September 2022

How are ESG aspects embedded into company operations?

How are ESG aspects embedded into company operations? The meeting of the BCSDH ESG working group also discussed the theory and practical implementation of this. Eleanor Leach introduced the WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s guidance developed in collaboration with the Institute of Internal Auditors on embedding ESG and sustainability considerations into the Three Lines Model. Afterwards, we heard an exciting presentation from Mátyás Bellaagh, Director EHSQ, CSR & BIM at Colas, about the challenges and opportunities of ESG integration and the importance of stakeholder involvement in the entire process.

26.09.2022

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by a quarterin one year in SPAR Austria group countries, including Hungary

Member News

In the countries of the SPAR Austria group (Hungary, Northern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia), significant achievements have been made under the auspices of the Group’s environmental sustainability strategy: over the last one years greenhouse gas emissions have been decreased by a quarter, considering the aggregate data of the member countries. One of the Group’s key ambitions is to achieve high standards of customer service through sustainable, environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient operations.

The SPAR Austria Group Sustainability Report for the last year has been issued and it shows that the Group has made great strides in cutting emissions of pollutants, in recycling and saving energy in a number of areas, largely thanks to the modernisation of the stores. On average, the new stores use 17% less energy than the units last renovated 10-15 years ago. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, the food retail division has reduced its over all emissions by 25.8% on year-on-year basis. The main reason for this is the switch of purchased electricity in Hungary and Slovenia to greener sources of electricity or nuclear power and the resulting lower carbon dioxide emissions. Since 2015 the SPAR Austria group has reduced greenhouse gas emissions across its operations, including all its subsidiaries, by 45.5 percent in relation to the raising sales area.

Seventy percent recycling rate

“One of the cornerstones of the business philosophy of the company group, including SPAR Hungary, is to operate in an environmentally-conscious manner. We highlight minimising negative environmental impacts, including focusing on the promotion of environmental awareness and the widespread use of the relevant processes. The separation of marketable secondary raw materials – paper and plastic – generated in stores is also a priority: over the past 30 years we have achieved a fundamental change in this area, as the initial recycling rate of 46 percent has now increased to more than 70 percent,” explained Márk Maczelka, head of communications of SPAR Magyarország Kft.

The company’s energy consumption comes mainly from the use of electricity. As a result of the modernisation of the lighting and cooling/heating systems, it was possible to reduce the consumption of electricity compared to the base year of 2010. SPAR’s primary sources of emissions are electricity related to its operating sites, natural gas and district heating for heating, and fuel use related to its own fleet of vehicles.

From smart solutions to Green Retailer of the Year acclaim

SPAR Hungary is modernising its stores to integrate energy-saving equipment, and the latest cooling equipment and refrigerated counters are being installed in the renovated stores. In larger stores, integrated refrigeration systems are installed, allowing heat from refrigeration units and coolers to be used for heating the building. In smaller stores, cooling engineering systems of a similar principle will be used to manage technological cooling and the comfort heating/cooling system, optimising energy use. Energy-efficiency measures also focus on the modernisation of lighting technology: fluorescent lamps are replaced by energy-efficient LED lamps which use significantly less energy than conventional light bulbs.

In 2020, SPAR as a retail chain was awarded the Green Retailer of the Year acclaim for its environmentally-conscious corporate governance and the sustainability measures it has implemented.

Background

The SPAR Austria group has been publishing sustainability reports on the Group’s sustainability efforts and measures since 2013, with regard to products, employees, the environment and society. Since 2016, this report not only includes the activities of the food retail business in Austria, but also data from SPAR Hungary, among others.

The SPAR Austria group has continued to work consistently on its sustainability strategy in 2021. A sustainable of offerings has been in focus, to ensure that as many of the products offered are sourced from the region as possible, that food products comply with recognised nutritional recommendations and that the negative impact of production and processing on the environment is reduced. In the spheres of energy and technology, work is continuously ongoing to modernise stores, using the latest lighting, heating and cooling technology.

SPAR Austria constantly monitors the impact and success of these climate protection measures, has increased existing climate protection targets and extended them to all countries of the corporate group. This will ensure that the company’s climate protection strategy is in line with the Paris Climate Change Conference targets.

26.09.2022

Canadian Chamber of Commerce hosts to highlight the urgency of feeding 8 billion people. Hungary in an exceptional position

News

Hungarian agriculture has an opportunity to attract massive inward investment to take advantage of the growing need for alternative and sustainable food across Europe. Consumer interest in sustainable food is growing rapidly, as is the cost of traditional food sources. Technologies harnessing plant-based protein are positioning themselves nearest the sources of raw materials. Infrastructure to support this growth is also critical – as are the inputs, such as corn, barley, and water and skilled labour.

Investors see opportunities not only in new businesses coming online in the wake of growing demand, but also anticipate opportunities stemming from rapidly unfolding environmental challenges facing our communities.

A major shift in consumer behavior across the global market has sparked a growing interest in alternative food sources, such as plant-based and microbial-based proteins. Also, a growing number of people are turning to more environment-friendly products. The demand for alternative proteins is mainly fueled by the perception that these proteins are healthier and more environmentally friendly than animal-derived proteins.

The global trend in food industries is to develop food products using alternative ingredients that provide superior sensory appeal and nutritional and health benefits. As a result, there has been an increased global demand for alternative proteins. In addition, factors including the potential of insect, microbial, and plant proteins, and the increasing inclination towards vegan diet are expected to provide significant growth opportunities for alternative food ingredient manufacturers.

Developing new food and drink products is a complex process – requiring knowledge of ingredients, processing techniques, packaging materials, legislation and consumer demands and preferences. In a constantly evolving environment, technology and strategies play a key role in the resilience of the food industry. From sustainable food production systems to novel ingredients, environmental impact within manufacturing processes to enhancing nutritional quality, and innovation in technology will lead the response to the challenges ahead for the future of the food industry.

“Pannonia Bio is committed to its ongoing alternative protein investments, which are founded on Hungarian GMO-free corn and barley, as well as microbial fermentation. As for our parent, ClonBio Group Limited, since it has operations in both Canada and Hungary, it appreciates that Canada and Hungary are, in similar ways but with important differences, each poised to be major players over the next decade. We believe that there is substantial cross fertilization possible between these two countries in the field of alternative proteins”.- said Ferenc Hodos, Strategic Director of Pannonia-Bio Zrt.

In response to the new market forces and consumer concerns, industry leaders are rolling out a range of products and ingredients using different plant-based proteins (soy, pea, barley), new animal sources (insects), and biotechnological innovations (cultured meat or fungal protein).

“As consumer interest in alternative food options is increasing globally, food industry players that want to capture the opportunity must understand the evolving market dynamics and where to place their bets. The Food and Water Sustainability Forum will allow everyone to get fully immersed in the alternative protein and broader food technology landscape while providing networking access to key industry players. This event is seeking to attract the attention of investors and technology owners in Europe and Canada with concentrated dialogue on sustainable food and water matters. This is an opportunity for Hungary to show that it is an important stakeholder in this evolving marketplace.” – said Dr. Judit Lovas, the managing director of the CCCH.

“We are excited to sponsor of the Canadian Chamber’s upcoming Food & Water Sustainability Forum. Food production and water are integrally linked and sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and water reuse are just a few examples. Xylem, as a global water technology company, is uniquely positioned to help solve the world’s water challenges and sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We look forward to collaborating with industry and thought leaders in Hungary and globally to advance our mission.” – said Nicole Springer, Managing Director, Eastern Europe Central, Xylem

The panels of the Business Forum are in the following topics: Health and Nutrition, Sustainable Food Processing Systems, Technology and Innovation in the Food Industry, Sustainable Water. See the details of the event here.

“Hungary has an opportunity to take a leading position on how technologies are funnelled into the future of how we feed our communities around the world. Sustainable food technologies looking to offer new and renewable sources of nutrition will focus on areas where there are natural and renewable resources in agriculture. As an agricultural powerhouse, Hungary is ideally located for this in the centre of Europe and presents a stable and viable environment for businesses that are seeking a strategic position as well as the mature inputs.” – said Nicholas Sarvari – President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary.

“We’re looking for interested company leaders from Hungary and abroad, in the food and water industries and beyond, to join us as we explore new ideas and approaches to being responsible and running sustainable businesses.” – said Dr. Judit Lovas, the managing director of CCCH.

The venue of the conference is the Liz and Chain Bar of the Marriott Hotel on October 4. with its charming roof top terrace and amazing panorama. Tickets are available here.

26.09.2022

INTERSPAR customers supported around 1500 disadvantaged students by donating school supplies

Member News

Customers raised more than 58,000 pieces of school equipment items and bought close to 2 million forints worth of donation cards to support the second annual joint school supply collection campaign between The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and SPAR Hungary organised for the second time in 2022. The store chain donated a further one million forints on top of the amount raised.

The “Joy to Give!” school supply collection campaign enabled shoppers to support underprivileged students at the beginning of the school year with donations in Hungarian INTERSPAR hypermarkets. Shoppers could buy donation cards between 20 July and 4 September 2022, and they could buy school supplies such as exercise books, stationary, pencil cases, school bags, PE bags, and other useful supplies instore and hand them over to the volunteers. Monetary donations are exchanged for more school supplies by the charity service, and they will be delivered with the rest of the donations at the beginning of September to the disadvantaged families.

“This year, the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta again supports the families of 1,500 children with new school supplies, PE accessories, and school bags full of necessary supplies with the help of the customers of the store chain. The heavy costs that come with the beginning of the school year are a burden for a lot of Hungarian families. These donations help those in the most disadvantaged situations and prevent their children from having to start school missing essential or even all their school supplies. We thank our customers who purchased notebooks, stationary items, pencil cases, or other supplies at the end of August in INTERSPAR stores to support the donation campaign, as well as those who bought our donation cards to do their bit to support our campaign. With the help of SPAR Hungary, 300 school supply bags, each worth 10,000 forints, were added to the donations collected during the campaign,” said Tamás Romhányi, head of communications of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta.

“We owe our customers a big thank you, who after last year’s successful school supply collection campaign supported the initiative again this year and were glad to help the families in need. As a result, the customers of INTERSPAR and the SPAR online shop, who purchased the donation cards contributed more than 1.9 million forints during the campaign. They also bought 58,267 school supply items in the hypermarkets between 24-27 August 2022, which they then handed over to the volunteers of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta. Our company donated a further one million forints to top this up as part of our social responsibility agenda. Having witnessed the success of the school supply collection campaigns over the previous two years, we are determined to continue the ‘Joy to Give!’ initiative in this aspect as well,” added Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta has been the strategic partner of the store chain for 25 years. As a result of this donation campaign, the organisation collected more than 32,000 notebooks, 18,000 stationary items, 479 pencil cases, 75 school bags and a further 6,000 other creative tools to be delivered to families in need. They also prepare 300 school supply packages, each worth 10,000 forints, from the money they raised with the donation cards. These will help the kids of the families who are on the radar of the charity service to have all school supplies they need to start the new school year.

Images attached to the press release are available in SPAR Médiatár, at the address http://mediatar.spar.hu/. The interface also enables downloading additional public images from SPAR. When using the images, please credit the photos to “spar.hu”.

05.09.2022