2026 - Page 3 of 12

Fifty MBH Bank Employees Take Part in Volunteer Day at the Budakeszi Arboretum

The partnership between MBH Bank and Pilisi Parkerdő Ltd., launched in 2024, has entered a new phase: in 2026, the bank will provide an additional HUF 30 million to support development and maintenance projects at the Budakeszi Arboretum. As part of the collaboration, on 18 September, fifty MBH Bank employees also contributed to the upkeep of the arboretum through volunteer work. Participants assisted with the management of declining conifer stands in areas inaccessible to machinery and took part in a guided tour to learn about the principles of continuous cover forestry and the impacts of climate change on forests. The cooperation forms part of MBH Bank’s Bank for a Sustainable Future programme, whose Biodiversity Programme is dedicated to protecting biological diversity.

Development of the Budakeszi Arboretum Continues

MBH Bank entered into a partnership with Pilisi Parkerdő Ltd. in August 2024 with the aim of renewing the Budakeszi Arboretum. The first phase of the cooperation was supported by a HUF 20 million contribution from the bank, which enabled, among other developments, the planting of new vegetation, the creation of a forest fitness trail, the expansion of the dog agility course, and the installation of a visitor monitoring system.

In the next phase of the partnership, MBH Bank will provide an additional HUF 30 million in 2026 to support Pilisi Parkerdő’s development and maintenance activities within the arboretum. Planned initiatives include a comprehensive survey of the woody plant stock, the creation of a plot-level vegetation inventory, and the planting of drought-tolerant tree and shrub species in areas becoming vacant as a result of climate change.

The collaboration with Pilisi Parkerdő Ltd. is closely connected to the biodiversity protection objectives of MBH Bank’s Bank for a Sustainable Future programme. Through the programme, the bank supports initiatives that contribute to the preservation of Hungary’s natural assets and habitats, as well as the maintenance of biological diversity.

Employees Also Supported Maintenance Through Volunteering

As part of the partnership, fifty MBH Bank employees participated in a volunteer day on 18 September to support the care and maintenance of the arboretum. Guided by experts from Pilisi Parkerdő, participants helped manage declining conifer stands by manually collecting, transporting, and stacking felled and processed timber. Employees worked in two groups, ensuring that, alongside the practical conservation activities, everyone could also take part in a guided educational tour of the arboretum.

During the professional programme, participants gained insight into the arboretum’s plant collections, the principles of continuous cover forestry, and the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems. Experts from Pilisi Parkerdő also explained the challenges facing forest stands and the measures being taken to improve their resilience. In addition to supporting concrete maintenance activities, the volunteer day provided an opportunity for employees to gain a deeper understanding of the professional work required to ensure the long-term preservation of the arboretum.

“For us, sustainability is only credible when it is reflected in tangible, long-term results. Our cooperation with Pilisi Parkerdő embodies this approach, as by supporting the continued development of the Budakeszi Arboretum we contribute both to the preservation of natural assets and to helping plant communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. It is also important to us that our colleagues take part in this work and, through direct experience, develop a closer connection to nature conservation,” said György Szege, Director of ESG and Sustainability at MBH Bank.

06.10.2026

MBH Bank Supports Two Habitat Restoration Projects in Hungary While Becoming the First Company to Join WWF Hungary’s Green Academy Programme

Member News

MBH Bank is supporting the development of two valuable natural habitats in Hungary through a partnership with WWF Hungary, while also enabling its employees to deepen their sustainability knowledge through the Green Academy e-learning programme. MBH Bank is the first company to implement in practice the interactive, gamified training programme developed with the support of WWF.

MBH Bank and WWF Hungary are launching their cooperation by supporting the restoration of two ecologically significant yet distinctly different Hungarian habitats, while also strengthening employees’ sustainability awareness. As part of the joint initiative, a new forest will be established in Kőszeg, and water retention measures will improve the condition of a floodplain habitat in the Nagy-rét meadow near Tiszajenő. In addition, the Green Academy, a pioneering awareness-raising programme developed by WWF Hungary, Progressive Advertising Agency, and Universum 8, will be made available to 50 MBH employees. Built around modern knowledge-sharing methods, the interactive corporate e-learning platform brings sustainability issues, which often seem distant and abstract, closer to everyday life and decision-making.

Making Space for Water and Forests

The habitat restoration project in the Kőszeg region, implemented in cooperation with the Őrség National Park Directorate, will create a forest habitat on approximately one hectare of land currently used as arable farmland. The area forms part of both the Kőszeg Landscape Protection Area and the Natura 2000 network, and is located at the interface between a protected natural area and an urban-industrial environment. The afforestation project is therefore significant from a landscape perspective, while also contributing to enhanced biodiversity, long-term climate regulation, and carbon sequestration.

The second location is Nagy-rét meadow near Tiszajenő, one of the most diverse and best-preserved floodplain grasslands in the Middle Tisza region. The intervention, carried out in cooperation with the Hortobágy National Park Directorate, aims to improve water retention capacity by slowing the runoff of water through the modification of a canal section approximately 660 metres in length. The project involves constructing broad-bottomed weirs to impede water flow and create temporary pools of varying sizes. These habitats will provide breeding and shelter opportunities for amphibians and contribute to improved water balance in surrounding areas, thereby enhancing resilience to climate change. The intervention will also improve habitat conditions for several species of high conservation importance, including the Scarce Large Blue butterfly, the Fire-bellied Toad, the Danube Crested Newt, and the Corncrake.

“Businesses can and should play a meaningful role in nature conservation and environmental awareness-raising. What is particularly valuable about MBH Bank’s commitment is that this complex habitat restoration initiative does not focus on a single species or issue, but seeks to restore the functioning of entire natural systems, both in forest and wetland ecosystems. Joining the Green Academy highlights another important aspect of this approach: helping employees understand the connections between nature and the economy, how our decisions affect natural systems, and what role we can play in preserving them,” said Márta Vetier, Managing Director of WWF Hungary.

Exciting Corporate Sustainability Training Through Gamification: Green Academy

The second pillar of the partnership is the introduction of the Green Academy, an interactive and gamified sustainability e-learning programme developed under the professional leadership of WWF Hungary and launched first at MBH Bank.

The online training is structured around four key sustainability topics: climate change, water management, food production, and biodiversity. Through videos, animations, infographics, and interactive exercises presented by well-known hosts and WWF Hungary experts, the programme makes complex environmental challenges easier to understand and engage with.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its innovative approach to corporate learning. Rather than following the format of traditional workplace training, Green Academy incorporates quizzes, games, and tasks throughout the video content, allowing participants to engage actively in the learning process and deepen their understanding of the topics covered.

Green Academy operates on a customizable online platform tailored to individual companies. MBH Bank is the first organisation to implement the programme, with an initial cohort of 50 employees participating. Through this initiative, the bank actively involves its workforce in a shared conversation about sustainability while reinforcing employees’ sense of belonging to an organisation that is committed to addressing issues of societal importance.

“Protecting and restoring natural assets is now a shared responsibility in which the financial sector must play an active and transformative role. We firmly believe that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, and market participants must recognise the importance of natural capital. Our partnership with WWF Hungary is special because it goes beyond words: we are supporting tangible habitat restoration projects while also engaging our employees in shaping a more sustainable mindset through Green Academy,” emphasized András Puskás, Deputy CEO of MBH Bank.

The partnership therefore approaches sustainability from two complementary directions: by improving the condition of specific habitats in nature, and by strengthening sustainability-related knowledge and awareness within the company. The ultimate goal is to make positive change tangible both in the natural environment and in everyday decision-making.

06.10.2026

Sustainable solutions are the engine of growth in logistics

Member News

In addition to cost efficiency and service quality, the ability of companies to offer sustainable solutions to their customers is also a key factor in the competitiveness of the logistics market. To advance sustainability, Waberer’s will therefore focus in the coming years on developing green logistics services, establishing sustainable logistics properties, accelerating digitalisation, expanding its fleet of alternatively powered vehicles and reducing emissions. In 2025, the logistics segment’s location-based GHG intensity relative to revenue decreased by 6% compared with 2024, while by 2030 the company will launch developments that support the green transition across its entire logistics service portfolio.

Sustainability expectations for companies now go far beyond legal compliance. An increasing number of international and domestic partners expect transparent data on emissions, energy use and supply chain sustainability, as these considerations are also playing an increasingly important role in financing and investment decisions. Waberer’s believes that companies capable of integrating sustainability into their business operations and offering their customers solutions that support their sustainability goals will gain an advantage.

Lower emissions and a growing fleet of alternatively powered vehicles

“Sustainability has become a key business consideration. It influences the partnerships we can build, the developments worth investing in and how we can create long-term value for our customers. At Waberer’s, we therefore treat sustainability as a key pillar of our business strategy through 2030. We are pursuing developments that strengthen our competitiveness, support our partners’ sustainability efforts and ensure that we are prepared to respond to future challenges,” said Krisztina Tóth-Patai, ESG and CSR Director at Waberer’s.

The results of Waberer’s strategy are already measurable: according to its Group-level ESG Report for 2025, the logistics segment’s location-based GHG intensity relative to revenue decreased by 6% in 2025, its fleet of alternatively powered vehicles grew to 30 vehicles, the volume of intermodal transport increased by 43% and the revenue generated from it rose by 52% compared with the previous year, while the use of HVO100 (100% renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil) in 2025 was more than double the 2024 level. Developments in the coming years will further support this process, while the company aims to offer its customers an increasingly broad range of logistics solutions with a lower environmental impact.

External recognition also confirms the results

The effectiveness of the strategy is also supported by external professional recognition: in the Q2 2026 assessment on the SAQ 5.0 platform, a global automotive supply chain sustainability rating system operated by NQC, Waberer’s achieved a score of 98%, placing it among the world’s five best-performing suppliers.

“It is a great honour for us that an independent international rating system has recognised our sustainability efforts as being among the best. This confirms that we are moving in the right direction and gives us further motivation to achieve our goals,” said Krisztina Tóth-Patai, ESG and CSR Director at Waberer’s.

Measurable commitments underpin the strategy

In 2025, Waberer’s reviewed and updated its ESG strategy through 2030, which now assigns specific targets, measures and performance indicators to the most important sustainability focus areas.

One of the strategy’s most important objectives is for Waberer’s to develop logistics solutions that both reduce environmental impact and increase operational efficiency. As part of this, the company is expanding its portfolio of green services; developing rail and intermodal logistics solutions that support both emissions reduction and more efficient freight transport; increasing the use of HVO biofuel and alternatively powered vehicles; and using digital and artificial intelligence-based solutions to optimise logistics processes. Sustainability also features in property development, as the company constructs new logistics properties with a minimum A+ energy efficiency rating and in accordance with BREEAM certification criteria.

Sustainability is also embedded in decision-making

Implementation of the strategy is now supported by a dedicated corporate governance system. The ESG and CSR Directorate coordinates the Group’s sustainability activities, supported by the ESG Committee and an expert working group. Progress towards the sustainability goals is monitored through regular management reports and standardised decision-making processes, ensuring that the strategic commitments are directly embedded in the company’s operations and development decisions. The company monitors progress towards its strategic goals using a consistent set of key performance indicators (KPIs), making the implementation of its sustainability commitments measurable year by year.

Waberer’s aims to ensure that sustainability is not treated as a standalone commitment but becomes an integral part of its entire logistics service portfolio. The company believes that competitiveness over the next decade will be shaped by developments that both create business value and increase the company’s long-term ability to adapt.

06.10.2026

Social Media and Regulation Are Reshaping Sustainability Communications – Highlights from the Communications Working Group Meeting

News

What can companies do to communicate credibly and comply with regulations in a fast-changing social media landscape? How can communicating sustainability results help build a more credible corporate image? And how will this evolve in light of the EmpCo Directive, which is about to take effect?

These questions were at the heart of the Communications Working Group meeting held on 22 September 2026. The host, Zsuzsa Beke, Head of Group PR, CSR and Government Relations at Richter Gedeon Plc, welcomed participants attending in person and online. She also gave a well-received presentation on Richter’s sustainability efforts and achievements, highlighting the challenges of communicating credibly in a media landscape where regulation is unevenly applied.

Bálint Horváth, Chief of Staff and Head of Communications at the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH), provided an overview of the latest greenwashing regulations and how they are applied in Hungary. The EU EmpCo Directive, which enters into force on 27 September, tightens the rules on environmental claims and green labels to protect consumers and companies taking genuine action. Responsibility for green communications is shared across corporate communications, compliance teams, agencies and partners.

The discussion following the presentation highlighted how difficult many companies still find it to navigate the new rules. The Competition Authority, however, is ready to work with companies that are committed to credible environmental communication. BCSDH and its member companies also want sustainability efforts to be communicated, and good practices to reach and inspire the wider business community—while ensuring that these examples are genuine and credible.

The programme concluded with an exclusive guided tour of the award-winning Richter Headquarters, led by András Csiszér, Design Director at Zoboki Architecture & Design.

25.09.2026

Obligation, Opportunity or Value? What Does ESG Deliver Beyond Reporting?

News

The true value of ESG does not necessarily lie in the report itself. A well-designed measurement and data collection framework can provide a more accurate picture of a company’s operations, highlight areas for improvement, and support business decision-making. At the BCSDH ESG Working Group meeting on 17 September 2026, we explored through corporate examples what ESG can deliver beyond compliance.

Participants were first welcomed by our host, Krisztina Vass, Managing Director of iData Kft., who presented iData’s approach to ESG and its sustainability efforts. Through fuel savings, route optimisation and measurable KPIs, the company’s telematics solutions also help its clients improve their environmental performance. In its own operations, iData also places a strong emphasis on equal opportunities and diversity.

János Handó, Founder and Owner of Katica Tanya Experience Centre, opened with a deliberately provocative question: is ESG an obligation or an opportunity? For him, it is clearly the latter, as companies go through a learning process that helps them move forward, set objectives and identify areas for development. He also pointed out that traditional financial indicators alone do not reveal the environmental, social and governance “cost” of a company’s performance. One important role of ESG is therefore to make medium- and long-term impacts visible and measurable alongside short-term financial results.

Bettina Baksa, Head of Sustainability at UBM Group, presented the business benefits the company has gained from voluntarily embarking on ESG reporting. One tangible outcome of the process is its internally developed BI–ESG dashboard, which brings ESG data that was previously managed across disparate sources into a single, integrated system. The resulting greater transparency, traceability and comparability also support the integration of ESG data into business decision-making.

Zsófia Galambosné Dudás, Professional Project Manager at BCSDH, provided an overview of the latest European and Hungarian regulatory developments. The main direction of the ESRS review is significant simplification and a stronger focus on materiality, while the voluntary reporting framework is also placing greater emphasis on proportionality and limiting data requests across the value chain.

The meeting continued with a professional discussion, during which participants shared their current challenges and experiences with one another.

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23.09.2026

SPAR to provide nearly 500 billboard spaces to civil society organisations

Member News

In the second half of September 2026, SPAR Magyarország is offering nearly 500 outdoor billboard spaces to 12 civil society organisations. The company’s aim is to use its available communication platforms to give nationwide visibility not to products or commercial offers this time, but to important social and environmental causes. The posters will start appearing on 17 September and will be visible across the country for approximately two weeks.

An outdoor billboard can attract the attention of thousands of people every day. SPAR Magyarország is now passing on this visibility to civil society organisations with which it has maintained partnerships for a long time, and whose work supports children, patients, people in need, communities or the protection of the natural environment.

The central idea of the campaign is simple: the value of an advertising space does not lie solely in its ability to draw attention to a product or an offer. It can also be used to make an important cause more visible. This is also reflected in the shared message appearing on the posters: “Let our billboards belong to civil society organisations. The space was provided by SPAR. Because this is the right decision.”

“SPAR has been working with civil society organisations for many years, organisations that take on important and often challenging social responsibilities every single day. At the same time, these organisations typically have far fewer opportunities to showcase their work through a nationwide campaign. That is why we decided to make the nearly 500 billboard spaces available in the second half of September available to them. SPAR Magyarország is providing the advertising space, but they are the ones taking centre stage: we want as many people as possible to encounter the causes they work for,” said Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications at SPAR Magyarország.

Twelve organisations, twelve important causes

Each organisation participating in the campaign will appear with its own message, while the posters will be brought together by a consistent visual and communication framework. This means that different social causes will come into view of pedestrians and motorists in different parts of the country.

Budapest Bike Maffia helps people in need wherever support is most needed. The “One Heart for Children” Foundation helps make medical treatment abroad accessible to children with serious illnesses, while the Children’s Catering Foundation works to ensure that no child goes hungry. The Hintalovon Child Rights Foundation supports the protection and promotion of the rights of children living in Hungary, while the Hősök Tere Foundation works towards a more

active and compassionate society. The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta supports people in difficult circumstances, while the Mosoly Foundation helps hospitalised children in their recovery through therapeutic activities. The Superar Music Foundation supports happy childhoods through the joy of making music together. The Public Benefit Foundation for Children and Patients with Leukaemia stands alongside patients living with leukaemia and their families, while the From Streets to Home Association helps homeless people and those living in housing poverty to achieve independent housing. The Világszép Foundation supports children in state care through long-term personal relationships and small-group programmes, while WWF Magyarország is using this campaign to draw attention to the importance of natural water retention.

SPAR will distribute the nearly 500 billboard spaces as evenly as possible across the country, allowing the messages of the civil society organisations to reach a wide audience. The primary aim of the campaign is to raise awareness and increase visibility by showcasing organisations and causes that have an impact on the lives of many people

17.09.2026

A new school year, a new routine: Nestlé and SPAR campaign encourages healthier everyday habits

Member News

After the summer break, getting back into the familiar rhythm of everyday life is not always easy for children or adults. Holidays often disrupt our usual routines, and we tend to be more relaxed about what and when we eat. September, however, offers an opportunity to establish a new “timetable” even for those who are no longer heading back to school: the start of a new school year is a good opportunity for families to rethink their daily routines and reintroduce or incorporate regular exercise and more conscious eating habits.

According to a representative survey1 conducted jointly by Nestlé and SPAR, 57 percent of Hungarians exercise regularly. For many, regular physical activity is simply part of their everyday wellbeing, mental refreshment or maintaining good health. Summer holidays and hot weather can easily disrupt the routines established during the rest of the year, however, and regular exercise can consequently take a back seat. Fortunately, there are forms of exercise that are easier to incorporate back into our daily routines. Running is one example: 65 percent of respondents find it appealing precisely because it is easy to fit into everyday life.

The more relaxed days of summer can also disrupt our eating habits, even though the survey shows that there is still plenty of room for greater awareness when it comes to nutrition. According to the research, just 5 percent of 18-65-year-olds follow a genuinely conscious diet; 10 percent do not eat any vegetables on an average day, while 14 percent do not eat fruit either. Although most people have vegetables or fruit on their plate once or twice a day, snacking, sugary and fatty foods, as well as irregular eating habits, remain common pitfalls.

When it comes to making a fresh start in September, wherever we begin, we are heading in the right direction. Physical activity and conscious nutrition are closely linked, so taking the first steps in one area can also provide momentum in the other. It is worth getting started even if we do not feel entirely confident about how best to make changes – we are not alone. The research shows that people who exercise regularly are more likely to believe that the two go hand in hand, yet even among this group, one in three feel they still have more to learn about healthy eating. Based on the responses, only half of Hungarians feel well informed about how to support exercise with appropriate nutrition, while 37 percent feel specifically uncertain.

Running can be a simple way to make a fresh start

The data also show that for many people, an important consideration is whether their chosen form of exercise can easily be incorporated into everyday life. It is therefore no surprise that, alongside walking, cycling and home workouts, running is also one of the most popular sports, particularly among

18-39-year-olds. Running is especially popular among those who exercise at least three times a week: almost one third of them run, and a similar proportion have taken part in at least one running event during their lifetime.

If someone wants to reintroduce exercise into their daily routine after the summer, there is no need to set a major goal straight away when taking up running or jogging. Gradually increasing the level of exertion can provide a good foundation for a longer distance later on, while a well-structured training plan can help them progress step by step. What is more, there is no need to set aside hours every day: even shorter periods of exercise incorporated into the routine on a regular basis can be a good starting point. According to the WHO recommendation, adults should aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, building up to this level gradually. Exercising together can also help turn those first steps into a genuine habit over time: according to the research, 39 percent of respondents consider friends and community to be one of the most important motivating forces behind taking part in sport.

Once exercise is back in the routine, healthy eating can follow more easily

If regular exercise can be reintroduced into everyday life after the summer, this can also provide momentum for rethinking eating habits. The new routine could include planning meals in advance, cooking together, or making more conscious choices about foods that support physical activity. We can also draw on expert advice, covering everything from a balanced diet and adequate fluid intake to nutrition that supports recovery.

“When returning to regular exercise after the summer, it is worth building up physical activity step by step, while also making sure that nutrition keeps pace with increased activity levels. An adequate intake of nutrients is important for sports performance and recovery, as well as for making a new lifestyle sustainable in the long term. The start of the school year can be a good opportunity for families to gradually reorganise their daily routines: with a few conscious decisions – such as making exercise a regular part of the week, planning meals or cooking together – they can do a great deal to create healthier everyday habits,” said Lili Fülöp, dietitian at Nestlé. She added that, just as in sport, the goal with nutrition is not perfection, but developing simple habits that can realistically be maintained in everyday life and support a more active lifestyle over the long term.

Once the decision has been made, it is time to return to regular exercise – and Nestlé and SPAR’s “Let’s Run Together!” programme provides practical support for doing so. The campaign publication offers suitable goals for both beginners and more experienced runners:5 km and 10 km training plans, conditioning workouts, warm-up and stretching advice, as well as expert tips on balanced nutrition and hydration, all designed to support preparation. The campaign also offers a sense of community: participants can collect kilometres in a Strava club until the day of the 41st SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival. The aim is to collectively “run around” Hungary. Until the October marathon start, the organisers hope participants will complete the almost 2,246-kilometre distance as many times as possible.

The joint Nestlé and SPAR publication and the STRAVA club are available at the following links: https://www.nestle.hu/fussunknekiegyutt https://www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu/fussunknekiegyutt

07.09.2026

2000 thousand children to receive back-to-school support through the Joy to Give! campaign

Member News

This year’s Joy to Give! school supplies collection campaign, organised jointly by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and SPAR Magyarország, has successfully concluded. Through their personal donations, customers contributed a total of nearly 110 000 school supplies and educational items, while also purchasing donation cards worth more than 2 million forints. Thanks to the donations collected, children living in difficult circumstances will be able to start the 2026/2027 school year with the proper equipment. SPAR Magyarország also contributed a further donation of 2 million forints to support the success of the campaign.

“It is a great pleasure for us that so many people supported the initiative again this year. Every notebook, pen, school bag donated, or donation card purchased, sends the message that we believe it is important that no child should start school at a disadvantage. This collective effort has once again shown how much we can achieve together,” said Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications at SPAR Magyarország.

Tamás Romhányi, Head of Communications at the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, emphasised: “Thanks to the donations, we were able to help the families of thousands of children during the financially demanding back-to-school period. The support not only provides practical assistance but also means that these children can begin the school year with greater confidence and more equal opportunities. We are grateful to every donor who took part in this collective effort.”

During this year’s collection:

· a total of 110 000 school supplies were donated in person,

· donation cards generated more than 2 million HUF in contributions,

· as a result, the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta will be able to support the start of the school year for 2000 children across the country.

During the in-store collection, customers were able to donate school supplies purchased in INTERSPAR stores. In addition, until 31 August 2026, they could also support the initiative by purchasing donation cards. The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta will distribute the donated school supplies, together with new school supplies purchased from the proceeds of the donation cards, in carefully assembled packages.

The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and SPAR Magyarország would like to thank all customers, volunteers and employees whose support helped make the start of the new school year a happier experience for as many children as possible this year. The results of the donation campaign are available at www.adniorom.hu.

02.09.2026

The climate act may enter a new phase in the fall of 2026

News

In 2025, the Constitutional Court struck down the 2030 emissions reduction target in the current law and ordered the National Assembly to enact new, more ambitious legislation by June 30, 2026.

In July, more than 200 civil society and professional organizations presented their own draft legislation, which they also submitted to the government and members of the National Assembly. The government’s fall legislative agenda includes an amendment to the Climate Protection Act, so the official legislative process can begin in the coming period, which is expected to be accompanied by professional and public consultations that may also involve the corporate sector.

In addition to emissions reduction, the proposal places a strong emphasis on adaptation and climate resilience, and would involve companies, financial institutions, local governments, government agencies, the scientific community, and civil society organizations.

26.08.2026

Sustainability Opportunities for Existing Buildings

Member News

When we think about the sustainability challenges of the construction industry, new, energy-efficient buildings often come to mind. However, one of the most important ways to reduce environmental impact can also be to avoid new construction and instead modernise existing buildings, giving them a new lease of life and, potentially, a new function. Renovation offers opportunities not only to improve energy efficiency, but also to reduce embodied carbon, for example by retaining existing structures and materials, while increasing the building’s technical, economic and functional value. But how can sustainability considerations be incorporated within the constraints and specific characteristics of an existing building, and what value can a well-planned renovation create? The BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out rating system provides a structured framework precisely for this purpose.

Build or Renovate?

In our previous articles, we explored how sustainability principles can be integrated through BREEAM certification when preparing district-level developments and in the case of new-build projects.

There is a saying that the cheapest energy is the energy we do not use. Applied to buildings, we could similarly say that the most cost-effective or sustainable building is the one that does not need to be built in the first place. Professional forums increasingly emphasise that the construction industry should place greater focus on making use of and renovating the existing building stock rather than relying primarily on new construction.

Green building rating systems have also developed assessment frameworks specifically for these situations. BRE is currently introducing updated requirements for refurbishment projects under the name BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Commercial v7. Similarly to the new-build scheme, this framework covers the entire lifecycle of a renovation project – from defining the need for the project and progressing through the design stages, construction and technical handover, through to commissioning and completion. In doing so, it encourages improvements in the performance, lifespan and resilience of existing buildings.

Based on our experience, it is encouraging to see that requests from owners and developers seeking building certification for refurbishment projects are becoming increasingly common.

Why Is It Not Difficult to Integrate Sustainability into Building Renovation?

The framework mentioned above specifically takes into account the characteristics of non-residential building renovation projects. Whether it is a shell & core refurbishment or a tenant fit-out, the criteria to be assessed and achieved as part of a BREEAM Refurbishment or Fit-out assessment can be tailored to the scope and technical content of the works. In addition, specific requirements can be addressed where a building is subject to heritage protection.

An existing building may have limitations and constraints in terms of its design and technical solutions, meaning that the same technical standards or level of energy efficiency as those achievable in a new building may not always be feasible. BREEAM takes this into account when assessing energy efficiency, for example, by not simply expecting performance equivalent to the standards of a new building, but instead comparing and assessing the building’s condition before and after the refurbishment.

Retaining the structural frame, external envelope or other building elements can shorten the construction period, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with construction activities. At the same time, using fewer new materials can significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

By retaining, reusing or recycling existing structures and materials, we can also support the principles of the circular economy.

Creating Value from Something Existing

The refurbishment of a deteriorated, vacant or simply outdated building holds significant potential. In addition to improving energy efficiency, already mentioned above, renovation can significantly enhance the comfort and wellbeing of future building users. Better indoor air quality, as well as improved thermal and acoustic comfort, all contribute to this. It can also make the building accessible to new groups of users, for example through improved accessibility.

Through modernisation, a building can also be prepared for the short- and long-term impacts of climate change, while existing natural hazards, such as flash flood, can be addressed. The renovation can also create opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption or, for example, to utilise rainwater and greywater. If the property includes external areas, their ecological quality can also be improved by enhancing biodiversity and increasing green space.

In addition to environmental value, refurbishment can also create economic value. A modernised building can have lower operating and maintenance costs than a building in need of renovation, as the quality and lifespan of its structures and systems have been improved. The market value, occupancy rate and rental potential of the property may also increase.

A well-planned investment can create urban and community value as well. A deteriorated or underutilised building can be brought back to life and reactivate its surroundings, while avoiding disruption to the existing urban fabric. In the case of valuable, protected buildings, refurbishment also provides an opportunity to preserve architectural and cultural heritage while adapting the building to contemporary needs and giving it a new lease of life or function.

26.08.2026