ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to explore the influence of local economic conditions and of environmental groups on local government environmental policy implementation in Hungary. It divides into three parts: concepts, hypotheses and operationalization; a presentation of the findings; and a conclusion. In Hungary a threefold division is often made between the West, Budapest and the East. In sum, local economic situation is measured by allocating each locality to a region: Northwest–most affluent, South–less affluent, Northeast–least affluent. The chapter considers in turn: measures of local government environmental commitment, and the presence of environmental groups and their perceived influence on environmental policy. Overall economic situation as measured by regional category worked well in demonstrating the consistent advantage of localities in the richest areas both in environmental group presence and influence on environmental policy. The term environmental policy is used here to refer to planning and pollution related policies implemented by local government.
