As part of our EU 1.5° Lifestyles project the Hungarian team - together with the other four case countries of Germany, Latvia, Spain, and Swedenis - organized a second phase of Stakeholder Thinking Labs (STL) in Budapest on 30 January 2024.

During the event six dialogue topics were covered, which are essential policy options and objectives related to consumption within sustainable lower and upper bounds, with an emphasis on impactful options for a sustainable future. The focus areas include:

• Reduction in meat consumption [NUTRITION]
• Reduction in air travel [LEISURE]
• Implementing an upper limit on Residential Floor Space [HOUSING]
• Reduction in car ownership in cities [MOBILITY]
• Working Time Reduction (30 Hour Work Week) [WELFARE]
• Regulations for sustainable (sufficient) BM [BUSINESS MODELS]

Our structured approach involved guiding questions designed to facilitate a meaningful exchange of insights. From identifying barriers and enablers to understanding responsible actors and building coalitions, each dialogue was an exploration of potential pathways toward (more) sustainable consumption amd production practices.

Thus during the event the discussions took place with the particiaption of 3-4 stakeholders (academic and non-profit researchers, experts from relevant ministries, representatives of business associations, etc.).

A short introduction to the EU 1.5° Lifestyles project and its results so far by Edina Vadovics, Research Director and Kristóf Vadovics, Executive Directoof GreenDependent Institute initiated the day.
 

Then the morning discussions started in three groups focusing on:

1. Reduction in air travel

2. Reduction in car ownership in cities

3. Regulations for sustainable (sufficient) Business Models

Before the climate friendly vegan lunch a group photo was taken of the morning session participants:

Then a joint lunch - provided by KÖZÖS - with the all the participants of the morning and afternoon sessions followed.

In the afternoon the rest of the six topics were discussed in three gourps with new experts and stakeholders:

4. Reduction in meat consumption

5. Implementing an upper limit on Residential Floor Space

6. Working Time Reduction

A group photo of the afternoon session participants:

Special thanks to the two Hungarian Advisory Board members of the EU 1.5° Lifestyles project Zita Gellért (Strategic Referent of the Ministry of Energy) and Irén Márta (Director of the Business Council for Sustainable Develepment Hungary) for their great contribution to the whole Thinking Lab and the process.

Similarly to our earlier events a short summery video was shot, which can be seen here.

The event was organised following our low carbon, sustainablity principles.

Kristóf Vadovics, GreenDependent Intitute
Photos: Dóra Schmaus, GreenDependent ©