Member News Archívum

Our new member company: Fővárosi Csatornázási Művek Zrt.

As the largest Hungarian environmental service company, the Budapest Sewage Works Ltd. performs basic wastewater disposal and treatment tasks. In addition, the company’s mission is to be at the forefront in the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies and developments. Today, the company, led by CEO György Palkó, is involved in water and air pollution control, waste management and even bioenergy production, in addition to its core activities.

In its activities, the company strives to manage natural resources in a continuous and careful and responsible way, with a particular focus on combating climate change, reducing pollution, maintaining biodiversity and improving the well-being of the population. Their environmental management system is based on the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), the European Union’s environmental management and audit scheme.

In 2005, the company’s South Pest Wastewater Treatment Plant was the first in Hungary to start operation of a waste utilisation technology unit for receiving and processing various types of waste with high organic content, which enables the co-fermentation of such waste, i.e. the recovery of wastewater together with sludge. The green energy produced by this technology, thanks to a significant environmental investment by European standards, will make a significant contribution to the energy-efficient operation of the treatment plants.

The company is committed to protecting its employees as its core values and expects its business partners to follow this commitment and respect the rights of their own employees. Since 2020, they have been operating a Code of Ethics, in which they have set out their values and ethical standards for their employees and external partners, and which also provide the main guidelines for the company’s corporate governance.

The company shares the values that BCSDH stands for. They believe that membership can provide additional value to the company in the changing web of economic and environmental expectations, as well as meeting and value-creating opportunities for collaboration with responsible business leaders who are also committed to sustainability.

20.05.2025

NUXON Hungary at the InnoElectro and Cunstruma Events

Member News

Aligned with current global and local challenges, NUXON Hungary is committed to sustainability and innovation, as showcased by our participation in the InnoElectro and Cunstruma events.

At the InnoElectro event, we welcomed visitors to our booth, presenting how our products contribute to reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development. We engaged in meaningful conversations, building valuable connections for future collaborations.

During the Cunstruma exhibition, we proudly represented ourselves at the Hungary Green Building Council (HuGBC) stand.

Ferenc Márton’s presentation offered insights into our innovative solutions, while our CFO, Anikó Huber, received the #BuildingLife Zero Carbon Ambassador Certificate at the Green Future Conference. This recognition further solidifies our dedication to building a greener and more sustainable future.

We take pride in contributing to sustainability goals through the strength of our community and are grateful for our partners’ support as we work together for future generations.

16.04.2025

E.ON and Duna-Ipoly National Park flock together to protect birds

Member News, Uncategorized

The two organisations announced their joint bird protection efforts, including working together to increase nest- and utility pole safety, at a press conference near the Fényes Tanösvény in Tata.

E.ON Hungária Group and the Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate have signed an agreement on bird conservation.
The energy firm, which operates the Transdanubia, Pest County and Budapest electricity grids, has pledged to develop safe and bird-friendly grids.
E.ON is providing support to the National Park for the installation and maintenance of stork nesting installations, tagging of birds in summer, and the emergency rescue of protected birds.
E.ON has spent HUF 1 billion on bird-friendly developments over the past two years.

E.ON Hungária Group has made the power grid near the Fényes Tanösvény in Tata safe for birds. In a meadow near this nature trail, power poles have been redesigned so that they do not pose a danger to birds flying over them. E.ON Hungária Group has also signed an agreement with the Danube-Ipoly National Park Directorate to protect bird habitat.

Having renewed its cooperation with the Duna-Ipoly National Park, the utility is undertaking the maintenance of stork nests it installs and maintains, managing overgrown and dangerous nests, and the installation of new nests, bird perches or bird decoys. The energy company has pledged its support, including a bucket lift truck and technicians, for tagging young storks, kestrels and falcons, and to assist in emergency situations, such as rescuing abandoned or fallen nestlings, or providing immediate intervention after a storm.

Each year, the National Park’s nature conservation officers identify points along the network where E.ON will carry out bird-friendly modifications to ensure safe habitats. Interventions involving protected species are always carried out under the professional supervision of the National Park.

Within its jurisdiction, E.ON has installed and maintains 3200 stork nests, two-thirds of which were utilised for breeding last year. The company has so far installed more than 170 bird-of-prey nesting boxes on its high-voltage poles in the Transdanubia region, and plans to install new ones later this year. Wildlife cameras are also to be placed at some nests from spring to autumn to help experts monitor the development of the chicks and inform any necessary feeding. Moreover, E.ON will give priority to all requests for wildlife conservation assistance.

E.ON Hungária Group and the national parks located in its grid coverage area have been working together for more than two decades. Presently, E.ON is renewing its bird protection contract with those organisations. In addition to that with the Duna-Ipoly National Park, agreements with the Duna-Dráva, Balaton-Felvidék, Őrség, Kiskunság and Fertő-Hanság National Parks will also be reaffirmed.

15.04.2025

Only change is permanent: update on the CAFE regulation

Member News

Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) account for about 19% of total CO2 emissions in the EU¹. To reduce emissions, the EU has set vehicle emission standards for new cars and vans, also referred to as the CAFE standards (corporate average fuel economy). Under the regulation, car manufacturers are required to align production with the emission targets set, but it is far from easy as demand is not yet keeping pace with this dynamic change and the transition to electric cars is still not happening at the pace expected by the regulation. The newly appointed Commercial Director of Ayvens, Viktor Hegedűs, gave a progress report on the details of the regulation and what it means for car manufacturers and companies with company fleets.

Key cornerstones of CAFE regulation:

2020 – 2024 (based on NEDC²):

Cars: 95 g CO2/km
Vans: 147 g CO2/km

2025 – 2034 (based on WLTP³):

Cars: 93.6 g CO2/km (2025-2029) and 49.5 g CO2/km (2030-2034)
Vans: 153.9 g CO2/km (2025-2029) and 90.6 g CO2/km (2030-2034)

2035: All new passenger cars and vans sold in the EU must be zero-emission.

Fines and flexibility

Starting in 2025, manufacturers will face fines for not meeting these targets, with estimates suggesting potential fines could reach around €20 billion if trends continue. This has led manufacturers to lobby the European Commission for more flexible targets. While the overall targets will stay the same, the European Commission may allow manufacturers to average their emissions over a three-year period from 2025⁴. This means they can have some flexibility in how they meet these targets, but the 2035 goals will (until now) remain unchanged. This is therefore seen as a temporary fix, as the industry must ultimately move towards more sustainable practices. This amendment is now subject to approval by European Parliament and Council.

The changing automotive landscape in 2025

The demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is rising, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are declining. Local laws and fiscal regimes are increasingly supporting EU’s strive for decarbonisation, adding more pressure on manufacturers to speed up their shift to electric vehicles. An example of this are the recent changes in benefit in kind taxation in France and Italy or the recent clampdown on plug-in hybrid vehicles in Hungary, which removes the tax and parking benefits for this type of vehicle.

In 2025, there will be more BEV models available than ever before, but there is still a gap between what is offered and what consumers expect. Although the average range of BEVs is improving – now reach 460 km in practice, not just on paper, for some models – the options are still limited for vehicles priced below €25,000.

Global electrification trends towards 2030

Europe and China are expected to lead in electrification, while the pace of change in the United States and other regions may be slower due to different regulations. Other parts of the world will also move towards electrification but at a slower rate.

As the EU aims to reduce CO2 emissions, car manufacturers face both challenges and opportunities in adapting to these new rules. With fines for non-compliance on the horizon, manufacturers must embrace more sustainable practices. Strategies such as increasing sales of electric vehicles, collaborating with others to meet emissions targets, and offering competitive pricing are becoming essential.

As the demand for electric vehicles grows, fleet managers need to keep an eye on the new laws and their potential impact on costs. Efforts to reduce emissions are significantly reshaping the industry, highlighting the need for strategic planning and the involvement of experts to effectively navigate this new landscape in the long term.

Sources:

CO₂ emission performance standards for cars and vans – European Commission

NEDC: New European Driving Cycle – previous standard emission test for vehicles. Replaced by WLTP

WLTP: Worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure

Commission proposes flexibility to help manufacturers comply with 2025 CO2 emission targets

14.04.2025

The Carbon Cost of the Digital – Carbon.Crane at UNICEF Conference

Member News

At the UNICEF Climate Heroes Conference, György Huszics, co-founder and CEO of Carbon.Crane, joined a panel discussion focused on the carbon footprint of technology. Speaking directly to an audience of 13–18-year-olds, he addressed the environmental impact of digital tools, highlighting issues such as digital carbon emissions and energy efficiency.

During this unconventional session, the audience had the chance to measure the carbon footprint of their own social media use in real time using their smartphones. The collective annual footprint—more than 20 tonnes—was visualized instantly through an interactive display, sparking surprise among the attendees.

UNICEF Hungary’s flagship event gathered nearly 1,500 participants, mostly upper primary and secondary school students. The tech-focused panel also featured Péter Szabó, Managing Director of Microsoft Hungary, and Dr. András Márton, Assistant Professor at Corvinus University and sustainability expert. The discussion was moderated by UNICEF Youth Ambassador Anna Bársony.

Following the roundtable, Carbon.Crane experts led a hands-on workshop for interested students and teachers. The interactive session explored key questions about digital carbon footprints and gave participants the opportunity to test professional tools and learn practical tips for improving the energy efficiency of their devices.

Carbon.Crane developed its educational program in 2023 and tested it in collaboration with four Hungarian universities. By 2024, the CarbonClass program became available nationwide to partner institutions. Alongside its original interactive workshop format, the company has also introduced two new versions: a condensed, gamified edition tailored to younger audiences, and a version adapted for corporate sustainability trainings. The gamified format was showcased for the first time at the UNICEF conference.

Budapest, 2025.04.09.

14.04.2025

A new workplace baseline is emerging – find out in Randstad Workmonitor 2025 report

Member News

This year’s report reveals a new workplace baseline, where success is no longer just about what we do, but also why we do it, how we do it, and who we do it with.

This new baseline is grounded in three pillars shaping the future of work:

🙋Personalization – talent want work to align with their unique values, ambitions, and life circumstances. Employers are catching on, with 32% now prioritizing personalized skills development and career mobility opportunities.
🤝 Community – a sense of belonging is essential for performance, well-being, and supportive workplace relationships. Yet, 44% of talent said they left jobs last year due to toxic workplaces—a wake-up call for leaders.
🧰 Future-ready skilling – opportunities to develop and sustain skills for tomorrow are now a deal-breaker for many workers. Nearly 90% of employers agree reskilling is critical, but over half remain unsure how to implement more impactful programs.

Employers face a clear mission: embrace this new baseline and align talent expectations with business priorities. Doing so strengthens teams, boosts productivity, and attracts and retains the talent needed to stay competitive.

📖 Download the full report and discover actionable insights that will help you deliver for your workforce. ➡️ click and download it now.

14.04.2025

More than 1.1 million Munch food rescue packages have sold across SPAR stores

Member News

In total, more than 1.1 million Munch food rescue packages have been purchased by SPAR customers since the launch of the innovative service in 2022. Among these, around 500,000 bakery product and more than 400,000 vegetable packages were sold at up to 60 percent cheaper than their original price.

“Food waste management is a global problem. Even though only 5% of food waste is generated in trade, SPAR Hungary treats this issue as a priority within its strategically important sustainability programme. Our company joined the Munch food rescue in 2022, through which the remaining, but still good quality food can reach our customers at a significantly lower price compared to their market price. Following the test period, we introduced the service in all SPAR and INTERSPAR stores because of the positive experience. It has become part of our employees’ daily routine to separate fresh products by determining what might go into a Munch package. We are very pleased that the programme was a great success among our customers, and more than 1.1 million food rescue packages have been purchased to date,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

“The results of the Munch and SPAR collaboration clearly demonstrate that significant progress can be made towards food waste reduction. These results reflect not only our efforts, but also the commitment of customers to saving food. Together, we are proving that small steps can make a big difference in the fight against food waste. Based on the feedback of our community, using Munch is easily integrated into everyday life. Not only do we do good for our environment, but we can also save time, energy and money while trying new types of food,” said Albert Wettstein, co-founder of Munch.

Up to 60% discount on Munch packages

In SPAR Munch food rescue packages, shoppers can find vegetables, fruits, juices, pre-packaged and unpackaged breads, various bakery products, savoury and sweet delicacies, dairy products, pasta, salami, cold cuts, fresh eggs and other products that do not require refrigeration. These packages can be purchased for almost a third of the original price, with a discount of up to 60%. In practice, this means a “Munch price” of 1200 HUF for a package worth around 3000 HUF, and 600 HUF for a package worth 1500 HUF. The operation of the system is simple: the selected package must be reserved via the free mobile application or the website, then paid for and collected in the store within a specified time slot.

Customers took home almost half a million Munch bakery packages

Since the launch, the most popular SPAR Munch packages have been bakery products, with approximately 500,000 being sold since the service was introduced. More than 400,000 of the fruit and vegetable Munch packages, 203,000 of the refrigerated Munch packages, and 23,000 of the packages that do not require refrigeration were sold. Customers show the greatest interest in these packages in the cities of Szeged, Debrecen, Győr, Miskolc, and Pécs, as well as Budapest. There is significant interest in baked goods in Hatvan and Dunaújváros, while fruits and vegetables are the most popular in Sárvár and Kozármisleny. The strongest demand for refrigerated food is in Abony and Hatvan. According to statistical data, the busiest months are January, February, and September, but a higher demand is experienced in summer and during the Christmas period.

In the SPAR food rescue programme, food that isn’t sold through Munch is not wasted either. The high-quality products are given to people in need in cooperation with the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta. Finally, food that is not purchased through Munch before the expiration date or does not reach the Charity Service is offered by SPAR to animal shelters and wildlife parks. As a last resort, animal food waste is turned into biogas, while non-animal waste is composted as biowaste – where possible.

Further information on the operation of the food rescue initiative can be found at the following link: https://www.spar.hu/munch

14.04.2025

E.ON installs kestrel boxes on the banks of Rákos stream

Member News

Red kestrel nesting boxes have been placed on E.ON Hungária Group’s high-voltage pylons in the Zugló district of Budapest.
The nest installations were done by a specialist from the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society according to Zugló’s request.
More than 170 artificial nesting boxes host birds of prey on E.ON’s network in Pest County, Budapest and Transdanubia.

E.ON Hungária Group has placed red kestrel nesting boxes on pylons along the Rákos stream. The 132 kV high-voltage network’s pylons along the stream are suitable for nesting, according to Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society recommendations. The installations also provide a safe breeding site for red kestrels, free from human disturbance and other predators. The wild and tended areas of the stream’s banks are an excellent place for the kestrels to find food such as voles, lizards and grasshoppers.

These shelter areas for birds are made of wood, are waterproof, and are protected from the sun by an aluminium cover. E.ON mounted them at a height of 6 metres on the high-voltage poles. The condition of the nests, their occupancy and the development of the nestlings inside will be monitored by volunteer experts from the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society.

The red kestrel is a common bird in the capital, breeding in tall buildings, fixed windows, gaps in buildings, and occasionally occupies the nests of other birds, such as crows and magpies. It nests in a number of streets in Zugló, and breeding pairs are known to inhabit the roofs of Budapest’s Geological Museum and Hungary’s Parliament building.

Last year, E.ON measured an 80 per cent occupancy rate for these artificial nest boxes on high-voltage power poles. So far this year, the electricity company has provided more than 170 artificial nests for birds of prey, and plans to install more throughout the year.

11.04.2025

Sustainable aviation fuel available in Budapest from January

Member News

Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, has achieved an important milestone in sustainability. Budapest Airport’s subsidiary, Airport Fuel Supply Ltd., has successfully passed the audit criteria for the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Certification is a prerequisite for the airport operator to provide airlines with the minimum 2% sustainable aviation fuel from 1 January 2025, as required by the relevant regulation.

One of the biggest current challenges for airports operators is combining the increase of air mobility demand with the need to protect the climate. In addition to all actions implemented to reduce direct airport emissions (such as energy efficiency, the electrification of vehicles, the development of renewables, etc.), in the short to medium term, the introduction and wider use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is currently one of the solutions to act on airport scope 3, by reducing aircraft emissions.

Budapest Airport tested the commercial use of SAF in 2023, in cooperation with MOL, Wizz Air and AFS Ltd., with the aim of preparing Budapest Airport’s fuel supply system for the obligation coming into force in 2025, which requires airport operators above a certain level of traffic to provide a minimum 2% sustainable aviation fuel to airlines from the beginning of this year. A prerequisite for fulfilling this obligation is to meet a stringent set of sustainability criteria, which Budapest Airport’s subsidiary, AFS Ltd. successfully passed last November, and thus acquired the required ISCC EU certification.

The raw materials used in the production of SAF include vegetable or animal fats, that cannot be recycled elsewhere, which are converted into a premium-quality renewable product through special processes, thus reducing the greenhouse gases emitted by aircraft. This new generation of sustainably produced fuel, in its pure form, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle, compared to fossil jet fuel. SAF is currently permitted to be blended with conventional fossil-based kerosene of up to 50%, to ensure compatibility with aircraft, engines and fuelling systems. SAF is also compatible with existing airport infrastructure, minimizing additional investments.

“Sustainable aviation fuel emits about 80% less carbon dioxide compared to conventional kerosene and can therefore make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the aviation industry,” emphasized Francois Berisot, the CEO of Budapest Airport, who also underlined: “The availability of sustainable aviation fuel at Budapest Airport is a very important milestone and will greatly contribute to the future reduction of Budapest Airport’s indirect carbon emissions from its corporate value chain activities.”

In addition to reducing indirect emissions, and in line with VINCI Airport’s environmental policy, Budapest Airport’s priority is to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions from direct airport operations by over 90% by 2030 at the latest, and achieve Airports Council International’s (ACI Europe) Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 5, which certifies that the airport has reached and maintains a net zero carbon balance in its direct scopes (Scopes 1 and 2) and has addressed indirect emissions sources (Scope 3).

ReFuelEU Aviation promotes the increased use of sustainable aviation fuels, as the single most powerful tool to decrease aviation CO2 emissions. The measure is part of the Fit for 55 package to meet the emissions reduction target of 55% by 2030. It sets requirements for aviation fuel suppliers to gradually increase the share of SAF blended into the conventional aviation fuel supplied at EU airports. The RefuelEU directive requires (at certain airports above certain traffic levels) the provision of at least 2% sustainable aviation fuel for airlines from 01.01.2025.

The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission. The opinions expressed are those of the author only.

07.04.2025

SPAR Hungary spent nearly 220 million forints supporting social causes last year

Member News

Since its founding, more than 30 years ago, SPAR Hungary has been committed to social responsibility and supporting charitable causes. The company helps thousands of families in need by collecting school supplies and non-perishable food, while also supporting healthcare and animal welfare organisations, as well as cultural and sports programmes. Last year, SPAR spent nearly 220 million forints on these causes.

Cooperation for families in need

SPAR and its strategic partner, the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, organised the Joy to Give! (Adni Öröm!) school supply collection campaign for the fourth time in 2024, through which SPAR customers helped disadvantaged families to start school with a total of about 71,000 items of school supplies. Supporters also purchased donation cards worth 1.4 million forints, and the Charity Service also used the money to provide school supplies to those in need. On top of this, SPAR donated a further 1 million HUF to the initiative.

As a result of the 28th Christmas Joy to Give! non-perishable food collection campaign organized by the company and the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, more than 26,000 food packages were distributed to disadvantaged people before the holiday. Customers of SPAR and INTERSPAR stores contributed 223 tonnes of food to the donations and by purchasing donation cards for almost 5.5 million forints, which SPAR Hungary matched with an additional 5 million forints. The Charity Service spent this amount on buying even more food products.

The Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta has been producing canvas shopping bags for the SPAR national network in Tiszabura, one of the poorest corners of the country, since 2019. In the past six years, the organisation has produced more than 424,000 bags in the Máltai Manufaktúra sewing shop, involving people in difficulty, for whom the program provides training and jobs.

As part of the strategic partnership, in 2024, the company donated more than 1.1 million kilograms of food, vegetables, and fruit from 66 SPAR stores that were withdrawn from sales but still suitable for consumption, to the Charity Service, who then distributed them to the people in need.

In 2024, the 200 and 500 HUF donation cards for the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta were also available for purchase in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores and in the SPAR online shop. The amount of the cards purchased has exceeded 50 million forints since the start of the initiative. In addition, in each SPAR and INTERSPAR store, the company donates 1 forint from the price of every degradable carry bag to the Charity Service. Thanks to this, SPAR supported the organisation’s work with more than 10 million forints in 2024.

SPAR supports animal welfare

The retail chain has been helping animal shelters in Hungary for more than a decade by donating products that are no longer commercially marketable but can be used to feed animals. Last year, the company donated more than 2,900 tonnes of food to 156 organisations.

The chain also works closely with the National Animal Protection Foundation (Országos Állatvédőrség Alapítvány). During the jointly organized Paw in Trouble! pet food collection weekend, customers of INTERSPAR stores donated nearly 12,000 cans and 9,500 kilograms of dry pet food. Additionally, large quantities of pet equipment and cleaning products were donated. SPAR also contributed 1 million HUF to support the work of the National Animal Protection Foundation.

The company provides opportunities for animal protection and rescue NGOs to organize collections in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores throughout the year.

Runners from 107 countries arrived for the SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival

The country’s largest and oldest running competition, the SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival, took place for the 39th time in October 2024. As the main sponsor, SPAR has been supporting the event since 2008 as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and the love of exercise. Around 30,000 participants from 107 countries took part in the competition, which took place across the most beautiful parts of the capital, in various categories. SPAR employees could register for the competition for free, and in the spirit of social responsibility, the company supported the Utcáról Lakásba! (From the Streets to a Home) association with a 2,000-forint donation for every colleague who took part.

SPAR offsets carbon footprint of its events by planting native trees

SPAR Hungary’s exemplary practice of striving for environmental awareness with its own events continued in 2024: the chain already organized two of its events in a carbon-conscious spirit this year. With the corporate partner event held at the Budapest Wine Festival and the annual business results press conference, SPAR compensated for the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the organisation, energy consumption, guest travel and meals by planting a total of 418 native fruit trees.

SPAR supported a paediatric ear replacement operation

SPAR Hungary contributed to the introduction of a revolutionary new medical intervention: the first successful ear replacement operation was performed at the Heim Pál National Paediatric Institute on a 10-year-old child in December 2024. The support related to the operation will also enable the healthcare institution to purchase the implants necessary for the surgery for three additional children.

Direct support for civil society organisations

SPAR Hungary is pleased to support organisations that are dedicated to socially significant causes. Therefore, the company launched the SPAR Helping Hands application system through which it supported 145 NGOs last year.

SPAR Regional Treasures programme helps small businesses

Over the past year, SPAR Hungary has further expanded its small producer business partnership programme. Launched in 2021, the award-winning Regional Treasures programme has made it possible for more than 500 products from more than 100 suppliers to be available in stores. The company also provides professional support to the partners to further improve their progress and market position, and has developed a new application for more effective communication. The participating companies and small businesses together employ more than 600 people.

Plastic-free July: focus on creating awareness

The store chain joined the Plastic-free July campaign in 2024, to raise the attention of its customers and 14,000 employees through various communication channels to rethink everyday consumer habits, to well-planned and conscious shopping to generate as little waste as possible. In addition, the company offered customers a reusable, easy-to-clean fruit and vegetable bag package at a special price of 99 forints.

20.03.2025