A climate-neutral transition cannot take place “against” society. Particular attention must be paid to preparing for and addressing, as far as possible, those that inevitably arise during the transition – especially in the labor market – which cannot be prevented. One of the most exciting projects in Hungary today is the transformation of the Mátra Power Plant, which will affect the fate of thousands of jobs. At the same time, the so-called Fair Transition Plan has been completed for three counties in Hungary, which serves to ensure the above goals. The panel discussion will address the nature of these societal challenges and the responses that can be made to them.

Participants:

• Barbara Botos, Deputy Secretary of State, consortium leader, LIFE Mátra Integrated Project – „Roadmap for the safe, efficient and low-carbon transformation of Hungary’s last carbon region”
• Dóra Fazekas, Director, Cambridge Econometrics Hungary
• József Luzsi, National Vice-President for Rural Development, National Chamber of Agriculture
• Ferenc Rabi, President, Trade Union of Mining, Energy and Industrial Workers

Moderator: Gábor Filippov, Research Director, Equilibrium Institute

The corporate sector has a key role to play in effectively implementing the mitigation and adaptation efforts under the Paris Convention, and it is responsible for promoting more sustainable use of resources and socially responsible, ethical investment, especially in the manufacturing sectors. In addition to severe economic burdens, the COVID-19 epidemic could also provide an opportunity to get the economy back on a greener path. Banks and the insurance sector can also be the engines of this, as not only can loss events change and become more frequent, but the risks of climate change also play a key role in investments and lending, which calls for a new, more holistic approach in the face of rising societal expectations. in the context of climate exposures. Proper preparedness, prevention, and encouragement of green technological developments can all be essential to improve resilience to climate change and accelerate emission reductions.

Résztvevők:

• László Urbán, Deputy CEO, Hungarian Suzuki Zrt.
• Attila Chikán Jr., Chairman, Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary
• Radovan Jelasity, President, Hungarian Banking Association
• Anett Pandurics, President, Association of Hungarian Insurance Companies

Moderator: Tibor Schaffhauser, Co-founder, Green Policy Center

Effective environmental policy commitments are essential to achieve climate neutrality goals. However, a significant proportion of these are not legally binding. Such commitments are more likely to promote more ambitious goals, but their achievements are not guaranteed by an actual mechanism. In contrast, legally binding instruments may run counter to the principle of subsidiarity and reduce the ambitious nature of the objectives, while providing greater assurance that promises will be kept. Achieving a balance between ambition and feasibility therefore proves to be a key issue in light of the climate crisis. In our discussion, we will address this dilemma, with particular reference to the Visegrad Four, who have an important role to play in advancing the region’s sustainability efforts. 

Participants:

• Stelios Grafakos, Principal Economist, Global Green Growth Institute
• Aleksander Śniegocki, Head of the Energy, Climate and Environment Programme, Wise Europa
• László Örlős, Executive Director, Western Balkans Green Center
• Gabriela Fischerova, Climate action director general at the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic

Moderator: Lilla Bartuszek, Secretary General, V4SDG

When discussing taking action against the negative effects climate change, the question often arises: who has the responsibility to take concrete steps? The governments able to pass new legislation or maybe the corporations who produce the goods. From the corporations’ side we can also hear the argument just as often that consumers should be responsible for disposing their plastic bottles properly. The organisers believe that in order to achieve climate neutrality, all are responsible, however in this section the panellist will discuss what are the possibilities of the non-governmental sector to motivate society to take action, maybe even applying pressure on policymakers and corporations to take active action.

Participants:

• Ákos Éger, Executive Chairman, National Society of Conservationists
• Katalin Sipos, Director, WWF Hungary
• János Székely, County Bishop of Szombathely
• Tamás Kodácsy, President, Ecological Church Movement of the Hungarian Reformed Church

Moderator:  Péter Vigh, Project Manager, Másfél Fok

Reaching climate neutrality by 2050 is not possible just by declaring a target. There needs to be a process for its delivery and an institutional framework to ensure that we are staying the course. Regular reporting and follow-up, sectoral targets and strategies, annual climate budgets are all possible institutional mechanisms.

Panel participants:

• Sharon Turner, Visiting Professor, University College London
• János Zlinszky, Associate Professor, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Member of the Advisory Board, Equilibrium Institute
• Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf, Program Manager, International and European Governance Programme, Ecologic Institute
• András Huszár, Director, Green Policy Center

Moderator: István Bart, Senior Fellow, Equilibrium Institute