Environmental Assessment and Recovery Priorities for Eastern Ukraine

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Environmental Assessment and Recovery Priorities for Eastern Ukraine ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY PRIORITIES FOR EASTERN UKRAINE 1 © Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, 2017 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE IN EASTERN UKRAINE AND RECOVERY PRIORITIES This publication has been prepared under the project “Assessment of Environmental Damage in Eastern Ukraine,” implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine with financial support from the Governments of Austria and Canada and in cooperation with Zoï Environment Network (Switzerland). Project coordination: Alla Yushchuk, Iryna Loik, Yaroslav Yurtsaba. Text: Nickolai Denisov and Dmytro Averin, with contributions from Alla Yushchuk, Viktor Yermakov, Oleh Ulytskyi, Pavlo Bystrov, Serhii Zibtsev, Serhii Chumachenko, Yurii Nabyvanets. This publication uses materials taken from desk and field studies performed under the project “Assessment of Environmental Damage in Eastern Ukraine”. The authors would like to thank the participants of the working meeting, held in Kyiv on 4 September 2017, which discussed the priorities of environmental safety and the future of environmental rehabilitation in Eastern Ukraine, for providing information, comments, and proposals. Reviewers: Viktor Karamushka, Director of the Department of Environmental Studies of the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Doug Weir, Toxic Remnants of War Project (UK), Laurent Nicole ACTA Conseils Sàrl (Switzerland). Photography: Yevhen Nadiarnyi, SD BAWR, depositphotos.com Artwork and design: Yuliia Madinova Environmental Assessment and Recovery Priorities for Eastern Ukraine. – Kyiv: VAITE, 2017. - 88 p. ISBN 978-966-2310-87-0 The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine strives to ensure accuracy and completeness of this publication; however, the opinions, conclusions, interpretations, and deductions stated herein reflect the authors’ point of view and may not coincide with the official position of the OSCE and its member-states. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY PRIORITIES FOR EASTERN UKRAINE 4 CONTENTS LIST OF MAPS, GRAPHS, TABLES, BOXES AND ABBREVIATIONS.........................................................................................................................................6 FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 SUMMARY AND MAIN CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE ARMED CONFLICT IN EASTERN UKRAINE ��������������������������������������������17 What do we know about environmental issues in the conflict area? ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19 Direct pollution in the aftermath of the hostilities ................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Industrial pollution ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 Operational disruptions and flooding of mines ....................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Water supply, water disposal, and waste removal challenges ............................................................................................................................................ 53 Impact on land resources, ecosystems, flora, and fauna....................................................................................................................................................... 57 Decrease in environmental activities within the conflict area ............................................................................................................................................ 65 Environmental consequences outside the conflict area ....................................................................................................................................................... 68 PRIORITIES OF REDUCING ECOLOGICAL HAZARDS AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN EASTERN UKRAINE ���������������������69 (1) Yesterday: information and analysis ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 71 (2) Today: reducing ecological hazards from major sources ................................................................................................................................................ 72 (3) Tomorrow: restoring environmental activities in the region ........................................................................................................................................ 76 (4) Day after Tomorrow: environmental future of the Donbas ........................................................................................................................................... 80 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 81 NOTES ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 85 5 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY PRIORITIES FOR EASTERN UKRAINE LIST OF MAPS AND GRAPHS Location of soils and bottom sediments sampling sites .................................................................................................................................................27 Relative difference of soil pollution in conflict-affected areas vs. the background level ....................................................................................29 Monitoring locations for the multi-year analysis of surface water quality ...............................................................................................................33 Incidents and disruptions at industrial facilities during 2014-2017 ...........................................................................................................................38 Changes in air quality near Luhansk Power Plant during 2014 hostilities ................................................................................................................39 Environmental risk assessment in the conflict area ..........................................................................................................................................................42 Flooding of mines in eastern Ukraine ....................................................................................................................................................................................47 Water level in coal mines flooding in the northern section of central Donbas ......................................................................................................48 Water level in coal mines flooding in the southern section of central Donbas ......................................................................................................48 Water level in the Pervomaisk group of coal mines flooding in the Luhansk Oblast ...........................................................................................49 Vulnerability of the underground aquifers of the Stakhanov – Pervomaisk mining and residential agglomeration ..............................50 Average fire density per administrative region of Ukraine and Russia within and outside of the conflict area during 2014 vegetation period ................................................................................................................................................................................................59 Fire density according to MODIS satellite data in July – August 2014 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������60 Seasonal variations in fire intensity in regions of eastern Ukraine in 2014 ..............................................................................................................61 Natural protected areas damaged during the conflict ....................................................................................................................................................62 6 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY PRIORITIES FOR EASTERN UKRAINE LIST OF TABLES Selected studies and overviews of environmental issues and priorities in eastern Ukraine ..........................................................................20 Summary results of the chemical analysis of soil composition .................................................................................................................................28
Recommended publications
  • Situation Overview: Winter Assessment of Government-Controlled Areas Within 5Km of the Line of Contact Ukraine, February 2018
    Situation Overview: Winter Assessment of Government-Controlled Areas within 5km of the Line of Contact Ukraine, February 2018 Introduction & Key Findings Population & Displacement Map 1: Assessed Settlements Shchastia The area along the LoC has a significant Trokhizbenka Artema Eastern Ukraine experiences harsh winters population of vulnerable groups including Krymske Petropavlivka Nyzhnoteple Staryi Aidar lasting from November to March, with Oriikhove Nyzhnie Kriakivka Stanytsia pensioners, internally displaced persons (IDPs) ² Peredilske Luhanska temperatures reaching below -20 degrees Donetsk GCA Zolote Hirske Makarove and returnees. This is as a result of the out- Komyshuvakha Valluiiske Celsius. Such extreme conditions impact migration of less vulnerable people with the Kateryniivka the humanitarian needs of populations living Popasna means and ability to live and work elsewhere. Vilkhove Myronivskyi Novozvanivka in conflict-affected areas due to increased Half of the displaced persons in the area along Svitlodarsk difficulty accessing services, damage to Semyhiria Troiitske the line of contact arrived in 2014, and have no Novoluhanske Kodema critical infrastructure affecting water and Ozarianivka plans to return to their area of origin (AoO) in Druzhba heating systems, and decreased availability Toretsk the foreseeable future due to security concerns, Pivnichne of nutritious foods. These issues are more political differences, or lack of accommodation. Zalizne NovhorodskeNovhoro ske pronounced along the line of contact (LoC) The
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine 16 May to 15 August 2018
    Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 May to 15 August 2018 Contents Page I. Executive summary .......................................................................................................................... 1 II. OHCHR methodology ...................................................................................................................... 3 III. Impact of hostilities .......................................................................................................................... 3 A. Conduct of hostilities and civilian casualties ............................................................................. 3 B. Situation at the contact line and rights of conflict-affected persons ............................................ 7 1. Right to restitution and compensation for use or damage of private property ..................... 7 2. Right to social security and social protection .................................................................... 9 3. Freedom of movement, isolated communities and access to basic services ...................... 10 IV. Right to physical integrity ............................................................................................................... 11 A. Access to detainees and places of detention ............................................................................ 11 B. Arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and abduction, torture and ill-treatment ............... 12 C. Situation
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Report 32/2021 10 February 20211
    - 1 - 1 Daily Report 32/2021 10 February 20211 Summary The SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 42 ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission recorded 40 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded five ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote. The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure and a transfer of funds. The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry- exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Bezimenne and on a road near non- government-controlled Korsun, Donetsk region.* Ceasefire violations2 Number of recorded ceasefire violations3 Number of recorded explosions4 1 Based on information from the Monitoring Teams as of 19:30, 9 February 2021. All times are in Eastern European Time. 2 For a complete breakdown of ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table. During the reporting period, the SMM camera in Petrivske was not operational, and weather conditions limited the observational capabilities of some of the other SMM cameras. 3 Including explosions. 4 Including from unidentified weapons. - 2 - Map of recorded ceasefire violations - 3 - In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations, including nine explosions (five undetermined and four outgoing, all of undetermined weapons), which occurred in areas on the north-western edge of Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk) and near the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) (15km north of Donetsk).
    [Show full text]
  • Peacekeepers in the Donbas JFQ 91, 4Th Quarter 2017 12 India to Lead the Mission
    Eastern Ukrainian woman, one of over 1 million internally displaced persons due to conflict, has just returned from her destroyed home holding all her possessions, on main street in Nikishino Village, March 1, 2015 (© UNHCR/Andrew McConnell) cal ploy; they have suggested calling Putin’s bluff. However, they also realize Peacekeepers the idea of a properly structured force with a clear mandate operating in support of an accepted peace agreement in the Donbas could offer a viable path to peace that is worth exploring.2 By Michael P. Wagner Putin envisions a limited deploy- ment of peacekeepers on the existing line of contact in Donbas to safeguard OSCE-SMM personnel.3 Such a plan ince the conflict in Ukraine September 5, 2017, when he proposed could be effective in ending the conflict began in 2014, over 10,000 introducing peacekeepers into Eastern and relieving immediate suffering, but it people have died in the fighting Ukraine to protect the Organiza- S could also lead to an open-ended United between Russian-backed separatists tion for Security and Co-operation in Nations (UN) commitment and make and Ukrainian forces in the Donbas Europe–Special Monitoring Mission long-term resolution more challenging. region of Eastern Ukraine. The Ukrai- to Ukraine (OSCE-SMM). Despite Most importantly, freezing the conflict nian government has repeatedly called halting progress since that time, restart- in its current state would solidify Russian for a peacekeeping mission to halt ing a peacekeeping mission remains an control of the separatist regions, enabling the bloodshed, so Russian President important opportunity.1 Many experts it to maintain pressure on Ukraine by Vladimir Putin surprised the world on remain wary and dismiss it as a politi- adjusting the intensity level as it de- sires.
    [Show full text]
  • Metinvest Today
    METINVEST SOCIAL REPORT 2009-2010 1 METINVEST'S CSR REPORT FOR 2009-10 HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING GUIDELINES OF THE GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE AND MEETS THE GRI'S B+ APPLICATION LEVEL 2 SOCIAL REPORT 2009-2010 METINVEST METINVEST SOCIAL REPORT 2009-2010 3 METINVEST AT GLANCE 2009-10 * STRONGER NEW GLOBAL №1 STRATEGIC PRESENCE Today Metinvest exports a large part of its IN THE TOP 100 output to more than 1,000 consumers in 75 UKRAINIAN BUSINESS PROSPECTS countries. Metinvest has approved a development strategy to 2020 Metinvest, is introducing quality-control and FOR MORE DETAILS, SEE PAGE 18 that targets long-term sustainable growth through the LEADERS RATING production-safety programmes at its PRODUCT QUALITY economic cycle. Each goal includes objectives for doing enterprises, and it works with consumers in Metinvest's Ukrainian enterprises paid business responsibly. various different ways. *For more on Metinvest's global presence, see www.metinvestholding.com MORE THAN SEE PAGE 12 FOR MORE ABOUT THE STRATEGY FINANCIAL CONSOLIDATED REVENUE: HIGHLIGHTS US$1,389.4m US$9,358m FOR 2010 ADJUSTED EBITDA IFRS: IN TAXES US$2,552m JOINT OPERATIONAL 35.7mt Iron ore IMPLEMENTATION HIGHLIGHTS concentrate PROJECTS FOR 2010 In 2010 in the first phase of the joint implementation project to utilise coal-gas at Krasnodon Coal, Metinvest received€ 598,000. Over the five years of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, it expects to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions across 10.1mt 8.7mt all joint projects by more than 8 million tonnes of CO2 Coking coal equivalent.
    [Show full text]
  • Iom Ukraine Covid-19 Response. Report #9
    IOM UKRAINE COVID-19 RESPONSE Report 9 (15 March 2021) Photo: IOM / Artem Getman FROM MASKS TO DEFIBRILLATORS: IOM AND JAPAN PROVIDE CRUCIAL EQUIPMENT TO HOSPITALS AND ENTRY-EXIT CROSSING POINTS IN EASTERN UKRAINE Five first-line hospitals in conflict- guards have also received much-needed affected Donetsk and Luhansk regions “In 2020, the SBGS personnel personal protective equipment and of Ukraine as well as five entry-exit registered almost 3 million people disinfectants, provided by IOM and crossing points (EECPs) at the contact at the entry-exit crossing points,” funded by Japan. line received much-needed equipment said Serhii Deineko, the Head of the from IOM. Assistance was delivered at State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Medical facilities* serving as primary the end of February with funding from “We are grateful to our international health-care providers for conflict-affected the Government of Japan. partners for their continued valuable population and persons crossing the support to Ukraine and Ukrainian contact line received modern medical To better equip the EECPs staff for citizens, especially those who equipment as requested by them: reacting to health emergencies, including have to cross the contact line. The 3 patient monitors, 2 portable oxygen life-threatening ones, IOM provided received medical equipment will concentrators, 2 electrocardiographs, 5 defibrillators, 25 resuscitation kits, improve the EECPs’ ability to assist a biochemical analyser, a sterilization 25 contactless thermometers and people,” said the Head of the SBGS. unit, a binocular microscope, an infusion 5 digital blood pressure monitors, with pump, a Holter monitor, a ventilator a total worth of USD 51,000, to the He added that previously, within the for non-invasive and invasive lung State Border Guard Service (SBGS) of framework of the project to prevent ventilation, 150 infrared thermometers, Ukraine.
    [Show full text]
  • Mental Health in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts - 2018
    Mental health in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts - 2018 1 Content List of abbreviations....................................................................................................................................... 3 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4 2. METHODOLOGY OF THE RESEARCH ....................................................................................................... 6 3. RESUME .................................................................................................................................................. 8 4. RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH .................................................. 13 5. PREVALENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG THE PEOPLE LIVING IN DONETSK AND LUHANSK OBLASTS ...................................................................................................................................... 16 А. Detecting the traumatic experience .................................................................................................... 16 B. Prevalence of symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, excess alcohol consumption. ........ 18 C. Prevalence of mental health problems among the inner circle of the respondents .......................... 27 D. Indicators of mental well-being .......................................................................................................... 27 6. ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE WHEN SUFFERING FROM
    [Show full text]
  • Survey Situations in Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene in Damaged by the Conflict Areas in Eastern Ukraine
    SURVEY SITUATIONS IN WATER SUPPLY, SANITATION AND HYGIENE IN DAMAGED BY THE CONFLICT AREAS IN EASTERN UKRAINE Customer: UN Children's Fund(UNICEF) Perfomer: Luhansk Regional charitable organization "Luhansk communities fund"KHORS " Terms of the survey: 15.12.2014-05.01.2015 Date of report: 15.01.2015 Фонд громадВибір Table of contents Name of the Project: ............................................................................................................................ 3 Survey objectives ................................................................................................................................. 3 Place for Survey Implementation ........................................................................................................ 3 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Limitations in making the survey ........................................................................................................ 4 Short description of survey results ...................................................................................................... 4 Territories ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Affected population ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Temporarily displaced people ........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • B081 Ukraine
    Ukraine: The Line Crisis Group Europe Briefing N°81 Kyiv/Brussels, 18 July 2016 I. Overview The 500km line of separation between Russian-supported separatist districts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and the rest of Ukraine is not fit for purpose. The cease- fire negotiated at the February 2015 Minsk talks is being violated daily and heavily. Tens of thousands of well-armed troops confront each other in densely populated civilian areas. The sides are so close that even light infantry weapons can cause sub- stantial damage, let alone the heavy weapons they regularly use. This presents major risks to civilians who still live there – about 100,000 on the Ukrainian side alone, according to an unofficial estimate – often next door to troops who have taken over unoccupied houses. It also heightens the risk of an escalation. Kyiv, Moscow and the separatists all bear responsibility for the security and well-being of civilians living along the front line. Likewise, Kyiv’s European allies, Washington and Moscow all have crucial roles to play in addressing the overall situation. They should insist that both sides with- draw their heavy weapons, as Minsk requires, from the front line to storage areas monitored by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). They should also press their respective allies – the Ukrainian government on one side, and the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DNR and LNR) on the other – to separate troops from civilians and to substantially widen the line of separation. Russia’s role in this is vital.
    [Show full text]
  • Problems of Mining the Prospective Coal-Bearing Areas in Donbas
    E3S Web of Conferences 123, 01011 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf /201912301011 Ukrainian School of Mining Engineering - 2019 Problems of mining the prospective coal- bearing areas in Donbas Serhii Nehrii1*, Tetiana Nehrii1, Leonid Bachurin2, and Hanna Piskurska3 1Donetsk National Technical University, Department of Mineral Deposits Development, 2 Shybankova Sq., 85300 Pokrovsk, Ukraine 2Donetsk National Technical University, Department of Production Management and Occupational Safety, 2 Shybankova Sq., 85300 Pokrovsk, Ukraine 3Donetsk National Technical University, Department of Language Training, 2 Shybankova Sq., 85300 Pokrovsk, Ukraine Abstract. The prospective coal-bearing areas of Donbas in Ukraine have been identified. Their development will increase the energy security of Ukraine. It has been suggested that the development of these areas will involve mining the coal seams in a weak roof and floor environment, which are characterized by low compressive strength, lower density and a tendency to plastic deformations. The stability has been assessed of the rocks outcrop on the contour of mine roadways for mines operating in these areas. It has been determined that roof rocks in most of these mines belong to a range of groups from very unstable to moderately stable, and the bottom rocks are, in most cases, prone to swelling. This complicates the intensive prospective areas mining with the use of advanced technologies, as well as secondary support for retained goaf-side gateroads with limited yielding property. The mines have been determined, for which this issue is relevant when mining the seams with further increase in the depth. The mechanism of displacement in the secondary supports and has been exemplified and studied using the numerical method.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementing GIS Projects Based on Emission Trading with Ukraine -Expected to Utilize Japan’S Advanced Energy Conservation Technologies-
    http://www.nedo.go.jp/english /index.html June 22, 2012 Implementing GIS Projects Based On Emission Trading With Ukraine -Expected To Utilize Japan’s Advanced Energy Conservation Technologies- The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine (SEIA) have agreed to implement 4 projects including the Replacement of Police Cars With Hybrid Vehicle Project based on the Green Investment Scheme (GIS*1) concluded through the GIS agreement*2. With this agreement, the allocation of GIS financial resources Ukraine received from NEDO through emission trading has been finalized. 【Project Outline】 Project Title Project Outline By replacing existing police cars with highly fuel efficient hybrid vehicle, i) Police Cars Replacement the project aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas Project emissions. ii) Educational Facility By installing solar power generation device and solar power hot water “ARTEK” Energy device to educational facility “ARTEK”, the project aims to reduce Conservation Project energy and fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By dispersing existing one Horlivka City Heat Distribution Public iii) Horlivka City Heat Corporation boiler house to four, and by replacing outdated boilers with Distribution Improvement newest and high efficient boilers, the project aims to reduce fossil fuel Project consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By improving heat insulation capacity of window frames and walls of 42 iv) Social Project facilities including schools, hospitals, etc in 4 oblasts in Ukraine, the (Improvement of Heat project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Including the latest Insulation Capacity of Public agreement, social projects will be implemented at 340 places in 1 Facilities Project) autonomous republic, and 10 oblasts.
    [Show full text]
  • B COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March
    02014R0269 — EN — 09.11.2016 — 011.001 — 1 This text is meant purely as a documentation tool and has no legal effect. The Union's institutions do not assume any liability for its contents. The authentic versions of the relevant acts, including their preambles, are those published in the Official Journal of the European Union and available in EUR-Lex. Those official texts are directly accessible through the links embedded in this document ►B COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 6) Amended by: Official Journal No page date ►M1 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 284/2014 of 21 March L 86 27 21.3.2014 2014 ►M2 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 433/2014 of 28 April 2014 L 126 48 29.4.2014 ►M3 Council Regulation (EU) No 476/2014 of 12 May 2014 L 137 1 12.5.2014 ►M4 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 477/2014 of 12 May 2014 L 137 3 12.5.2014 ►M5 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2014 of 28 May 2014 L 160 7 29.5.2014 ►M6 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 753/2014 of 11 July 2014 L 205 7 12.7.2014 ►M7 Council Regulation (EU) No 783/2014 of 18 July 2014 L 214 2 19.7.2014 ►M8 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 810/2014 of 25 July 2014 L 221 1 25.7.2014 ►M9 Council Regulation (EU) No 811/2014 of 25 July 2014 L 221 11 25.7.2014 ►M10 Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 826/2014 of 30 July 2014 L 226 16 30.7.2014 ►M11 Council
    [Show full text]