FM newsroom – sustainability, green transition, energy. Hungary’s legally confirmed commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990. Compared to the base year of 1990, we are at a 43% decrease, so in 2023, the country has not only reached but has already exceeded our 2030 goal, Energy Minister Csaba Lantos shared on the Ministry’s Facebook page.
According to preliminary data, domestic GHG emissions fell by a significant 9.5% last year compared to the previous year. Compared to the 1990 base year, we are now at a 43% reduction overall, so in 2023 we have not only reached our 2030 target but have already exceeded it, fmbusiness.hu reports, referring to the Facebook post of Energy Minister Csaba Lantos.
Green transition – solar power generation up 47%
According to preliminary data from HungaroMet Nonprofit Zrt., the energy sector produced the largest share of emissions reductions by industry last year, with an 11% drop. Emissions from larger power and heating plants fell by a fifth, also due to conscious consumer behaviour and mild winter weather.
The rapid progress of the green transition is shown by the fact that while fossil-based power generation fell by 18%, solar power generation increased by almost one and a half times to 47%.
Transport as the largest emitter
In transport, one of the largest emitters, the upward trend of previous years turned into a sharp decline of 7.1% in 2023. Emissions from the most polluting facilities registered in the ETS EU quota trading system fell by 13.6% on an annual basis last year. Final emissions data will be available in the summer of 2025.
Stepping up climate action
Based on the performance so far, the Ministry of Energy recommends increasing our climate commitment to protect the created environment and the quality of life of future generations. In the revised National Energy and Climate Plan, the Ministry initiated a large-scale increase of the 40% emission reduction target set for 2030 to 50%.
image: facebook.com, Energiaügyi Minisztérium
