A fenntartható energiagazdálkodás szociális dimenziói

Éva Kármán-Tamus and Tamás Pálvölgyi

GAZDÁLKODÁS: Scientific Journal on Agricultural Economics, 2025, vol. 66, issue 04

Abstract: In Hungary, solid biomass, especially firewood, is one of the most common household fuels, especially in rural areas, suburban areas, and among poorer social groups. Our research goal is a multi-aspect sustainability analysis of the utilization of household solid biomass. In our study, we analyze in detail the social dimensions related to firewood and energy poverty, i.e. the issues related to the complex topic of sustainability-rural poverty, and we also review the policy environment and formulate proposals for legal and strategic development. One of the initial conclusions of our research is that residential electricity and natural gas prices are not the only drivers of energy poverty, as households affected by energy poverty typically use solid biomass-based heating. In Hungary, since the mid-2010s, the price of firewood has been permanently separated from that of natural gas, while approx. 1 million families are unable to break away from the use of firewood, which is problematic in many respects. Within the framework of this article, we examined what environmental problems the dependence on firewood entails, including in terms of urban air quality and environmental risks to health. Based on our results, we can conclude that the public perception that wood burning is harmless and even environmentally friendly is wrong. To solve the complex problem presented, it is essential to coordinate social, energy and climate policies, in which local governments can play a prominent role. We see the need to develop a rural development strategy that focuses on the development of sustainable energy systems in rural areas.

Keywords: Community/Rural/Urban Development; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:gazdal:366887

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.366887

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