On June 2, 2026, "Carpathians and War: Environmental Consequences of the Relocation of Industry to the Carpathian Region" round table was held at the Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians of the NAS of Ukraine; it was organized by the Western Scientific Center of the NAS of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine together with the Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians of the NAS of Ukraine within the framework of the Days of Science.
Oleksandr Kagalo, PhD in Biology, Head of the Department of Natural Ecosystem Protection of the Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians of the NAS of Ukraine, delivered the keynote speech "Green Energy in the Carpathians - 50 Percent Green: An Unbiased Ecological and Socio-Demographic Assessment".
The report and subsequent discussion examined the consequences of military transformations for the Carpathian region, in particular the processes of relocation of enterprises from frontline areas to the western regions of Ukraine, the development of renewable "green" energy, the construction of wind power complexes in the highlands, as well as the environmental, socio-economic and demographic challenges facing mountainous areas. Particular attention was paid to the issues of preserving biodiversity, natural habitats, landscape diversity and ecological sustainability of Carpathian ecosystems.
The roundtable participants discussed the dual nature of business relocation to the Carpathian region. On the one hand, these processes contribute to economic development, the creation of new jobs and the modernization of infrastructure, however, on the other hand, they lead to increased anthropogenic pressure on vulnerable mountain ecosystems, fragmentation of natural areas, loss of biodiversity, changes in the hydrological regime and the transformation of traditional landscapes. The participants also considered risks associated with the implementation of large-scale infrastructure and energy projects.
Oleg Zyniuk, PhD in Engineering, Director of the Western Scientific Center of the NAS of Ukraine and the MES of Ukraine; Vitaliy Honcharenko, PhD in Biology, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Biology of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Head of the Department of Botany; Yevhen Ivanov, DSc in Geography, Head of the Department of Constructive Geography and Cartography of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv; Myroslav Maliovanyi, DSc in Engineering, Head of the Department of Ecology and Sustainable Environmental Management of the National University "Lviv Polytechnic"; Petro Khirivskyi, PhD in Biology, Head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Lviv National Stepan Gzhytskyi University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology attended the round table.
Journalist and blogger Olena Mudra and lawyer Nataliia Maystrenko also participated in the discussion; they focused on the need for broad public discussion and effective interaction between authorities, the scientific community, and the public to ensure the sustainable development of the Carpathian region, preserve its natural heritage, and properly consider environmental risks when planning and implementing economic and energy projects.
Scientists from the Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians of the NAS of Ukraine Volodymyr Kyiak, DSc in Biology, Senior research fellow; Yuriy Kobiv, DSc in Biology, Senior research fellow; Iryna Shpakivska, PhD in Biology, Senior researcher; Nadiia Sychakt, PhD in Biology, Senior researcher; and Yuriy Zabytovsky, PhD in Biology actively participated in the discussion. The roundtable participants were made aware of the results of research on the impact of anthropogenic factors on the biodiversity of the highlands of the Ukrainian Carpathians, as well as assessments of environmental risks associated with the implementation of small hydroelectric power plant construction projects in the region.
Following the results of the round table, the participants emphasized the need for scientifically based spatial planning for the development of the Carpathian region, improving environmental monitoring, strengthening the environmental component during the implementation of infrastructure projects, and implementing the principles of sustainable development to preserve the natural heritage of the Ukrainian Carpathians in the context of war and post-war transformations.
Information is provided by the Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians of the NAS of Ukraine
