Almost any industry in Ukraine consumes 3 to 5 times as much energy and other resources as its counterpart in the West. Energy conservation becomes an especially burning issue under an economic crisis. Nevertheless, none of Ukraine's numerous programs of energy conservation or sustainable growth works. One of the major reasons for this failure is that we lack both general information on advanced energy-efficient technologies and professionals capable of raising funds for purchase of new technologies and equipment.

These issues were in the focus of the Exhibition of Energy Conservation Technology and Equipment organized by Ukrenergosberezhenie Joint Stock Company (12-15 May 1998) and Symposium on Energy Conservation and Ecology co-organized by Ecofond Consortium and the Regional Foundation for Energy Conservation (14 May 1998), both held in Dnepropetrovsk.

Resolution of Symposium on Energy Conservation and Ecology

1.To note the initiative of the State Committee for Energy Conservation of Ukraine and other organizers of the Exhibition to organize a series of international exhibitions dedicated to energy conservation in this country. To highlight the urgency of the exhibition topic to Ukraine. To deem it desirable to make such exhibitions a tradition. To recommend that the organizers draw scientists from Ukraine and other countries on a broader basis to provide a proper scientific scope, assess the exhibits and carry out professional presentation and marketing of state-of-the-art technologies.

2.To note that energy conservation is a priority in Ukraine's strategy of sustainable development in keeping with the documents of the International Summit in Rio de Janeiro. To keep in mind that any progressive strategy of this kind can only be fulfilled when the three tasks of sustainable growth, namely economic growth, improving environment condition and resolving social issues, are attacked simultaneously.

3.To note that the concept of sustainable growth completely embraces the concept of energy conservation and further develops it. The next task is integration of decision making in the fields of energy conservation, environmental protection and sustainable growth, alongside with perfecting the data acquisition system and the analytical methods. Comprehensive measures are needed to assess the effects of decisions taken in the economic, social and environmental area. This is necessary not only at the level of individual projects but also for the overall programs and policies. An analysis should include assessment of costs, gains and risks.

4.To consider the systems approach and the decision theory essential for energy conservation tasks.

5.To note that availability of energy affects Ukraine's sustainable growth to a great degree. Hence, to consider energy conservation projects both in power-generating and power-consuming industries to be of primary importance for extricating the country from the environmental and economic crisis.

6.To consider it desirable to base all regional and national programs of energy conservation on the widest possible use of market relationships in the environmental and economic markets of Ukraine and to employ the experience of scientists and other professionals of Ukraine and other countries in assessment of power engineering technologies and development and implementation of state-of-the-art technologies ensuring energy and materials conservation.

7.To consider industrial symbiosis, that is combining material and energy flows of different entities to form one power-utilizing and material-processing complex, as one of the most efficient principles of energy conservation.

8.To point out that it is necessary to draw scientists and other professionals in Ukraine to development of basics of theory, strategy and tactics of energy conservation. To make a note of the desire of Pridneprovie Cleaner Production Center to carry on its work along this line and the possibility to use it as a basis for methodological and educational efforts as well as for consulting and auditing services in the field of power engineering.

9.To recommend for carrying out in the region within the framework of international programs following energy-conservation-related investment projects:

• Agricultural power complex for an open pit mine to be reclaimed.
• A utility-independent farmhouse.
• A waste-free technology for processing steam power plant ash.
• Processes of industrial waste treatment to produce additives for metallurgical applications.

10.To note that it is necessary to set up a nation-wide system for qualification of managers employed in all forms of enterprises, with a view to enhancing their ability to manage production at the present state of the art in terms of energy efficiency and environment protection.

11.To recommend that the Administrations of the Oblast and the city of Dnepropetrovsk set up a dedicated foundation to support measures to conserve energy, including those at government-funded entities.

12.To introduce a national system of incentives to energy conservation.

13.To request that the State Committee for Energy Conservation and the Dnepropetrovsk Oblast Administration allocate funds for alternative-energy projects and construction of solar, wind power and biogas units in the Dnieper River Region and across Ukraine, taking advantage of the developments available at the Institute of Energy under Dnepropetrovsk State University.

14.To consider work focused on development and broad utilization of energy conservation processes and equipment as a strategic line of energy conservation actions.