October 2021 - Page 2 of 2

The “For a Sustainable Future” Award for 2021 have been awarded

The BCSDH Business Lunch hosted a ceremonial award ceremony for the Sustainable Future Award. This year, the organization of 109 member companies – which produce about 30% of Hungary’s GDP – presented the ‘For a Sustainable Future’ award for the fifth time in the following categories; Change Leader, Leading Woman, Business Solution/Business Model Change, and Social Responsibility Program, recognising the extraordinary achievements of leaders and companies in terms of helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as outstanding action taken during the pandemic.

Márta Irén, director of BCSDH and also a member of the professional jury, explained that “in 2021, we announced the ’For a Sustainable Future’ Award for the fifth time, as established by BCSDH. The Social Responsibility category that was launched in connection with the pandemic was maintained, in addition to the previous Change Leader, Leading Woman, and Business Solutions categories. Reading the applications, we were pleased to see that although the protracted situation with the virus has taken significant resources away from companies, significant progress has been made in many areas of sustainability”.

Winners were selected by a five-member professional jury: Gábor Bartus Dr, Szilvia Krizsó, Irén Márta, István Salgó, and Diána Ürge-Vorsatz

The winners of the “For a Sustainable Future” Award in 2021:

CHANGE LEADER AWARD:

Björn Claussen
Regional Managing Director
BNP Paribas Multinational Clients

Björn Claussen’s personal example through his leadership role draws attention to the sustainability opportunities and responsibilities of the inventors.

LEADING WOMEN AWARD:

Nóra Hevesi
Head of Communications and Campaigns
TESCO Hungary

Barbara Szigeti
Head Of Country People Operation
TESCO Hungary

Both women are leaders who support taking a comprehensive approach to many classic and innovative areas of human sustainability. Their work, impact, and collaboration as female leaders are exemplary.

Zsuzsa Pálfalvi
Managing Director
Graphisoft Park Services

On the one hand, her managerial influence on the company is outstanding, while on the other hand she is having a great positive influence on the environment, society, and the attitudes of other companies.

Katalin Urbán
Environment, Health and Safety Manager
Grundfos Manufacturing Hungary

Katalin develops and inspires innovative solutions inside and outside the company. Her leadership virtues and the results achieved by the company are impressive.

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AWARD:

Hungarian National Bank– Green Program

A program that comprehensively represents the sustainability potential of the financing side, with which MNB has adopted a pioneering role. This is having a significant impact on the behaviour of the sector in general and, through it, on the economy as a whole.

The award was received by Dr. Csaba Kandrács, Deputy Governor of Hungarian National Bank.

SPAR Hungary – SPAR Hungary is implementing a circular business model by selling products from ‘Máltai Manufaktúra’

The environmental and social aspects of sustainability of this initiative are also exemplary. They involve a harmonious unit for business education support, with a focus on significant forward-looking achievements and delivering concrete results.

The award was received by Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications of SPAR Hungary.

TESCO Hungary – TESCO for carbon neutrality

The virtue of this food waste reduction program is its complexity and horizontal extension.

The award was received by Nóra Hevesi, Head of Communications of TESCO Hungary.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD

Budapest Airport – BUD Group Foundation for Employees

This is a humane, exemplary solution for the further employment of staff during a drastic downturn due to the pandemic.

The award was received by Chris Dinsdale, CEO of Budapest Airport.

Güntner-Tata – 30 years 30 good things for the community

This is a nice initiative and a good example of a local company taking responsibility for local goals, combined with having a positive impact on employees.

The award was received by Tamás Schwarczenberger, CEO of Güntner-Tata.

CONGRATULATION!

Main Sponsor: Legrand, Highlighted sponsors: Alteo, Essity

09.10.2021

Hungarian Design Council awarded BuildEXT Ltd a certificate in recognition of the Design Management Award

Member News

Hungarian Design Council awarded BuildEXT Ltd a certificate in recognition of the Design Management Award. Given this outstanding standard, our office has also won the right to exhibit at one of the key events of Budapest Design Week.

Design Management Award, founded by the Hungarian Design Council, has been recognizing organizations for more than 10 years that strive for continuous innovation and outstanding quality in the creation of their strategy, operative operation, design of their products and services, keeping in mind social responsibility and sustainability aspects.

„I’m used to the market giving instant feedback if we’re doing something right and also if we’re not. However, I only apprehended during the awards ceremony how much recognition it is for us is that a professional organization rewards HOW we do what we do.” – said Csaba Livják, the founder of BuildEXT.

Csaba Livják, founder and CEO of BuildEXT, receives the Design Management Award from Gyula Pomázi, Chairman of the Hungarian Design Council

The jury awarded the prize to our company according to the following evaluation:

“The ecological and sustainable development of the built environment is at the top of the list of 21st-century challenges faced by humanity. Building economy – including the construction of new buildings and the operation of existing ones – exploits a considerable proportion of the earth’s natural resources, regarding the application of eco-friendly technologies as broadly as possible as an important priority.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) creates the opportunity to bridge the decade-long gap between the building industry and the engineering sector thanks to the fact that this system can provide data on the entire lifecycle of buildings that have the same level of complexity as modern industrial products.

The multidimensional BIM digital model ensures that all the parameters important in regard to the sustainability of building spanning generations are considered during the planning process.

The BuildEXT design office was established for the express purpose of making the construction process completely transparent thanks to building information modelling, specify each element of the implementation and credibly simulate the future operation of the building to be built.

The ambitions of the business includes the reduction of the energy requirements of buildings, thanks to which emission will decrease; moreover, they want to design built environments that are both comfortable for users and sustainable in the long term. The Hungarian-owned business applies the complete toolkit of advanced corporate management ranging from providing services based on user experience through a supportive culture at the workplace to the circular economy utilizing local resources.

In addition to its professional operation, BuildEXT aspires to join the development of BIM applications and thus providing a solid foundation for its business success in the global building industry market.

Organizations that excellently apply the design management approach were selected by a professional jury of nine people. This year, an award and a special award were presented, and three organizations received certificates in recognition. An exhibition of the winning entries of both awards has been organized, which will be open to the public during the entire duration of Budapest Design Week at the Société Budapestevent center.

08.10.2021

A climate-neutral economy is the only way – BCSDH Business Lunch with Julian Hill-Landolt

News

„The world is facing three critical challenges: a climate emergency, loss of natural diversity, and growing social inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that these challenges are closely interconnected and our systems are not prepared for such shocks. Vision 2050 – Time to Transform – also available in Hungarian – outlines where systemic change is needed and sets out a new framework, with nine transformation pathways” – said Julian Hill-Landolt at BCSDH’s annual Business Lunch. The professional program of the event focused on accelerating systemic change and transition to a climate-neutral economy.

At the event, with the announcement of the ‘For a Sustainable Future’ award, the extraordinary achievements of leaders and companies in terms of helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as outstanding action taken during the pandemic, were recognised in four categories. And the graduates of this year’s “Future Leaders” Talent Program received their diplomas in the same ceremonial setting.

Budapest, 7th October 2021 – Global average temperatures are already 1.2°C above the pre-industrial level. A substantial acceleration of ambition and action is needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets. What will it take to generate the same rate of change (that is similar to the rapid digital switchover generated by Covid) in other areas? What can the business sector do? The “Vision 2050: Time to Transform” transition schedule and business sector’s net-zero commitments were presented at the business lunch of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH).

Vision 2050: Time to Transform- presented by Julian Hill-Landolt

The WBCSD has described the necessary systems transformations in Vision 2050: Time to Transform. To move to a world where more than nine billion people all live well within planetary boundaries requires companies – like yours – to set ambitious net-zero and nature positive targets and, more importantly, to put in place operating plans to deliver these targets and create transformational collaboration across value chains.

“Going beyond business as usual is essential for accelerating the transformation. Business leaders need to shift their mind-sets in three areas: developing a form of capitalism that rewards true value creation; focusing on building long-term resilience; and engaging in regeneration.

The business sector is taking a leading role, but it must work with academics, regulators, and investors, developers, and consumers to promote system transformation together. This collaboration at unprecedented levels is the only way to deliver the rapid change needed to ensure that all people can live well within planetary boundaries by 2050” – said Julian Hill-Landolt, director of the WBCSD.

You can download the Hungarian version of Vision 2050: Time to Transform from here.

Most of BCSDH’s member companies have made climate-related commitments, and 31% have net zero commitments as well.

“This year is the year of action. Countries must commit to net zero emissions by 2050. Ahead of the COP26 in Glasgow, governments will have to submit much more ambitious national climate plans. Companies must do the same if they want to protect people, themselves, and the economy from the catastrophic consequences of climate change. No longer can ‘low-carbon’ be the sole objective: climate neutrality must be achieved urgently through new technological solutions and rapid changes in consumption patterns at all levels” –stressed Attila Chikán Jr., president of the organization. – “The BCSDH aims to generate changes in models and business solutions in Hungary that have a real impact on climate change and can generate real responses to domestic challenges due to their take up by other companies. He added that “committed leaders and change makers are vital to making sustainable economic activity more strategic. The mission of BCSDH is to support its member companies to be active agents in shaping the necessary changes”.

Márta Irén, Director of BCSDH, moderated the “How to lead the Transformation?” CEO-roundtable, which was attended by leaders already at the forefront of system-wide transformation such as:

Zsolt Csavajda, Managing Director, DSM Nutritional Products Hungary
Csaba Kandrács Dr., Vice President, Hungarian National Bank
Tímea Pesti, CEO, Leaseplan Hungária

Main sponsor of the program: Nestlé. Highlighted sponsors: Deloitte, Sió-Eckes, sponsors: Alteo, E.ON, Folprint, Hungarocontrol, HVG, MOL, Leaseplan, Unilever

08.10.2021

On the right path to the economy of the future

Member News

Tungsram’s R&D vertical farm in Budapest has won the Effekt 2030 Innovation Special Award in the category of the Economy of the Future.

The “award for social investments” is one of the most prestigious of its kind in Hungary and is awarded annually to exemplary corporate responsibility and sustainability programs that bring measurable and presentable positive changes for society and the environment. The jury recognized the vertical farm’s innovative potential in food security for the future. This is the second major recognition of our vertical farming efforts after the Innovation Grand Prize 2020.

The award was received by Tungsram’s agritech leader, Zoltan Sejpes at a hybrid form gala.

The third place has been shared between K&H Bank Zrt. for its @K&H incubator project and Samsung Electronics Magyar Zrt. for its Megoldások a holnapért (Solutions for tomorrow) program, the second place has been won by Vodafone Foundation for the Vodafone Digital Award while dm Kft. won the category for its Giving Friday initiative in the framework of which it shifted attention from hunting bargains to charity.

We thank Effekteam for the opportunity and Zoltán Sejpes, Zsuzsanna Thierry, Szonja Kiss and the Agritech team for their contribution to this success!

07.10.2021

SPAR launches new supplier system for domestic producers with the budget of 1.7 billion HUF

Member News

As result of the proceedings of the Hungarian Competition Authority, the retail chain establishes a new regional partnership programme for Hungarian small producers and small enterprises. The vast market provided through directly supporting domestic farmers and small family enterprises, and the nationwide network of the company, also enables creating new jobs. Shoppers will be identify these products from the red apple logo and the “Régiók Kincsei” (Treasures of Regions) label in SPAR stores.

“Our company prioritises supporting Hungarian producers and enterprises, domestic agriculture, which is demonstrated by the fact that almost 90% of all the food products we distribute are sourced from Hungary. The newly-formed network of local small suppliers will further contribute to this in practice. This establishes new purchasing and distribution routes, in addition to the existing sales channels. The Treasures of Regions (Régiók Kincsei) initiative provides tangible support to small family enterprises and private businesses trading with locally-produced agricultural products to take a step forward,” explained Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

Following the proceedings of the competition authority, SPAR is developing a new regional supplier system in 2021, with implementation fully completed by 2022. The program with a budget of 1.7 billion HUF will increase the sales opportunities of Hungarian small producer suppliers, and will also create new jobs. The aim of the new supplier system integrate many small suppliers carrying out top-quality production activities at the regional level.

The initiative seeks small Hungarian suppliers and producers that provide high-quality domestic products at affordable prices, and ensure product availability in the long term. They are viewed as a well-known and respected enterprises, “Local Heros” in their region, and they set examples for others with their products and activities, creating value that is compatible with SPAR’s corporate principles.

The programme directly supports strengthening local economies. The development effectively contributes to introducing domestic products to the market, which follow traditions and ensure quality and craftsmanship, providing small producers with an opportunity to develop, and also guides the international retail chains to increase the proportion of Hungarian products on their shelves compared to imported products. This initiative also aims to find the shortest supply route, contributing to sustainable economy and production. So far, the “Treasures of Regions” initiative is creating 23 new jobs at SPAR by the end of 2022 and it is also expected to increase employee numbers of the suppliers.

In order to extend the sales opportunities of local small producer suppliers, SPAR gradually establishes six regional supplier centres in major towns, including Nyíregyháza, Pécs and Győr, as well as Székesfehérvár, Zalaegerszeg and Hódmezővásárhely. The centres are already opening in the latter towns in 2021. The regional system targets new micro, small and medium enterprise suppliers in 90%, and also means an extension of current small producer partnerships of the chain. In addition, it improves the chances of domestic small local producers as a whole, supports the development of the local economy and stimulates the demand for local products. The company is also creating a “supplier academy”: it also helps suppliers with training in quality assurance, logistics, warehousing and marketing.

10-13 SPAR stores located in the vicinity of the county regional centres are linked to the new programme. These are selected to make sure that based on base area and retail space, range of products and turnover they can be the most efficient to support the initiative. The selection of the units also takes into consideration sales experience and ideal logistics routes. Producers that meet the requirements of regular goods delivery are primarily sought after based on the latter criteria, as it is in the common interest – of the new partner, the company and the customers – to get the products on the shelves as soon as possible, keeping in mind the quality guarantee as well. In each case, the retail chain relies on the local resources and capacities of the regions of each centre.

The company has established a dedicated interface for those who wish to join the SPAR supplier family. It is easy to apply using the already operating www.beszport.spar.hu website, by providing the requested information. The targeted provision of information to customers related to local goods is supported by dedicated awareness-raising goods dispensers in the stores – shelves in the INTERSPAR hypermarkets and display booths in the SPAR supermarkets. A website assisting customers is also operated, available through the following link: www.spar.hu/regiokkincsei.

SPAR considers it very important that according to the plans, following the complete establishment of the system, at least a hundred small producers will become supplier partners of the corporation, thus also extending the range of goods with domestic products. The addition of products designated with the red apple logo, from producers known by local residents will contribute to shopping experience and will develop a more direct connection between the stores and the consumers.

For more information please contact:

Márk Maczelka, head of communications

SPAR Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft. ∙ 2060, Bicske, SPAR út

Mobile: +36 20 823 7891 ∙ E-mail: maczelka.mark@mmspar.hu

05.10.2021

Our Newest member is OTP Bank

Member News

Our newest member is OTP Bank, founded in 1949. represented by Dr. Sándor Csányi, with a nearly HUF 500 bilion total revenue in 2020, with nearly 9 600 employees. OTP Bank is a dominant credit and financial institution in the Hungarian banking sector. As a service provider, their goal is to provide financial services tailored to responsible and fair customer needs.

OTP Bank’s environmental protection activities are regulated by the Environmental Protection Regulations, which ensure compliance with the law and the implementation and integration of environmental aspects into the Bank’s business activities. The regulations also contain rules for enforcing the guidelines for environmentally conscious procurement. OTP Bank Nyrt. is committed to increasing the efficiency of resource and energy consumption and reducing the use of paper, which is supported by digitalisation with efficient, measurable results. They implement awareness-raising campaigns to raise environmental awareness for their employees. The OTP Group defines its responsible operation as a responsible employer of stable management and the labor market as an active participant in society. It places great emphasis on meeting expectations and meeting business ethics requirements in addition to meeting legal requirements in order to protect customer interests and operate fairly, ethically and transparently.

The aim of their membership is to think together, to promote sustainability / ESG aspects, to represent their interests and to establish professional relations in this regard.

01.10.2021

Kinga Recsetár-Maioli is the new Head of Corporate Programs at BCSDH

News

From 1st October, 2021 onwards, Kinga Recsetár-Maioli is taking over the position of Head of Corporate Programs of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH).

The new project leader will primary focus on the Vision 2050 program, renewed by WBCSD, as the time has come to shift from the world of words towards the rapid acts. During the Vision 2020 program numerous good practices have been initiated and even more goals have been set, but the pace of change is lagging behind the global trends (population growth, gradually deteriorating ecosystems, climate change, etc.).

Kinga Recsetár-Maioli, with 10 years of multinational and 6 years of regional and global leadership experience behind her, decided to focus on her “side job” and join BCSDH. While focusing on lean transformation, automation, and operational excellence in her leadership roles, she also held additional roles such as; Eastern European Volunteer Council Leader and later Country Sustainibility Leader. The NGO sector is not far from her either, as a volunteer leader she has worked on numerous projects in collaboration with numerous local and global NGOs. She is committed to spread the culture of pro bono volunteering and integrate pro bono elements into the corporate culture. She represented GE’s Eastern European region at several international conferences on the subject and gained professional recognition for the company.

In addition to the adaptation of Vision 2050 in Hungary, the tasks of the new project leader include reviewing the strategy of the Action2030 program, developing specific actions and recommendations, managing the Race to Zero and ESG programs on the part of BCSDH and coordinating the related professional working groups.

Kinga’s primary goal is to shift the focus from theoretical thinking to the field of deeds in a transparent, measurable, and easily replicable form.

She also considers it important to shape individual attitudes through personal experience and exposure. She believes that responsibility cannot be passed over purely to companies or governments, as these organizations are also run by individuals, so personal development and commitment are essential to change.

01.10.2021