A workshop hosted by KPMG attracted nearly 30 BCSDH member companies to discuss current sustainability trends, focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The keynote speaker of the event was Lord Michael Hastings, KPMG’s Global Head of Citizenship.

His thought-provoking speech reflecting among others on Donald Trump’s statement on withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Accord and the news around building the world’s largest solar power in China, generated a lively discussion. International and local best practices, presented by panel discussion participants (Joerg Bauer – President, GE Hungary; Attila Chikán – CEO, ALTEO Group; Ágnes Fábián – Managing Director, HENKEL Hungary and Imre Horváth – CEO, METRO Hungary) brought examples on how the business world can tackle climate change. No matter political decisions, businesses are eager to implement the SDGs as these targets provide opportunities for developing sustainable business practices and solutions, and maintaining the businesses of the future.

A summary video on the event is available here, a video coverage of the full event is available here.

GE Hungary issued the second CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Report about 2016, focusing both on sustainability and the company’s contribution to the local communities. The content of the report is based on the employees’ input from a recent opinion survey on the most important and interesting CSR related topics such as; economic performance, stability, climate change, diversity and the brand value of GE in Hungary. To find out more please download the full report: http://www.join-ge.hu/#csr

Today in Hungary, the population collects selectively only 5,5% of the total communal waste of 3,8 million tons. The Hungarian Mineral Water, Fruit Juice and Softdrink Association wants to change this tendency, mainly with addressing youngsters.

The central element of the educational online campaign is the www. szelektiven.hu microsite with a youthful design, which leads its visitors into the world of selective waste collection and PET-bottles through interactive games, creative videos and animated infographics. The aim of the Association is to raise attention to the importance of selective waste collection, to dismiss people’s misbelieves about PET, and to give factual information to consumers to help them make the right decision to protect our environment.

“From recycled PET we can make not only new PET-bottles, but many objects for everyday use, like rugs, sofas, T-shirts, dresses, blankets or even license plates. So through our campaign we would like to highlight, that if recycled, PET-bottles become useful base materials.” – said Dr. Géza Miklósvári, president of the Association. “The way youngsters act and approach matters forms and determines our future, so our online campaign targets mainly them. We would like to – as much as possible – educate them about the significance of selective waste collection in a playful and colorful way.”

More information can be found here.

The short video made for the campaign can be seen here.

KPMG has launched its new social investment program aiming to improve quality education in the field of economy and financial literacy. As these skills are crucial for the success of future generations, KPMG provides financial support of HUF 9 million (approx. EUR 29,000) to develop new initiatives or improve existing projects targeting students at the age of 7-18 years. KPMG employees voluntarily take part in the evaluation process, and external educational, corporate and media experts are also involved.

The company starts its European expanding from the Viennese central office with its innovative software ‘SOLARIS’ that gives solution to comprehensive social issues such as migration-integration and active ageing. For its business clients the firm has been working out a programme in order to strengthen the innovation and the cooperation within the organisation.  With its strategic partners, such as university labs, technology companies and delegation of the biomedical field they are working on 21st century solutions.