Administrative Services Reforms

    UA0018, 2012, E-Government

  89. Electronic Access to Administrative Services

    UA0019, 2012, E-Government

  90. Governmental Web Portal of Administrative Services

    UA0020, 2012, E-Government

  91. Administrative Services in a Digital Format

    UA0021, 2012,

  92. Starred commitment Regional Administrative Service Centres

    UA0022, 2012,

  93. Programme for Promotion of e-Government

    UA0023, 2012, E-Government

  94. Electronic Collaboration Between Executive Agencies

    UA0024, 2012,

  95. Web-Based Petitions System

    UA0025, 2012, E-petitions

  96. One Stop Shop for e-Reporting

    UA0026, 2012, E-Government

  97. e-Region Pilot Project

    UA0027, 2012, E-Government

  98. Network of e-Government Practitioners

    UA0028, 2012, Public Participation

  99. Public Libraries as Bridges Towards e-Governance

    UA0029, 2012, E-Government

  100. e-Government Knowledge Management Portal

    UA0030, 2012,

Open Government Partnership