In the long run the issue of sustainability must arch over governing cycles while in the short term Hungary must help work on a new Kyoto agreement to be drafted in Paris this year, he said, explaining the reason for setting up the new directorate.

The agreement, to be drafted by December 2015, should contain commitments on controlling climate change, Kőrösi said earlier. Radical nationalist Jobbik lawmaker Lajos Kepli said that instead of advisory bodies, resolute action is needed to achieve environmental sustainability.

He accused the government of having “destroyed” the one-time environmental protection and water management agencies, and “nothing has been done to meet sustainability targets”. He criticised Áder for failing to specify “how much it will cost the Hungarian taxpayer to rescue Csaba Kőrösi by transferring him to a new position.”

The opposition PM party welcomed Áder’s “cognizance of the complete lack of a government environmental policy” but added real action was needed.

MEP Benedek Jávor and PM board member Rebeka Szabó noted the lack of a ministry for environmental affairs, adding that “the government can carry out even the wildest plans that destroy the environment without obstacle”.

If Áder indeed wants to act to protect the environment he should use his veto rights more often and insist the government takes the environment more seriously, they said.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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