A Regional Blueprint About Central and Eastern Europe’s Sustainable Transition
The Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises (HAEE) – Hungary’s leading environmental industry association – has released its flagship publication, GREEN ECONOMY 2026, offering a comprehensive overview of the Central and Southeastern European transition toward sustainability and Hungary’s evolving green sector and its role in the region.
Developed by more than 80 senior experts across the green economy, the nearly 300-page report provides a robust, science-based analysis of current trends, challenges, and forward-looking solutions. The publication is designed not only as a knowledge resource, but as a strategic guide for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders seeking to engage with one of the region’s most dynamic emerging sectors.
A Strategic Window into Hungary’s Green Transition
GREEN ECONOMY 2026 positions Hungary as a regional hub for green innovation, highlighting both the country’s industrial capabilities and its growing ecosystem of environmental technologies and services.
The publication aims to:
- support evidence-based policymaking and international cooperation,
- showcase Hungary’s innovation and intellectual capital in the green sector,
- identify investment opportunities and scalable solutions,
- contribute to the acceleration of the European green transition, particularly in Central and Southeastern Europe.
By connecting environmental objectives with economic competitiveness, the report underlines a key message for international partners: sustainability in Hungary is increasingly a driver of growth, not a constraint.
From obligation to competitive advantage
The report is recommended by Csaba Kőrösi, Strategic Director of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation, who emphasizes:
“The question is no longer whether to pursue a green transition, but how to implement it in a way that is measurable, efficient, and strengthens competitiveness. This publication provides practical insights, best practices, and strategic direction to support that process.”
Key focus areas
The report delivers in-depth analysis across several high-impact sectors, including:
- Battery manufacturing and the energy transition,
- Plastics and circular economy solutions,
- Microplastics and environmental health,
- Sustainability education and awareness raising,
- Industrial emissions and regulatory developments,
- Environmental remediation technologies.
These areas reflect both global priorities and Hungary’s industrial strengths, offering concrete entry points for international cooperation and investment.
A call for pragmatic, scalable action
While acknowledging progress, the report also addresses a critical challenge: aligning sustainability goals with economic competitiveness in a rapidly changing global environment.
According to HAEE leadership, the focus must now shift toward:
- realistic, achievable targets,
- market-driven innovation,
- cross-sector and transboundary collaboration,
- and scalable, financeable solutions.
This pragmatic approach is particularly relevant for international stakeholders seeking reliable, partnership-ready markets in the green transition.
Platform for regional and international collaboration
The publication also serves as a lead-in to ENVIRONTEC powered by ÖKOINDUSTRIA, one of the region’s key environmental industry trade exhibitions, where HAEE will co-host a series of international conferences on:
- evolving EU regulations on industrial emissions (IED 2.0),
- global trends in environmental remediation,
- and regional development opportunities through the Green Balkan Forum.
These events provide additional platforms for B2B engagement, knowledge exchange, and investment dialogue.
Why it matters for international partners
Hungary’s green industry is entering a phase of accelerated development, characterized by:
- strong alignment with EU policy frameworks,
- a growing base of export-oriented environmental technologies,
- increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure and services,
- and a well-established network of industry, academia, and public institutions.
For foreign investors, trade agencies, and municipalities, GREEN ECONOMY 2026 offers both insight and access – a gateway to partnerships in a sector that is set to define the region’s economic future.
Access the report
The full publication is available online free of charge.
The printed edition will be available at IFAT Munich—visit us at stand B4/131, and let’s meet there! More about the Hungarian IFAT co-exhibitor companies
