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.
The moratorium aims to ensure that no shale gas projects threaten public health, livelihoods, or the environment.
“Current shale gas projects pose serious environmental and health risks, especially for those living in the Hungarian Great Plain, and the investments are also economically questionable. A moratorium with broad public support would protect water resources, agriculture, public health, and Hungary’s long-term interests,” said Eszter Galambos, energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Hungary.
The demands of FoE Hungary and (as of mid-December) 41 Hungarian NGOs supporting the initiative:
- Implement a nationwide moratorium on shale gas promptly, which means stopping shale gas extraction and all related exploratory drilling and exploration activities in Hungary.
- Assess all environmental, social, and economic risks and potential impacts of shale gas in Hungary, involving independent experts. Review the shale gas issue and explore scenarios that exclude shale gas entirely. The findings and plans should be thoroughly discussed with professional institutions, experts, and local communities.
"We welcome non-governmental organisations, communities, and networks from all levels - local, regional, and national - as well as representatives from various sectors such as health, agriculture, environment, social services, youth, education, cultural heritage, and tourism. Experts and farmers are also encouraged to join the initiative,” said Róbert Fidrich, Programme Coordinator at FoE Hungary.
The moratorium initiative builds on FoE Hungary's longstanding efforts to highlight the risks associated with shale gas. Over the years, FoE Hungary has been active in raising awareness about the risks of shale gas, engaging in permitting processes, and providing expert opinions to protect local communities and the environment.
“A comprehensive moratorium solution is necessary because the issue is systemic and extends beyond individual shale gas projects. Current regulations do not adequately protect local communities and the environment, yet new shale gas developments continue to arise. This year, a new licensing process was initiated for expanding the shale gas project in Békés County, Southeastern Hungary. Transparency remains a concern: despite winning a public information lawsuit in October, the Mining Authority keeps witholding the data, prompting us to pursue the case further,” concluded Eszter Galambos.
In mid-October, FoE Hungary and 26 NGOs sent a letter to the Minister of Energy urging the moratorium, but as of mid-December, no response received yet.
