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ESG is also a responsibility for the supply chain as a whole – ESG working group meeting at Continental

The ESG Working Group meeting of the BCSDH on 18 February 2025, hosted by Continental’s Budapest factory, was very well attended. The event started with a welcome speech of Zoltán Dapsy, Factory Director, who presented the company’s sustainability objectives and the measures it is taking to support corporate transformation.

The focus of the meeting was again on the ESG Act, and last year’s changes were presented by Csaba Gábor Molnár, ESG Director of SZTFH, who was delighted to accept our invitation to speak again. In his presentation, he also explained the steps to be taken to set up a risk management system. We also thank Mr Molnár for answering questions from the audience.

In 2025, climate adaptation will be the focus of BCSDH’s professional activities, said Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, who also spoke about the relevance of the topic for companies and its links to ESG.

Starting this year, we would like to offer our members more opportunities for face-to-face discussions and knowledge sharing. Therefore, the presentations were followed by small group discussions where participants discussed how their company is progressing in building a risk assessment system and engaging suppliers. We would like to express our gratitude to the working group members Greta Nagy, Eszter Mihály and Beatrix Szabó for moderating.

 

ESG program sponsors

Our new member company: EXIM Hungary

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For more than 30 years, EXIM Hungary has been paving the path to global success by providing innovative financing solutions to support the growth of domestic businesses. As the official export credit agency of Hungary, EXIM specialises in international trade, foreign market expansion and foreign investment. In addition to export finance, it has been providing domestic loan programmes for over a decade to enhance the international competitiveness of Hungarian companies. The pair of institutions, headed by CEO Kornél Kisgergely, aims to offer customised loan, insurance and guarantee products to companies with outstanding growth and foreign expansion potential. Since its inception, EXIM Hungary has helped bring Hungarian products or services to nearly 150 countries around the world.

EXIM Hungary is fully dedicated to the ESG approach in its economic activities and operations, which is based on three pillars:

  1. Environmental Responsibility (E): based on international and domestic regulations and best market practices, EXIM Hungary has established a Green Finance Framework to support sustainable development and green investments through favourable financing opportunities. The aim is to increase their green portfolio instead of carbon-based activities.
  2. Social Responsibility (S): EXIM Hungary is committed to educating the next generation, through a long-term partnership with prestigious higher education institutions to offer specific courses and trainings to students. EXIM Hungary also maintains close links with professional organisations to ensure access to the latest export finance knowledge for the widest possible audience. It also promotes the well-being of the employees as a family-friendly and sustainable workplace, and strengthens the community through active internal communication and wellbeing activities.
  3. Responsible Corporate Governance (G): EXIM Hungary does its utmost to operate in a transparent and sustainable manner and has therefore developed an ESG strategy in line with the business objectives and established a dedicated ESG Centre, which operates on the basis of an annual programme plan. It also pays particular attention to integrating sustainability considerations into the decision-making processes, ensuring long-term and responsible corporate governance.

EXIM Hungary has joined the BCSDH to share its existing experiences and to learn new good practices. With the creation of the ESG Centre, EXIM Hungary aims to make progress in the field of sustainability and become one of the key players in the banking sector.

Our new member company: RTG Corporate Resonsibility Consulting Kft.

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RTG., founded and managed by Tamás Radnai and Gabriella Tóth, is a sustainability and ESG consultancy company that has worked in this field since its establishment in 2006 to promote sustainability in the domestic corporate environment.

The founders of RTG and the company itself are ESG consultants accredited by the SZTFH.

They build long-term, sincere professional relationships with their partners based on a commitment to sustainability. The different thinking, insights, and experience of the professional team members complement each other well while contributing to the different aspects of social responsibility and sustainability.

The company maximises gender equality, with equal participation of founders in the success of the business. RTG is a flexible workplace that helps to achieve a good work-life balance.

The company, which is in a growth phase, aims to makme a long-term contribution to the latest advances in sustainability and ESG consulting.

They joined BCSDH to support these goals: they want to be active and useful members of the professional community.

New Member Company: Lidl Hungary

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Lidl Hungary is a leading retail player. The company, managed by Zita Szlavikovics places a strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental protection, and ethical operations, while also prioritizing compliance with increasingly stringent EU regulations.

The company’s sustainability strategy is built around the principles of “Good for the planet, good for people, good for you,” focusing on six key areas: biodiversity protection, climate protection, resource preservation, health promotion, ethical operations, and dialogue.

It has developed its sustainability strategy around the principles of “Good for the planet, good for people, good for you”, which covers six focus areas: biodiversity protection, climate protection, resource conservation, health promotion, ethical operations and dialogue. Lidl’s cross-country goal is to achieve net zero emissions across its entire supply chain, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2050. These are the areas where more than 90% of the company’s total emissions are generated. To achieve the climate targets, the company is working closely with its partners and requires its largest suppliers, who are responsible for 75% of product-related emissions (Scope 3), to set their own climate targets by 2026 within the framework of Science Based Targets.

Sustainability ambitions are underpinned not only by strategic targets but also by concrete results. Lidl Hungary regularly publishes national sustainability reports based on the GRI Standards. The first two were created based on GRI Core option, the latest one is in accordance with GRI, covering the financial years 2022-2023.

The company also aims to promote circular economy, reduce food waste or source critical raw materials from certified sustainable sources. In addition, respect for human rights and occupational health and safety are also a priority in their operations.

Through its membership, Lidl aims to actively contribute to the BCSDH community by sharing best practices and deepening its expertise in areas such as circular economy, emission reduction, and biodiversity.

Our new member company: Summit D&V Kft.

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Founded in 1999, the company  based in Esztergom is managed by Mikami Keitaro operates in the field of wholesale trade of automotive parts.

The company’s strategic approach to sustainability is comprehensive and integrated. Their strategy includes reducing environmental impacts through innovative technologies, conducting our business responsibly and ethically, and active engaging in social responsibility.

In the spirit of environmental responsibility, they have introduced a number of measures (switching to LED light bulbs, replacing boiler, replacing gas powered forklifts with electric ones, selective waste collection, reducing plastic waste) in their own operations. Furthermore they have created their company’s Eco-Map with employee involvement, which clearly highlights areas for improvement and reinforces the effectiveness of existing measures. In 2024, they obtained ISO 45001 certification, and in 2025 they aim to implement ISO14001. The company is currently working to define and develop its climate protection goal by using science-based frameworks, such as the Science Based Targets initiative.

Taking CSRD and ESG aspects into account, their Human Rights Policy is being developed, which will include human rights and fundamental human values, as well as the issues of diversity. Some of these measures can already be found in their Employee Handbook. In 2024, they received the family-friendly workplace trademark.

By joining BCSDH membership, they expect a stimulating environment and common goals and they hope that, they can build valuable relationships, especially in terms of exchanging experiences and sharing knowledge.

De Rossi Consulting Kft. is our new member company

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De Rossi Consulting is convinced that any business can achieve long-term sustainable development through financially informed decision making. As a two-generation Hungarian-owned organization, the company remains dedicated to offering reliable financial solutions that provide security, guarantee lasting stability and foster enduring financial success.

By combining a personalized, client-focused approach with modern, pioneering technological solutions, De Rossi provides audit and business valuation services that equip clients with an accurate understanding of their company’s financial situation. This insight enables them to pursue sustainable growth and maintain a competitive edge. The company envisions a world in which every enterprise can realize its full potential, and believes that with the right tools, support, and information, most businesses are both able and willing to grow.

BCSDH serves as an excellent platform for professional exchange, ongoing learning, and inspiration. Sustainability is among the core values of De Rossi, guiding all activities carried out by the company. They hold that growth is only worthwhile, and ultimately only feasible, when pursued sustainably over the long term.

The company, managed by Eva and Marcel De Rossi, has the primary goal of supporting companies that are obliged or voluntarily undertake CSRD reporting on this path and to become specialists in this field.

Eva De Rossi and Marcel De Rossi, Founders of De Rossi Consulting Kft.

To Curb Climate Change, Efforts Must be Multiplied – Climate Protection Maturity Survey of Hungarian Companies

Budapest, 29 January 2025 – According to the latest survey by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH), conducted with professional support from Deloitte, 66% of Hungarian companies committed to a sustainable transition have defined specific climate protection goals. Additionally, the number of companies measuring emissions across their entire value chain has doubled.

The BCSDH survey reveals a significant improvement in data collection concerning companies’ own operations and purchased energy. Additionally, data collection has commenced along supply chains, driven in part by the introduction of EU regulations.

“We have been working for nearly 20 years to help the business sector operate more sustainably. An important result is that 66 percent of respondent companies already have a specific emission reduction target,” said Irén Márta, director of BCSDH, at the press conference. “However, actions still fall short of what is necessary. Ninety-one percent of respondents feel the effects of climate change, but only 16 percent of companies have climate adaptation action plans. In our changing world, climate adaptation is just as important as climate protection. We need systemic changes and a multiplication of efforts in both areas.”

 

We would need to limit global greenhouse gas emissions to 2 tonnes per capita per year to achieve the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Hungary’s current annual emissions are 5.6 tonnes per capita.

The survey shows that 26% of Hungary’s leading companies have set science-based emission reduction targets aligned with the 1.5-degree goal. While this is above the global average, it remains far from sufficient. Although the 1.5-degree target is not yet out of reach, 2024 marked the first year global warming exceeded this threshold.

“Hungary’s emissions dropped by 43% between 1990 and 2023, achieving the previous 2030 target several years ahead of schedule. In response, the revised National Energy and Climate Plan now aims for a 50% reduction by the start of the next decade. Global emissions must peak now, and with sustained reductions, we need to achieve global net zero by 2050 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by century’s end,” said Barbara Botos, Ambassador at Large for Climate at the Ministry of Energy. “Everyone has a role to play. It’s encouraging to see more companies setting science-based net-zero targets. Renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency improvements are leading the way, supported by various domestic incentives and tenders to help companies realize their ambitions.”

According to the BCSDH survey, companies plan to reduce emissions in key areas: 84% aim to improve energy efficiency, 78% plan to use renewable energy, and 66% see value in mapping and implementing circular solutions within their value chains.

“The survey results reveal that 68% of companies are now measuring emissions from their own operations and procured energy. Notably, 43% of respondents have begun tracking greenhouse gas data across their value chains—an impressive increase from just 20% in the 2022 study. This significant progress highlights how stricter regulations and rising investor expectations are shifting the focus beyond companies’ own operations to a broader value chain perspective,” said Flora Borek, Senior Manager at Deloitte’s Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory team, during the press event presenting the findings.

 

 

“As a fleet manager, Ayvens plays a significant role in reducing carbon emissions across the entire value chain. In addition to making our own operations more sustainable, it is crucial for us to raise customer awareness and develop sustainable solutions and services for them,” said Tímea Pesti, CEO of Ayvens, the mobility service provider created by the merger of ALD Automotive and LeasePlan, which hosted the press event. “This goes beyond simply electrifying fleets or revising mobility strategies. Entire systems need to be transformed. To operate in a carbon-conscious way, we must view the fleet as a tool tailored to life situations rather than a symbol of status or a business card, requiring a shift in corporate thinking.”

Ayvens received EcoVadis’ prestigious Platinum certification in 2024, which ranks the company in the top one percent of globally rated companies.

Experts agree that immediate and bold action is required to reduce emissions and foster climate adaptation. Encouragingly, significant progress has been made with emissions measurement, with companies recognizing that effective management starts with accurate data. However, many still fail to substantiate their reduction targets with reliable measurements, particularly across their value chains. Despite progress, domestic companies face growing pressure to meet the ambitious climate goals of the key markets they serve, like Germany and their international parent companies. Leading-edge companies are setting an example by making their operations fully sustainable and honoring their commitments — but more companies like the latter and far greater efforts are urgently needed.

 

About BCSDH’s climate survey

The survey data collection period ended at the end of 2024. The results were published on 29 January 2025.

The questionnaire that was sent to nearly 150 BCSDH member companies was completed by 76 respondents, 25 of whom are included in the HVG TOP200 list.

’Future Leaders’ is not just a program, but an inspiring community taking action for sustainability

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The twelfth edition of the BCSDH ’Future Leaders’ Program 2025 started with the Opening Event at K&H Bank on 23 January. Participants were welcomed by Levente Suba, K&H Group Head of Sustainability, who briefly presented K&H’s diverse and outstanding sustainability achievements.

Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, which now has more than 150 member companies, said that the aim of the program is to introduce the complex conceptual framework and practices of corporate sustainability to future leaders, the talented professionals who can become business leaders. She highlited that this is not just a program, but an inspiring, forward-thinking community that really has the potential to foster and implement the transition to sustainable business.

She emphasized the importance of our program being carbon-conscious for the third consecutive year, in collaboration with the Greendependent Institute.

Zita Szederkényi, Head of ’Future Leaders’ Program, presented the structure, venues and key information of the professional days for the participants. During the eight days, participants will learn about the theory and practice of sustainability through a variety of methods and exercises: factory and site visits, case studies, interviews with company managers and interactive exercises.

As an inspiration, two graduates of the program from last year, Ágnes Fülöp, Head of Life Insurance Contact Center at Generali, and Adrienn Anga, Senior Consultant at KPMG, shared their experiences about the value of the program. They emphasized that, in addition to developing a sustainable mindset, the greatest benefit of the program for them was the network of contacts they had built, and encouraged the new cohort to be open, inquisitive and sometimes critical, all of which will help them to take away as much as possible from the program.

After successfully completing the program, the participants will remain members of ’Future Leaders’ community: they will be welcomed by the Alumni community, said Máté Bori, Operations Director, Ayvens and Head of the Alumni organisation, which has nearly 350 members. He spoke about the Alumni events in 2024, which were also organised in the spirit of sustainability and provided an opportunity for discussions with company managers, networking and knowledge sharing.

As a closing program of the event, participants got to know each other, shared their connections to sustainability and the sustainability challenges they face in moderated table group discussions.

The 2025 program leaders came from the following companies:

Agroloop Hungary Kft., ALD Automotive Kft., ALTEO Nyrt., Bay Zoltán Alkalmazott Kutatási Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft., Budapest Airport Zrt, Budapesti Közművek Nonprofit Zrt., Continental Automotive Hungary Kft., E.ON Észak-dunántúli Áramhálózati Zrt., E.ON Hungária Zrt., Ernst & Young Könyvvizsgáló Kft., EY denkstatt Kft., Generali Biztosító Zrt., Gránit Pólus Management Zrt., Greenbors Consulting Kft., Güntner-Tata Hűtőtechnika Kft., Hungaropharma Zrt., KPMG Hungária Kft., LeasePlan Hungária Zrt., Nestlé Hungária Kft., Papyrus Hungária Zrt., PPD Hungária Kft., Progress Étteremhálózat Kft., Szentkirályi Magyarország Kft., Yamazaki Mazak Central Europe sro Magyarországi Fióktelepe.

Among the participants there is Máté Albert, a physics student at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, who won the BCSDH’s Scholarship Program.

 

Thanks to the host of the Openin Event:

Thanks to the sponsors of the ’Future Leaders’ Program in 2025:

Thanks to the highlighted sponsor of the Scolarship Program in 2025:

 

Photo gallery

Let’s work on what we need to work on! – BCSDH Sustainability Matchmaking event for cross-sectoral collaboration

Climate change, the drastic loss of natural diversity and dramatically increasing social inequalities are already having a significant impact on our lives and businesses. Tightening legislation is also making sustainability part of everyday business life. Systemic change and innovative solutions are needed, and this requires deep and comprehensive collaboration across sectors, but also between economic actors.

To support the acceleration of these processes, the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) organised its fourth Sustainability Matchmaking event for member companies on 21 January 2025. With a membership of over 150 companies, the event will enable companies to effectively promote partnerships to improve their ESG performance.

 

Balázs Tóth, CEO and President of UniCredit Bank, hosted the event and welcomed the participants.

“Weather extremes have increased and the business sector needs to be prepared for their effects. Cooperation is the only way to lead the systemic change the world needs to protect and adapt to climate change.“ – emphasized Attila Chikán Jr., President of the BCSDH in his welcome speech. He highlighted that “EU and domestic ESG legislation will place a heavy burden on companies, with many starting to prepare in 2025, and good professional partnerships are essential for successful compliance.”

At the ESG event, 20 companies presented their sustainability products and services, including innovative and unique solutions such as office composters, digital carbon footprint measurement, experiential sustainability training, sustainable building management, workplace inclusion support, and IT solutions supporting ESG data collection.

 

The presentations presented not only solutions to support the design phase, but also a good number of solutions to help with measurement and implementation. Several companies are already using AI solutions, which can significantly reduce time consumption, for example.

The short presentations were followed by informal discussions, where a large number of interested companies looking for sustainability solutions could find potential cooperation partners.
You can view the photo gallery of the event here.

 

The presenting companies:

 

 

Sponsors of the ESG program

What steps are you taking towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle? – Nestlé and SPAR’s Year Planner campaign has kicked off

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At the beginning of the new year, many people decide to change their lifestyle, but research shows that it takes an average of 66 days to change habits. However, more than half of people don’t keep their New Year resolutions. The most common reasons for this include setting too high expectations or not knowing how to fulfil them.

Nestlé and SPAR have launched their joint year-long education campaign to encourage customers to adopt a sustainable and health-conscious lifestyle. The campaign is based on a digital Year Planner that guides consumers with inspiring stories, useful tips and practical advice month by month.

“Conscious change requires small but consistent steps. The Nestlé and SPAR annual planner can help people with everyday decisions and choices, whether it’s planning ahead, preparing meals that support a healthy lifestyle, or developing new habits,” explains Diána Sárga, a dietitian at Nestlé Hungária, who will also support the learning of new habits with expert videos.

“Creating a healthy lifestyle that is also sustainable is not always about making perfect decisions, but about consciously moving in a more sustainable direction, taking small steps,” says psychologist Bianka Fuller who is speaking about the mental side of changing habits in the joint Nestlé and SPAR Year Planner campaign. The expert added: “Self-reflection is key to making conscious progress, as it helps us understand why we make certain decisions, what motivates us and where we get stuck.  Taking the time to regularly look back on our progress can not only help us set more realistic goals, but also teaches us to appreciate the small steps we have taken. Self-reflection helps us recognize which habits are working well and which ones are worth changing, thereby we are not only strengthening our lifestyle change but also our perseverance.”

 

Healthy lifestyle month by month

As part of the campaign, a seasonal, easily available, and budget-friendly ingredients is the focus in the Year Planner each month, from which exciting dishes can be prepared using the recipes that are based on Nestlé and SPAR products. In addition to the recipes, sustainability and dietary tips, as well as shopping lists help customers to put together dishes in line with the monthly theme. An important element of the program is also a monthly habit monitor, which encourages consumers to regularly evaluate their own progress. In addition to dietician Diána Sárga and psychologist Bianka Fuller, Nestlé PURINA’s veterinarian, Dr. Kinga Márton will publish short videos on social media platforms throughout the year to provide those concerned with useful advice on how to support the well-being of their pets as well as their own.

This year, the Planner will be available exclusively in digital format, supported by the My SPAR mobile application, SPAR and Nestlé newsletters, and various social media channels. The recipes and expert videos linked to the campaign will also be available on these platforms. In addition to this, the contents of the Planner will be easily accessible by scanning the QR code in stores. The two companies will encourage customers to get to know the Planner in detail with two prize drawings during the year.

 

Shared responsibility

“It is important for SPAR to support initiatives that provide real help to our customers in developing a health-conscious lifestyle. This campaign both educates and inspires at the same time, while providing practical advice for everyday life,” emphasised Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

Nestlé and SPAR have been supporting their customers with different educational campaigns for several years. In recent years, they have worked together to promote sorted waste collection and to prevent food waste.

The joint Year Planner of Nestlé and SPAR is available at: the following link: Nestlé and SPAR joint Annual Planner | Nestlé Hungary

Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary
1118 Budapest, Ménesi street 9/a.

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