Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Circular Economy Technology Platform, the Minister of Innovation and Technology László Palkovics said it is becoming clear how the circular economy is the basis of economies.
According to the minister, the automotive industry has been hampered by a shortage of various raw materials recently due to the energy situation having been complicated by the Russian-Ukrainian war. All solutions are needed to improve the energy problem, the minister said at the inaugural ceremony of the ninth Technology Platform.
As a professional, consultative, and advocacy forum, the Circular Economy Technology Platform’s primary objective is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Hungary, in line with Hungarian and European strategies, which is key to a sustainable future.
In a comprehensive and complex presentation, the minister outlined the government’s climate policy steps, stressing that Hungary was the first country in the region to enact climate neutrality into law.
In recent years, the Hungarian economy has grown while emissions have fallen, he said.
According to Palkovics, building battery development, production, and recycling capacity will be a strategic advantage in the future, which is why the Hungarian Battery Strategy was created.
He also spoke about the expansion of solar power capacity, the importance of hydrogen energy, and the greening of transport. He said that the government would extend the Green Bus Program to cities with a population of less than 25,000. Additionally, nuclear energy should be considered a green energy source and confirmed that the government would build Paks 2.
Attila Steiner, Minister of State for Circular Economic Development, Energy and Climate Policy at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, spoke about the circular economy’s obligations, strategies, and subsidies. He described the funding opportunities for the 2021-27 EU cycle. He said that the Operational Programme for Environment and Energy Efficiency has a budget of HUF 1.2 trillion available in five main areas. In addition, several funds under the Recovery and Resilience Instrument (RRF) are available to support the transition to a circular economy.
Ákos Balázs, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen responsible for environmental protection, announced that Debrecen has joined the Circular Economy Technology Platform as a founding member.
Source: MTI | dehir.hu
Photo credit: Facebook (Balázs Ákos)
