The Hungarian parliament has adopted a landmark resolution setting out the content for a national climate law. The resolution, initiated by Friends of the Earth and the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD), received unprecedented cross-party support after being submitted by the Chair of the House and arepresentative of each party.
This vote is a huge step towards the realisation of a climate law in Hungary and means the elaboration of its content can start immediately. According to the resolution, the NCSD – in co-operation with the government and public stakeholders – can start the compilation of the climate bill which will be submitted to parliament by the end of February next year.
The resolution received 324 votes in favour and one against, and had the backing of parliamentary committees for the economy, environment and agriculture.
A key to the success of the climate law initiative is the wide public support due to local actions, forums and meetings organised nation-wide by Friends of the Earth Hungary and its regional partners. The petition was signed by 82 MPs, 180 NGOs and more than ten thousand individuals.
“People stand up for the positive public interest issue of the climate law independently from parties – this can bring the society together in these crisis years,” said Alexa Botár, head of the climate program at Friends of the Earth Hungary.
