Energy and the environment
CO2-Emissions
Hungary has been a signatory state to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 1994. Hungary’s accession to the Kyoto Protocol was in August 2002. Under Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol, Hungary is committed to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 6% in the time period 2008-2012 (six gases). As an economy in transition, Hungary has the right to choose its base year, and has opted for 1985-1987 as its base line period.
Pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Hungary, as a Party of the Convention, has been preparing annual inventories of greenhouse gas emissions using the IPCC methodology. The latest inventory report was prepared in 2010 containing the latest available data from 2008.
CO2-Emissions per Capita of Hungary, as compared to other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and the European Union 15, 2007
Hungary had sold part of its emission quotas in 2008-2009 as made possible under the Protocol. Income from such sales is used under the Green Investment Scheme (GIS), resulting in further measurable reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, and supporting investments yielding other environmental and social benefits.
In 2008, the total emissions of greenhouse gases in Hungary amounted to 73.4 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent (excluding the LULUCF sector). Hungary’s emissions in 2008 were 36.2% lower than in the base year (average of 1985-87). This significant reduction is mainly the consequence of the regime change in Hungary (1989-90) which brought radical decline in the output of the national economy. The production decreased in almost every sector including also the GHG relevant sectors like energy, industry and agriculture. With about 7 tons, the Hungarian per capita emissions were below the European average in 2008.
[National Inventory Report 2010]
National Climate Change Strategy
The National Climate Change Strategy was developed pursuant to section of Act LX/2007 (V. 28.) on the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. The mission of the National Climate Change Strategy is to provide a policy framework for a chain of actions which, when implemented, can efficiently and effectively put Hungary in a position in terms of society and economy to reduce gas emissions responsible for climate change and to adapt to the inevitable changes. In accordance with the national commitments, the Climate Change Strategy was elaborated for the first time for the period 2008-2025. The revision of the Strategy will be done later this year (2011), after the Hungarian EU presidency.
The objectives of the National Climate Change Strategy shall be implemented through National Climate Change Programmes to be prepared on a biannual basis. The NCCS is also adjusted to the National Sustainable Development Strategy adopted by the Government by Govt. Decree No. 1054/2007 (VII. 9.) and to the Renewable Energy Strategy of Hungary.
The National Society of Conservationists (Friends of the Earth) has initiated a campaign for the development of a climate law. In February 2010 the proposal was not approved by the Parliament. The possible acceptance of the draft is still under discussion in 2011.
Air pollution
The carbon dioxide emissions account for 76.8% (56.4 MCO2-eq.) of the total GHG emissions. The main source of CO2 emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels for energy purposes, including transport. Methane represents 11.7% (8.6 MCO2-eq.) in the GHG inventory. Methane is generated mainly in waste disposal sites and animal farms, but the fugitive emissions of natural gas are also an important source. CH4 emissions are 30.4% lower than in base year. Nitrous oxide contributes 10.2% (7.5 MCO2-eq.) to the total GHG emissions.
Its main sources are agricultural soils, manure management and chemical industry. The N2O emissions were halved in the years of political and economic changes. By far, the biggest emitting sector was the Energy sector contributing 75.7% to the total GHG emission in 2008. Agriculture was the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Hungary (12%) in 2008. The Industrial Processes was the third largest sector contributing 7.1% to total GHG emissions in 2008. The Waste sector represented 5.2% of the total national GHG emissions. The LULUCF sector is a net sink of carbon. In 2008, the net removal was -3.6 million tons CO2. This result is determined largely by Forest Land.
[UNFCCC]
