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The Russian War against Ukraine: a case study in climate, conflict, and green recovery

Open ORCID profile in a new windowIevgeniia Kopytsia*Ievgeniia Kopytsia*

Dr Ievgeniia Kopytsia is a law scholar with over ten years of expertise in environmental, climate, and energy law and policy from international, EU, and Ukrainian perspectives. She is a research fellow of the Law Faculty of the University of Oxford and an associate of Oxford Net Zero, supported by the Researchers at Risk programme, a collaborative effort by the British Academy, Cara, the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Her current research focuses on legal dilemmas of climate change, energy transition, and net zero in a polycrisis world.

ievgeniia.kopytsia@law.ox.ac.uk

Abstract

The Russian war against Ukraine, having brought monumental social, economic, and environmental devastation, serves as a compelling case study demonstrating the broader implications of climate crises, underscoring the complex interplay between fossil fuel dependency and geopolitical tensions, and illustrating that the fight for climate justice and the fight for peace are deeply interconnected. Meanwhile, Ukraine has the potential to leverage post-war reconstruction as an unprecedented opportunity for comprehensive decarbonisation and ecological recovery. Examining the limitations of the international climate change regime and exploring controversial aspects of fossil fuel production, this paper highlights the hidden climate costs of war, and investigates the concept of ‘climate change as a battle’ and how it can frame the global discourse on climate security and climate justice. It argues that addressing climate change is akin to fighting a war, requiring mobilisation of resources, political will, and international solidarity. In this context, Ukraine’s experience offers valuable lessons for the global community as it navigates the complex challenges of post-conflict recovery while simultaneously addressing the urgent need for climate action. With the right assistance, Ukraine could emerge as a front-runner in the global energy transition, inspiring other nations to pursue ambitious climate action even in the face of adversity.

Keywords

Russian War against Ukraineclimate crisesclimate securityclimate justiceinternational climate change regimegreen recovery reconstructionwar emissions accountabilitydecarbonisationequitable transitionenergy transition

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The Russian War against Ukraine: a case study in climate, conflict, and green recovery

Open ORCID profile in a new windowIevgeniia Kopytsia*Ievgeniia Kopytsia*

Dr Ievgeniia Kopytsia is a law scholar with over ten years of expertise in environmental, climate, and energy law and policy from international, EU, and Ukrainian perspectives. She is a research fellow of the Law Faculty of the University of Oxford and an associate of Oxford Net Zero, supported by the Researchers at Risk programme, a collaborative effort by the British Academy, Cara, the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Her current research focuses on legal dilemmas of climate change, energy transition, and net zero in a polycrisis world.

ievgeniia.kopytsia@law.ox.ac.uk