The formation of a circular economy is one of the main pillars of the European Green Deal.
The rapid development of technological progress and population growth has corresponded with an increase in the consumption of the earth’s natural resources. The depletion of these critical raw materials has become one of the most pressing global issues. Accordingly, the linear economic model currently in place is no longer viable. Thankfully, an alternative exists in the form of a circular economy, which aims to break the link between economic growth and increased use of our natural resources. As the world looks beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic, the challenge of post-pandemic economic recovery has sharpened the focus on circularity.
This subject was discussed by participants of the round table "Circular economy in action: the use of ash and slag in road construction", which was organised by the European Business Association’s Committee for Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Development.
Today, the widespread use of ash and slag materials in Ukraine is constrained by several factors. In particular, there is no working system for “green” public procurement. The non-price criterion related to the ‘environmental friendliness of materials’ is not mandatory, but "recommended", and is not used in practice. There are no special standards for ash and slag materials.
DTEK is transforming itself into a greener, more efficient and technologically advanced business that is guided by ESG principles in its activities. Doing this how we contribute to building a new Ukrainian economy. We believe that business must lead innovation for environmental change, and that promoting a circular economy constitutes a significant part of that change. “The Ukrainian Government will create a new green market in the country by purchasing “green” products, which in turn will stimulate the emergence of new players”, said DTEK Executive Director Dmytro Sakharuk. “DTEK is looking for opportunities to maximise the use of ash and slag materials, studying best practice in this field from around the world. The company is working on a pilot project to use these products in the construction of highways in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. We hope that this initiative will begin in the near future and that it will remove all the prejudices which road companies continue to have about the use of ash and slag materials".
In 2020, DTEK launched a long-term development strategy based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in line with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles. It takes into account the main elements of the green transition and reflects the mission of business – to work for the progress and prosperity of society.