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Sustainable renewal and community building at Graphisoft Park

A comprehensive modernization is underway on the first, iconic building of Graphisoft Park – the original headquarters of Graphisoft SE, the company that laid the foundation for the Park’s spirit over three decades ago. The aim of the renovation is to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and to improve workplace comfort.

The main elements of the project include:
– Complete modernization of the HVAC system with integrated heat pumps
– Installation of solar panels on the roof
– Partial energy-efficient upgrade of windows and glass facades
– Installation of new external shading structures
– Application of solar protection film on curtain wall structures
– Renovation of the green roof
– Installation of sun sails above terraces

As a result of these investments, the building’s energy efficiency has significantly improved, energy consumption has decreased, and employees now enjoy a much more comfortable working environment.

Sustainability in motion – Sprint Challenge at Graphisoft Park

Sustainability is not just about buildings – it’s about people, too. In this spirit, Graphisoft Park hosted the Budapest Sprint Orienteering Championships on August 17, 2025. A special race category was provided exclusively for Park employees, allowing them to participate free of charge – whether for sport, challenge, or community experience.

The approximately 2 km long course included 10–15 checkpoints and allowed participants to test their orientation and speed skills in a green urban environment.

BCSDH welcomes a new member: UBM Group

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We are delighted to welcome the UBM Group, one of Hungary’s leading feed ingredient trading and manufacturing companies, as a member. Founded in 1996 and employing more than 400 people, the company’s three main business areas – protein, grain, and feed trading – contribute to the development of the domestic agricultural economy with a balanced business portfolio.
The company, led by CEO Péter Horváth, treats sustainability as a strategic priority. It organizes its operations in line with ESG principles: quarterly reporting, a dedicated ESG officer, and a code of ethics and conduct ensure transparent and responsible corporate operations.
Their key project is product-level carbon footprint calculation, which enables the identification and mitigation of the environmental impact of feed production. This is complemented by practical measures such as the operation of a 4 MW solar power plant, energy efficiency investments, and regular improvements aimed at reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
UBM takes a comprehensive approach based on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental responsibility, social value creation, and economic stability.

They place particular emphasis on actively involving employees through educational programs, internal campaigns, and feedback channels. They also play an active role in supporting local communities.
Their first ESG report was prepared voluntarily, while the second report was prepared in accordance with the GRI standard. They are currently working on the 2024/2025 report.
By joining BCSDH, their goal is to leverage their professional knowledge, practical experience, and long-term commitment in a value-based business community that represents the forefront of sustainable economic development, with a particular focus on the current challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

4.8% lower energy consumption, 90% domestic food sourcing – SPAR’s new sustainability scorecard

In 2024, SPAR Hungary made significant progress in sustainable operations.  Thanks to modernised technological solutions, the company reduced both its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from owned sources, while domestic suppliers accounted for more than 90% of its food product range. Customers also play an active role in reducing environmental impact through their conscious purchasing decisions that support energy-efficient operations.

SPAR’s energy consumption decreased by 4.8%, and its indirect carbon emissions from owned sources and purchased energy dropped by 9.5% compared to the previous year. In stores, LED lighting, modern refrigeration systems and optimised logistics processes contributed to more efficient operations. At SPAR’s own production facilities—such as the Regnum meat plants, and the SPAR enjoy. convenience factory—energy system upgrades were implemented, according to SPAR’s 2024 Sustainability Report.

“Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and the SPAR team strives to lead by example. Customers also reduce their ecological footprint by choosing returnable or their own packaging, or by opting for locally-sourced products,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary. He added that effective cooperation with customers is clearly demonstrated by the fact that, via the Munch app, over 400,000 near-expiry discounted product packs were saved from going to waste in 2024.

SPAR Hungary continues to prioritise domestic suppliers: more than 90% of its food offering comes from local sources. Through the Regional Treasures programme, over 600 products from 131 suppliers are now available across different parts of the country—supporting short supply chains, reducing the environmental impact of transportation, and boosting the local economy.

SPAR also achieved notable internal results during 2024. The company’s logistics centres reduced waste generation by 73 tonnes over the year. Packaging optimisation led to the near-total replacement of single-use paper, plastic, and wooden storage containers. New technologies introduced in stores and logistics units resulted in a 47-tonne waste reduction, while the use of CHEP pallets further lowered environmental impact by 26 tonnes annually. Additionally, the delivery fleet was expanded with 30 new lorries, which, thanks to optimised route planning, now enable faster deliveries and measurable reductions in fuel consumption.

The SPAR sustainability strategy is available on the dedicated company website: www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu

United for thousands of paws – SPAR and the National Animal Protection Foundation join forces to help animals in need

Thanks to the joint efforts of SPAR Hungary and the National Animal Protection Foundation (Országos Állatvédőrség Alapítvány), thousands of shelter animals have once again received support this year. Alongside the “Paw in Trouble!” donation weekend held in May, SPAR’s year-round donation programme has yielded impressive results – showing that a genuine alliance is forming around animal protection.

At SPAR, animal welfare is a long-term commitment. For over a decade, the company has been supporting Hungarian shelters with food products that are no longer sold in shops but are still perfectly suitable for feeding animals.

Over the years of working together, a close partnership has developed between SPAR and the National Animal Protection Foundation. One of the most visible outcomes of this collaboration is the nationwide “Paw in Trouble!” pet food donation weekend, which was organised for the fifth time in May 2025 in INTERSPAR hypermarkets. Once again, customers demonstrated outstanding empathy and solidarity: over 8,600 kg of dry dog food, 5,700 tins and pouches of wet dog food, 1,600 kg of dry cat food, 12,000 tins and pouches of wet cat food, and 1,550 kg of cat litter were donated. In addition, a significant amount of pet accessories and hygiene products were collected for shelters.  SPAR further contributed with a donation of 1 million forints, which was transferred directly to the National Animal Protection Foundation.

In addition to the May “Paw in Trouble!” weekend, numerous other fundraising campaigns were held throughout the year, allowing customers to support tens of thousands of shelter animals. In 2025 alone, donation drives held in SPAR stores collected 14,500 kg of dog food, 2,800 kg of cat food, nearly 10,000 tins of dog food, more than 18,000 tins of cat food, and 790 units of dog salami, along with numerous accessories and hygiene products – all thanks to customers’ generosity.

“At SPAR, we believe that a responsible company has not only an economic role but a community one as well – and this includes responsibility towards animals. We are proud that together with our customers, we can provide real, tangible help to the civil organisations working tirelessly for animals in need,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR.

“One of the most important values of this partnership for us is that it gives visibility to small, often lesser-known animal protection organisations. As an umbrella organisation, the National Animal Protection Foundation provides these communities with the opportunity to reach out to customers and collect donations. For them, this support is not just help – it’s a true chance at survival,” explained Kata Schreiter, spokesperson for the National Animal Protection Foundation.

SPAR remains open to collaborations with civil animal welfare organisations year-round: many SPAR and INTERSPAR stores regularly host collection drives across the country. These opportunities are particularly valuable to local communities, as they allow shoppers to directly support nearby animal shelters. The shared goal of SPAR and the National Animal Protection Foundation is not only to provide short-term assistance but to offer long-term, sustainable solutions for shelters and the animals they care for.

A gyűjtések helyszínéről és időpontjáról a SPAR erre a célra létrehozott online felületén lehet tájékozódni: www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu/mancsabajban

A Response to Changes in International Regulations – Amendments to the ESG Act Enter into Force

The final days of the Parliament’s spring session were closely followed by ESG-focused professional organizations, as the National Assembly voted on the amendment to the ESG Act on 17 June.
The final text was published in the 19 June issue of the Magyar Közlöny (Official Gazette of Hungary).

What does the final text include?

Narrowed Scope of Applicability

As expected, the scope of companies subject to the ESG Act has been significantly reduced.
Following the entry into force of the amendment, according to Section 1 (1) b) of the Act, the obligations apply only to large enterprises that:

  • carry out their main activity in one of the sectors listed in the Annex to the ESG Act, and
  • have an annual net revenue exceeding HUF 90 billion, and
  • employ at least 500 people as of the balance sheet date of the financial year.

Public interest small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now exempt from the Act.

Reporting Simplifications

ESG reports covering the financial years 2024, 2025, and 2026:

  • no certification is required,
  • no submission to the ESG Authority is required,
  • and no public disclosure is required.

However, affected companies are still obliged to prepare the ESG report during these years, which must be approved by the company’s executive body.

Data Provision Requirements

Until 30 June 2027, micro and small enterprises cannot be required to provide ESG-related data and may not commit to doing so via contracts or written declarations.
(This restriction also applies to medium-sized enterprises.)

SMEs can fulfil their ESG data provision obligations by obtaining an ESG rating from the state-appointed ESG certifier.

That said, companies subject to the ESG Act may still reach out to their suppliers using questionnaires, so it is advisable for SMEs to continue collecting ESG-related data.

Refined Corrective Measures

Instead of the previous 3-month period, companies are now only required to suspend business relations with a direct supplier for 30 days in case of failed corrective actions.

The Social Capital Working Group Moves Forward as a Creative Hub

On 19 June 2025, Randstad Hungary hosted the latest meeting of the BCSDH Social Capital Working Group. The event also marked a new beginning: going forward, the group will operate as a creative hub — an inspiring professional community working together toward a more sustainable and human-centered world.


The meeting began with a presentation by Sándor Baja, Managing Director of Randstad Hungary, who shared the latest findings from Randstad’s recent research. In addition to highlighting current trends, he addressed some of the key challenges expected to shape the next 5–10 years.

Next, Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, and Attila Kelemen, CEO of ProSelf Zrt. and leader of the Social Capital Working Group, presented the group’s recent professional achievements related to the theme of human value. They also introduced a five-point action plan developed last year, offering concrete recommendations for the business sector.


A találkozó második felében a résztvevők közösen gondolkodtak arról, hogy vezetőként milyen területeken tehetünk konkrét lépéseket a következő időszakban. Olyan témakörök merültek fel, mint a munkahely, mint „safe place”, a munkatársak edukációja fenntarthatósági témákban, a pénzügyi tudatosság fejlesztése vagy például a nyugdíjba vonulók tudásának bevonása.

In the second half of the meeting, participants engaged in a collaborative discussion about the areas where leaders can take tangible steps in the near future. Key topics included: the workplace as a “safe space”, educating employees on sustainability topics, fostering financial awareness and involving the expertise of retirees.

The Three-Legged Stool is the most stable – How can a company, franchise partner, and supplier work together for a circular economy?

Progress Étteremhálózat Kft., which operates McDonald’s restaurants in Hungary, hosted our second Circular Economy Working Group meeting on June 11, which members of the Circular Economy Platform could follow in person or online.

At the working group meeting, we gained insight into McDonald’s sustainability strategy and the main findings of the 2025 Circularity Gap Report, as well as learning about the circular solutions of Master Good Kft. and Progress Restaurant Network Ltd. and the characteristics of supplier relationships that prioritize sustainability.

To kick off the meeting, Judit Szabó, Head of Communications and Sustainability, presented how McDonald’s can have a positive impact on people and the planet. She emphasized that among the solutions supporting the circular economy, the responsible and sustainable use of raw materials and waste management are key elements of the company’s sustainability strategy.

Dr. Bálint Bartha-Horváth, CBRE’s senior sustainability advisor, presented this year’s Circularity Gap Report. In addition to macroeconomic trends, the report focused on circular economy indicators, with 23 sub-indicators included in the document. The report reveals that although we have taken small steps forward, global circularity is still moving backwards due to increasing material use. The latest data shows that compared to last year’s 7.2%, only 6.9% of global material flows can be considered circular. Another important finding of the report is that recycling alone will not solve the problem: if we only recycle all waste and do not reduce material consumption, circular material use (CMU) could be increased to around 25%.

“We can use everything except chicken breath,” said Attila Szabó, innovation and sustainability manager, who presented the circular model of Master Good Kft. in detail. Thanks to the company’s efforts, Master Good became the first company in the world to receive certification from McDonald’s Flagship Farm program in 2015.

The meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion moderated by Irén Márta, director of BCSDH, with the participation of Dr. Tibor Cselényi, senior quality and product development manager at Progress Étteremhálózat Kft., and Attila Szabó, on successful supplier cooperation. McDonald’s partnerships are based on a Three-Legged Stool strategy. They believe that any party (company, franchise partner, supplier) can only grow if everyone grows. High-level partnerships are based on mutual benefits, shared values, and consistently high quality.

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We need to assess climate risks – The question is no longer why, but how!

In 2025 BCSDH’s focus topic is climate adaptation, of which risk assessment is a key part. At our Race to Zero Working Group meeting on June 4, we explored the above issue, focusing on practical knowledge and implementation. This time, ALTEO was the host and one of the speakers of the event, as a leading company in the topic.

Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, opened the working group meeting, followed by Anita Simon, Deputy CEO for Sustainability and Circular Economy at ALTEO, who highlighted in her welcoming speech that climate change represents both challenges and opportunities in the fields of energy and waste management. The details were presented by Éva Klein-Stiller, Sustainability and IIR Manager at ALTEO, presenting the process and practical implementation of the climate risk assessment, the physical and transition risks, the methodologies and tools used, thereby providing help and ideas for other member companies.

After the practical example and answering participants’ questions, the National Adaptation Center gave a presentation. First, Pál Selmeczi, head of department, presented the organization’s activities, the basic legal background and regulatory environment, and regulations related to climate change preparedness, emphasizing the obligations this entails for companies. The methodologies used, climate scenarios, and the specific tool, NAGiS (National Adaptation Geographic Information System), which companies can use to assess climate risks along 18 layers, providing a clear basis and guidance on the main points to know about each topic area. The NATéR online system was presented step by step by Dr. Maigut Vera, senior geoinformatics expert, who described its main functions and useful tools to make it as user-friendly and effective as possible for companies.

 

The series of presentations was concluded by Andrea Nagy, BCSDH Race to Zero project manager, who presented the planned BCSDH recommendations on climate adaptation together with the related action plan. The programs for the coming period and related autumn events were also discussed.

We would like to thank our host for their hospitality and for sharing their practical experiences, our colleagues at the National Adaptation Center for their exciting and informative presentation and demonstration, and the participants for their many questions and constructive discussions.

 

We would like to thank the sponsors of our Race to Zero program:

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SPAR takes another step Towards digitalisation

SPAR continues its digital innovations in Hungary. The use of electronic shelf labels has already been implemented in over ten franchise partner stores and three company-operated stores: in Budapest, Debrecen, and the newest supermarket in Szentendre. This new solution enhances the customer experience, streamlines work processes, and promotes sustainable operations. Building on the promising results, SPAR plans to introduce the technology in additional stores.

“The adoption of electronic shelf labels aligns with an international trend towards modern, sustainable, and customer focused retail. SPAR Hungary is actively participating in this transformation as well: the positive experiences from our first three company-operated stores, along with encouraging feedback from customers and colleagues, confirmed that we are on the right path,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

The Pricer electronic shelf labels enable real-time price communication, ensuring that shelves always display current prices and promotions.  The system offers numerous benefits for both customers and store staff. For instance, the labels feature flashing LED indicators to assist stock replenishment, with multiple colour options to help identify products more easily. When a store undergoes a layout change, the system automatically tracks product relocations, significantly simplifying workflow planning.

Customer experience has also been elevated with the introduction of the NFC technology. By tapping their smartphones on the labels, customers can instantly access a store map. The map precisely shows a product’s location and includes a search function as well, allowing customers to quickly locate any other item in the store. Triangulation technology further enhances navigation accuracy. From an IT perspective, the system represents a significant advancement for SPAR stores. Thanks to Pricer’s optical control technology, fewer control units are needed in each store which makes both installation and operation more cost-effective.

In April 2025, SPAR officially opened its newest supermarket in Szentendre. The approximately 3.6 billion HUF investment, funded from the company’s own resources, resulted in a modern, energy-efficient store. In collaboration with Szintézis Informatikai Zrt., 13,000 four-colour Pricer electronic shelf labels were installed, simplifying staff tasks and delivering an enhanced shopping experience for customers. All labels are NFC-enabled, allowing shoppers to access the digital store map, which also functions as a product search tool, with only a single tap. Staff communication is also streamlined through Vocovo headsets, provided by Szintézis since the store’s opening.

“Speaking on behalf of all men, the product search function built into Pricer will save us a lot of time and frustration. The Pricer infrastructure works like an in-store GPS. I tap my NFC-enabled phone on the label, the store layout pops up, I type in what I’m looking for, and it shows me the way,” said Dávid Szabó, CEO of Szintézis Informatikai Zrt.

SPAR Hungary remains committed to innovation and sustainability, aiming to continue supporting customer needs and staff efficiency through modern technological solutions.

Our new member company: AutoWallis Nyrt.

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The group is present in 16 countries and operates in three business segments: wholesale, retail and mobility services. It aims to become the leading car retailer and mobility provider in the Central and Eastern European region by the end of the decade.

The Hungarian company, managed by Gábor Ormosy, CEO , has been operating since 2012 and employs – at group level – more than 1300 people.

AutoWallis is committed to long-term value creation and sustainable growth, for the company sustainability is not a separate project but part of long-term value creation, and it has a strategic goal to operate responsibly and in a way that is sensitive to environmental and social challenges. The strategy focuses on adapting to climate change, increasing energy efficiency, developing environmentally friendly mobility solutions and strengthening employee engagement and organisational stability. Specific, measurable targets have been set in five priority areas: climate change, employee well-being, responsible business conduct, urban mobility and customer relations. These include increasing the share of zero-emission vehicles, investing in renewable energy and building a transparent, IT-based ESG data collection system. From 2025, AutoWallis will be supported by an audit-compliant, IT-based data collection and reporting system that is capable of meeting ESG and CSRD requirements. Their complaint handling system has been upgraded to a group-wide system and they are focusing on internal training on compliance and business ethics.

The company aims to increase its share of renewable energy to at least 30% by 2031, plans to install solar power plants at its new sites and has set a target of saving 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. It has also set a target to increase the share of zero-emission or hybrid vehicles by 20% and to install 100 electric charging stations. The technological and infrastructural foundations for the transition are also supported by the green bond programme.

Group-wide corporate governance policies and internal rules enshrine the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and safety at work. To promote diversity and equal opportunities, the Group uses a number of tools: transparent recruitment and promotion processes, a career map, and a uniform performance appraisal and incentive system. The AutoWallis Group’s transparent operations are based on a public listing on the stock exchange and a regulated corporate governance system at Group level.

Their first sustainability report for 2021 was published in 2022 with a group-wide outlook. This year, for the first time, their sustainability report, prepared in accordance with ESRS requirements, has been integrated into the audited consolidated financial statements.

They have joined BCSDH because they want to continue their journey of development in ESG in a supportive, active community where they can collectively seek answers to the sustainability challenges facing the business world. By joining, they see an opportunity for professional dialogue, credible feedback and contacts that help to improve internal processes and accelerate the adaptation of good practices, thus contributing to the development of a national approach to sustainability.

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

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