Mariia Malaia: “The recovery of the country based on energy-efficient and green technologies can become the foundation for increasing employment levels and creating long-term job opportunities"
This was emphasized by the First Deputy Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine during the First Stakeholder Forum of the Green Recovery Action Platform of Ukraine.
Despite the war, Ukraine demonstrates a strong commitment to the development of renewable energy. Just last year, the State Energy Efficiency Agency, together with the Ukraine Decarbonization Fund, financed 22 energy efficiency projects across various regions of the country within just three months of the Fund’s operation. In 2025, even more “green” initiatives are planned — which means new jobs, economic development, and strengthened Ukrainian communities.
In this context, people play a crucial role — professionals in energy efficiency, energy, and alternative energy. As Maria Malaia highlighted during the panel discussion “Green Jobs”:
“It is precisely the experts in energy efficiency, energy, and renewable sources who play a key role in the recovery and modernization of the country. Without highly qualified energy managers, energy auditors, engineers, and experts in green energy, it is impossible to ensure the quality reconstruction of Ukraine according to the new standards of energy efficiency, decarbonization, and energy security.”
According to research by the analytical center “Society and Environment,” post-war recovery in Ukraine based on ecological sustainability could generate over 4.2 million new jobs in sectors such as energy, transport, healthcare, education, and water supply — with 1.2 million of those being additional “green” jobs.
The green recovery and energy-efficient transformation sector in Ukraine will require professional support. The demand for skilled professionals will only continue to grow, as Ukraine has set ambitious goals for 2030:
Reduce final energy consumption by 17.1%;
Increase the share of renewable energy sources to 27% in the final consumption structure;
Cut CO₂ emissions by 65% compared to 1991 levels.
To achieve these goals, it is necessary not only to train new specialists and improve the qualifications of those already working in the energy sector but also to actively attract financing for energy efficiency projects. In this regard, the Ukraine Decarbonization Fund plays a crucial role in supporting enterprises, businesses, and local communities striving to implement green initiatives, reduce carbon emissions, and transition to renewable energy sources.
The Green Recovery Action Platform of Ukraine, launched in June 2024 in Berlin, has become a powerful platform for consolidating the efforts of all stakeholders. Future discussions and the presentation of outcomes are scheduled for the URC2025 conference in Rome this July. Therefore, the First Stakeholder Forum of the Green Recovery Action Platform brought together representatives of the public sector, international partners, businesses, the expert community, and civil society for a constructive discussion on the architecture of recovery, green financing, ecosystem preservation, and environmental security. All these areas require a systemic vision, cross-sectoral collaboration, strategic alignment, and highly qualified specialists in the field of green transformation.
We sincerely thank everyone who joined the discussion on the challenges and opportunities of Ukraine’s green recovery. The event confirmed: only together — through unity, sustainable approaches, and innovative solutions — can we build an environmentally safe, economically strong, and socially just Ukraine.
