Seeds from the Ukrainian pavilion at the climate conference were planted in the capital’s botanical garden
5 December 2024 10:56
On World Wildlife Day, the greenhouse of the Hryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv planted paper with live grain, which was used to make the walls of the Ukrainian pavilion at the largest UN climate conference COP29 in Baku. This was reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
As you know, the walls of the Ukrainian pavilion at COP29, the main climate summit of the year, in Baku were made of special paper with seeds inside. This 120-square-meter artwork was painted by artist Oleksandra Zhumailova. And these seeds were planted in Kyiv, at the Hryshko National Botanical Garden, as a symbol of Ukraine’s environmental responsibility and care for the environment.
“The Ukrainian pavilion at COP29 has become a true embodiment of the idea of joint efforts that sprout into the future. There was no waste left from the pavilion – this is how we demonstrate our conscious attitude and care for the environment. Especially when Russia systematically commits ecocide. It is symbolic that the paper planting took place on World Wildlife Day. The same paper will be planted by our partner countries in support of Ukraine,” said Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
The walls of the pavilion at the summit also told the audience that Ukraine is the most mined country in the world, with almost a third of its territory contaminated with explosives. Now, the herbs that helped tell the world about this will become part of Ukraine’s greening and restoration. In the spring, after germination in the botanical garden, the plants will be transplanted to the demined areas of Kyiv region.
Ukraine’s exposition at the main climate conference of the year featured projects from the state, business, and the Ukrainian public that develop environmental awareness even during the war. The pavilion talked about green reconstruction after shelling, smart fields, and dozens of other Ukrainian initiatives: from renewable energy and demining developments to carbon dioxide traps, eco-friendly alternatives to foam, and mobile printing plants.
The seeds from the pavilion were planted in the Kyiv botanical garden by famous Ukrainians: Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Yevhen Malolotka, head of the Ukraine Without Waste initiative Yevhenia Aratovska, TV presenter Roman Mishcheriakov, and co-founder of the Gres Todorchuk agency Yaroslava Gres.
