Talking Green in Hungary

Policy Study

Talking Green in Hungary: Lessons on communicating environmental policies
By András Bíró-Nagy, Réka Hunyadi, Vanessza Juhász and Áron Szászi

The goal of this study is to give valuable input for the development of effective green communication. Through a public policy analysis, this study aimed to understand the key challenges and formulate policy proposals for four key environmental issues in Hungary: air pollution, plastic pollution, energy efficiency of buildings, and the country’s energy mix.

This policy study is also available in Hungarian.

Talking Green in Hungary: Public perception of a just green transition in Hungary
By Benedek Jávor

This policy brief is part of the Talking Green Project and summarises the results from Hungary that was carried out in September 2021. The polling results presented in this policy brief go far beyond the usual questions querying the importance of climate change or personal commitments to act.

Instead, this brief focuses on how climate action can be designed and framed to achieve stronger public backing. In particular the reception of climate change, climate policies and messaging about climate issues among lower-income households and the ‘working class’ is highlighted. In line with this emphasis, the policy brief and the poll foreground the social aspects of the climate transition.

About the Talking Green research project

‘Talking Green’ is a research project that explores perceptions of climate actions across Europe, through surveys in:

• Hungary
• Ireland
• UK

It develops an understanding of how the green transition is perceived especially by low- and middle-income people.

The collected data allow progressives to find the most effective ways to talk about climate change and develop participatory and effective policy proposals that address climate change while delivering a Just Transition that is aligned with people’s concerns.

This project is run by FEPS, in partnership with the Fabian Society, TASC, the Szociális Demokráciáért Intézet and the Progressive Hungary Foundation.