Hungary has an abundance of biodiversity across its vast grasslands, caves, rivers, and wetlands, contrasting with the densely populated area of Budapest. Intensive industrial and agricultural activities, dependence on fossil fuels, and an increase in road traffic have exacerbated environmental challenges.
Environmental policies have delivered some results but institutional barriers and administrative capacity constraints preventing effective implementation remain. There is room in Hungary for more actions to reach compliance with EU environmental standards.
Highlights
Hungary has reported adopting all management plans containing the conservation measures for the Natura 2000 sites.
Hungary has also made some progresses and should continue its efforts to map and assess ecosystems and their services.
Main Challenges
Circular economy
Significant efforts are needed to increase circular material rate and resource productivity and reach EU averages. Urgent reforms and investments in waste management should focus on diverting municipal and construction waste from landfilling and improving recycling.
Pollution
Air quality continues to be a concern. While some emissions have decreased in Hungary, breaches of air quality requirements remain, with negative effects on human health and the environment.
Governance and investment
The investment gap to meet Hungary’s environmental objectives is an estimated €2.4 billion per year in Hungary, representing around 1.43% of national GDP, significantly above the EU-average (0.77%).
Several aspects of the environmental governance should be improved in Hungary, notably to ensure the compliance of the environmental procedures, guarantee the access to justice on environmental matters, and increase administrative capacities for environmental policies.