At Thursday s plenary session the European Parliament adopted its report on the Just Transition Fund. Tamas Deutsch, head of the European parliamentary delegation of Hungary s ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat party alliance and Edina Toth, a representative of the subject in the EPP, welcomed the outcome of the vote, but they also voiced serious reservations in a joint statement.

„Hungary s current share in the budget of the Just Transition Fund set up to achieve the EU s climate protection objectives is rather low, around 1.2-1.3%, and this amount is insufficient for the EU s extremely ambitious climate protection goals. At the same time, it s very important that any potential increase in funding during the negotiations should not come at the expense of cohesion or agricultural resources,” Tamas Deutsch underlined. The MEP of Hungary s ruling Fidesz party said the fund would have real added value if it supported an energy transition instead of the subsequent adaptation; i.e. goals that cannot be bolstered by the EU s cohesion policy.

„Gas-powered energy sources can effectively contribute to the energy sector s transition to environmentally friendly technologies,” MEP Edina Toth underlined. Ms Toth pointed out that clean gas (hydrogen) has a key role in achieving climate protection targets and it is positive that this direction also appears in the parliamentary report.

„Delivering the EU s climate protection and emission reduction targets places heavy burdens on the energy sector and energy-intensive industries, so it is vital that certain specific features, economic and environmental factors that determine the energy mix of member states are duly taken into account during the transition process,” Edina Toth highlighted.

The MEPs pointed out that Hungary has already made several climate protection efforts, such as phasing out most coal combustion solutions in its power plants, leaving only one major lignite-fuelled power plant running.

„It remains unacceptable, however, that the allocation key used by the Fund and Hungary s low share fail to reflect Hungary s efforts and achievements in reducing emissions,” Edina Toth and Tamas Deutsch stressed.