Award Archívum

The 2025 ‘For a Sustainable Future’ Awards Have Been Presented: Recognizing the Year’s Most Outstanding Sustainable Companies and Leaders

A large number of outstanding applications were submitted for the 2025 For a Sustainable Future Awards. The awards, established to recognize exceptional corporate and leadership achievements that contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and drive systemic change, were presented—based on the decision of the professional jury—to Grundfos, Heineken, and Lidl in the respective corporate categories.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

László Fazekas (MVM) and Rudolf Semsei (Semsei Gastronomy) received the Change Leader Award, while Ágnes Rakó (KPMG) and Melinda Topolcsik (Bridgestone) were honored with the Leading Women Award.

The awards were presented at the Business Lunch of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) on October 7.

Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH and a member of the professional jury, emphasized:

“The For a Sustainable Future Award, announced for the ninth time in 2025, received a large number of high-quality applications. It has never been more important for leaders and companies to take the lead in driving systemic change—to act even on behalf of those who are unwilling to do so. Even though the current global environment does not always support these processes, the impacts of climate change are already severely affecting companies and posing continuous challenges. This should encourage us even more to take swift action and to transform our systems to increase their sustainability. This year, as in previous years, the For a Sustainable Future Award has focused on those areas where companies can have the greatest impact in transforming systems. Reading the applications, it is inspiring to see that more and more leaders are setting a personal example—impacting not only their own companies, but also entire sectors and the long-term sustainability of business as a whole.”

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

The six-member professional jury—comprising Dr. Gábor Bartus, Szilvia Krizsó, Irén Márta, Éda Pogány, István Salgó, and Prof. Dr. Diána Ürge-Vorsatz—selected the award winners.

Winners of the For a Sustainable Future Award 2025

CHANGE LEADER AWARD

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

László Fazekas
Deputy CEO for Economic Affairs
MVM Zrt.
As a committed and responsible leader, László Fazekas is the driving force behind sustainability and ESG processes within a key player of a strategic sector.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Rudolf Semsei
Owner & Managing Director
Semsei Gastronomy
Rudolf Semsei, as an innovative and responsible business leader, demonstrates personal commitment to sustainability and paves the way for an entire sector through his pioneering example.

LEADING WOMEN AWARD

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Ágnes Rakó
Managing Director, Partner, Co-Head of Advisory
KPMG Tanácsadó Kft.
Ágnes Rakó is an exemplary leader, dedicated to digitalization, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, playing a key role in promoting an inclusive corporate culture.

Melinda Topolcsik
Managing Director, Plant Manager, President
Bridgestone Tatabánya
As an innovative top executive, Melinda Topolcsik has a significant impact on the sustainable operations of the company in Hungary. Her people-centered leadership ensures that the company’s activities take into account the interests of future generations.

BUSINESS SOLUTION AWARD

Climate Protection and Adaptation Category

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

HEINEKEN Hungária – Net Zero Production Program
An important initiative that, in pursuit of ambitious decarbonization goals, focuses on internal solutions through the introduction of new technologies, in close collaboration with suppliers.

Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration Category

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Grundfos Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. – Green Future Innovation
The company has implemented a complex and relevant biodiversity program at its plants and in the wider environment, addressing real needs with exemplary stakeholder engagement and strong educational impact.

CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION AWARD

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Lidl Hungary
Lidl Hungary is making exemplary progress towards its ambitious sustainability goals in the areas of energy, products, and internal education.

The main sponsors of this year’s awards were Carbon.Crane, Essity, K&H, and SPAR.

The Leading Women category was supported by Henkel and McDonald’s, while Ayvens supported BCSDH’s carbon-conscious events.

07.10.2025

Continental Automotive Hungary Kft.

Business Transformation award

“As a responsible company, it is our duty to minimize our environmental impact. This is why we are proud of the Green Plant Label program at our Budapest Continental factory, which plays a strategically significant role in our operations. We use only green energy, recycle 98% of the waste we generate, and have reduced our energy and water consumption. Our restaurant is paperless, and we only use recycled paper in our offices. We optimize our business travel and have installed green bicycle and car charging stations. In the future, we plan to install heat pumps and solar panels, and we will place greater emphasis on further raising awareness among our employees.”
Zoltán Dapsy Managing Director Continental Automotive Hungary Kft.

Executive Summary of the Application – Original, Unaltered Text

Executive Summary of the Company’s Transformation:

In 2015, the company launched its sustainability project, which will run until 2030, and has since implemented significant changes. At the heart of the strategy are climate protection, conscious use of resources, and social responsibility. The aim of the project is to maximize the use of green energy in production, optimize the energy sources of the site, and increase the efficiency of activities supporting manufacturing.

At the start of the project, the company faced numerous challenges, including a high reliance on fossil fuels and efficiency issues. In recent years, we have made substantial progress, particularly in energy efficiency investments and the application of innovative technologies.

The impacts of the project include the reduction of the company’s carbon footprint, optimization of energy consumption, and the introduction of sustainable operational practices. Through these measures, the company has not only achieved its environmental goals but also become more economically competitive and strengthened its social responsibility. Sustainability has thus become an integral part of the company’s operations and strategy.

26.05.2025

Zsuzsa Nagy

Leading women award

Zsuzsa Nagy

Managing Director, E.ON Hungária Group / E.ON Energiamegoldások Kft..

Leadership Summary of the Nomination – Original, Unaltered Text

Which three words would you use to describe the nominee?

Innovative, people-centered, inclusive

Why do you consider the nominee suitable for the award?

Zsuzsa Nagy’s career path is an inspiring example of what a dedicated female leader can achieve in support of equal opportunities, while effectively promoting a sustainability-focused mindset within the company. She has been a member of the E.ON Group for nearly 20 years, rising through the ranks to become a leader in a traditionally male-dominated sector. As an active member of the “Women at E.ON – NEON” community, she also provides practical support to her female colleagues in their career development.

In terms of environmental impact, her efforts have resulted in nearly seventy E.ON facilities operating entirely on green electricity. She is credited with greening E.ON’s procurement portfolio and developing a growing range of innovative green solutions (Green Cloud, Green.ON, Green Future). She continuously explores new opportunities to increase the share of green energy, significantly contributing to the decarbonization of both E.ON’s operations and its customers’ activities.

26.05.2025

Károly Nyári

Change Leader Award

Károly Nyári

Vice President, Head of Group Finance, Grundfos A/S

Leadership Summary of the Nomination – Original, Unaltered Text

Which three words would you use to describe the nominee?

Visionary, perceptive, forward-thinking

Why do you consider the nominee suitable for the award?

Károly is a true leader, perceptive, an excellent communicator, and a forward-thinking executive. He began actively engaging with sustainability in 2021, and has since acquired such a high level of expertise—particularly in the field of climate protection—that he has become a key figure in shaping Grundfos’s ESG strategy. His expertise, logical mindset, and ability to make complex situations understandable and tangible contribute significantly to transforming Grundfos into a company where sustainability goals are integrated with business objectives; where sustainability is not just the concern of a few organizational units, but a foundation for business decisions, based on well-grounded priorities. He is highly effective in advocating for sustainability goals while also considering stakeholders’ interests. His professional and leadership credibility, along with his unquestionable loyalty and commitment to Grundfos, support him in this mission. He is also eager to share his professional experience and collaborates with institutions such as BGE and BCSDH to help educate both current and future professionals.

26.05.2025

Anikó Körmendi

Leading women award

Anikó Körmendi

CEO, Arriva Hungary Ltd.

Nomination Leadership Summary – Original, Unchanged Text

Which 3 words describe the nominee?

Inspire, Innovate, Integrate.

Why do you consider the nominee suitable for the award?

Anikó Körmendi, CEO of Arriva Hungary Ltd. and Managing Director of ArrivaBus Ltd., works as a leader in the public transport sector and is deeply committed to sustainability. She plays a key role in the international Arriva Group Sustainability Council, where she actively contributes to the implementation of green transport solutions. Anikó is also involved in the Global Arriva Inclusion Network (GAIN) for Women initiative, which supports the development and advancement of female employees. As a member of the Arriva Group’s Talent and Training Development team, she places significant emphasis on the professional growth of employees. She also focuses heavily on the development of female employees: she created the Arriva Women’s Circle, where she regularly consults with her female colleagues, strengthening the sense of community, support, and commitment. Anikó inspires, innovates, and integrates, serving as a role model in both sustainability and gender equality. These values and achievements make her a deserving candidate for the Leading Woman Award.

As a leader, she has a positive impact on the transport organizing partner, authorities, various regulators, suppliers, customers, and passengers alike. As a female executive in the sector, she not only holds a leadership role, being the head of Arriva, which currently provides one-third of bus transport in Budapest, but she also advocates and educates. Her activities include fighting for the implementation of innovative sustainability solutions and educating the Budapest Transport Center to ensure they have as much knowledge as possible about sustainable, future-proof transport solutions. Anikó is dedicated to providing a sustainable future for passengers with carbon-neutral vehicles. This has a tremendous impact on the community we serve, making it essential to educate stakeholders, including through testing new technology vehicles, sharing best practices, organizing site visits, and study tours. Anikó leads this massive project as a strategic leader, and as a result of her complex work, tenders for electric vehicles in Budapest are already in progress — a process in which Anikó Körmendi plays a key role.

10.10.2024

Generali Hungary

Business Transformation award

“Our insurer’s calling, which involves preparing people for unexpected situations, has evolved with our commitment to sustainability: we need to do this while identifying, assessing, and managing ESG risks and opportunities in a responsible and forward-looking manner. Sustainable corporate operations require serious commitment and investment, which we are often tempted to postpone for short-term advantages. I am proud that at the Generali Group, we do not see our corporate transformation as a surrender but as a conscious investment in our future.”
Mihály Erdős, Chairman and CEO, Generali Hungary

Executive Summary of the Application – Original, Unaltered Text

Executive Summary of the Business Transformation:

We believe that securing the future begins in the present, and the focus should shift from short-term gains to creating a sustainable world for future generations. To achieve this, we needed to change our focus within our own operations. At Generali Hungary, we did not have a dedicated organizational unit, resources, or a local sustainability strategy for sustainability. In 2022, we made changes: we developed a local sustainability strategy, and since early 2022, we have had a sustainability officer in the organization, under the direct control of the CEO. We support mindset change through targeted training and dedicated actions, our carbon reduction plan has been completed, and our operational carbon reduction target for 2025 is under review. We are in the process of transforming our vehicle fleet (reducing the number of diesel cars by -60%), and we have initiated a sustainability-focused review of business travel. Sustainability considerations have been integrated into procurement processes. We have taken significant steps towards paperless operations (a -70% reduction in paper usage). In terms of property management, we continue the ongoing energy efficiency investments: solar panels have been installed on 8 existing sites, resulting in annual savings of HUF 6.5 million. Through a comprehensive sustainability organizational review, we plan to further shape sustainable corporate governance processes.

10.10.2023

OPTEN ESG Solution

Business Solution Award

“The sustainable businesses of the future are being built in the present. Many organizations now need to examine their operations, plan how to catch up with a common goal, if they don’t want to fall behind in the competition. OPTEN not only supports businesses with ESG services for strategic reasons but also out of a sense of mission, right from the first step. Our goal is for the Hungarian business world to understand sustainability-related topics, to get to know their own and their partners’ situations, and then make business decisions based on the acquired knowledge and – the emphasis is on this – relying on credible data.”
Tamás Tóth, CEO, OPTEN Kft.

The executive summary of the business solution – with the original, unchanged text

The executive summary of the business solution:

Given today’s regulatory and market conditions, our company’s mission is to engage, educate, and assist SMEs in ESG compliance. Based on our experience, SMEs not only lack a sustainable mindset in their daily operations, but their capacity is also insufficient, and they struggle to keep up with the associated costs.

To address this problem, our ESG reporting product, which will be detailed later, provides a solution. Thanks to the framework and logically structured format, companies have nothing else to do but provide the data we require. As a result of the process, they receive an ESG report covering various topics, priced according to the resource level of SMEs. The content and structure of the service have been accredited by GRI, the world’s largest and most renowned framework provider, following a six-month audit period, making it the first of its kind in Hungary.

We see that it’s far from sufficient for large corporations to focus on sustainable operations primarily due to regulatory and investor pressure. SMEs need to be addressed, and a straightforward digital solution must be made available to them so they can take the initiative, understand what aspects they need to pay attention to, and where they should make changes to operate more sustainably. OPTEN’s mission is to attract and encourage all 490,000 Hungarian companies to act toward this common goal.

09.10.2023

Graphisoft Park SE – Natural Office Park

Business Solution Award

“We believe that humans are part of nature and feel at home where they have a direct connection with it. The Park was conceived in this spirit, and to this day, we continue to develop it in collaboration with our tenants. We are building modern offices, a diverse natural environment, and a cohesive community. We believe that sustainability goes beyond green technologies and is about creating a world where we can all thrive – a world that recognizes the dignity and value of every human being.”
János Kocsány/CEO/Graphisoft Park SE

The executive summary of the business solution – with the original, unchanged text

The executive summary of the business solution:

The development of Graphisoft Park is a brownfield investment that began in 1996 on the abandoned grounds of the Óbuda Gas Factory. Our goal was to ensure that after the revitalization of the area, the emerging office buildings would be set in a genuine green environment, and the area could be reintegrated into the urban fabric. To achieve this, we carefully planned the landscaping steps and the expected outcomes through landscape design. We aimed for the trees to be taller than the buildings and for the majority of the area to be covered by native vegetation. We began establishing biodiversity as part of the very first developments, and the natural environment has continued to flourish alongside the buildings. Today, the intended results have been achieved, and anyone visiting Graphisoft Park can hardly imagine that just 25 years ago, industrial ruins stood where the current oasis is.

In the park’s planning, we took into account that since people will work in the park daily, the natural environment is just as important as the quality of the buildings. We opened the park to the residents of the capital city from the very first opening.

Only 25% of the area is built up, while the green area covers over 60%, and approximately 2,500 m2 of green roofs have been created.

Impact: Graphisoft Park, as a green and biodiverse office park in Budapest, represents a unique quality.

09.10.2023

Nestlé Hungária – Regenerative farming project

Business Solution Award

“Nestlé aims to source one-fifth of its key raw materials from areas where regenerative farming practices are employed by 2025. The essence of the LENS program is to eliminate the negative impacts of large-scale agricultural production, which has now become widespread worldwide, and restore the arable land exposed to it to a condition that allows the soil to maintain its fertility in the long term.”
Peter Noszek, Managing Director, Nestlé Hungary

The executive summary of the application – with the original, unchanged text

The executive summary of the business solution:

As the world’s largest food industry company, Nestlé aims to source one-fifth of its key raw materials from areas where regenerative farming practices are employed by 2025, and half of these materials five years later.

The Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) methodology is designed to develop private sector ecosystem service markets in a specific area. The program, developed by the British sustainability consultancy firm 3Keel, is running in several European countries and is managed in line with LENs principles and guidelines by Preferred by Nature, an international nonprofit organization that supports better land management and business practices.

In Hungary, the initiator of the LENs program in 2021 was Nestlé Hungary’s Purina pet food business in the Western Transdanubian region. A significant portion of the raw materials supplied annually to the Nestlé Purina pet food factory in Bük comes from Hungarian farmers who face significant challenges such as the effects of climate change, impending fertilizer shortages, and rising energy costs. Within the framework of LENs, Nestlé Purina seeks to promote the transition to regenerative agricultural practices among its suppliers to improve the resilience of its supply chain and contribute to the company’s net-zero emissions goal.

09.10.2023

IKEA – Second Life For Furniture

Business Solution Award

“At IKEA, our goal is to become a circular company by 2030. To achieve this, we need to rethink how we conduct our business and preserve our existing values. Entering the used furniture market is a fantastic opportunity for us to achieve sustainable business growth while reducing our dependence on limited resources. Our ‘Second Life for Furniture’ service enables IKEA customers to conveniently and economically pass on their used furniture while giving a second chance to products finding new homes.”
Barbora Kotoun, Country Sustainability Manager, IKEA

The executive summary of the application – with the original, unchanged text

The executive summary of the business solution:

In June 2022, IKEA launched the “Second Life for Furniture” service, offering a sustainable opportunity for our customers. This service involves buying back used IKEA furniture from their owners, which has become surplus in their homes, and giving these items a second chance in new homes. After repurchasing and careful inspection, the products seeking new owners are placed in the “Furniture Rescuer” section, where anyone can purchase them at the price at which IKEA bought them back. Products in the “Furniture Rescuer” section come with a one-year warranty for our customers. Additionally, IKEA Family members are provided with a guaranteed solution for repurchasing children’s furniture, thus contributing to the circularity of furniture that families typically use for short periods during specific life stages.

This service aligns with IKEA’s goal to become fully circular by 2030 and offers our customers an environmentally sustainable and conscious option when making decisions about their purchases and furniture replacements. Thanks to this service, in Hungary alone, 2,993 IKEA products were given a second chance in 2022, and our aim is to increase this number year by year.

09.10.2023