JUSTIFICATION FOR THE NECESSITY OF RECONSTRUCTING CENTRALIZED HEAT SUPPLY IN UKRAINEIN THE CONTEXT OF BIOSPHERE COMPATIBILITY

District heating systems in Ukrainian settlements currently exemplify the inefficient use of fuel and energy resources, leading to increased environmental pollution. This article analyzes the legislative framework and the requirements of current Ukrainian regulations, as well as relevant European documents regarding the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of existing district heating systems, including the stage of heat transport from the source to the end consumer. District heating systems built between the 1950s and 1980s are technologically and functionally obsolete, failing to meet modern standards. Natural gas the most environmentally friendly of the traditional fossil fuels remains the primary energy source for municipal heat supply enterprises. Heat losses during transport through water-based distribution networks from the source to end consumers exceed 20%. Research indicates that this results in the excessive consumption of natural gas amounting to at least 8% of the country's total gas usage. Current heat tariffs for the population do not cover the cost of the fuel required for heat generation. Carbon emission prices in Ukraine are among the lowest in the world (not exceeding 1% of the European average) and remain inconsistent with the ambitious climate goals established by the Paris Agreement. The proposed measures for the thermal modernization of heating networks and the raising of prices for atmospheric emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases would enable district heating systems to achieve energy efficiency and biosphere compatibility levels comparable to the EU average. Despite the theoretical appeal of renewable energy, the practical implementation of measures which have proven effective elsewhere in the world—currently presents a multifaceted set of challenges within the Ukrainian context [25, 26].