The Great Hungarian Reset: What Malta Can Learn

Imagine this: you’re strolling down Republic Street in Valletta, the sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the historic buildings. Suddenly, you notice something unusual. The usual chatter of tourists and locals is replaced by the hum of electric vehicles. You look around and see that the traditional buses and cars have been replaced by sleek, silent EVs. Welcome to Malta’s future, courtesy of Hungary’s ‘Great Reset’.

Hungary’s Ambitious Plan

Hungary, our neighbors across the Adriatic, have set an ambitious goal: to become the first country in the world to go completely carbon neutral by 2030. Dubbed the ‘Great Reset’, this plan is not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but about transforming the country’s economy and society. And Malta, with our own ambitious climate targets, has a lot to learn from it.

The plan, announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, involves a massive investment in renewable energy, a shift to electric vehicles, and a complete overhaul of the country’s energy infrastructure. It’s a bold move, one that could see Hungary leading the way in the fight against climate change.

Malta’s Climate Ambitions

Malta, too, has set ambitious climate targets. We aim to be carbon neutral by 2050, and to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. We’ve made strides, with the closure of the last coal-powered power station in 2021, and the increasing use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. But we’ve still got a long way to go.

That’s where Hungary’s ‘Great Reset’ comes in. By watching and learning from Hungary’s ambitious plan, we can accelerate our own journey towards carbon neutrality. We can see what works, and what doesn’t, and adapt our own plans accordingly.

Lessons from Across the Sea

So, what can Malta learn from Hungary’s ‘Great Reset’? Firstly, the importance of bold, ambitious targets. Hungary’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 is ambitious, even controversial. But it’s this ambition that’s driving the country’s transformation. We, too, need to be bold in our targets and our plans.

Secondly, the need for investment. Hungary’s plan involves massive investment in renewable energy and electric vehicles. This investment is crucial for the transition to a low-carbon economy. We, too, need to be investing in our future, in renewable energy, in electric vehicles, in energy efficiency.

Finally, the importance of public engagement. The ‘Great Reset’ is not just about government policy, it’s about changing the way people live their lives. It’s about encouraging people to use public transport, to switch to electric vehicles, to reduce their energy consumption. We, too, need to be engaging with the public, educating them about the importance of our climate targets, and encouraging them to play their part.

As we look to our future, to a Malta powered by renewable energy, with clean streets and clean air, we can learn a lot from Hungary’s ‘Great Reset’. It’s a bold plan, a challenging plan, but it’s a plan that could see Hungary leading the way in the fight against climate change. And it’s a plan that Malta can learn from, and adapt for our own journey to a sustainable future.

As Hungarian environmentalist, Csaba Kőrösi, puts it, “The ‘Great Reset’ is not just about saving the planet, it’s about creating a better, more sustainable future for all of us. And that’s something worth fighting for.”

So, let’s learn from Hungary’s ‘Great Reset’. Let’s be bold, let’s invest, let’s engage. Let’s make Malta a leader in the fight against climate change. Let’s make Malta the future.