The following is an adapted version of an article written by Bettina Felde-Tóth, a research fellow at the Europe Strategy Institute of the University of Public Service, originally published on the Five Minutes Europe blog of Ludovika.hu.
The Presidential Committee on Sustainable Development of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences has published a study on the current state of sustainability in Hungary and its recommendations for the future, intending to support policymakers in adopting well-founded measures.
The document titled Sustainable Hungary 2026, prepared by the Presidential Committee on Sustainable Development of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, sets forth a comprehensive package of policy recommendations in response to Hungary’s long-term sustainability challenges. The starting point is that sustainability is not merely an environmental issue, but a fundamental determinant of national competitiveness, social well-being, resource security, and government efficiency. According to the document, natural capital—particularly water resources, arable land, forests, and biodiversity—should be treated as a strategic national asset, the preservation of which is one of the state’s primary responsibilities.
While the recommendation does not comprehensively cover all aspects of sustainability, the authors note that the insights summarized in the four chapters are the most significant for Hungary.
1. Key Issues
One of the document’s strongest messages is that environmental and sustainability governance in Hungary is fragmented. Tasks related to sustainability are divided among several ministries, which weakens coordination and advocacy. To remedy this, the authors propose the creation of a standalone ministry for environmental protection or sustainability. The manuscript was likely finalized before April or May 2026, as the new government established this standalone ministry following the 2026 elections. At the same time, it is important to note that a holistic approach is needed in this area: policy cannot be formulated in isolation, without considering the specific characteristics of other policy areas; therefore, the establishment of a central governing body that integrates all policy areas is warranted.
The proposal is justified from a policy perspective, as climate change, water management, nature conservation, and the circular economy are closely interrelated areas. The lack of integrated governance currently hinders long-term strategic planning. The document also calls for a stronger regulatory framework, an improved monitoring system, and the strengthening of institutions that represent the interests of future generations.
It is also worth noting the emphasis placed on public participation and the role of local governments. According to the authors, a significant portion of sustainability issues can be addressed most effectively at the local level, which is why the principle of subsidiarity must be more strongly enforced.
The document also places great emphasis on the use of nature-based solutions, which are often among the most cost-effective and simplest climate adaptation measures for addressing climate change. Policies based on water retention, the widespread adoption of green infrastructure, or sustainable forest management contribute to mitigating social and environmental problems by building on the functioning of natural processes and ecosystems.
2. Water
The study ranks the water issue among Hungary’s most important sustainability challenges. According to the analysis, water is not merely a specific policy area, but a fundamental prerequisite for all sustainable development goals. The country is simultaneously plagued by droughts, extreme precipitation events, and problems related to the quantity and quality of its water resources; yet urban stormwater management remains disorganized, the domestic reuse of wastewater and reclaimed water is limited, and low residential water rates also strain the infrastructure.
In this chapter as well, the document places significant emphasis on water retention, nature-based water management solutions, and landscape-level water use cooperation, particularly in agriculture. It also highlights the need to improve irrigation, while stressing that this must be achieved sustainably. To support all of this, it is also necessary to establish state-of-the-art monitoring and risk assessment systems.
‘Water is not merely a specific policy area, but a fundamental prerequisite for all sustainable development goals’
3. Economy and Agriculture
According to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, sustainable development cannot be achieved without transforming economic operations. The authors recommend strengthening the circular economy, developing sustainable financing instruments, and promoting climate-smart agriculture. A key consideration in establishing a circular economy is that manufacturers must begin shifting their mindset as early as the product design stage; this can best be reinforced through specific incentives, such as EPR fees or other similar financial incentives.
The recommendations concerning agriculture are particularly important, as Hungary’s natural conditions offer significant agricultural potential. According to the study, current subsidy systems should be restructured to promote improvements in soil protection, water retention, and adaptability. Concerning climate-smart agriculture, the recommendations include encouraging a transition to regenerative—that is, soil-regenerating—agriculture and the adoption of permaculture. All of these could best be supported through results-based payment systems.
The study also highlights that supporting local food production and short supply chains simultaneously promotes the development of the rural economy, strengthens food security, and reduces environmental impacts. One of the most widespread ways to achieve this is through the creation of food-sharing communities, the essence of which is that producers deliver pre-packaged product bundles to registered consumer groups at set intervals—typically on a weekly or biweekly basis.
4. Energy and Society
The issue of energy supply is not addressed in the document solely from a technological perspective. In addition to clean energy, the authors also consider security of supply and social justice to be fundamental considerations. The study emphasises that the costs and benefits of the energy transition are not distributed evenly across society. Without addressing energy poverty and regional disparities, public acceptance of the green transition may weaken; therefore, policy measures must also take into account the situation of vulnerable social groups.
Going beyond this, the document also stresses the resilience of the healthcare system, the role of prevention, and the importance of education and research and development, highlighting that the greatest public health challenge of the 21st century is the ecological crisis. The healthcare sector must therefore not only respond to but also prepare for the health impacts of extreme weather conditions.
‘The greatest public health challenge of the 21st century is the ecological crisis’
Summary
The key strength of the Sustainable Hungary 2026 policy recommendation package is that it treats sustainability not as a sectoral issue, but as a complex socio-economic challenge. The document clearly highlights that the deteriorating state of natural resources, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate change also pose economic and social risks.
Among the recommendations, the need for institutional reforms, integrated water management, the development of a circular economy, support for climate-smart agriculture, and the promotion of energy justice stand out. The document’s core message is that the green transition is not an ideological issue and is not merely a cost, but rather a prerequisite for the long-term competitiveness and security of Hungary—and of Europe as a whole.
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