Legal framework for decarbonization: international, European, and national dimensions

The paper analyzes the global problem of carbon dioxide emissions and their devastating impact on the climate. Decarbonization is examined as a key tool in combating global warming, involving comprehensive measures to reduce emissions across various sectors and the adoption of environmentally friendly energy sources. The authors emphasize the importance of international, European, and national legislation in this area. The provisions of the Paris Agreement, the "Fit for 55" initiative, the "REPowerEU" plan, and several other legal documents are analyzed. Strategies and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are examined, including more ambitious goals of achieving net-zero emissions, with examples from the EU, Canada, the USA, and other countries. The paper highlights the importance of renewable energy development and economic modernization in the context of transitioning to climate neutrality. It is noted that Ukraine actively adapts its legislative and economic approaches to international standards despite the challenges of wartime. Several international agreements have been ratified, and national legislative frameworks have been developed, including the Laws of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles of State Climate Policy,” “On the Principles of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions”, “On Energy Efficiency”, etc. The legal regulation of energy, coal sectors, transport, and budgetary support for innovation is analyzed. The paper concludes that combating global warming requires profound economic and social transformations at all levels—state, business, and citizens. Positive examples of industrial giants implementing environmental initiatives include “ArcelorMittal” and “Eni,” as they adopt new technologies and actively invest in environmentally sustainable production. While technological progress may appear insufficient to achieve ambitious goals, most issues can be resolved through a systematic approach and proactive steps from society as a whole. Carbon emissions present a serious challenge, but countries worldwide are moving toward overcoming it. Fundamental legal documents aimed at decarbonization have already been adopted at the global level within multilateral agreements, though significant improvements are needed. The EU is consistently and comprehensively restructuring its economy toward climate neutrality by adopting legislative acts and taking systematic actions to gradually reduce emissions and move away from a carbon-dependent economy. Despite the war, Ukraine actively participates in international and European efforts by adopting several regulatory acts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing the production and consumption of energy-intensive products, increasing the use of alternative energy sources, and preserving natural ecosystems.