Important: Hungary to revoke green number plates from hybrid vehicles

hybrid vehicle electric car green licence plate hungary

Hungary is revamping the incentive system associated with green number plates. From 1 September, only fully electric and zero-emission vehicles will be eligible for green number plates. Owners of plug-in hybrid vehicles and those classified in the extended-range environmental category will need to replace their green plates by 30 November 2026.

hybrid vehicle electric car green licence plate hungary
The first car to receive the green number plate, the BMW i3 electric car in Budapest on 13 October 2015. Photo: MTI/Marjai János

Since January 2016, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have enjoyed significant incentives on par with zero-emission vehicles such as fully electric and hydrogen-powered cars. However, the past eight years have yielded mixed results regarding the environmental value of this technology and the vehicles using it, iho.hu reports.

Hybrid vehicles more polluting than initially expected

The European Court of Auditors has monitored the general operational practices and related emissions of plug-in hybrids on the roads in recent years. They found that the real-world emissions of these hybrids are 3 to 5 times higher than those measured in laboratory conditions. This discrepancy is attributed to the more frequent and intensive use of internal combustion engines in these vehicles than anticipated.

Additionally, the past years have seen a rise in vehicles with larger internal combustion engines than the average petrol or diesel cars, which, combined with electric propulsion, qualify for the same incentives as zero-emission vehicles. However, these are often more polluting than typical fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Given the higher environmental impact of plug-in hybrid technology compared to zero-emission vehicles and the fact that it allows luxury SUVs to benefit from green car incentives, the Ministry of Construction and Transport (ÉKM) has deemed it unjustifiable to maintain the same level of incentives for both zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid vehicles to be stripped of their green plates

According to a government decree, from 1 September 2024, only fully electric and zero-emission vehicles will be eligible for green number plates upon their first domestic registration, iho.hu writes. Owners of less environmentally friendly vehicles—classified as 5P (plug-in) and 5N (extended range) hybrid electric vehicles—must initiate the replacement of their green plates with white ones by 30 November 2026.

Consequently, the tax incentives associated with green number plates are also under review, marking the end of the era for luxury SUVs with green plates.

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Hungary to aid fight against wildfires in this Balkans country

North Macedonia wildfires Hungarian aid

Hungary will send 3 all-terrain firetrucks to North Macedonia on Thursday, to aid efforts to extinguish wildfires there, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Facebook on Wednesday, after talking with Timco Mucunski, his North Macedonian counterpart, on the phone.

“Unfortunately, we have become used to news of enormous wildfires during the summer heat, and it is not rare that they erupt in Europe, even in our extended neighbourhood,” Péter Szijjártó said.

“Our North Macedonian friends are unfortunately facing those extraordinary challenges now. And if friends of ours are in trouble, we help … Hungary will send three all-terrain firetrucks to North Macedonia tomorrow, which are able to target directly the point of origin from close up,” Szijjártó said, adding that he hoped the Hungarian aid would contribute to curbing the fires as soon as possible. He also thanked the interior ministry and Interior Minister Sándor Pintér for the swift response to the crisis.

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Bottle redemption system in Hungary did not kick off as smoothly as expected

MOHU repont bottle redemption system in Hungary deposit-return

In shops across the region, MoHu has installed machines known as REponts to facilitate collection and recycling of plastic bottles, drinks glasses and cans. While the bottle redemption system in Hungary aims to foster environmental sustainability and encourage recycling, it faces several operational challenges. Many are unhappy with the system and request an effective solution.

Frustration and confusion follow the bottle redemption system

Portfolio reports that an impressive two and a half million bottles are being exchanged by customers every day. Despite this success, the process has encountered several issues in Hungary. RTL captured footage at a vending machine where customers struggled to return a theoretically acceptable beer can. The machine initially refused the can, causing frustration and confusion. After some fiddling, the customers finally managed to get the machine to accept it, highlighting the need for more reliable technology.

In another instance, shoppers expressed dissatisfaction with the location of the return machines, complaining about the inconvenience of having to walk a long distance through the store to return their bottles. One exasperated customer remarked:

“You have to walk all the way through the store to return a damn bottle.”

repont bottle redemption deposit refund system
Photo: repont.hu

Retailers are dissatisfied too

The capacity of the vending machines also presents a problem. They fill up quickly, leading to crowds of confused customers. Shops also face challenges with the collection process. The returned bottles are not taken back promptly, resulting in overflowing bins. According to Tamás Kozák, Secretary General of the National Trade Association, retailers can only beg for the bottles to be taken away. Retailers have voiced their concerns about the reliability of these machines.

Kozák pointed out several issues. For instance, customers and retailers do not understand the core of an occurring software error when you put in the bottle correctly. He also notes that it is quite problematic that the fixing of these machines is relatively slow. If there is a machine saying it’s out of order, it should be replaced for smoother operation.

Unexpectedly high returns

Gábor Ozoli, spokesman for MoHu, acknowledged that the return rate of bottles is slightly higher than anticipated, necessitating effective management of these high returns. Despite the issues, Ozoli emphasised the importance of ensuring these millions of bottles are recycled appropriately. However, another challenge has emerged: customers are leaving non-returnable bottles behind, which also require storage. Nevertheless, the high percentage of returned bottles might not be too surprising, to encourage participation in the bottle redemption system, customers can receive their deposit fee immediately via an app.

MOHU repont bottle redemption system in Hungary
Source: Facebook / MOHU

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Environmental measures must also boost competitiveness, says the Hungarian government

eu presidency environment measures

Steps taken in the interest of achieving climate neutrality, a circular economy and environmental goals must also strengthen competitiveness, the state secretary in charge of environmental affairs and the circular economy said after a meeting of EU ministers in charge of environmental protection in Budapest on Friday.

Officials at the meeting agreed on the need to take steps in the interest of ensuring the competitiveness of the green transition, Anikó Raisz said.

European Union member states expect a myriad of global environmental challenges, including climate change, the loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution, Raisz said. She said she believed that reaching the established goals required a comprehensive and systemic approach and incorporating support for sustainable investments into EU and member state economic strategies.

She noted that the COP 29 UN climate change conference held in Baku in November will be one of the major international events during Hungary’s six-month presidency of the Council of the EU. The ministers at the Budapest meeting emphasised their commitment to the fight against climate change, as well as the need for real climate change adaptation plans in order to meet the targets of the Paris climate agreement, she said.

Raisz said the ministers also reviewed the competitiveness aspects of the transition to a circular economy, concentrating on strategies that ensure that the bloc could be a leader in global environmental protection efforts while also remaining competitive.

Meanwhile, she said participants at the meeting were in agreement that droughts made it crucial to develop adaptable and flexible water management.

The state secretary also underscored the importance of strengthening cross-border partnerships aimed at mitigating the effects of environmental pollution.

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Deposit refund system – New era in Hungarian stores: Bottle redemption system takes off

repont bottle redemption deposit refund system

From 1 July, the Deposit Refund System launches officially in Hungary. From the beginning of the month, beverage manufacturers in Hungary are required to use only metal, plastic, and glass packaging compliant with the newly implemented deposit refund system. On the retail side, redemption machines are now ready for operation.

Bottle redemption system takes off in Hungary

The new beverage packaging deposit refund system in Hungary launched on 1 January 2024 and officially started on July 1 after a six-month transitional period. Moving forward, manufacturers can only market products in containers ranging from 0.1 to 3 litres that are recollectable, Economx reports.

Consumers will pay an additional HUF 50 as a deposit, refundable when they return empty bottles to any of the designated MOHU redemption machines. Discarding beer cans, soft drink bottles, or mineral water bottles harms not only the environment but also one’s wallet from now on. However, non-refundable packaging will still be encountered, as manufacturers were allowed to create those until 30 June.

How to use the deposit refund system?

repont bottle redemption deposit refund system
Photo: repont.hu

There are three ways to receive a refund:

  1. Through a voucher issued by the redemption machine, convertible to cash in-store or deducted from the total purchase amount.
  2. Using the REpont app, consumers who pre-register and provide their bank account details can receive an immediate transfer of the refund. Before depositing bottles, it’s recommended to scan the QR code and verify that the screen displays the correct name.
  3. Alternatively, consumers can choose to donate the refund to charity.

By Saturday morning, 6 July, over 10 million redemptions had already occurred, with approximately 200,000 downloads of the REpont app, Economx reports. The number of app downloads continues to increase steadily, according to MOHU, which coordinates the mandatory Deposit Refund System (DRS) across the country. There are already 3,000 redemption points nationwide awaiting consumers.

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Heat alert in Hungary: Hellish heatwave coming

heat wave hungary heat alert

Summer has started in Hungary and it’s already showing its true colours. Last week, a heat wave was forecast, and we’re marching into it right now. From Wednesday until Saturday midnight, a third-degree heat alert will be in force in the country.

heat wave hungary
From Wednesday until Saturday midnight, a third-degree heat alert will be in force in the country. Photo: MTI/Mónus Márton

Third-degree heat alert from today

A third-degree heat alert will be in effect from Wednesday to Saturday midnight, the National Public Health Centre and the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of Interior said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

According to the decision of the National Chief Medical Officer, the heat alert will be in effect from 0:00 on Wednesday until midnight on Saturday, throughout the country, Telex reports.

People at risk and precautions

The reason given is that the heat is hard even on healthy bodies, but young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular disease are particularly at risk.

The two government agencies urge everyone to drink plenty of water, stay out of the hot sun at midday, use sunscreen and wear a hat or cap.

During the peak of the heat, it is best to be in shade or in a cool, air-conditioned place and avoid strenuous physical work. (Find a list of air-conditioned places in the country with addresses HERE.)

If you’re going to the beach, cool down your heated body before going into the water, and don’t jump into the water with a hot and sweaty body.

If you see children or pets in cars unattended

Drivers could also be affected by the heat.

Do not leave children and pets in parked cars for even a few minutes, as even a car parked in partial shade can get dangerously hot. If you see a child or pet left in a car, call 112 immediately.

In open areas, only light fires in designated fireplaces, unless there is a fire ban in your county. It is not recommended to burn garden waste at this time. When barbecuing or cooking, do not leave the fire unattended.

High temperatures

From Wednesday, temperatures in the south of the country will rise to over 35 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures may reach 37-38 degrees Celsius in some places.

Thus, HungaroMet has issued a second-degree heat alert for three southern counties (Békés, Csongrád-Csanád, Bács-Kiskun) on Wednesday and five counties (Tolna and Baranya, beside the above mentioned) on Thursday. In these areas, the daily mean temperature is expected to be above 27 degrees Celsius.

As Daily News Hungary wrote last week, this week will see the the first major heatwave of the summer, which means highs could reach 35 degrees for the first time this year.

Precipitation is generally unlikely this week, but a few places could see a quick rain storm.

Beaches at Lake Balaton

lake balaton beach weather sunny
Photo: Helló Magyar

All you want in this heat is to dip yourself into Lake Balaton? Understandable; however, you’d better be prepared for expensive beach tickets. As we reported HERE, some beaches at Lake Balaton saw a 50% increase in entrance ticket prices this summer. Check out our article for beach entrance fees and how they compare to 2023’s Lake Balaton prices.

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Environmental protection is a key priority of the New Uzbekistan

uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, like many other countries, faces serious environmental problems that have a negative impact on human health and ecosystems. However, taking into account the need to preserve the resources and health of citizens, the government of the country is actively developing measures to prevent environmental crises and introducing innovative approaches to improve the state of the environment. Today, the field of ecology in Uzbekistan is undergoing a radical transformation, and the right of every person to a favorable environment has been enshrined in the new Сonstitution of the country.

The republic has the Concept of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030, more than 30 legislative acts and about 200 by-laws in the field of ecology, environmental protection, and rational use of natural resources. Among them are the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan: “On nature protection”, “On the protection of atmospheric air”, “On water and water use”, “On the protection and use of flora”, “On the protection and use of wildlife”, “On forests”, “On protected natural territories”, “On subsoil”, “On waste”, “On environmental expertise”, “On environmental control”, “On environmental audit”, “On the use of renewable energy sources”, “On sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population”, the Land Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and others.

In 2021, at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a large-scale nationwide program called “Yashil Makon” (“Green space”) was launched in the country, which provides for the annual planting of 200 million trees and shrubs until 2030. As a result, an increase in the area of green spaces in cities is expected from the current 8% to 30%, as well as an increase in the forest cover area of the state forest fund from 7.5 to 15%.

Over the past period, within the framework of the national “Yashil Makon” project, about 500.0 hectares of parks, 935 hectares of green zones, 6179.2 hectares of public parks, as well as green belts around the cities of Bukhara, Nukus, Khiva, and Urgench with a total length of 40 km have been created.

As part of the systematic organization of work on the development of “green” areas, 219.7 million seedlings of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs were planted in 2023. 2.83 million seedlings were planted around 189 industrial enterprises with a high impact on the environment, “green belts” with 220,000 tree seedlings were created; and 196 garbage collection points were organized, around which arboretums were created.

In addition, in recent years, innovative measures in Uzbekistan that have no alternative in the world include “green covers” created on the dried-up bottom of the Aral Sea. It is important to note that the scope of its application is expanding. In 2019–2023, forest reclamation activities were carried out on an area of more than 1.7 million hectares in the arid areas of the Aral Sea. The “Green Covers” were created using small aircraft and tractors.

According to scientists, the condition of the dried-up bottom of the Aral Sea is ambiguous: there is a big difference in the condition of the site that dried up 5 years ago and 50 years ago. It is not recommended to plant one type of plant everywhere. Each site requires a unique approach. Given the state of the earth, sand, and salinity, only properly selected seedlings can survive. Saxaul seeds were mainly sown on sandy and clay soils, tamarix seedlings and karaburak seeds were sown on saline lands.

To accelerate the planting work on this site, a new unit was created for planting seedlings of desert plants. With its help, the planting capacity increased 1.5 times, i.e. about 4000-4500 seedlings were planted per hour.

Uzbekistan is also conducting consistent and effective reforms in the field of waste management, improving the quality of services provided to the population, and combating environmental pollution. Thus, according to the plan, in 2024-2028, by attracting investments, waste recycling, alternative energy, and organic fertilizer production projects will be implemented in each region of the country. Indicators will also be set for the annual production of 2,000 MW of alternative energy from 2.8 million tons of waste, the production of 1.1 million tons of organic fertilizers from 1.3 million tons of waste by composting, and the commissioning of 14 waste recycling plants.

The Government of Uzbekistan is effectively developing multilateral cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as with other international platforms such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Fauna & Flora (FnF), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the European Union (EU), the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), the of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD), Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Various initiatives are being implemented to preserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems in the Aral Sea region, protect the ozone layer and mitigate the effects of climate change, and manage waste. There are also strategies and programs aimed at ensuring public access to healthy nutrition and clean water.

Regional cooperation is also in the spotlight, as Uzbekistan, together with other Central Asian countries, voices the region’s unified position on the climate agenda and works to expand mutually beneficial bilateral and regional cooperation on the use and implementation of modern energy technologies and resource-saving and low-GHG technologies, as well as biodiversity monitoring and conservation programs.

The country has joined and ratified several international conventions in the field of environmental protection. Uzbekistan is a party to 12 environmental conventions and relevant protocols for its development in the field of environmental protection and the use of natural resources.

The Republic fulfills its obligations under the conventions by implementing national and international projects aimed at improving and stabilizing the state of the natural environment.

Over the past year, Uzbekistan has hosted two global events: The 21st session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CRIC 21), held from November 13 to 17, 2023, and the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), held from February 12 to 17, 2024, in Samarkand.

It is worth noting that to effectively manage local, regional, and global environmental problems, strengthen regional cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection, and introduce innovative ideas, practices, and technologies to the realization of the scientific and intellectual potential of Uzbekistan, the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) was established in Uzbekistan.

At the same time, Uzbekistan is actively working to raise the environmental awareness of the population. Environmental education programs are being introduced in educational institutions, and mass actions and events aimed at drawing attention to environmental issues are being organized. The participation of young people, who are actively involved in environmental initiatives and projects, plays an important role in this process.

Various innovative technologies are being introduced to ensure sustainable development and improve the ecological condition of cities and districts in Uzbekistan. In particular, automated air and water quality monitoring systems are actively used, and energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies are being introduced in industry and construction. All these measures are aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment and creating comfortable living conditions for citizens.

Thus, Uzbekistan is making confident steps towards sustainable development and improvement of the ecological state of the country. The implementation of the “Yashil Makon” project and other environmental initiatives makes it possible not only to solve current problems but also to create a basis for long-term sustainable development. It is important to continue this course by involving the international community in cooperation and introducing advanced technologies and practices. The transformation of the environmental sphere and the introduction of innovative approaches to natural resource management and environmental protection will ensure a healthy and favorable future for current and future generations of Uzbekistan.

Appalling: Chinese company fined in Hungary, decision only published after elections

halms chinese company

A Chinese company near Debrecen in Hungary has been fined for environmental pollution: however, the decision was only published after the 9 June elections.

Chinese company fined

halms chinese company
Managing Director Matthew Shen at a press conference on the Halms Hungary Ltd. investment on 6 September 2022. Photo: MTI/Bruzák Noémi

The Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office published the decision to fine the Chinese car company Halms after a delay of three weeks. The company was fined HUF 1.98 million (EUR 5,012) for violating waste management rules, 24.hu reported.

The company was fined because it secretly discharged polluted water from its site near Debrecen into the Kisgugyori canal. The government office decided on the fine on 22 May but only published the decision after the municipal elections.

In January, the authority carried out an unannounced inspection of the premises of Halms Ltd. The inspectors noticed that an unknown, white-coloured substance was leaking into the Kisgugyori canal, a natural drainage channel in the area. They found that the contaminated water was coming from the Chinese company’s site.

According to the decision, the company was prosecuted and ordered to “remedy the unlawful situation caused by the pollutant leaking into the sewer”.

The company received huge government support

Halms, a Chinese company, invested EUR 43 million in the first phase of the construction of the parts plant, for which the Hungarian government provided around HUF 1.5 billion (EUR 3.8 million) in funding.

Over the past year and a half, civil protests have been launched in Debrecen and the surrounding municipalities over the battery industry investments. Some surveys have suggested that this is adversely affecting support for the Fidesz leadership. Sunday’s municipal elections did not prove this to be the case, with László Papp easily retaining his mayoral seat with almost 50% of the vote.

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Earthquake shakes Hungary

earthquake seismograph

The National Directorate General for Disaster Management reported to the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) that an earthquake shook Dunaújváros, in the county of Fejér, on Saturday evening.

Earthquake shook Dunaújváros

According to the authorities, the epicentre of the tremors was about 15 kilometres from the town of about 45,000 inhabitants, with a magnitude of 2.6 on the Richter scale. No reports of damage have been received by the authorities, Portfolio reports.

The Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (Földfizikai és Űrtudományi Kutatóintézet) detected a weak earthquake of magnitude 2.6 in the Dunaújváros area at half past seven on Saturday evening, just crossing the 2 magnitude mark of the observation threshold of the Hungarian network. The population near the epicentre was reported to have felt the tremor slightly.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Budapest Airport will save one of Hungary’s last marshes

Budapest Airport one the last Hungarian marshes

The joint project by the Municipality of Rákosmente and Budapest Airport to save the Merzse marsh has reached an important milestone. The necessary preparatory surveys and environmental impact assessments have been successfully completed, and, in possession of the necessary authority permits, on-site works can start soon to restore the Merzse marsh and the Little Merzse to their former ecological values. Budapest Airport has provided support of 10 million HUF for the project. 

One of Budapest’s largest remaining wetlands, the Merzse marsh in district XVII, is threatened with drying out. For years, the Municipality of Rákosmente has been trying to ensure the survival of the marsh, which is home to numerous protected animal and plant species, through habitat reconstruction programs and water replenishment. Last year, Budapest Airport joined this initiative; the company provided support of 10 million HUF to develop a rescue plan that can help preserve Budapest’s most undisturbed wetland, with the reconstruction of ditches to provide water replenishment.

The importance of the Merzse marsh as a habitat is illustrated by the fact that one-third of all European bird species, half of all bird species found in Hungary and 75% of all bird species in Budapest are found in this area, bud.hu wrote. 

Budapest Airport one the last Hungarian marshes
Photo: FB/Horváth Tamás

The ditches leading to the Merzse marsh are currently too deep to allow ground water and rainwater to remain in the marsh bed and provide suitable conditions for wildlife. As part of the landscape rehabilitation program, the ditches will be made shallower and wider, so that water will flow over the barrier layer, into the Merzse marsh bed, rather than under it. This method also goes beyond saving the Merzse Marsh: water retention can provide an effective, long-term solution not only to the restoration of the habitat in Rákosmente, but also to a much wider problem: droughts induced by climate change. 

Budapest Airport one the last Hungarian marshes
Photo: FB/Horváth Tamás

“Budapest Airport pays special attention to the residents living in the vicinity of the airport, and also to supporting good causes. One of these priority projects is saving one of Budapest’s last marshes in district XVIIt, in the immediate vicinity of the airport,” said Katalin Valentínyi, the chief communication and government relations officer of Budapest Airport. She added: “If we don’t act now, this special area will not be known to our children and grandchildren as a marsh, only as a dry, arid area. It is very important to support such important ecological issues as soon as possible, and this demonstrates our commitment to the environment as well.” 

“I am very pleased to see the exemplary cooperation between Budapest Airport, Rákosmente and the town of Ecser, thanks to which the permit design documentation for water replenishment to the Merzse marsh has been completed,” emphasized Tamás Horváth, the mayor of Rákosmente, at a press conference on Friday. He added: “Today we have reached a milestone on the road to saving this wetland habitat and rehabilitating its wildlife. I would like to thank Budapest Airport for its contribution and Zsolt Gál, the mayor of Ecser, for his support.” 

Budapest Airport one the last Hungarian marshes
Photo: FB/Horváth Tamás

The necessary preparatory surveys and environmental impact assessments have been successfully completed, so that on-site works can start soon, in possession of the necessary authority permits. As a result of the project, aquatic amphibians, reptiles and birds will be able to return to the marsh, and, if the water is sufficiently deep and durable, fish species typical of this type of habitat will be reintroduced. Examples of protected plant species observed along the Merzse marsh and the Little Merzse include the white helleborine and the common cottongrass, while protected amphibians and reptiles include the agile frog, the European fire-bellied toad, the smooth newt and the European pond turtle. Field surveys in 2023 revealed the presence of aquatic bird species, such as the Western marsh harrier, the marsh warbler, the Eurasian coot and the widely known grey heron. The two highly protected species in the area are the European bee-eater and the Eurasian scops owl. 

Budapest Airport one the last Hungarian marshes
Photo: FB/Horváth Tamás

The works will start in the winter of 2025-2026, given that both flora and fauna are more inactive at this time of year than during the warm months. Animals hide or move to warmer climates during the winter and tree canopies are sparse at this time, which offers technical advantages, in addition to conservation benefits. Experts will designate the routes of construction machinery so that native plant species should remain unaffected, as far as possible. 

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Revolting: Samsung factory in Hungary could be closed immediately under new court order

samsung factory hungary plant göd

The Samsung factory in Göd, Hungary could be closed down immediately, according to a court order, as the factory’s environmental permit has been annulled.

Samsung factory in Göd could be closed down

samsung hungary plant göd
Samsung plant in Göd, Hungary. Photo: lanterv.hu

The 10-year environmental permit for the Samsung factory in Göd, issued last December, has been challenged in court by the Göd-ÉRT Association. The NGO has asked the court to order immediate legal protection and to prohibit the Samsung factory from using the environment for the duration of the lawsuit, Átlátszó reports.

The Budapest District Court ruled that the request of the civilians was well-founded and ordered the suspension of the filing of the statement of claim until the end of the lawsuit, Átlátszó quotes the association’s statement on the matter.

At the end of last year, the Göd-ÉRT Association for the Protection of the Environment and Towns (Göd-ÉRT Környezetvédelmi és Városvédő Egyesület) argued that the operation of the factory (authorised by the authorities) did not comply with either Hungarian or European environmental standards.

According to the association, the Pest County Government Office did not take into account, among other things, the plant’s noise pollution, which had been present for years, when issuing the permit. It was also extremely permissive in the matter of air and water pollution and battery waste generated during production.

The association has now announced on its social media page that the Budapest District Court has ruled that the application is well-founded and ordered the full stay of the action, i.e. it has applied the institution of immediate legal protection and

annulled the environmental permit of Samsung SDI Plc.’s Göd factory until the final outcome of the case.

According to the NGO, the decision, which banned the Göd factory from using the environment, should lead the authority to order the suspension of the plant’s operation. The association has also sent a letter to the Pest County Government Office and Samsung Hungary Plc. calling on them to shut down the Göd factory.

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Expansion plans for potentially harmful battery plant fly under the radar in Hungary

samsung göd battery plant

Samsung is set to expand its battery plant near the town of Göd by a further 43,000 square metres, as disclosed in a rather elusive government statement. An amendment to the environmental permit is already underway, with its approval nearly one hundred percent assured.

The battery plant will be expanded – but authorities are not keen to pass the word around

Mérce.hu has stumbled upon a statement from the Pest County Government Office declaring that two buildings and a connecting bridge would be erected on the site of the battery factory near Göd, a town north of Budapest.

Three new boilers are also to be added to the existing seven, and the number of production lines is to be increased from the current 12 to 16. The company also plans to raise the number of so-called “mixing” areas, where electrode production takes place.

According to the Government Office, the manufacturing technology for batteries will remain unchanged, utilising the same raw materials to produce existing product lines.

Overall, the expansion would increase production capacity by 20%, with the total area of the Göd battery plant expanding from 510 thousand to 553 thousand square metres. Consequently, annual organic solvent usage is projected to surge from 14.5 to 22 thousand tonnes.

The issue, as Mérce.hu points out, is that the expansion was not sufficiently publicised by authorities: “it was given the not very attention-grabbing title ‘Information’ on the website of Göd,” it notes, “while the county council, which is in charge of the special economic zone, does not even display it on its site.”

Residents express discontent over the expansion of the battery plant

The factory has already been the subject of several complaints from nearby residents, as it is located in the immediate vicinity of a residential area. Noise from the factory is a nuisance at night – a five-metre noise barrier is now being built in one section to remedy this issue.

Moreover, concerns loom over the long-term environmental and health ramifications, exacerbated by reported irregularities such as fire safety violations and worker exposure to carcinogens.

The National Environmental Information System has also implicated that the air in Göd showed pollution caused by the battery factory: they found NMP, a solvent linked to electrode production, in the air. The substance has also been detected in the water of the Göd water reservoirs and the wastewater discharge of the factory.

As Telex.hu reports, the previous construction of the second building of the battery plant had already faced harsh criticism at a public hearing in Göd, and the mayor, Zoltán Kammerer, had filed a complaint due to the concerning air pollution data near the Samsung factory.

As a side story: on another occasion, the mayor walked out of the room after only four minutes into an interview as he grew frustrated by the storm of questions about the factory. In the interview, Kammerer made it clear that “the factory is already here, operating in our city. All the rules and regulations have to be followed and then we have to/can cooperate with them,” recalling that when the Samsung factory first closed, locals protested fearing job losses.

Responding to subsequent inquiries, the mayor stated he was not pro-battery, did not bring the factory there and remained neutral on public opposition to the project.

Residents have until the 1st of May to submit written feedback on the expansion, although awareness remains scarce. Despite local resistance, the project’s classification as “nationally significant for the economy” foreshadows its inevitable completion, indifferent to community objections.

Read also:

  • Hungarian green party motions for stricter control of battery plants – HERE
  • Accidents, illnesses in battery plants in Hungary: new law comes? – Read HERE

ESG law strengthens the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses

market timing job company technology workers esg law wealth management

Hungary’s environmental, social and governance/ESG law is aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses and promoting the establishment of the right business environment, a state secretary of the national economy ministry said on Thursday.

Expectations related to ESG obligations are becoming increasingly common in Hungary’s business sector, Anikó Túri told a conference, underlining the importance of clear regulations and in helping Hungarian companies prepare to meet ESG demands.

ESG law to strengthen domestic businesses

A large part of corporations’ environmental and social footprint is linked to their suppliers, Túri said. She noted that the government has adopted a strategy aimed at strengthening microbusinesses and SMEs until 2030 in which the goal of improving ESG consciousness is a priority measure.

Under the ESG law and related legislation, companies with total assets of over 10 billion forints (EUR 25.4m) and net sales revenue of over 20 billion forints employing more than 500 people will have to start including ESG reports in their annual reports from 2025, the state secretary said.

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Hungarian green party motions for stricter control of battery plants

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Opposition LMP has submitted a motion to parliament on tightening control over battery plants set up in Hungary, expecting lawmakers of the ruling parties “to support the initiative”, the party’s national board leader said on Monday.

Örs Tetlák told a press conference that in a most recent accident at a battery plant in Komárom, in northern Hungary, eight workers were taken to hospital after toxic substance had been released into the air. “In such instances, the health of local residents in the area is also at risk,” he said.

Tetlák said the fines to be levied on pollutants under current Hungarian law are “ridiculously low,” urging that “the plants be held accountable for polluting the environment.”

“Those plants are entitled to receive several tens of millions of forints worth of [state] support without taking any commitment,” he said, adding that the party’s motion calls for setting fines in proportion to those plants’ revenues.

LMP also calls for closing down plants that are in a serious violation of laws or are repeat offenders, said Tetlák.

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PHOTOS: Amazing Budapest park to double in size in the heart of the city

budapest city hall park

The parking lot in the courtyard of the City Hall in Budapest has been eliminated, and the current 4,000 square meters of the Passage and Inner Courtyard will soon be expanded to 7,000 square meters, which, after decades, will finally be open to the people of Budapest.

City Hall Park to be almost doubled in size

budapest city hall park
Source: budapest.hu

The City Hall Park is entering another important phase, the Mayor’s Office reports. The renovation work on the facade facing Kiskörút (Small Boulevard) is now nearing completion, allowing the car park to be safely transformed into a green area. For the time being, the area will be opened up as a pop-up park with temporary elements. However, the design of the final version is also underway, in parallel with the winning design in the design competition.

The pop-up park is a further extension of the free-roaming area, the first element of which was the Passage, which opened last November on the 150th birthday of Budapest and connects the Kiskörút to the city centre.

The aim is to give the place back to the people

city hall passage
The City Hall Passage. Photo: 150.budapest.hu

One of the important commitments of the current city government was to create the City Hall Park on the site of the former run-down courtyard, which was closed off to the city’s residents, as part of the redevelopment of the City Hall block.

“Our aim is to create a new, open, green main square in Budapest: to give back to the people of Budapest the fenced-off area in front of the City Hall, where we will create a green agora. We will bring people closer to the day-to-day running of City Hall and host a diverse range of events to make City Hall Park a place for culture and encounters,” the Mayor’s Office writes.

The place already hosted seasonal events

The design and implementation of the City Hall Park will take several years, partly because of the need to coordinate related developments. However, a number of seasonal events and a temporary park are already underway. The Spring Fair, the May Fair and the Winter Experience Park have all been held on the site. Following all this, in the spring of 2024, an exciting pop-up park will open to the people of Budapest in the City Hall courtyard. Details will be announced soon by the city government.

Background to the development

city hall park
Source: budapest.hu

The City Hall Park is part of the renewal of the City Hall, which is a complex and long-term development programme, writes the Mayor’s Office. To underpin the programme, a first comprehensive strategy for the medium-term development of the City Hall was prepared in 2020, aiming to coordinate the different project elements affecting the City Hall building and its surroundings.

Subsequently, in autumn 2021, the Municipality of Budapest announced a design competition for the design of the City Hall Park. There was great interest in the competition, as a total of 19 entries were received, from which a jury of renowned landscape architects, architects and urban planners selected the winning designs.

“In November 2023, to celebrate Budapest’s 150th birthday, we inaugurated the renovated Merlin building. At the same time, we opened the Passage connecting Károly Boulevard with Városháza Street, which leads through the building’s most beautiful inner courtyard,” the website writes.

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Danube: dangerous and long-lasting chemical found in water

Danube boat Budapest forever chemicals

A 2023 study revealed that so-called “forever chemicals” (or PFAS), which persist in nature for an exceptionally long time, can be found in the Danube and its tributaries.

On the occasion of World Water Day, Átlátszó analysed the findings of the international research that examined the rivers of Europe, including the Danube, for traces of PFAS.

What are PFAS and why are they dangerous?

PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic compounds. They are dubbed “forever chemicals” owing to the resilience of their elemental fluoride and carbon bonds, making them enduring in nature and in human bodies.

As the French Le Monde explains in its report on the PFAS “contamination” of Europe, these chemical compounds first gained popularity in the 1940s due to their non-stick and water-resistant properties. A wide array of everyday items, such as paints, acne treatments, waterproof makeup, food wrappers, floss, prostheses, textiles and kitchen utensils are coated with these substances.

They are also used in industrial processes for their excellent sealing properties, as well as in the manufacturing of semiconductors and, somewhat ironically, medical equipment.

However, the very attribute that renders PFAS so useful is also their greatest peril: their robust carbon and fluoride chains can travel long distances intact, meaning that they can spread far from the original contamination site. Furthermore, sustained high emissions and slow degradation of the chemicals combined lead to a continual accumulation of PFAS in nature.

Indeed, investigative journalists from Le Monde found that

“From the beautiful Blue Danube to Lake Orestiada (Greece), from the Bilina River (Czech Republic) to the Guadalquivir Basin (Spain), PFAS are detected in water, air, and rain; otters and codfish; boiled eggs and teenagers. […] Biomonitoring studies show that these unwanted components permeate our blood.”

The effects of PFAS are yet to be fully researched, but Le Monde highlights the possibility of decreased fertility, reduced birth weight of children, increased risk of certain types of cancer, elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure, among others.

PFAS found in the Danube River – what is the future of regulations?

Exposure to PFAS is a significant issue not only in Hungary but also throughout Europe and globally.

PFAS come in various forms – two of its variants (PFOA and PFOS) have actually been banned in the past after it was proven that they are harmful to human health. However, shortly after, another compound was created (called ADONA) to replace the outlawed substances.

Roman Beach Római Part Duna Danube Water Sport Vizisport
Water sports at Római Part (Roman Beach)
Source: Országalbum / SIMI
It is this variety of PFAS that exhibits the highest concentration in the Danube. At the same time, illustrating the longstanding negative effects of the chemicals, there are still traces of PFOA and PFOS in the river, despite regulations.
In a 2022 proposal, the European Commission established the maximum value of PFOA and PFOS for surface water at 4.4 nanograms per litre (ng/L). In the Danube samples taken between 2022 and 2023, the values ranged from 1.2 to 3.5 ng/L.

There are already some restrictions on the amount of PFAS allowed to be detected in foodstuffs and water in the EU. Various proposals, led by Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, are also underway to further limit the use of PFAS in the future.

Experts speaking to Átlátszó said that while replacing the chemicals entirely would be challenging due to their usefulness in the production of everyday materials, restricting their use to specific areas should be seriously considered for the future health of the population.

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Hungarian green party calls for guarantee for Hungary’s GMO-free status

National interest to protect water resources, Orbán cabinet says

Vanishing Lake Urmia: environmental decline and neglect in Iran

lake urmia

Lake Urmia, located in northwestern Iran and once the sixth-largest saltwater lake globally, has fallen victim to environmental degradation and governmental negligence. Over the past few decades, this once-vibrant body of water has shrunk dramatically, leaving behind a desolate landscape, posing serious ecological and social challenges.

Decline of Lake Urmia

The decline of Lake Urmia can be traced back to a combination of factors, including disruptive dam-building and irrigation policies implemented by the Islamic Republic of Iran. These policies, driven by a desire for agricultural expansion and economic development, have significantly altered the natural flow of water into the lake, exacerbating its depletion. Moreover, the construction of infrastructure projects by various companies associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has further contributed to the lake’s demise. Another significant aspect concerns mulching. The arid regions surrounding Lake Urmia become saline, leading to the accumulation of salt. To mitigate this, a mulching process is implemented, which involves artificially isolating the affected area from the lake. However, this practice also contributes to the reduction of Lake Urmia’s overall surface area. In addition to the aforementioned cases, Baranduz River, constituting one of the 14 tributaries of Lake Urmia, is artificially blocked from feeding into the lake, a practice that is enforced even during the winter months. These projects, often undertaken without proper environmental assessments, have disrupted the delicate balance of the region’s ecosystem, hastening the decline of Lake Urmia.

Despite mounting concerns raised by local activists and environmental experts, the Iranian government’s response has been inadequate. While promises were made by officials, including Presidents Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Hassan Rouhani, to address the crisis and revive the lake, tangible progress has been lacking. On March 3, 2024 – on the occasion of Iran’s National Water Day, the Iranian Water Industry Federation (IWIF) presented a project to the public on water bodies and water supply-related problems in the country, but Lake Urmia was not among the covered cases. Efforts to allocate funds and implement restoration projects have fallen short, failing to halt the lake’s steady decline. Recent reports paint a grim picture of Lake Urmia’s current state. Satellite images and aerial footage reveal a desiccated landscape, with the lakebed exposed and water levels at an all-time low. By the fall of 2023, it was reported that the lake went dry after decades of continuous decline in water level. Claims by government officials that efforts are underway to revive the lake ring hollow in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary. The water level of Lake Urmia has risen due to the fact that rainfall in the country has intensified in recent months, and the Iranian government seizes this opportunity for its propagandistic purposes as by attributing the improvement of the lake’s water volume to its own efforts.

Environmental experts, including Masoud Tajrishi of Tehran’s Sharif University of Technology, warn that the situation is dire. The lake’s water level has plummeted by eight meters since 1995, coinciding with the construction of new dams and changes in agricultural practices following the Islamic Revolution of 1979. While some officials and media outlets affiliated with the Iranian government seek to blame climate change for Lake Urmia’s desiccation, the root causes lie in decades of environmental mismanagement and disregard for ecological sustainability.

Social and cultural tensions

In addition to the environmental crisis, the plight of Lake Urmia has sparked social and cultural tensions. Based on the outcomes of a study published in 2021, agricultural activity in the surrounding regions saw a decline by approximately 30%, and in the period 1996-2016, more than 12% of the villages in East Azerbaijan province lost their population, with roughly 500 villages being totally or partially depopulated. One of the main variables in this equation is the fact that Azeri Turks mainly inhabit those provinces, where the lake is situated. Azeri Turks of northwestern Iran, a Turkic-speaking minority that constitutes a fifth of the country’s population, see Lake Urmia as central to their heritage and identity. Local activists, who regard this topic as highly sensitive, have been organizing protests demanding its protection for decades. However, their efforts have been met with repression and intimidation by the authorities, highlighting broader issues of political oppression and human rights abuses. The regime’s reluctance to address the lake’s decline may stem from its fear of galvanizing broader movements for cultural and linguistic rights among the Azeri population.

The case of Lake Urmia is a perfect example of intersectionality between ethnic and ecological problems. Although it is obviously an issue related to environment and climate change, one cannot neglect the minority rights dimension. The fact that those most affected areas are primarily inhabited by Azeri Turks and to a degree by Kurds, another sizeable minority in Iran, raises the question of discrimination and second-class citizenship issues. The reaction of the central government could have been significantly different, provided that the mentioned provinces had a Persian majority. Worth to note that this ecological catastrophe is not the only problem Azeri community in Iran encounter. The lack of education in Azeri, native language of the Azeri minority, persists to remain unresolved. Even though this issue is mentioned during every election campaign in order to gain Azeri voters’ support, no Iranian politician yet decided to initiate a plan for a substantial change in educational system to make it more inclusive for minorities. Azeri Turkish is prohibited from being used in official documents and as a language of instruction at schools since the Pahlavi dynasty succeeded to get the power in the early 20thcentury. Islamic Republic kept this policy practically intact after the revolution, and therefore, Azeri Turkish eventually lost its charm and prestige, turning into a useless local language that mainly people residing in remote areas are willing to talk. In Iranian Azerbaijan, even assigning Azeri-Turkish names to newborn children is hindered through bureaucratic means; instead, it is incentivized to give names of Persian origin. In one occasion, a decree by the territorial court in Tabriz deemed names of Azeri-Turkish origin were classified as incompatible with Islamic principles. This linguistic dynamics mirrors the current social landscape of the Iranian society, where non-Persian ethnic groups, despite constituting half of the population, lack the privileges enjoyed by the Persian majority.

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Featured picture: depositphotos.com