National interest to protect water resources, Orbán cabinet says

Hungary Budapest Danube Chain Bridge

Hungary’s water resources are a national treasure, and protecting them is in everyone’s interest, a government official said on Friday, World Water Day.

In order to guarantee water quality for Hungarian families in the long run, the water utility sector must be run more sustainably, the state secretary for water utilities of the energy ministry, Zsolt V Németh, said in a statement, noting that an independent state secretariat is responsible for the sector and has been working to consolidate the sector’s operations.

Today 36 providers in Hungary are responsible for drinking water, waste-water drainage and treatment services, compared with 400 in 2010, he said.

The quality of provision and the long-term economic stability of the service providers has also increased, he added.

The number of waste-water treatment plants has doubled in ten years, with more than 800 operating today, the statement said. A key task of the next decade will be renewing the drinking water network, it added.

Also, Hungary’s rivers and lakes are a government priority, and the ministry backs civil initiatives such as the PET Cup waste collection competitions aimed at cleaning waterways, he said.

In 1992, the UN declared March 22 as World Water Day. This year’s world day with the motto Water for Peace aims to send the message that prosperity and peace highly depend on water.

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  • Impressive Hungarian 5-star hotel earns Green Key certification – Read more HERE
  • Minister: Hungary spends a lot on environment protection

PHOTOS: Impressive Hungarian 5-star hotel earns Green Key certification

Hotel Minaro Tokaj

Minaro Hotel Tokaj MGallery is the second hotel in Hungary to be awarded the Green Key certification in recognition of its sustainability efforts. Green Key is a non-profit initiative of the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE), whose mission is to promote environmental responsibility and sustainable operation of various tourism entities.

Green Key

minaro hotel room
Source: minaromgallery.hu

The programme sets a strict set of requirements for tourism entities to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly operations in the sector, turizmus.com reports. The programme, which has over 6000 partners worldwide, has a set of more than 100 criteria, covering areas ranging from waste collection to energy and water management to the protection of green spaces. Certification is achieved by successfully completing an audit by Green Key’s independent contractors.

According to the tourism-focused news portal, catering establishments that join the initiative have to undergo this review every year, but each year they have to meet more and more criteria to keep their Green Key certification. In February this year, Minaro Hotel Tokaj MGallery embarked on the path set out by these guidelines to preserve the natural values of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region for future generations.

Environmental awareness a priority for the hotel

minaro hotel room
Source: minaromgallery.hu

Environmental awareness has always been a priority for Minaro. There is also a strong focus on protecting the surrounding wildlife, with a stork nest being built at Minaro in March and three beehives being installed next to the building in May. In addition, the garden will be transformed, with the Minaro team planting plants that are particularly beneficial to bees, such as lavender.

Minaro has already met a number of sustainability criteria in this first certification. However, every year, it aims to meet additional requirements in terms of both sustainability and the protection of flora and fauna. Thus, energy use and carbon footprint reduction are priorities for the coming period, the hotel said.

Living in harmony with nature

minaro hotel Tokaj MGallery
Source: minaromgallery.hu

“As an environmentally conscious hotel, we started the process of joining the Green Key programme as soon as we had the opportunity. The preservation of the natural values of Tokaj-Hegyalja is a central issue for us,

as we want to live in the greatest possible harmony with the beautiful landscape that surrounds us – we feel a moral obligation to do so.

I am proud of our team, as we are one of the pioneers of an internationally recognised green initiative in Hungary,” said Dana Janigova, Hotel Manager of Minaro Hotel Tokaj MGallery.

About Minaro

The second Hungarian member of the Accor Hotels MGallery Collection is the 5-star Minaro Hotel, built among the vineyards of Tokaj, in the UNESCO World Heritage Tokaj wine region.

“Built on the site of a former andesite mine in Tokaj, a UNESCO World Heritage site, our adult-friendly 5-star hotel in the authentic Tokaj hills will transport you to a whole other world,” the official website of Minaro says. “It combines the liquid gold of Tokaj with a South American “El Dorado” theme. Our hotel offers 100 rooms and stunning views in the heart of the unspoilt Tokaj wine region. Experience limitless luxury in our suites, each one a jewel in the crown.”

The minimalist design was inspired by the former mining environment, but the impressive interior is a revival of natural treasures and luxurious elements of the Mayan world. The name Minaro is inspired by the liquid gold of Tokaj (oro) and the location of the hotel (mine).

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UN Environment Assembly has elected Hungarian VP

UN Environment Assembly has elected Hungarian VP
The United Nations Environment Assembly has elected Hungary’s Anikó Raisz, state secretary at the energy ministry, its vice president, the ministry told MTI in a statement.
On her election in Nairobi on Friday, Raisz noted the Hungarian government’s aim to make Hungary a dominant player in international cooperation in the areas of environmental protection and the green transition, too.
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FM Szijjártó: Hungary rejects extreme ideologies

New York Young Republicans Club Hungarian foreign minister Szijjártó

Hungary approves of the green transition as a way to “preserve the planet for our descendants”, but it objects to green ideologies that kowtow to “fanatical climate activists”, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in a speech to the India-Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Economic development and environmental protection should coincide, he said, adding that tipping this balance either way was harmful.

Hungary is among twenty countries that has managed to raise its economic game while reducing harmful emissions; by 32 percent compared with the 1990 level, the minister said.

Szijjártó highlighted Hungary’s “pragmatic approach and common sense” to environmental considerations.

At a panel discussion on the circular economy, he said the green transition must be shepherded in a way that does not imperil the security of energy supply.

Szijjártósaid European demand for electricity was set to increase by 50 percent by 2030, with heating, cooling and transport taking up more and more electricity resources.

So, producing cheap electricity in large quantities in a sustainable way, he said, was vitally important, and only nuclear energy was up to the task.

With the expansion of Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant in Paks, around 70 percent of Hungary’s electricity needs will be met by Paks, while 17 million tonnnes of carbon dioxide emissions would be cut each year, 1.5 times the emissions of the domestic transport sector.

The circular economy is a strategic goal, he said, adding that storage as well as production of green energy was a key issue. Electric battery production, he added, was therefore crucial.

Hungary, the minister said, was without exaggeration “a global leader”, ranked fourth in the world in this respect, and would soon rise to second place now that five of the world’s ten largest manufacturers have committed themselves to investments in Hungary.

When it comes to sustainable management of natural and mineral resources, Hungary is ready for closer cooperation with Indian partners, he said.

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Huge flood alert on river sections in Northern Hungary

river tisza flood hungary

Areas along the rivers Tisza, Bodrog, Takta and the estuary of the river Sajó in northern Hungary are on flood protection alert, the northern Hungarian water management directorate said on Monday.

First and second-degree flood alerts are in place along a 334km section, the organisation said. Water levels in the directorate’s operational area are generally receding or stagnating, with only the river Tisza‘s level rising slightly at Tiszapalkonya.

The Tisza’s water level in the Tokaj region has been receding since Sunday morning, having peaked at the Tiszalök hydroelectric power plant on Sunday afternoon. Water levels are still rising in the Tiszakeszi area but are expected to begin stagnating during the day.

Water levels are now receding along most sections of the Sajó, but are continuing to rise at the Kesznyeten floodgate, which is expected to be opened on Thursday or Friday.

Is Hungary a water-rich country?

Although Hungary is often referred to as a water-rich country, this is less true as a result of climate change and human interventions gone wrong, experts say. Without change, we will face significant challenges in agriculture, water management and even in the energy sector in the near future.

Boglárka O. Lakatos, a water researcher at the National Water Directorate General, said that drought, inland water and flooding can occur almost simultaneously in the same area in the same year.

“It is not right to refer to these as water hazards, because the essence of sustainable landscape management and adaptation is to use them and not to protect against them,”

Lakatos said.

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Awakening Humanity’s Sacred Mission: Experts on Ethics, Sustainability and Creativity

Awakening Humanity's Sacred Mission: Experts on Ethics, Sustainability and Creativity

Alessandro Farina and Giacomo Pedranzini shared their personal experience in Ethics, Sustainability and Creativity, at the worldwide Symposium “Awakening Humanity’s Sacred Mission”.

On the 9th of February, Alessandro Farina and Giacomo Pedranzini, two Hungary-based Italian entrepreneurs were invited to contribute to Unity Earth’s online Symposium to express their knowledge, belief and mindset on conscious entrepreneurship.

This three days online symposium, followed in over 80 different countries, brought together intellectuals, activists and change-makers to discuss several topics around the vision of Professor Ervin László (philosopher, scientist, humanist, author and Nobel Peace Prize nominee): “Awakening Humanity’s Sacred Mission”. The event’s list of speakers was extraordinary and extremely inspiring, a list of over 50 international speakers, including names such as Prof. Ervin László, David Gershon, Duane Elgin and Prof. Dr. Azza Karam…. and many more, shared their wisdom and action.

Alessandro Farina, founder of ITL Group and the Atlas World initiative and Giacomo Pedranzini, founder of Kometa 99, and the winner of the Atlas Award 2023 have both had the honor to contribute to the discussion of conscious entrepreneurship for a better future at this online forum.

Alessandro Farina started his speech by explaining the role of entrepreneurship in shaping the future and highlighted how entrepreneurship goes beyond business creation as entrepreneurs have the unique ability to envision something that does not yet exist and bring it to life, influencing societal norms, cultural values, and global trends. Therefore, businesses must adopt strategies that are not only profitable but also sustainable and beneficial for future generations, balancing economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.

Awakening Humanity's Sacred Mission: Experts on Ethics, Sustainability and Creativity
Symposium: “Awakening Humanity’s Sacred Mission”

He also defined the importance of generational empathy as it is not just a concept; it’s a business imperative for a sustainable and fair future. It’s about leaving a legacy that future generations can build upon. That is why he founded the Atlas World and Atlas Award initiatives a few years ago, rewarding those entrepreneurs, who are embracing 3 core values for a better future: ethics, sustainability and creativity. Alessandro Farina described the initiative with the following words:

The Atlas Award serves as an inspiration, showing that businesses can develop by prioritizing ethical practices, sustainability, and creativity. It’s a call to action for entrepreneurs everywhere, to build businesses that not only succeed financially but also contribute positively to society and the environment. As we continue to face global challenges, the Atlas Award stands as a testament to the power of responsible entrepreneurship in creating a better future for all.”

In 2023, Giacomo Pedranzini, CEO of Kometa 99, received the Atlas Award for his commitment to continuous growth and development. Giacomo Pedranzini focused on food production and food processing during his speech as these are the main areas of activity of his company and the HonestFood initiative. He highlighted that food production is one of the most important activities of human beings, but if done poorly, it can have negative effects on the environment.

Awakening Humanity's Sacred Mission: Experts on Ethics, Sustainability and Creativity
Symposium: “Awakening Humanity’s Sacred Mission”

Even though food became a cheap commodity, that should not affect the quality and its effects on our health. The idea behind his initiative, HonestFood, was to reconsider the production model and find a middle path between the conventional industrial food production and the organic production. The main goals are to provide tasty and affordable food, distribute in a more fair way and to contribute to a healthier society and planet.

After their inspiring speeches both business men highlighted the most important thing, a call of action for all of us.

We are always expecting change from someone else, but the change should start from all of us.”

All the sessions, including Alessandro Farina’s and Giacomo Pedranzini’s speech, can be found HERE.

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Number of green vehicles up five fold in the last few years

electric car ev sales

The number of green vehicles registered with green number plates rose to over 88,000 in January from 17,000 in 2020, or a five-fold increase, the energy ministry said on Thursday.

The increase in the fully electric car segment was even higher, 6.5-fold increase during the period, the ministry said on Facebook, adding that the number of these types is expected to exceed 50,000 at the end of this month.

Around 3,000 pure electric green trucks, 500 motorcycles and over 200 run on Hungary’s roads.

Fifty-six percent of vehicles with green plates are fully electric and 60 percent of them were put on the roads in the countryside, the ministry said.

The government’s goal is to promote green energy in the Hungarian transport sector which currently produces one-fifth of all of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. It has earmarked 30 billion forints (EUR 77m) to subsidise the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles by businesses, it said.

The call for proposals, which opened on Monday, had received 1300 applications worth HUF 6.3 (EUR 16m) billion by this morning.

The most popular category of vehicles is passenger cars, with more than 1,200 vehicles, but more than 400 vans would also be purchased with non-repayable grants by the companies that have already applied.

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Budapest to get EUR 780 million EU funding for city development

You must pay for parking in these places in Budapest even today

Budapest is set to receive HUF 300 billion (EUR 778.8 million) in European Union development funding over the coming years, the Mayor’s Office said on Thursday.

The city will get HUF 178 billion (EUR 462 million) for transport developments, HUF 50 billion (EUR 130 million) for public space developments, HUF 34 billion (EUR 88.2 million) for equality developments and HUF 38 billion (EUR 98.6 million) for flood protection and water management, the office said in a statement.

Some of the developments to be funded from the monies are already under way, they added.

The funds will be allocated towards the Home in Budapest Strategy aimed at turning the capital into “a green, open city of opportunities”, the office said.

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They said key steps could be taken over the coming years to prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change. The funds will also be used to “ease the housing crisis” and implement significant social developments.

They said the condition for receiving the funds had been that Hungary would have access to them, adding that they were “a recognition of the preparatory work carried out by the city council”.

The statement cited Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony as saying in Brussels that the reason why the funding had been approved was that the city’s urban development goals coincided with those of the European Union.

“We are building a sustainable, green city that exercises solidarity,” Karácsony said, announcing the development package.

Launching with 23,000 Locations: Beeco’s Eco-Conscious Map Begins its Sustainable Quest

Beeco's Eco-Conscious Map Begins its Sustainable Quest

With 40 different categories related to sustainability, those exploring Beeco’s eco-points can choose from community composting sites, selective waste collection points, sustainable restaurants, package-free stores, green events, and many more. Numerous points await those who actively want to contribute to the wellbeing of Earth.

Fifteen experts have worked on compiling the map in the past few months, but the work doesn’t end here. The team welcomes suggestions from community members about their favorite sustainable locations to be added to the map. The next step is the launch of the Beeco application, where we will not only be a click away from the country’s most sustainable places on our phones but can also engage in playful missions and discounts to contribute to the well-being of our planet and reduce our ecological footprint.

The founders of Beeco were inspired by bees when naming their project. They believe in building our eco-friendly hive together step by step, just like diligent bees. Since its founding, the project has seen potential in programs such as EIT Climate Launchpad, K&H Start It, and MVM Edison. As they prepare for the launch of the application, the community of eco-conscious individuals, volunteers, and corporate partners supporting Beeco is constantly growing.

Do you want to be part of the Beeco hive too? Write an email to Kristóf at kr*************@be***.hu!

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Hungary on the verge of home solar panel boom

Market boom in household energy efficiency? solar panel

More than 21,000 households applied for subsidies for home solar panels and battery storage in the first week of the 75 billion forint (EUR 196.1m) scheme, Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said in an interview with news portal index.hu published on Saturday.

Households may apply for up to 5 million forints in support, covering two-thirds of investment cost, Lantos said.

Meanwhile, close to 700 companies that install solar panels and batter storage have had their registrations approved so far, Lantos said.

The minister said more than 250,000 homes in Hungary have solar panels installed, almost a quarter more than what was originally expected by 2030. The total capacity of industrial and household solar installations is over 5,600 MW, he said, adding that this could increase to up to 12 GW by the beginning of the next decade.

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Air quality ‘dangerous’ in several parts of Hungary

Air quality in Hungary

Air quality is now “dangerous” in many parts of Hungary, according to the national public health centre (NNGYK).

Air quality is qualified as “dangerous” in the Sajó valley, in Putnok, Kazincbarcika, Sajószentpéter and Miskolc, as well as in Nyíregyháza and Kaposvár, the centre said on Friday.

In Pécs, Szeged, Győr, Tatabánya and Hernádszurdok the air is classified as “unhealthy”, while in Sopron, Ajka, Várpalota, Székesfehérvár, Dunaújváros, Százhalombatta, Budapest, Kecskemét, Salgótarján and Debrecen air quality was recorded as “acceptable”.

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  • Shocking data came about the year 2023 from the HungaroMet – Read more HERE

How to Choose the Best Beer Packaging for Your Brand? 

beer cans

Sponsored content 

Beer is a well-liked and much-drank drink all over the world.

If you make beer either for small groups or big businesses, you want your drink to be better than others and reach the people who like it.

So, picking the best beer packaging is very important for your brand.

Why is beer packaging important?

The packaging for beer is not only used to store and move your product. It is also a strong marketing tool that can change consumers’ thoughts and likes.

A study found that 66% of customers are happy to spend more on stuff wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. 71% say they could change brands if the design were good.

Packaging of beer can also change how good and fresh your drink is.

Different ways of packing come with different good and not-so-good points. These can help or harm your beer from light, air, and changes in heat which could change the taste, smell, and look of it.

For example, glass bottles are see-through and can let in bad sun rays. On the other hand, cans are solid without holes so they block out light from getting inside.

How to Choose the Best Beer Packaging for Your Brand

 There is no single answer for how to package beer.

You must think about a few things, like your money plan, who you want to sell to, and how and where the product will be sent out. You also need ideas on keeping our environment safe and what makes your shop special or easy to remember for people!

Here are some tips to help you choose the best beer packaging for your brand:

Know Your Audience:

Different kinds of buyers might have different likes and needs for how beer is packed.

For example, young people might like cans more than bottles because they are easy to carry and you can recycle them.

Old people might like bottles more than cans because they are old-fashioned, fancy, and real.

You have to learn more about your audience and see what they need, want, or care for.

Know Your Competitors:

You also have to look at what kind of beer packs your competitors are using.

 You want to show yourself differently from them and make a special sale offer for your brand.

 You can achieve this by using unique shapes, colors, labels, and markings that show your brand’s character and beliefs. 

Know Your Options:

There are many ways to package beer like glass bottles, metal cans made from plastic, and growlers. You also have big containers called kegs and smaller ones called crowlers of your choice.

 Every type has its good and bad points when it comes to price, lifespan, being green, and beauty.

 You must think about the good and bad points of each choice, then pick out which one is best for your brand.

 Know Your Goals.

You also need to set your goals and targets for how you want to package your beer: 

What do you want to tell your customers?

What kind of feeling do you want to make for your brand?

How do you want to place your brand in the market?

How do you want to check if your beer packaging is successful?

Your beer packaging needs to match your brand plan and ideas.

How Does Beer Bottle Packaging Help Your Brand?

Imagine this: you’re browsing the crowded beer aisle; a sea of labels vying for your attention. Suddenly, one bottle catches your eye. It’s not just the color, though that’s a stunner; it’s the heft, the cool smoothness in your hand, the way the light dances through the glass. This, my friend, is the magic of beer bottle packaging.

Visibility:

Using bottles to package beer can make your brand logo and label look nicer than other kinds of packaging, like cans.

This can help people get to know your brand and remember it better.

You can use see-through or nearly clear bottles for your beer. This allows people to see the color and makes them want it more often.

Perception:

Using beer bottle packaging can make your brand look good to customers. This means putting the drinks nicely and attractively for possible customers. 

You can also see tradition, truth, and skill in beer bottles. This could attract customers who care about those qualities.

Key Takeaways

The way you package your beer is very important to build up the image of your brand. It can affect how fresh and good it tastes, make customers like or choose one kind over another because of what they think about its look on a shelf at a store.

To pick the best beer packaging for your brand, you have to think about who will drink it, what other brands are doing, and the choices you can make. Also, consider why you want this package.

Beer bottles are a common and good way to package beer because they give you flexibility and clear looks for your brand. They also affect how people see it in the right ways.

Using beer bottle packaging can make your brand look better, sell more stuff, and earn money.

Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.

Minister: Hungary spends a lot on environment protection

Environmental catastrophe River Sajó Slovakia Hungary

Environment protection investments in 2023 reached a 13-year high, István Nagy, the agriculture minister, said in a statement on Friday.

Hungary’s 10 national parks have implemented developments worth a total of 90 billion forints (EUR 235.2m), improving the condition of over 300,000 hectares of natural habitat, a ministry statement cited Nagy as saying.

While over one-third of Hungary’s territory has been preserved in its “near-natural state”, those areas are fragmented and need constant intervention, Nagy said. Their maintenance is the responsibility of the country’s ten national parks, aided by government operative programmes such as the KEHOP scheme, Nagy said.

He said the operative programmes mostly focused on recultivating land and wetlands.

Such schemes also contributed to developing infrastructure and tourism: half of the 700 eco-tourism centres in Hungary are in the hands of the national parks, he said. Visitor numbers have doubled in the past 13 years, to over 1.6 million people, he added.

In December 2022, the European Commission approved the KEHOP Plus programme, allocating 42 billion forints to upgrade 100,000 hectares of natural habitats, he said.

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  • Thousand litres of waste oil released in the River Danube near Budapest – Read more HERE
  • Four brand new mushroom species found in Hungary – Details in THIS article

Featured image: illustration

Thousand litres of waste oil released in the River Danube near Budapest

Budapest Danube

The opposition Democratic Coalition will ask the chief public prosecutor and the interior minister about who is responsible for a case of oil contamination in Szigetszentmiklós, south of Budapest, three years ago, the party’s shadow minister for environmental protection said on Sunday.

Olivio Kocsis-Cake told a joint press conference with Eva Kocsis, DK’s mayoral candidate for Szigetszentmiklós, that in December 2020 several thousand litres of waste oil had been released in a sub-channel of the River Danube in an area with Natura 2000 environmental protection ranking. As a result, the environment was severely damaged on an area of 1,800 square metres, he added.

Kocsis-Cake said it was “appalling” that nobody was held accountable for the oil contamination while it cost several hundred million forints to clear the area.

The party will ask Chief Public Prosecutor Péter Polt why the culprit had not been found, he said.

Kocsis said the party’s parliamentary group would also ask the interior minister in writing, adding that she was determined to reveal who was responsible in order to prevent that any such act is left without a consequence in the future.

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  • Half of Budapest to be closed next week due to presidential visit – Read more HERE

Four brand new mushroom species found in Hungary

new fungi in hungary

Years of collecting samples in the Hungarian Great Plain have uncovered four brand new species of fungi. These four include one that scientists say bears a striking resemblance to a notorious sci-fi monster. Its worm-like body and sandy habitat prompted the team to name the new species Tulostoma shaihuludii, after the Shai-Hulud sandworm in the Dune novels of Frank Herbert.

In Europe, the extreme climatic conditions of the Carpathian Basin provide particularly favourable habitat conditions for different fungi, making Hungary one of the most diverse Winter Stalkball fungus (Tulostoma brumale) habitats in Europe, HellóMagyar writes.

All four new species belong to the genus Tulostoma. In the case of T. shaihuludii, one can look for reasons why researchers have linked Herbert’s monstrous worms – but one does not have to go as far as Arrakis to find such unusual life forms.

Perfect conditions for the Winter Stalkball fungus

The vast lowland plains near the border of Romania and Serbia are known to be a hotbed of the Winter Stalkball fungi. Sandy soil peppered with grassy thickets provides the perfect habitat for these gasteroid fungi and conditions can be harsh. The region receives little rainfall and sand temperatures can soar in summer and autumn, so Tulostoma species have had to develop resilience.

Hungarian researchers have done a huge amount of work: the new identifications are based on samples collected in the field over 25 years.

“So far, 19 species have been recorded in Hungary, including the four new species proposed in this study,” the authors write, suggesting that the earth has not yet revealed all its secrets.

“Our ongoing investigations indicate that there are many more undiscovered species of Tulostoma brumale present in central Europe.”

Understanding fungal species

Together with the new findings, the team’s comprehensive taxonomic research is an important contribution to our understanding of this group of organisms. For example, they have succeeded in showing that another species, Tulostoma dunense, is a new species that has evolved as a result of geographic isolation, being closely related but genetically distinct from similar species found in North America.

Unfortunately, as the authors point out, Tulostoma species are rare, most of them being on the European Council for the Conservation of Fungi’s red list. Learning the best ways to protect them starts with learning as much as possible about their diversity and habitat.

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Hungarian opposition proposes environmental damage control fund

Green Eco Nature Environment

The opposition Párbeszéd – Greens is proposing to create a fund to prevent environmental and industrial damage, Benedek Jávor said on Thursday.

Jávor, who heads the party’s list for next year’s European parliamentary elections, pointed to a mudslide in Recsk, in north-east Hungary, in June, where some 50 people had to be evacuated due to damage to some 24 houses. The disaster had been a result of negligence, he said.

Jávor insisted that the company responsible, which he said was connected to Fidesz lawmaker Lajos Kosa, had rejected victims’ claims for compensation. The 500 million forints (EUR 1.3m) the government had earmarked for their aid has yet to arrive, he said, adding there were no plans to restore the environmental damage.

Párbeszéd is now proposing to set up a fund that could cover the costs of environmental damage control and compensation quickly and effectively, he said.

The proposal would also obligate companies to conclude liability insurance contracts and financial guarantees for dangerous operations that would adequately cover possible costs, he said.

“The environmental security of Hungarians is our priority, and we can’t subjugate that to the interests of entrepreneurs with links to Fidesz,” Jávor said. “The proliferation of cases shows we can’t wait any longer.”

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Debrecen prepares historic environmental strategy

debrecen university environmental strategy

The city of Debrecen, in eastern Hungary, has prepared the basis for a “historic” environment control system, László Papp, the city’s mayor, said on Monday.

Referring to a “stormy” public hearing concerning a new Chinese battery plant in Debrecen earlier this year, the mayor said he had pledged to introduce a comprehensive monitoring system based on input by Debrecen University experts, independent of similar systems operated by relevant authorities.

The new system will cover the city and the greater Debrecen area, with monitoring points already determined, Papp said, adding that deployment of the system will start next year, and “the first data will be recorded before the large plants start operating”.

György Kossa, the head of the foundation running Debrecen University, said the university will “record and assess environmental impacts and will do everything, in cooperation with the city, in the interest of residents’ safety”.

MP Lajos Kósa noted the key significance of storing energy, which “needs to be done in a way that it does not jeopardise the public”. The city “takes care of its residents … we cannot do anything that jeopardises residents, but developments must go ahead,” he said.

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Minister: Hungary to be among winners of green transition

LMP Hungarian Green Party

Hungary has the financial means “to make the country a winner of the global economic green transition,” Finance Minister Mihály Varga told the United Nations Climate Conference in Dubai.

“To be successful we must produce and store green energy, and the government will utilise every means to achieve this,” Varga said.

The minister said Hungary was one of a few countries able to increase its industrial production and reduce its emissions at the same time. He added, however, that “green energy is the future of the Hungarian economy” and he said efforts were being made to transform the economy into a modern and sustainable system.

“The new economic world order is being shaped in the competition of national economies and businesses, and since Hungary started making green investments in time, its prospects are good,” Varga said.

The minister mentioned Hungary’s tax policy involving climate targets in the national budget, and issuing green bonds as tools to achieve those targets, adding that “Hungary is especially successful” in this respect.

Varga is in Dubai attending a financial day within the COP28 Climate Conference.

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