On September 1, 2017, after a lengthy ratification process, the "Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part" entered into force in full.
In terms of its scope and thematic coverage, the Association Agreement is the largest international legal document in the history of Ukraine and the largest international agreement with a third country ever concluded by the European Union. The agreement is an important step towards the next stage, an agreement on accession to the EU.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted the Resolution of October 25, 2017, No.1106 and the Action Plan to implement the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, under which 1943 tasks shall be implemented by Ministries, other central and regional executive bodies, with other entities involved, to supplement, amend and improve the legislation of Ukraine pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement as well as other EU regulations determined by annexes to the Agreement.
The geological sector, directly or indirectly, is covered by approximately 100 directives, regulations, conventions to which Ukraine has signed, in the following areas: Environmental management and integration of environmental policy into other sectoral policies; Atmospheric air quality; Waste and resource management; Water quality and management of water resources, including the marine environment; Industrial pollution and man-induced hazards; Energy saving, energy efficiency, energy security; Climate change and ozone layer protection; Subsoil use and business climate.
On December 7, 2017 the 6th Congress of geologists took place. The issue was brought up for discussion regarding the launch of the International Platform "Implementation of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on Efficient and Balanced Use of Natural Resources", developed by PO "Ukrainian Association of Geologists" and the involvement of the geological community in the implementation of measures aimed at integration of Ukraine with the EU.
The set of measures to define EU policy for the coming years is the European Green Deal (EGD). It is a response to global challenges in terms of climate change, energy, industrial strategy for the circular economy, sustainable and smart mobility, biodiversity conservation, zero pollution, green agricultural policy, relevant financial instruments, and trade. The EGD is part of the European Commission's Implementation Strategy for UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The main goal of the EGD is Europe's sustainable green transition to a climate-neutral continent by 2050. This implies a number of effective actions to be taken by the EU's neighbours. Virtually all sectors of the economy and human life are deeply integrated into the EGD.
In the context of green transition in 2020, UAG members compiled an Information Report to clarify the geological structure and condition of exogenous geological processes at local wind farms in Yavoriv district of Lviv region of Ukraine, commissioned by Scatec Solar Solutions LLC. The main object of this research is the territory of the planned construction of Zaluzhzhya and Ternovytsia wind power plants (for 6 wind turbines each). Recommendations were provided for the best methods of additional geophysical research to determine the potential fracturing and karstification processes in the upper part of the geological section (to a depth of 50-70 m).
As part of the green transformation, intensified cooperation and strategic partnership between Ukraine and the EU in the field of critical raw materials, the Ukrainian Association of Geologists officially joined the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) on December 23, 2020. The Alliance seeks to increase Europe's economic sustainability by diversifying supply chains, creating jobs, attracting investment in the value chain of raw materials, supporting innovation, training young talent, and promoting the best conditions for raw materials and the circular economy worldwide. By 2030, ERMA's activity will increase the production of commodities and advanced materials to solve the problem of the closed-loop economy by accelerating the recovery and processing of critical raw materials. Specialists from UAG were involved in the European project INTRAW (International Raw Materials Observatory), which implies new opportunities for cooperation in developing a raw material base of minerals that are critical for Europe, with Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United States. The experience exchange results were used as a basis to create and launch the International Observatory on the state of the raw materials base of the European Union.