1. Energy policy

2. Antinuclear activities

3. Energy efficiency and renewable energy

4. Support to the green movement, training

5. Other projects

1. Energy policy

This is the area we started our activities in and all our activities are related to it. When the Energia Klub was founded, getting to know the actors and the energy policy scene was considered as one of the most important steps to take. To achieve this, we organised round-table discussions between experts of the executive government, Ministry of the Environment directors, and NGOs. To further strengthen this, we worked with the media, which resulted in the publication of several articles.

In July 1991 a study involving independent experts, titled "Controversial Pamphlet on Energy Policy", was published. It mainly examined the potential for energy efficiency in Hungary, while discussing issues like least cost and long term planning in Hungary’s energy policy, the energy efficiency potential of industry and agriculture, and the legislative, economical, and institutional background necessary for its implementation. 1000 copies of this study were distributed among the national green movement, some more to important energy specialist and institutions.

In 1992, one of our priorities was networking. In that year we joined Greenway, the East European network, and the Energia Klub soon became the co-ordinator for the network’s energy related affairs. To broaden and increase its members’ knowledge, as well as to maintain good relations with experts in the field, the Energia Klub organised, in early 1993, a seminar for some 40 representatives of the Hungarian green movement, where they had the opportunity to exchange views with the invited experts and ask them questions about efficiency, renewables, the laws being drawn up, and other important topics. A booklet was prepared from these presentations and 100 copies were distributed among interested environmental protection organisations.

That same year we took an active part in the debate on the Gas and Electricity bills. This was our first attempt at putting pressure on the legislative process. As a result, the Least Cost Principle – which we find to be of primary importance when considering energy efficiency and renewables – was incorporated into both laws. Since the impact of a law depends on its Enacting Clauses, we continued our lobbying efforts while the details of the Enacting Clauses were being prepared. This resulted in the incorporation of the "Integrated Resource Planning" method into the Enacting Clauses, which in turn created the legal and economical ground for an energy efficient practice.

1994 also started with a seminar "Least Cost Planning: Western Experiences, Eastern Limits", organised this time for the green organisations who deal with the local authorities and municipalities. The second major event of 1994 was the Gardony Conference held in May. This event, which took place in the framework of the Greenway Energy Working Group, was organised for some 70 participants coming from 18 eastern and central European countries, as well as from western Europe, Asia and other non-European countries. It was organised through the efforts of volunteers and members of the Energia Klub. Energia Klub members compiled a study titled "Integrated Resource Planning" (IRP), which was distributed to energy experts, and MPs; an English translation was also sent to international organisations. Our goal with this study was to speed up putting energy efficiency theory, already existing in the law, into practice. In the field of energy policy and legislation, we expressed our position on the nuclear law passed in December; we followed the parliamentary discussions, and created a coalition of NGOs to influence their outcome. Unfortunately, in spite of the detailed expert analysis submitted, and in spite of our efforts and intentions, we did not achieve our expected goals.

2. Antinuclear Activities

One of Energia Klub’s fundamental principles is to oppose a unanimous and definite refusal to the use of any form of nuclear energy, and to express this position in every possible way and on every occasion. Besides just saying NO, we are always ready to present our arguments, and the possible alternatives. Our members were active in organising the conference titled "Nuclear Energy or Energy Efficiency", held in Celakovice (Czech Republic). They were also involved in the preparation and printing of a book based on the lectures given at the conference. This book may still be the only piece of literature available today in Hungarian in this field, compiled by independent experts of the Hungarian green movement, and which mentions the drawbacks of nuclear energy and its possible alternatives.

Soon after, a brochure titled "Nuclear Energy: Why Refuse it in East Europe?" was published in collaboration with the independent organisation "ECOROPA". This brochure answered 15 important but general questions about the dangers of nuclear energy, in a simple and straightforward way. It was widely distributed within the green movement.

The Mohovce Nuclear Power Plant under construction gave a us lot of work: Public Hearings needed to be organised and an awareness raising campaign needed to be carried out. This was done in co-operation with the Göncöl Alliance and the Ipoly Union. If the construction of new reactors takes place in Ukraine as it was planned, we can expect similar Public Hearings in the near future.

The decisive event of 1996 was the 10th Anniversary commemoration campaign of the Chernobyl catastrophe. Within the framework of this campaign, more that a million stickers were printed. They became popular from the moment they were printed, and some of them are still around today to remind people of this catastrophe. A handbook which contains information about almost all the Nuclear Power Plants in the region was also published. A photo exhibition, showing snapshots taken soon after the catastrophe, was inaugurated on the day of the accident. Thanks to the campaign 8 representatives of the Hungarian green movement attended the Conference held in Kiev, where all that counts in the anti-nuclear movement met on the accident’s 10th Anniversary, and formulated a unified position for a nuclear-free future.

3. Energy Efficiency and Renewables

This part of our activity might be called the optimistic, positive one. While protesting against nuclear energy and the further development of a fossil-based energy production which perpetuates the use of polluting energy sources, our activities in the field of energy efficiency and renewables aim to promote alternative solutions to energy supply. Contrary to the official opinion, we firmly believe that the future of Hungary’s energy supply lies in a decentralised energy system, based on renewables.

One of the first steps we took, as co-ordinators of the Greenway Energy Working Group, was to organise a seminar in Bratislava on the possible applications of renewable energy sources in the CEE countries. A Statement, containing the most urgent steps to be taken in this direction, was formulated based on a detailed analysis of these sources’ potential and on the economical, technological, political, and legal obstacles that prevent their use.

The same year a questionnaire was distributed in the Hungarian primary schools. Some 16,000 pupils, from roughly 1000 schools, were involved in this survey which asked them in a playful way to observe and note their family’s energy consumption habits.

The most remarkable campaign in Energia Klub’s history was the "ELÉG – Energy Efficiency Campaign" which started in 1995. It was done in co-operation with EGI Rt. (GEA) and the LMCs (Clean Air Action Group) from Hungary as well as with NOVEM (the Netherlands) and IIEC-Europe (Great-Britain) as our foreign partners. The programme primarily aimed at raising the Hungarian public’s awareness about energy issues, establishing a national lobby-group in the field of energy-efficiency, and last but not least, at strengthening civil society initiatives. Our aim was to make people realise that their decisions matter, be it at home or at their working place, that reducing their energy consumption is good not only for the family budget but for the environment as well. Apart from that we wanted to create a coalition of NGOs within the Hungarian green movement, with NGOs interested, involved or willing to be involved in the field. These goals were achieved using many different means:

local campaigns – through grant applications, 14 Hungarian NGOs got funding for their activities;

trainings – throughout the campaign, four courses were organised for participating NGOs, where they had the opportunity to learn different campaigning methods and tools, as well as increase their knowledge in energy efficiency and policy. A special emphasis was placed on communication with local authorities and media work as part of the programme;

school programme – within the framework of the campaign, and using existing teachers’ networks a competition on energy was held for the pupils of some 200 schools.

publications, brochures – among the many publications that came out, we would like to point out a booklet, of which more than 10,000 copies were printed and immediately distributed. It offered, and hopefully is doing so many practical hints on how to make domestic energy consumption more efficient and consequently reduce our bills.

media work – this part of the campaign allowed seven Hungarian journalists to go to the Netherlands and familiarise themselves with energy efficiency investments there. A two part film that presented the inefficient and wasteful energy management in public buildings, which was also shown on Hungarian television. This two hour long film turned out to be one of the most successful parts of the whole campaign aimed at the public.

Following is a list of the organisations involved in the campaign:

Diószegi Sámuel Természet- és Környezetvédelmi Központ (Debrecen)

Zöld Akció (Miskolc)

The school programme: We started this programme using the experience gained during the ELÉG campaign. We realised from the start that energy efficiency must be taught to those who are most receptive; we therefore wanted to incorporate the idea of energy efficiency and the ways to put it into practice in the school students’ materials in a form that would be appropriate for them. The Energia Klub co-ordinated the work of the green movement experts and put together the work-sheets - as well as the accompanying Teacher’s Book. It was tested with the help of 500 teachers and in the light of the results, next year, it can become an integral part of the school curriculum.

SCORE: The Dutch funders found the ELÉG campaign efficient. Based on these results, they started a new campaign called SCORE, whose aim is to spread energy efficiency to an even broader base as well as to finance some pilot projects. We hope that this programme will not simply be limited to the organisations who were involved earlier, here and there, but that on the contrary, it will foster a truly wide civil involvement. An important part of the programme is the preparation of a macro-economic study on energy efficiency that might be a good lobbying tool for those fighting for a more efficient energy policy.

4. Support to the green movement, training

The experience and knowledge gained are not worth much if it is not passed on. After more than 7 years of work and involvement, we believe we have things to share with others in the green movement. The above mentioned ELÉG programme included several elements based on this idea, but one of the most important elements of the training started in 1996:

FAIRE: This international programme, organised in co-operation with the Czech organisation Hnuti DUHA (Rainbow Movement, FoE Czech Rep.) started in April 1996. The concept of FAIRE was to provide training to activists working for green organisations on alternatives to nuclear energy. With this programme we would like participants to improve their English and expert knowledge on energy, to be able to share already accumulated east-west experiences, and to help future international co-operation. FAIRE is structured in the following way: for the first three months nine participants follow an English course in Budapest, where, beyond every day vocabulary, they are taught vocabulary related to energy and environmental issues. They then take part in an international seminar where representatives of international and domestic organisations give workshops and lectures based on their experience. After the seminar, each participant leaves for three months to join a western organisation (Greenpeace, IIEC-Europe, Friends of the Earth,… ). There, through the course of their work, they can put their knowledge into practice as well as further improve it. During their internship, they must also draw the outline of the campaign they will implement when they go back to their home country. The programme is on-going. The first group was made of a Bulgarian, a Lithuanian, a Slovakian, a Russian, a Ukrainian, and a Georgian. And what does FAIRE stand for? Free and Applied Internships on Renewables and Efficiency.

5. Other campaigns

As time goes by and the number of our contacts grow, we are getting involved in more and more campaigns, national programmes, and in the general affairs of the Hungarian green movement. Recently we have been consciously taking part in activities that are not just related to energy.

Climate change is an issue that activists have been concerned with for a long time; so, on the international level, the Energia Klub got involved in many different aspects of the Climate Change campaign.

Realising the interlinkage between the energy sector and the world’s big financial institutions, the Energia Klub became a member of the Bankwatch Network in 1997.