Hungary Environment

Hungary has a temperate continental climate that is influenced by three main factors: the Eastern-European continental, the Western-European oceanic and the Mediterranean influence. Located in the lowest part of the Carpathian Basin, 84% of the country lies below 200m, with only 2% above 400m (mountain peaks reach 1015m in the north) and river gradients are generally low. Rivers enter from the west, north and east and drain southwards. The Hungarian Danube traverses 417km, forming the border with Slovakia in the NW and thereafter flowing south. In the east, also flowing southwards is the Tisza, covering 595km before reaching Serbia and Montenegro where it later flows into the Danube.
Because of the climate and geography, Hungary is vulnerable to any climatic changes brought about by global warming. Over the last several years, average summer temperature increased by 1°C, while spring temperatures increased by 0.77°C. In the autumn the temperatures are higher by 0.4-0.5°C and winters are warmer by 0.76°C. Additionally, the frequency of floods tripled during the last decade. Based on studies, during the last 50 years significant floods occurred 5-6 times a year and very large floods happened every 10-12 years. During the last nine years there were six big floods on the Hungarian rivers. Increased erosion of hillside land in neiboring countries and incresed urbanization in Hungary seem to be the most significant factors.
Hungary’s location is unique as it is in a basin surrounded by mountains that are located in other countries. This means that national practices of Austria, Slovakia, the Ukraine and Romania affect the Hungarian environment.
For example, In 2000 a dam leaked cyanide from a Romanian gold mine into the Tiza River, a tributary of the Danube, killing all forms of aquatic life for 250 miles (400 km) downstream. In Hungary about 85 tons of dead fish were removed from the Tiza River. In another recent example, high levels of toxic chemicals were found in the Raba, a border river of Hungary and Austria. Leather factories along the river in Austria who according to Austrian law are legally discharging into the river. These legal discharges are thought to be the source of the contamination in Hungary.
In 2003 a project, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, was commissioned to prepare a study about the potential future of environmental challenges. The project called VAHAVA, Changing (VÁltozás) Impact (HAtás) Response (VÁlaszadás), - the past, the present and the future forecasts.
The main scope of the project was to adapt and respond to climate change impacts.
In addition, the report point out the need to develop a strategy for a more sustainable life style in Hungary, through the use of renewable energy. Currently only 3% of the country’s energy has a source of renewable energy: biomass (wood) and geothermal sources. The structure of the energy sector should be changed to incorporate the use of wind, solar, geothermal energy and second generation biofuels such as ethanol from cellulosic materials.
In June of 2007, Hungary adopted a climate change law. In reponse to this law, the Hungarian National Climate Change Strategy for 2008-2025 was created. The pillars for this strategy are the followings:
- Decrease in emissions, change of energy structure: Hungary is further striving to keep up with the Kyoto emission rates. Another objective is to change consumer behaviour towards conscious energy saving.
- Increase in energy efficiency: New financial sources should support climate saving processes, which could lead to the growth of efficiency.
- Change of government support in the field of energy: This should include new strategies where concerned people should be induced with policy instruments to increase energy-usage efficiency. Another objective is to provide financial support for renewable energy.
- Decrease of carbon-intensity in the field of traffic and transport :Mass transport ratio should be increased, parallel to developing the infrastructure for enabling cycling in the city. Cycling routes should not only be created in the capital and main cities, but all around the country. Regarding transportation, the proportion of non-road transportation should be increased, by also developing local infrastructure (e.g. train network). Regarding governmental actions higher emissions should lead to higher taxes, which is expected to be included into the road taxes. Besides that conscious city planning should facilitate efficient traffic and transportation too: more developed mass transport system, city planning, more pedestrian zones).
- Waste treatment: Waste treatment should be also developed, especially by the new structure of collecting and recycling useful waste. As a governmental initiative, further legal and economic measures should be introduced, partly as incentives for the people.

The Hungarian National Climate Change plan is a great start for a country-level plan to combat climate issues. The primarily objective should be however to change living styles and to support every-day people in changing their lifestyle to live sustainable in the future.
The missing focus of the plan is that the government (and maybe people too) should facilitate the creation of local communities who could help in teams and small groups to accomplish achieve the goal of sustainability.
The Hungarian government and officials have to prepare for the fact that climate change may have a disparate effect on certain underprivileged regions, the poor and the elderly. As suggested by the VAHAVA professionals a plan should be developed to support communities in creating local self-support projects.