We consider the environmental component of reforms to be in the focus of economic policy of the state. The freedom of decision-making by those involved in economic process is to be limited by the requirements of the ecological security. Only environmentally safe production that does not exhaust natural resources and does not discharge harmful waste products, does not deteriorate life conditions of this and forthcoming generations of the citizens of the state. Ecological expertise of the decisions taken by management is to become a norm.

Priorities of the ecological security and environmental protection call for improved legislation base, strengthened co-ordination of the legislation and adopting the Ecological Code of Ukraine based on the law of Ukraine "On Environmental Protection". It is necessary to regulate legal, economic and organisational aspects of gradual transition to general paid-for environmental use.

We understand that high level of environmental pollution is caused by utilisation of different energy sources: burning fossil fuels, oil, gas, coal, and high rate of physical depreciation of productive facilities. We believe that this issue can be resolved by applying energy-and resource-saving technologies, modernisation of energy companies, improving reliability of power stations, using environmentally safe energy sources. It is necessary to introduce rigid environmental norms of control at chemical enterprises and other harmful types productions, construction enterprises, monitor transport owners as to the exhaust gas. Revised criminal sanctions are to be introduced for ecological crimes as well as economical liability of physical and legal persons for committing ecological crimes.

We support developing and introducing well-grounded standards of ecologically safe activities and enhancing the system of state control over their execution. We consider that community and local governmental bodies shall more actively participate in this process.

We are ready to provide all kinds of support to the activity of state and public organisations advocating biological and landscape diversity, activities aimed at developing the network of natural reserves and re-cultivating acres, reforesting territories, protecting river basins.

Social democrats stand for tax relief provided to scientific and technical activities aimed at solving ecological problems.

It is necessary to develop and expand international co-operation in this area as well as resolve regional ecological problems of the frontier territories by joint efforts of the neighbouring countries.