Urgent need for a shale gas moratorium amid drought and climate crisis (English version of press release) While the new Prime Minister has called on the Minister for the Living Environment to develop a water management action plan in response to worsening drought and critically low water levels, water-intensive shale gas developments are moving in the opposite direction. Shale gas extraction is already underway in Hungary near Sarkad, while a new project is being prepared near Kiskunhalas, in the particularly water-stressed Danube–Tisza Interfluve (Homokhátság). The situation is further aggravated by non-conventional hydrocarbon concessions announced in early 2026, including areas affecting protected natural sites. FoE Hungary has therefore addressed a letter to the relevant ministers of the new government, calling for a nationwide shale gas moratorium.

The National Society of Conservationists – Friends of the Earth Hungary (FoE Hungary, MTVSZ) has launched a significant initiative calling for a moratorium on shale gas exploration and extraction across Hungary. FoE Hungary is inviting Hungarian NGOs and local communities, experts and farmers to support, join the initiative.

 

From 1 July 2024, Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. This will be a very special period: a new European Parliament will be elected and probably also a new European Commission designed. Their agenda for the upcoming 5 years will be discussed and possibly set. For the Hungarian Presidency this situation presents an opportunity to not only facilitate the current EU policy developments and debates but also to propose own initiatives and approaches. Taking into account that it will be Poland to take the Presidency over for the first half of 2025 it would be useful to focus on the Central Eastern European perspectives for the EU climate and energy policies and discussions. This includes communicating the socio-economic co-benefits of enhanced action, address citizens’ concerns about rising costs of living, and enabling their participation in a just energy transition.  

NSC-FoE Hungary: Hungary could escape from the trap of fossil energy dependence with plans focusing and supporting the energy transition of households more. English translation of our PR of 15 June 2023.       

                Program and presentations, outputs from the CEE workshop organized by NSC-FoE Hungary, CAN Europe in the framework of the EUKI project. Workshop program - downloadable pdf.  

    Do you know how to mitigate global climate change? Do you want to know what you can do to help biodiversity conservation? Would you like to spend a week on the riverbanks of the Bodrog with an international group? Join the international wilderness camp in Hungary, Bodrogolaszi for five days from July 11– 15 2022.