Hungary is aiming for net zero GHG emissions, i.e. climate neutrality, by 2050, i.e. to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions and removals in line with the Paris Agreement.

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, Hungary needs to reduce its GHG emissions by about 95% compared to 1990.

To achieve this target, which will require technologies not yet known, emissions will need to be reduced to absolute zero in the following sectors: electricity and district heating; energy-related oil refining and coking; transport; energy efficiency; energy demand in agriculture, fisheries, forestry

In the case of water management, the problems of water scarcity and overflow need to be addressed, as well as flood protection and the management of flash floods and flash floods.

It is essential to keep natural precipitation in place at all levels (farmers, residents, municipalities). Climate change-related damage to agriculture is strongly linked to water management, as an increase in drought vulnerability could pose the greatest risk to agriculture in the future.

Forests also play a major role in carbon sequestration and adaptation. It is therefore important to increase forest cover.

The energy sector is not only one of the largest emitters, but also a sector involved in adaptation. In the future, it will be necessary to consistently integrate climate risk considerations into the power plant and energy (gas, electricity, and district heating) infrastructure planning, in line with changing weather patterns and trends.

The share of energy from renewable sources in Hungary was 13.3% in 2017. Between 1994 and 2017, the share of renewable energy in total gross energy consumption increased from 2.2% to 7.5% for electricity, from 0.9% to 6.8% for transport, and from 6.5% to 19.6% for heating and cooling, mainly thanks to the use of biomass. The most dynamic growth in recent years has been in the use of solar power, renewable district heating and heat pump systems, and biofuels with mandatory blending rates. For Hungary, the potential for renewable energy use should be planned objectively, taking into account all economic and ecological considerations. The use of biomass in large quantities should only be used in a way that controls harmful emissions and respects the biological aspects of valuable forests and farmland. Biogas should be produced primarily from municipal waste or food industry by-products. Theoretically, we have huge reserves of solar energy, but its availability is limited by time constraints and the siting of solar panels and collectors. The challenge is to match electricity generation and consumption.

In the heating and cooling sector, there is great potential for efficient use of biomass, both in individual heating systems and in district heating, as well as in the potential for using ambient heat through heat pumps. Given the geological conditions in Hungary, the aim is to exploit the geothermal thermal energy potential, both in district heating and in agro-economic applications (e.g. heating greenhouses). In addition, the potential of including the biodegradable fraction of municipal waste in useful heat production should be exploited. 

The key objectives of the new National Energy Strategy are to strengthen energy sovereignty and security, maintain the results of the cuts in rents and to decarbonise energy production, which can only be achieved through the use of nuclear energy. For conventional energy-poor countries like Hungary, energy sovereignty is a matter of welfare, economy, and national security. It is in Hungary's clear interest to reduce its energy import needs, while at the same time ensuring its ever wider connection to the regional electricity and gas networks, which can guarantee the security of supply and efficient import competition.

Energy independence for families can be promoted by supporting renewable energy production in the home for own use, promoting the uptake of smart meters, and investing in energy efficiency to sustain the results of the cuts in rents.

Author: DanuP-2-Gas ERDF PP2 - TCDA

The Danube Region holds huge potential for sustainable generation and storage of renewable energy. However, to date this region is highly dependent on energy imports, while energy efficiency, diversity and renewables share are low. In line with the EU climate targets for 2030 and the targets of the European Strategy for the Danube Region, DanuP-2-Gas supports transnational energy planning by strengthening generation and storage strategies for renewables in the Danube Region via advanced sector coupling technologies.