KYIV. Nov 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) intends to launch two projects on energy efficiency market development in Ukraine by the end of 2016, UNDP Deputy Country Director in Ukraine Blerta Cela has said.
Speaking at the 8th International Forum on Sustainable Energy in Ukraine in Kyiv on Tuesday, Cela announced the launch of two important programs to promote activities in the field of energy efficiency and the development of this market in Ukraine.
According to her, the first program will be aimed at removing barriers to investment in energy efficiency in government buildings.
This program will be aimed at speeding up the implementation of energy efficiency measures at the expense of the most productive use of private sector investment, the deputy director of the UNDP office in Ukraine said.
At the same time, the UNDP’s second program will focus on promoting and encouraging the development of ‘green cities’ in Ukraine.
She said they will try to integrate ‘green’ urban development and ‘green’ urban management in this country including through taking the cue from several successful models of other cities in other countries.
The UNDP deputy country director also stressed the importance of the adoption by the Ukrainian parliament of the bills on housing and communal utilities, on energy efficiency of buildings and on fiscal metering of utility services, which should help Ukraine meet European energy efficiency standards, particularly in the residential sector.
The UNDP also needs financial support mechanisms and new technologies in order to support Ukraine in the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy production, Cela said adding that the Energy Efficiency Fund has the potential to be a powerful tool in accelerating economic development in Ukraine.
According to her, Ukraine is still one of the least energy-efficient countries in the world occupying the 24th place in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
