GREEN STANDARDS IN UKRAINE: CURRENT STATE OF THE PROBLEM

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of green standards implementation within Ukraine's construction industry. The study's relevance is underscored by global challenges, including climate change, natural resource depletion, and urbanization, which necessitate a transformative shift in the construction sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global practice consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of international certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB in reducing emissions, optimizing energy consumption, improving environmental quality, and fostering sustainable urban environments. However, despite isolated positive examples, the widespread adoption of these standards in Ukraine remains limited. This is primarily due to the absence of a comprehensive national "green" standard, one that is fully adapted to local conditions and effectively integrated into the state regulatory framework. While Ukraine's existing regulatory and legal framework contains fragmented provisions concerning energy efficiency and ecological design, it currently lacks a cohesive, systemic approach to green architectural practices. Particular attention is drawn to the imperative of adapting international best practices to Ukraine's specific socio-economic conditions and regional characteristics.

The research employed a comprehensive methodological approach. This encompassed a systematic analysis of Ukraine's regulatory framework pertaining to ecological construction, a comparative analysis of leading international green standards (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB) and their correlation with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and an empirical analysis of the market for ecologically certified buildings in Ukraine as of April 2025.

The findings indicate that Ukraine has established a foundational regulatory framework that addresses certain aspects of ecological building certification, particularly in areas like thermal insulation, energy efficiency, and resource metering. A review of relevant laws, state building norms (DBNs), and ministerial orders confirms the government's aspiration to integrate sustainable development principles. Furthermore, international green standards (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB) demonstrate a high degree of alignment with the SDGs, encompassing their environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The analysis of the market for certified properties revealed a limited number of completed projects (only a few dozen), predominantly concentrated within the public and office building segments in major cities, while the residential sector remains largely untouched by "green" certification.

The study confirms the existence of significant challenges, yet simultaneously highlights substantial potential for the advancement of green building in Ukraine. There is a clear need for the development of a holistic national green standard specifically tailored to Ukrainian peculiarities. Additionally, the establishment of a unified national register for certified buildings is crucial for data systematization and promoting ecological standards among developers and the general public. The systemic implementation of green standards in Ukraine must be grounded in a robust legislative framework, the integration of international experience, adherence to SDGs, and scientifically substantiated adaptation to the national context.

Future research will focus on developing a template for a national green standard that accounts for regional specificities and incorporates the visual and aesthetic qualities of architecture into its criteria.