Gondola Csaba, appointed State Secretary for Circular Economy and Climate Policy at Hungary's Ministry of Energy since March 1, has articulated crucial points regarding Hungary's climate policy framework and the challenges posed by EU mandates.

In an interview, he emphasized the necessity of an integrated approach towards waste management and climate policy, envisaging them within a competitive economic structure.

He stated that effective climate action requires the establishment of sound economic and operational models to facilitate a successful green transition.

He underscored that environmental sustainability must be underpinned by economic and social sustainability, promoting the implementation of a circular economy as a primary task during his tenure.

Since 1990, Hungary has reduced its net greenhouse gas emissions by 43%, surpassing the EU average reduction of 30%.

The country has set an ambitious target to increase its emissions reduction goal from 40% to 50% by 2030, having exceeded expectations early.

Currently, European nations are working towards a collective aim of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Gondola pointed out that Hungary contributes to only 0.11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while Europe accounts for around 7%.

In contrast, China is responsible for more than 30% of global emissions, illustrating a significant disparity.

He noted that China produces a year's worth of Hungary's emissions in just over 31 hours, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by smaller nations in the global emissions landscape.

The EU's commitment to a comprehensive Green Deal, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, has sparked debates on competitiveness and equitable burden-sharing among member states.

This ambitious package was initiated without extensive consultations among member states and has faced criticism regarding its feasibility, especially post the energy crisis of 2022.

In a historical context, he compared the European initiative to the United States' Project Independence during the oil crisis fifty years ago, emphasizing that Europe has become overly dependent on green technologies from outside its borders.

Currently, Europe relies heavily on imports, particularly solar panels, from China, which raises concerns about resource availability and technological capacity within Europe.

Additionally, he highlighted the risk of job losses as European industries, particularly the automotive sector, face potential deindustrialization due to stringent green policies.

The lack of clear and consistent EU directives has also created uncertainty for investors and businesses, further complicating efforts to meet environmental targets.

Gondola acknowledged the existence of climate change, emphasizing its real and tangible impacts, such as droughts and low water levels in rivers.

However, he advocated for a sensible and strategic approach to green transition that prioritizes adaptive measures over ideological pursuits.

He proposed solutions such as developing water retention systems and irrigation technologies to better cope with climatic extremes.

He also addressed the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in complying with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, which often lead to unnecessary burdens and an inclination toward 'greenwashing'—the practice of making misleading claims about environmental efforts.

He called for a more supportive framework to assist SMEs in genuinely contributing to sustainability.

Gondola discussed the various state incentives aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and supporting environmental initiatives, including the Jedlik Ányos Energy Program, which facilitates funding for energy efficiency improvements and deploying geothermal and biogas technologies.

However, he noted the significant delays in EU funding due to ongoing political discussions, which hinder investments crucial for climate action.

He stressed that while the Hungarian government is committed to fighting climate change, access to funding from the EU remains a critical issue, affected by broader rule of law debates.

In summary, Gondola Csaba urged for a coherent, pragmatic approach to green policy that recognizes the importance of climate protection while avoiding ideological pitfalls, aiming for a long-term sustainable and competitive green transition.