Hungary to preserve utility price caps

During the European Union’s process to determine climate goals, Hungary will remain committed to preserving utility price caps and other support for citizens, the state secretary for the environment and sustainable economy said late on Monday.

After attending a meeting of the EU’s Environment Council (ENV), Anikó Raisz said the meeting failed to finalise a joint stance for the upcoming UN climate conference (COP28).

Debate was “sharp” on ways for a green transition while maintaining competitiveness, she said.

Hungary’s “realistic” stance aims to find the most effective way to fulfil all obligations, she said. It rejects to support commitments that seem unlikely to be implemented, she added.

An especially important issue for Hungary is to thwart the “unrealistic expectation” to turn all city buses zero emissions by 2035, Raisz said.

She highlighted the importance of the agreement on global plastic waste, and noted that Hungary was making efforts to clean its rivers, contributing to cleaner oceans.

Meanwhile, Hungary has taken great strides in environmental protection by adopting its Climate and Nature Protection Action Plan, Raisz said.

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