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In an open letter, the groups said Magyar had announced on Aug. 23, and confirmed in Parliament on Aug. 27, that the bill would be submitted in the fall. By early November, however, neither the draft legislation nor a consultation timetable had been published, the National Society of Conservationists said Monday.
The signatories warned that further delays could undermine preparations for climate measures and the effective use of Hungarian and European Union funding. Planning and implementation require a sound regulatory framework, they said, adding that “every day of delay could set preparation back by months.”
In early July, civil society, professional and advocacy groups submitted their own proposal, developed by a coalition of more than 200 organizations. It seeks to ensure Hungary both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prepares for the increasingly severe effects of climate change.
The groups also pointed to last year’s Constitutional Court decision, which called for comprehensive regulation addressing emissions reduction, adaptation and national resilience.
Their proposals include clear emissions reduction targets, five-year carbon budgets, an independent scientific council, a separate climate authority and legally enforceable government commitments. Adaptation should receive the same weight as emissions reduction, they argued.
Strengthening Hungary’s resilience would also require reviewing regulations governing agriculture, water management, energy and other sectors.
The organizations called on the government to launch consultation as soon as possible, expressing hope that Parliament could still adopt the legislation before the end of the year.
Signatories included representatives of the Green Policy Center, Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute, Climate Protection Coalition, Greenpeace Hungary, Clean Air Action Group, Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society, National Society of Conservationists, Naphimnusz Creation Protection Association, Reflex Environmental Protection Association and WWF Hungary.
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