Pécs and Baranya
Pécs, the Smart and Green City – Vision & Strategies
Pécs aims to create a livable, sustainable and green city. The vision of Pécs is to become a leader in sustainable action among Hungarian cities and achieve high livability. The city government wants to ensure a sustainable life that is as resilient as possible to climate change.
In line with the sustainability and carbon neutrality ambitions of Hungary’s future, Pécs is committed to initiatives and projects that respond to climate change. In 2013, the Municipality joined the Climate and Energy Covenant of Mayors, which is supported by the European Commission.
Net Zero Cities – Pécs on the Path to Climate Neutrality
The European Commission has selected Pécs, along with 99 other cities, to participate in the program, under which the city of Pécs has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2030.
More information: zoldpecs.hu
The city administration is working in partnership with businesses, citizens, and local stakeholders over the long term to amplify the factors that help achieve an inspiring and sustainable future.
In 2024, Pécs officially received the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission plaque, recognizing Pécs’s efforts to date in the field of greening.
The Sustainable Urban Development Strategy 2021-2027 is under development. Public involvement was ensured in form of questionnaires.
Cleaner Pécs – waste, pollution & energy
To be a sustainable city, it is crucial to deal with the occurring problems and to improve the lives of citizens step by step. Waste management and transport are areas where successful actions have already been taken.
BIOKOM together with Dél-Kom Nonprofit Kft. are continuously expanding the door-to-door selective waste delivery system in Pécs. Moreover, they are installing wildlife cameras at regularly recurring landfills.
Public transport plays an important role in reducing pollution and in saving energy. There are 20 electric buses operating in Pécs, and the city plans to increase that number further. Their operation avoids significant amounts of CO2 emission and noise pollution. The ZERO MOVE project has been launched. Its goal is to reduce emissions from urban transportation by combining advanced technologies with sustainable urban planning, while increasing the efficiency and convenience of mobility systems.
There are plans to improve cycling infrastructure in the city. Some trails are renewed and bikers can plan their trip via a new official website, bringazzpecs.hu.
The most small and medium sized enterprises in Hungary are in Baranya County. Supporting SMEs to become more sustainable is one of the roles of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya (CCIPB). Usually the first ‘green’ steps are the ones that can easily be turned into profit. CCIPB promotes best practices for waste management and energy saving models among the local companies.
Greener Pécs – nature, environment & awareness
Pécs is proud to be the most flowery city in Hungary. Flowers decorate the squares and deciduous trees provide shade. There are 73 square meters of green space and 14 square meters of parkland per capita. With the Mecsek Mountains around hiking and being close to nature is evident for the locals. Urbanization is today’s reality. In Hungary the capital city attracts disproportionate crowds because of job opportunities and quality services. Pécs wants to show that it can offer opportunities for young people and families while staying close to nature and committed to sustainability.
The city management company is also trying to involve the people of Pécs in green projects. For example, the trees grown in the nursery garden are given to the public for planting. Not only private individuals but also educational institutions take advantage of this campaign. Before the pandemic, plant fairs were held twice a year for the public. The dates and venues of these events were coordinated with the Tüke Market. Vendors and growers from the Pécs area were invited to the fair. The municipal government received the ‘Green Municipality’ award in 2020.
The annual tree planting programs are carried out by the municipality according to the proposals given by BIOKOM and are financed from the budget of the Municipal Tree Day. The socialization of the programs is carried out by the company in collaboration with the Eco-City-Ecoregion Foundation. Each year, following the tree planting projects, the Tree of Life Award is presented to the person or organization that has been most active in the program.
The FADOPT Program is currently being planned and launched by the Municipality of Pécs with the help of the Pécs Communication Centre. The aim is to enable participating companies and individuals to adopt trees planted in the Centrum car park to support the maintenance and development of the city’s tree stock.
Link: pecs.hu/zoldello-varos
The VIRTUAL RESOURCES PROGRAMME (VEP) and its local power plant, the so-called Bavep, led by the University of Pécs (PTE), and its cooperation with the Municipality of Pécs City have resulted in a major step forward in sustainable development and climate protection in Pécs in less than a year. Based on the VEP competition: in 2020 Pécs became the greenest city in Hungary. Pécs’s municipality also became the greenest in 2021.
The University of Pécs also takes its part in becoming green. The „Green University” idea is a complex system, which includes the built environment, environmentally conscious operation, the development of attitudes and the creation of an educational and research background. The University currently offers nearly 200 courses on environmental issues and sustainable development. Significant amounts of money are invested in research and the number of publications on the subject is well measured. For more information: zoldegyetem.pte.hu
Civil action and joint forces are key to helping locals become conscious consumers. The Ecocity – Ecoregion Foundation’s main profile since 2010 has been shaping attitudes. They organize school activities and camps. The Ecograph Association aims to promote sustainable lifestyles. The Green Bridge Foundation educates local society through experiences and interactive methods. The Pécs Green Circle was founded in 1989 and promotes environmentally conscious lifestyle practices. Retextil Foundation produces home furnishings and fashion items, festival installations from textile waste. The Pécs Basket Community delivers fresh food directly from local producers to consumers. The Green Youth Association of Pécs promotes the interests of young people.
A collection can be found on the city’s website about green shops. Link: pecs.hu/zold-vasarlas.
The website also offers publications on sustainable living, such as recycling, environmentally responsible household, environmentally responsible shopping etc. Link: pecs.hu/hasznos-linkek
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