Eco-Ukraine
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First Credit Union Helps Low-Income Odesa Residents Meter Their Water
(06/24/2008)
As of June 2008, about 4,000 low-income residents of Odesa have installed new water meters to accurately measure their water usage. A joint program with the Odesa City Council and First Credit Union helped the residents buy the meters interest-free and pay for them in installments. Water meters help ensure that residents pay only for the water they use and avoid overcharges or communal use charges. Implemented since 2006, this program helps provide equal opportunities for modern technology and to save money each month on participants' water bills. Pensioners, people with disabilities and people with low-paying jobs are participating in the program. Please click here for more information about this program and other social initiatives of First Credit Union (in Russian).
Lviv will invest 1.3 million UAH in the local environment this year
(06/19/2008)
The Lviv government will invest 1.3 million UAH in the city's environment. The investment will fund a mobile ecological laboratory to control environmental pollution control and improved natural areas and green zones, such as lakes and parks. Click here for more information (in Ukrainian).
Ukrainian Government Supports State Funding to Improve the Environmental Situation in Zaporizhzhia.
(6/17/2008)
The government will increase its support of environmental programs in Zaporizhzhia oblast, according to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. The local government is tasked with deciding how to spend the additional funds to address the most critical needs first.
Click here for more information.
Ukraine to Increase Production of Raw Materials for Bio-Fuels
(6/17/2008)
Ukraine will boost production of raw material for bio-fuel while ensuring effective crop rotation, according to Agriculture Minister Yuriy Melnyk. A package of draft laws on agro-industrial support already submitted to the government includes legislation that increases responsibility for restoring soil fertility.
Click here for more information.
Ukrainian Pivdennyi Port Gains International Environmental Certificate
(6/17/2008)
Pivdennyi Sea Commercial Port in Odesa obalst earned an international certificate for meeting international standards in environmental management (ISO 14001: 2004). According to the port press-service, the document was issued based on the results of an audit conducted by a regional department of Bureau Veritas.
Click here for more information on this acheivement.
ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih Ecological Initiatives
(6/17/2008)
ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih's corporate newspaper, "Metalurg," dedicated its June 5 issue to World Environment Day. The special issue informs stakeholders and the public how ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih incorporates environmentally friendly practices and plans for the near future, including providing facts and figures on environmental standards and local tree planting initiatives and their Ecological Knowledge Management Program for staff worldwide to discuss policy and share best practices. Please click here to receive additional information.
UN Global Compact in Ukraine Launches "Go Green" Initiative
(6/10/2008)
On July 3, The UN Global Compact in Ukraine will launch their "Go Green" Declaration and present the global "Caring for Climate" initiative as business and civil society leaders sign public declarations of commitment to environmental protection. The national "Go Green" campaign will raise public awareness for environmental issues at public events and initiate national policy dialogue to get stakeholders involved in policy discussions. Activities include Dniepr "Clean Up" weekends for corporate volunteers groups, a national survey on climate change, meetings and conferences. For more information, click here.
Eco Writing Contest for Journalists
(6/03/2007)
The British Embassy in Ukraine and Internews Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to media development, announced a joint contest for journalists to cover energy efficiency and climate change issues in Ukraine. Organizers invite journalists to submit news clips published or broadcast between June 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008 that cover energy conservation technology or problems caused by climate change. The deadline for submissions is August 4, 2008. For more information please click here (in Ukrainian).
SUN InBev Ukraine and Chernigivske launch "Together for a Clean Town!" in Kyiv
(5/27/2008)
At Kyiv's Hryshko National Botanic Gardens, beverage companies SUN InBev Ukraine and Chernigivske presented "Together for a Clean Town!" part of their "Better World" global initiative. The companies installed over 50 gazebos, benches made from sustainable materials and additional trash receptacles. This program is aimed at increasing public awareness of individual environmental responsibility and nature conservation while reducing the environmental impact of visitors to the botanic gardens. Please click here to learn more (in Ukrainian).
International charitable organization Environment People Law Announces Tender
"Utilization of Toxic Pesticides on the Territory of Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, in the Transboundary Basin of the Rivers San and Western Bug"
In conjunction with realization of the Project we invite Ukrainian and foreign enterprises to take part in a tender on the purchase of services in packaging and utilization of pesticides on territory of the L’viv region.
Environment People Law began began a project with the L’viv Oblast Department of Environmental Protection and the State Environmental Inspection of L’viv Oblast, sponsored by the European Commission within the framework of the Neighborhood Program Poland-Belarus-Ukraine INTERREG IIIA/TACIS CBC/.
Ukrainian Mines Will Convert to Wind Power with Aid from Anonymous Foreign Investor
Ostrov News Service
(posted 5/20/2008)
The Ministry of Coal Industry announced that it will install wind-power stations at its mines says Ostrov news service, the Research Center of Donbass Social Perspectives.
Coal Industry Minister Viktor Poltavets discussed the proposition to run coal mines on alternative energy sources during an industry meeting. Foreign invstment may include delivery, installation and operation of the wind-driven devices with aggregate power of 1500 mW. The investor will stay anonymous until the official documents are signed.
Denmark to Help Ukraine Implement Modern Technologies in Housing and Public Utilities Ukrinform
(posted 5/20/2008)
Denmark will help Ukraine in implementing modern technologies in housing and public utilities. This became possible after signing of a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between Ukraine's Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities and the Danish Bureau of Local Heating. Ukrainian experts will study the Danish experience to enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy development, addressing waste processing problems, water drain purification, renewable energy sources use (bio-energy, wind and tidal power electric generators, apartment water heating units). Click here for more information.
EBRD Announces Energy Efficiency Winners in Ukraine
(posted 5/20/2008)
On May 17th, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s UKEEP (Ukrainian Energy Efficiency Program) announced the winners of its Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards during its annual meeting in Kyiv: Ivano-FrankivskCement, Tsyurupinsk Paper Mill (Kherson region) and Saltovsky Bakery (Kharkiv region). UKEEP is a credit facility developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), targeting Ukrainian private companies in all sectors looking to invest in energy efficiency or renewable energy projects – investments that will decrease energy consumption, increase own energy production or make energy usage more efficient. UKEEP provides free technical assistance by international energy efficiency consultants for companies with project ideas that are eligible for UKEEP financing. The awards were announced in connection with the EBRD Annual Meeting in Kiev May 17-20. Click here for more information.
EBRD also held a special session on CSR at the meeting. Click here for more information on that panel discussion.
Employees of Interdean International Relocation Company Lake Telbin Area
(posted 5/14/2008)
On April 19, fifteen employees of Interdean International Relocation company volunteered their time to clean the territory near the Lake Telbin in Kyiv, near where the majority of the company's Kyiv-based staff live. Equipped with shovels, rakes and trash bags, the volunteers picked up over 60 large bags of trash from along the lakeside in four hours. Interdean supplied transportation to carry the bags to a local landfill. Olexandr Sikorsky, CEO of Interdean Kyiv office, said that about 200 volunteers would be needed to thoroughly clean the territory.
First Biofuel Station Opens in Chernivtsi
(posted 5/14/2008)
Energy Strategies and Biotechnologies biofuel station has opened in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, according to LIGABusinessInform. This is reportedly the first biofuel station in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. The new station sells two kinds of motor fuel made of biomaterial: the Bio-100 analog of high-octane gasoline, and biodiesel fuel. Moldova will supply fuel in the initial stages of the project. Eventually production will take place in Ukraine. By the end of 2008, about 10 biofuel stations are expected to appear in the country. Please click here for more information (in Ukrainian).
Kharkiv Plant Growing Institute Hopes to Produce Motor Oil from Sunflower Seeds (posted (posted 5/14/2008)
The Yuriev Plant Growing Institute in Kharkiv, Eastern Ukraine, part of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences, is working with Kharkiv's Vasylenko National Technical University, to start developing technology to produce motor oil from sunflower seeds. The technology is based on a special species of sunflower with 12% of stearin, which is grown at the Institute. The project receives funding from the Institute's business side. Under preliminary findings, the oil is good for KAMAZ trucks. The government declared the Institute to be the coordinator and supervisor of the state program to develop the production of bio-material and biofuel in Ukraine. Please click here for additional information.
British American Tobacco Plants Seeds in Pryluky
(posted 5/13/2008)
On April 19, about 60 employees of the British American Tobacco Kyiv office and Pryluky Tobacco Factory joined the Ichnyansky National Natural Park staff to clean the park and plant over 30,000 pine trees seeds. The volunteers also built a rest place dedicated to Earth Day, which is held every year on April 22. The event was conducted in the framework of BAT's EcoKrok, an environmental project launched in 2007. Please click here for additional information (in UKrainian).
(posted 5/13/2008)
On April 19, about 60 employees of the British American Tobacco Kyiv office and Pryluky Tobacco Factory joined the Ichnyansky National Natural Park staff to clean the park and plant over 30,000 pine trees seeds. The volunteers also built a rest place dedicated to Earth Day, which is held every year on April 22. The event was conducted in the framework of BAT's EcoKrok, an environmental project launched in 2007. Please click here for additional information (in UKrainian).
April 2008
Olympus and U.N. Announce Environmental Photography Competition
The United Nations in Ukraine and Olympus, a leading camera company, announced a national photography contest for the public, “Addressing Climate Change – Caring for our Planet.” In partnership with the Ministry of Environment of Ukraine and with support from Olympus, this photography contest will raise awareness of the importance of addressing climate change challenges and promoting responsible attitudes towards the environment among decision-makers and the general public. The deadline to submit photos is May 20, 2008. Please click here for requirements and additional information.
Hyundai Motors Ukraine Plants Trees Across Ukraine
On April 14, Hyundai Motors Ukraine launched its new "Green Space of Hyundai" initiative to help improve Ukraine's environment by planting 911 trees in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk oblast. During 2008, Hyundai Motors Ukraine will plant 6,000 trees in the six most environmentally critical regions, including Kirovohrad, Melitopol (Zaporizhzia oblast), Alchevsk (Luhansk oblast), Makeevka (Donetsk oblast) and Kremenchug (Poltava oblast). Please click here for more information (in Russian).
Nadra Bank Implements “Green Office” Initiative
Nadra Bank has developed and implemented a “Green Office” program to reduce environmental impact in their daily operations. Nadra bank uses ecologically clean paper, including recycled paper, and collects used office paper which then is transferred to recycling centers. Its offices are outfitted with special non-hazardous office equipment and furniture, energy efficient lamps, clean air conditioning systems, and recyclable paper products instead of plastic dishes. Nadra Bank encourages everyone to join their initiative and adopt environmentally-friendly strategies in the workplace. Please click here for more information.
Zaporizhzhia Environmental Partnership Project Launches Advocacy Website
The Zaporizhzhia Environmental Partnership Project launched its project web site at www.ecohealth.zp.ua with support from the Zaporizhzhia municipality and the World Bank. The new website will increase public awareness of environmental issues and influence how they are addressed. Recognizing the strong commitment of oblast and city authorities to address current environmental problems, the World Bank provides technical assistance to Zaporizhzhia oblast to improve the local environmental situation. The objective of the Project is to initiate and catalyze a series of steps that will lead to a reduction in pollution levels, thereby improving human health and the business environment, and share the experiences more broadly in an endeavor to scale up impacts in other regions and nationally. Please click here for more information.
March 2008
Ukrainian-American Environmental Association to Host Panel Discussion on Environmental Opportunities in Ukraine
On March 19, the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association will conduct a panel discussion on environmental opportunities in Ukraine for American businesses. Co-sponsored by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and The Washington Group, the panel discussion will examine investment opportunities in energy efficient and renewable energy projects in Ukraine according to the Kyoto Protocol. Panelists including Brian Castelli, CEO of the Alliance to Save Energy; John Palmisano, chairman of IE3; Rich Rosenzweig, COO of Natsource and Ken Bossong, Co-Director of the Ukrainian-American Environmental Association will review opportunities to reduce energy waste in Ukraine's major end-use energy sectors as well as the status and near-term potential for developing Ukraine's solar, wind, biomass/biofuels, small hydro, geothermal, and coal-mine methane resources. This event will be broadcast live online in English. For more information or to register to watch, online, please click here.
February 2008
TNK-BP Announces Environmentally Friendly Competition
On February 20, TNK-BP Commerce and the British Council announced a joint competition to promote "Ecologically-Friendly Horticulture in a Changing Climate Environment." The online competition (www.ukraineinbloom.net) targets amateur gardeners, professional designers and horticulture centers to display new opportunities in gardening in our changing environment, reflecting gardening's personal and societal benefits and its role in preventing global warming. Contestants will present their skills on May 18 during an "Ecologically Friendly Gardening" presentation, where guests will select the finalists. Winners will go to Great Britain for the Tatton Park Flower Show in July 2008. TNK-BP supports this ecological initiative as its priority area in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Click here for more information (in Russian).
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