Aiding the Economy to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050

The Net Zero Advisory Board has been formed in a uniquely wide collaboration with renowned experts, the primary goal of which is to promote and accelerate the process by which the Hungarian economy can become carbon neutral by 2050, thus taking an important step to stop climate change.

The Advisory Board is a cross-sectoral collaboration consisting of representatives of Hungarian industry and business leaders, chambers of commerce and associations, and was set up at the initiative of the British Embassy and the Hungarian Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH).

Members of the Board includes Zsombor Barta (HUGBC - Hungary Green Building Council); Dr. Gábor Bartus (NCSD – National Council for Sustainable Development); Attila Chikán Jr. (BCSDH – Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary); Paul Fox (British ambassador); Anikó Juhász (Ministry of Agriculture); Csaba Kőrösi (Directorate for Environmental Sustainability of the Office of the President); Marcell Kovács (MLBKT – Hungarian Association of Logistics, Purchasing and Inventory Management); and Prof. Dr. Diána Ürge-Vorsatz (IPCC –Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, HUPCC- Hungarian Panel on Climate Change)

The aim of the alliance is to increase the focus on the transition to a carbon-neutral economy among economic, governmental, and social actors. To help with the process, a decision was made to conduct research to map the current status of efforts, and to organise a Race to Zero Forum to present the results.
On 1 November the United Nations’ 26th Climate Change Conference will open in Glasgow, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy. This remaining year of preparation for COP26 must also take on board the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At COP26, we must unite the world on a path to a zero carbon economy as we build back greener from COVID-19”– highlighted Paul Fox British ambassador, who is one of the few initiating the board.

As BCSDH President Attila Chikán Jr., founder and member of the Advisory Board pointed out, “all companies are affected by climate change and all companies have the opportunity to influence it positively. Stabilizing global warming under 2, but preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius requires the radical reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. Transitioning our economy first to low-carbon, then carbon-neutral by 2050 is the way to achieve this objective. Businesses will play a key role in this process. Is there a better time to start it than now?"