Policy and Research

The widespread powers and competences of the Commissioner can only be fulfilled with a degree of activism. This activism is foreseen in the Ombudsman Act as it confers to the Commissioner the role of a chief environmental policy advocate. In this role the Commissioner speaks up – in and outside Parliament – against issues that may jeopardise the long-term sustainability of the environment, be it of institutional, financial or cultural nature. The target of the Commissioner’s activity vis-à-vis these issues is not only the political and economic decision-makers, but all citizens concerned about their children’s future. To support its advocacy the Commissioner maintains an autonomous network of environmental and social scientists. The ultimate goal of the research activity of the Commissioner is to synthesise and publicise development models that may contribute to the emergence of an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable Hungary.