By Ievgeniia Kopytsia
28 September 2024
On September 26, 2024, I had the honor of moderating the panel discussion “Legal Protection of the Environment in the Context of War, Post-War Reconstruction and European Integration of Ukraine” at the VIII Kharkiv International Legal Forum, co-funded by the EU within the MSCA4Ukraine project Resilient Climate Law (RESClimLaw).
This event convened leading experts, practitioners, and public figures to address the unprecedented environmental and legal challenges Ukraine faces amid the ongoing war and on its path towards European integration.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
New Environmental Law Doctrine Needed
The war has exposed critical gaps in Ukraine’s environmental law. Experts agreed on the urgent need for a doctrine capable of addressing human-induced environmental crises-armed conflict, industrial disasters, and emergencies that threaten people and ecosystems
Accountability and Compensation for Ecocide
Legal responsibility for ecocide and environmental crimes is crucial. Panelists discussed mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring compensation for environmental and climate damage, including loss of ecosystem services
Green Recovery Is Essential
Post-war ecological restoration is complex. Recovery must integrate climate and biodiversity goals from the outset; delaying green measures increases costs, reduces effectiveness, and risks slowing EU accession
Fulfilling European Integration Commitments
Ukraine’s EU integration brings obligations and opportunities for legal innovation. Aligning Ukrainian law with EU standards is key for sustainable recovery and resilience
All these urgent questions are at the core of my research project, Resilient Climate Law (RESClimLaw), at the University of Genoa. Here’s what I’m working on-and why it matters now more than ever:
How do we know if our laws can withstand the next big shock? I’m developing a Climate Resilience Index-a tool to measure how ready our legal systems are to protect the environment, even when the world turns upside down. Finally, I want to give policymakers a practical roadmap: how to write laws that don’t fall apart in a crisis, but adapt and endure.
This means embedding resilience into every rule, from climate targets to compensation mechanisms, so we’re never caught unprepared again.
Why This Matters Now
The war in Ukraine has shown that environmental protection cannot be an afterthought-even in times of crisis. Instead, resilient legal frameworks are essential for safeguarding our natural resources, supporting sustainable recovery, and fulfilling our international commitments.
Moderating this panel reinforced my belief that legal innovation and resilience are not just academic concepts-they are urgent necessities for Ukraine and beyond. The insights and discussions from this event will directly inform the ongoing development of the RESClimLaw project, helping to shape a legal system that is robust, adaptable, and ready to meet the challenges of our time.