Ukrainian youth demands green energy transition during
Ukraine Recovery Conference
Press release
Berlin, Germany
11.06.2024
Berlin, Germany, is co-hosting this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference on 11 and 12 June 2024, which aims to bring together leaders from governments, international organisations, the private sector and civil society. Young Ukrainian climate activists from Rozviy, a feminist climate organization, and United Action, a transnational queer solidarity collective, held a youth-led protest venue to denounce the poor inclusion of civil society.
Through their speeches, climate and political activists from Ukraine, Germany and Ireland expressed their concern that recovery talks may be held in the interest of large international industries that prioritise profit over the well-being of local communities. They emphasised that while green transition and clean energy were on the agenda this year, there is a risk that rather than genuine intentions for a sustainable rebuilding effort, global leaders will use the imperative for this critically needed transformation as a greenwashing strategy for Ukraine’s economic exploitation at the cost of a fragile environment.
“Global biodiversity is in a crisis, putting human security at risk and that includes that of Ukraine, which makes up over a third of European biodiversity. Yet at this conference, they talk about recovering energy security through recovering fossil fuel, especially gas extraction in Ukraine. As young people, we urge our allies not to give our future away to the destructive fossil fuel industry. Ukraine is fighting for a sustainable future for Europe, without climate injustice perpetrated by climate deniers like Russia and the far-right across the globe.” said Viktoriya Ball, 24, Ukrainian climate and health researcher and co-founder of Rozviy.
“We demand that renewable energy will be the power that drives the reconstruction of our country. Any fossil fuels should no longer be a priority for business and enterprise development. Only clean, green energy. As young people, we want to be included in this transition to a more resilient energy system. This means we need to be supported with more internships and retraining of our workers to green jobs,” said Violeta Basenko, 17, climate activist and writer.
“Women are often doing much invisible work that is taken for granted, when instead their efforts must be recognised and adequately supported by the state and international partners. Despite their immense contributions to Ukraine’s resilience, women are met with gender stereotypes, discrimination, unfair pay and many other obstacles to be included. Recovery plans must include concrete action to promote gender equity in all investments, projects and legislation. It's about both building a society based on justice, but also innovation,” said Valeriia Bondarieva, 22, feminist climate justice activist and co-founder of Rozviy.
“The rebuilding of Ukraine is not just a task for today but a long-term commitment that will be realized and faced by future generations, including today’s youth and children. Our involvement is not just beneficial; it is essential. The decisions made now will shape our futures. We will be the workers, leaders, and citizens who implement and sustain these efforts. Ensuring our active participation now will help create a resilient and sustainable Ukraine,” said Vladyslava Letii, 15, school student and climate activist.
“As Ukrainians, as queers, we cannot ignore the violence on our land. We know that the destruction and pollution caused by explosions and missiles is affecting marginalised groups the most. At the same time, we stand together with all colonised people and demand justice for all because as human beings we are deeply connected to the land and each other. We stand together with climate justice activists because this issue is intertwined with the right to be free on our land” said Marichka Salan, political organiser from United Action.
"Today's agenda at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) made the need clear: we must fast-track Ukraine's integration into the European energy market and scale up renewable energy investments, and we need this done now. Sanctioning Russian fossil fuels, a topic that wasn’t discussed today, remains crucial to drying up Putin's war chest, crippling Russia's brutal war campaign, and securing European energy stability. Together, we will forge a resilient, energy-independent Ukraine and a safer Europe for all," said Svitlana Romanko, director of Razom We Stand, who supported the action.
The action was also attended by representatives of Ukrainian civil society organisations like Ecoclub, who are actively involved in collaborative work with local communities across Ukraine to equip them with the tools to implement renewable energy projects to ensure their energy security in the face of power outages caused by Russia’s attacks. This includes installing solar panels for hospitals and water pumps that reduce pollution but also save energy costs that can then be reinvested in modernising critical infrastructure. Now what is needed is sustainable and socially just investment that recognises a green recovery as a priority for European security.
Contact person:
Valeriia Bondarieva
+380956337011 (WhatsApp/Signal)