KYIV, 6 May 2026 — The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution “On the Peculiarities of the Legal Regime for the Use of Peatland Areas and Possible Types of Their Designated Use.” The document establishes unified approaches to the use of peatlands, taking environmental priorities into account, and brings Ukraine closer to European Union requirements in the field of climate and environmental policy.

The draft resolution was drawn up by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the Global Environment Facility environmental fund under the project “Promoting Sustainable Livestock Production and Ecosystem Conservation in Northern Ukraine.” The resolution is based on the provisions of Ukraine’s land legislation and takes into account approaches set out in relevant international documents and practices.

Peatlands are unique ecosystems and important biodiversity hotspots. They store significant amounts of carbon, regulate the water balance, prevent droughts and floods, purify water, and support ecosystems. However, the lack of clear rules governing their management has led to the degradation of these areas and the loss of their ecosystem functions.

The adopted resolution establishes a systematic approach to the management of peatlands, prioritizing their conservation. From now on, the formation of new land plots or changes in their designated use will only be permitted within categories compatible with preserving the ecosystem functions of peatlands. These areas may now be used for nature conservation, recreation, forestry, water management, and cultural heritage purposes.

This marks a shift from intensive economic exploitation to a model of balanced and sustainable natural resource management. In this way, the state establishes the priority of environmental security and long-term resilience, which in the long run will lead to economic benefits.

Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Iryna Ovcharenko stated: 

“The resolution does not change the current land-use designation of land plots and does not restrict ongoing economic activity on peatlands. The new requirements apply only to future decisions concerning the establishment of land plots or changes to their land-use designation,” she said.  “At the same time, these requirements do not apply to cases related to national security and defence needs, the placement of facilities of national importance and linear infrastructure, or the acquisition of land for public needs or on grounds of public necessity.”

Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Dmytro Makarenko emphasized: 

“The introduction of a special legal regime for peatlands is a fundamentally important step toward building a modern land resource management system in Ukraine,” he said.  “The creation of a dedicated spatial data layer on peatlands with a special status within the State Land Cadastre will ensure transparency, accuracy, and accessibility of information on such areas. This will enable public authorities and communities to make well-informed decisions that take environmental risks into account, bring Ukraine closer to European standards of land management, and contribute to the implementation of international commitments in the areas of climate policy and environmental protection.”

UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma highlighted the broader significance of the resolution:

“The adoption of the resolution is an important step for Ukraine towards implementing best international practices in peatland management,” Lootsma said. “Establishing a clear legal framework is a key step for their protection, restoration, and sustainable use. Together with the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and the State Geocadastre, UNDP is already working on the next step – the inclusion in the State Land Cadastre of information on lands where peatlands are located.”

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications and Advocacy; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org