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No Circular Breakthrough Without Strategy – Survey on the State of the Circular Economy in Hungary

Budapest, 27 January 2026 – Sixty-four percent of Hungarian companies that are leading the sustainable transition already apply some form of circular model in their business operations, yet complex solutions remain the exception, according to the latest survey by the Hungarian Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH). The research, conducted with the professional support of KPMG, shows that the integration of circular economy principles has stalled, despite the significant untapped potential for development.

The results of the BCSDH survey indicate clear stagnation in advancing the circular economy in Hungary. A true paradigm shift is still pending, as circular economy principles have not yet been deeply embedded into corporate practices. Simpler, less complex circular business models continue to dominate.

A Lack of Complex and Strategic Approaches

“We launched the Circular Economy Platform nearly ten years ago with the aim of accelerating Hungary’s circular transition through cross-sector collaboration and fostering the use of synergies. It is an important achievement that 75% of leading companies already have circular objectives, and 49% measure their circular performance,” said Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, at the event that presented the survey results. She added that companies are increasingly recognising that the circular economy represents a complex business approach that simultaneously improves cost efficiency and supply security, supports the development of new business models, and helps achieve decarbonisation targets.

At the same time, she pointed out that only 21% of companies currently have a dedicated circular economy strategy. According to Irén Márta, accelerating the circular transition is only possible through knowledge sharing, showcasing best practices, presenting new opportunities and innovations, and above all, through collaboration. A key forum for this will be the European Circular Economy Hotspot, to be hosted by BCSDH in Budapest between 5 and 7 October 2026, which will highlight international and domestic expertise and offer practical inspiration for the business community.

Global and Domestic Resource-Use Challenges

According to the BCSDH survey, 48% of companies are primarily motivated by resource efficiency in their transition towards the circular economy. Other factors—such as the development of product and technological capabilities, the profitability of circular business models, reduced exposure and risk, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions—are also considered important. However, their impacts are not yet perceived as sufficiently direct to allow a clear hierarchy of priorities to be established.

“Based on the results, 59% of companies have targets related to waste management, and 49% have goals concerning the sustainable sourcing and use of renewable resources,” noted Julianna Nagy, Director at KPMG. She added that large corporations and SMEs share a similar mindset in this respect. Targets related to more complex circular activities currently remain in the background.

She also highlighted that even among already implemented solutions, the most popular practices are still those that are easiest to apply and already operational. These include the reuse and sale of residual materials (53%), while more complex solutions, such as circular design (31%), receive less attention. Looking ahead, the development of new business models offers the greatest potential, with 21% of respondents planning to implement related initiatives.

Globally, the economy consumes approximately 100 billion tonnes of resources annually, of which around 75% come from non-renewable sources. The extraction and processing of materials account for more than 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 90% of water scarcity, 90% of land-use-related biodiversity loss, and up to 40% of the health impacts of airborne particulate matter.

To sustain current lifestyles, humanity consumes resources equivalent to 1.75 Earths, meaning ecosystems are unable to keep pace with demand. Although real societal needs could be met using 30% less material, the global economy remains on a trajectory of increasing material consumption.

“According to the Circularity Gap Report 2025, only 6.9% of material flows can be considered circular due to rising material use—down from 7.2% last year,” said Bálint Bartha-Horváth, Senior Consultant at CBRE. Hungary lags behind the European average of 12.2% in this regard, with a circularity rate of around 7.3%. However, Bartha-Horváth emphasized that Hungary’s performance should be assessed in a broader context.

Countries with higher resource efficiency and better circularity indicators often consume more raw materials and generate more waste in absolute terms. Consequently, they may be further from the “ideal” level of circularity because their consumption significantly exceeds their ecological capacity. In Bálint Bartha-Horváth’s view, Hungary may not be as far from sustainable as often perceived if its ecological footprint is taken into account—although substantial work remains to be done.

Collaboration Can Accelerate the Transition

Economic growth can be achieved without increasing material consumption by using resources more efficiently. Beyond innovations aimed at reducing material demand, this includes eliminating waste generated in industrial processes and utilizing by-products from other sectors.

“The circular economy is not a communication message—it is an operational issue. At ALTEO, we believe that industry must not only reduce the amount of waste that is generated but also systematically integrate recycling into its production processes,” emphasized Anita Simon, Managing Director of ALTEO Circular.

According to her, future competitiveness will depend on how effectively companies can transform by-products and waste into valuable resources for other industries. She views the circular approach not only as an environmental issue but also as a matter of supply security and economic resilience, helping reduce risks related to raw materials, energy price volatility, and dependence on critical materials. However, she stressed that this can only be achieved through value-chain-level and cross-industry cooperation, where companies think in interconnected systems rather than in isolation.

Experts agreed that accelerating the circular transition requires companies to gain deeper insight into its long-term strategic benefits and business opportunities, as well as obtain practical support for implementation and immediate action. Currently, companies primarily rely on public financial incentives, while making limited use of other external funding sources.

At present, circularity is still primarily considered a regulatory compliance task rather than a transformation of the mainstream business model. Nevertheless, European and national regulations are playing a crucial role, as they not only impose obligations but also create markets. Reporting requirements have significantly advanced the collection of circular economy data, though the accomplishment of many targets remains unsupported by adequate measurement. At the same time, there are truly frontrunner companies—both large corporations and SMEs—where complex circular systems are already in place, and the topic is addressed at a strategic level.

About the BCSDH Circular Economy Survey

Data collection for the survey was completed at the end of 2025, and the results were published on 27 January 2026.

The questionnaire was sent to nearly 150 BCSDH member companies, with 80 responses received, including 25 companies listed in the HVG TOP200 ranking.

28.01.2026

Leadership responsibility, community and climate adaptation – the 13th cohort of the “Future Leaders” programme launches

News

With a focus on leadership responsibility, community and climate adaptation, the 13th cohort of our “Future Leaders” programme was launched on 22 January at K&H Bank. Leaders of the organisation and the programme, along with programme mentors and alumni members, presented the opportunities for professional and leadership development, highlighted the importance of a values-driven community, and invited participants to engage in shared reflection on climate adaptation.

The 13th cohort of BCSDH’s “Future Leaders” programme was launched with an opening event held at K&H Bank on 22 January.

As host of the opening event, Peter Roebben, CEO of K&H Bank, welcomed the participants. In his speech, he drew attention to the responsibilities that come with leadership and emphasised the supportive power of a community united by shared values and mutual inspiration.

This was followed by a welcome address from Attila Chikán Jr., President of BCSDH and CEO of ALTEO. He highlighted that the “Future Leaders” programme offers participants not only professional development opportunities but also a strong, cohesive community that creates long-term value for them.

The subsequent elements of the programme were introduced by Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, who also presented the organisation—now comprising 159 member companies—and its team. She emphasised that BCSDH’s professional background and community actively support the successful delivery of the programme.

In her presentation, Dr Barbara Wassen, Ambassador at Large for Climate at the Hungarian Ministry of Energy, presented the latest data on temperatures in 2025, drawing attention to the current challenges of climate change and the urgent need for action.

László Török, Managing Director of Yamazaki Mazak, shared how the role and responsibilities of leadership have evolved throughout his career, drawing on his personal experiences and reflecting the expectations of a changing economic and social environment.

Following the presentations, participants discussed their successes, challenges and future aspirations related to climate adaptation at roundtable sessions, then captured their thoughts on post-it notes displayed on flip charts, creating a snapshot of the group’s current perspectives on climate adaptation.

Zita Szederkényi, the head of ’Future Leaders’ program outlined the main elements of the programme and the professional content planned for the participants in the coming months.

Representing the Alumni community, Péter Kenderes, Marketing Specialist at Yamazaki Mazak, and Gábor Czinger, Operational Maintenance Manager at EUROAPI, shared their experiences. Péter encouraged participants to take full advantage of opportunities to ask questions and connect during the programme, while Gábor highlighted the benefits of working within a diverse team.

Máté Bori, Head of the Alumni, highlighted the uniqueness of the programme, emphasising that it creates genuine opportunities for meetings and learning in a short period of time, across multiple locations, and with the involvement of experienced leaders.

As part of the programme’s continuation, group photos of the mentors and participants were taken.

The event concluded with roundtable networking discussions.

The participating leaders in the 2026 programme represented the following companies:

ALTEO Energiaszolgáltató Nyrt., Ayvens | LeasePlan Hungária Zrt., BKM Budapesti Közművek Nonprofit Zrt., Budapest Airport Zrt., Coface Hungary Services Kft., Continental Automotive Hungary Kft., E.ON Dél-dunántúli Áramhálózati Zrt., Ernst & Young Kft., EUROAPI Hungary Kft., Generali Biztosító Zrt., Grundfos Kft., Güntner-Tata Hűtőtechnika Kft., Jász-Plasztik Kft., KPMG Tanácsadó Kft., LeasePlan Hungária Zrt., MVM Zrt., Nestlé Hungária Kft., Prímaenergia Zrt., Progress Étteremhálózat Kft., Richter Gedeon Nyrt., Siemens Energy Kft, SPAR Magyarország Kft., Yamazaki Mazak Central Europe s.r.o. Magyarországi Fióktelepe, Yettel Zrt.

Among the participants was András Aschenbrenner, a student at Széchenyi István University, who was the winner of the scholarship competition announced for university students.

We would like to thank the host of the opening event:

We would like to thank the supporters of the 2026 programme:

Tovább a teljes galériához

23.01.2026

Human connection has never been more important – We announced the 2026 Scholarship recipient of ‘Future Leaders’ Program

News

András Aschenbrenner, a student of Széchenyi István University, has been awarded the 2026 scholarship of the BCSDH “Future Leaders” Program. The final took place on 28 November 2025 at E.ON Hungária Zrt., where a professional jury selected the winner from seven finalist applications.

Hungary’s unique “Future Leaders” Program equips participants with comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge, proven business solutions and a diverse professional network, enabling them to become change leaders and to achieve meaningful, strategic-level impact in their field of operation, at company level and in their personal lives through a new way of thinking.

Since 2015, the program has, each year, included the participation of university and college students thanks to the support of sponsors, creating opportunities for them to acquire in-depth knowledge of sustainability, global and national trends, and corporate practices already during their studies.

In the final, András Aschenbrenner (Széchenyi István University), András Csorbai (Budapest University of Technology and Economics), Péter Rácz (Budapest University of Economics and Business), Csaba Rózsa (Budapest University of Economics and Business), Emma Szabó-van der Voort (Eötvös Loránd University), Gabriella Tóth (Budapest University of Technology and Economics), and Bendegúz Sándor Vécsei (Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences) presented their work. During the application process, the students presented their well-developed proposals aimed at making their universities more sustainable.

This year’s professional jury included Zsuzsanna Károlyi, Head of Brand and Marketing at E.ON, Tímea Pesti, CEO of Ayvens, and, on behalf of BCSDH, Irén Márta, Director, and Zita Szederkényi, Program Manager.

We thank the jury for their valuable professional work and congratulate all participants on their high-quality submissions!

Highlighted Sponsor Scolarship Program in 2025:

10.12.2025

Climate change up close – joint reflection with the Climate Fresk game at the November event of the Alumni of ‘Future Leaders’

News

Why are the ice caps melting? What is permafrost? What are carbon sinks? What is the “triangle of inertia”? How does climate change affect our everyday lives, the economy, and our workplaces – and what can we do ourselves to slow down the process? Participants explored these questions at the interactive Climate Fresk event, attended by members of previous cohorts of the Alumni of ‘Future Leaders’ and recent graduates of this year’s cohort.

The event was opened by our host, Anna Hőgyész, Sustainability Manager at Nestlé Hungária Kft. This was followed by welcome remarks from Máté Bori, Head of the ‘Future Leaders” Alumni and Operations and Integration Director at Ayvens, and Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH.

Climate Fresk – the Hungarian adaptation of the internationally recognised French Climate Fresk workshop – is based on the reports of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and aims to help participants jointly explore the interconnections of climate change. The program was led by Dr. Barbara Wassen, Ambassador-at-Large for Climate Affairs and Climate Diplomacy at the Ministry of Energy, who also participated as a table facilitator. At the other tables, László Karafa, Mining and Sustainability Manager at Saint-Gobain, and members of the BCSDH professional team – Zsófia Galambosné Dudás and Andrea Nagy, Professional Project Managers, as well as Irén Márta, Managing Director – supported the discussions and inspired participants to explore cause-and-effect relationships and think together.

At the closing of the program, participants shared the concrete steps they plan to take in their professional and personal lives – such as more conscious energy use, more sustainable dietary choices, and promoting awareness-raising initiatives in the workplace.

We believe that the Climate Fresk experience was not only an inspiring learning opportunity, but also an experience that participants will be able to successfully apply both in their professional work and in their private lives.

The full photo gallery is available by clicking here.

08.12.2025

The Vast Majority of Companies Have Not Postponed Their Sustainability Efforts – ESG Survey of Hungarian Companies

News

Budapest, 26 November 2025: 95 percent of sustainability-committed companies in Hungary state that being able to operate sustainably is their goal, while ESG activities and reporting are tools that can help make this possible. The number of companies that feel prepared to meet their ESG obligations has increased by 42 percent, according to the latest survey conducted by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) with professional support from KPMG.

According to the survey results, the motivating effect of regulatory compliance has increased significantly in recent times. In 2025, fulfilling legal requirements will already be the main driver of ESG integration, alongside growing emphasis on meeting owners’ expectations and customer and client needs.

“Despite changes in reporting regulations, most companies are not slowing down: more than half of the leading companies have expanded their ESG capacities and are continuing sustainability developments that are already underway. Over the next two years, most companies will continue to develop their ESG activities and reporting according to their planned schedules. Overall, the survey indicates that Hungarian companies are steadily developing more sustainable and transparent operations,” summarized Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, regarding companies’ future plans.

Most companies plan to expand the scope of their ESG activities over the next two years, and the majority also intend to continue their reporting processes as scheduled. Few large enterprises or SMEs are taking advantage of the opportunity to postpone, and only a minority intend to wait for regulatory decisions before determining their ESG reporting plans.

“The results show that 87 percent of the surveyed companies already feel prepared to meet the requirements of the CSRD and the ESG Act, which represents significant progress compared to 2023. Among the respondents, recognition of the business benefits of ESG has clearly increased. According to 91 percent of companies, ESG ratings provide a competitive advantage, and 87 percent believe that better ESG performance will become an even more decisive business factor by 2027. Small and medium-sized enterprises perceive these advantages even more strongly than large corporations. For respondents, employee engagement and improved management of ESG risks remain key benefits,” highlighted Ágnes Deme, Senior Manager at KPMG.

Companies now have more mature goals and active implementation programs in social and governance areas. This finding is consistent with the previous survey, which also identified these areas as highly important. In the human value domain, 55 percent are in the ‘active implementation’ phase with regard to developing working conditions, equal treatment, and employee well-being. In the environmental domain, companies typically focus on carbon emissions, energy use, and waste management. This is where future development plans are most prevalent: 31 percent of respondents already plan to set biodiversity targets, and more than 25 percent intend to develop objectives related to climate adaptation. This is unsurprising, as 70 percent of companies identify climate change as a threat, while 80 percent of respondents view climate adaptation as a profitable business activity.

In summary, companies are aware of the impact of climate change on their operations and recognize the need for systemic change. Ninety percent agree that the true challenge of the green transition and achieving sustainability goals lies not in technology but in economic viability and mindset change.

About the BCSDH ESG Survey

For the third time, BCSDH has conducted a comprehensive survey among its member companies to assess how ESG aspects are being incorporated into their daily operations and value chains, and to understand their future expectations regarding sustainability. KPMG served as the professional partner for the survey.

Data collection for the survey concluded in October 2025. The results were published on 26 November 2025.
Of the questionnaire sent to BCSDH’s 155 member companies, 77 responses were received from 15 industries, including 23 companies listed in the HVG TOP200.

03.12.2025

COP30: Momentum is Unstoppable – Business at the Heart of Accelerated Implementation

News

COP30 unfolded in a year marked by geopolitical tension and concerns over a roll back of climate leadership. Yet, although consensus negotiations were constrained, the message from Belém was unequivocal:

“The global transition towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development is irreversible and the trend of the future.”

COP30 was also a moment of restructuring and refocusing. The Paris Agreement was designed around bottom-up delivery based on national priorities, not top-down diktat. Ten years on, in the country where the UNFCCC was born, the full rulebook has been negotiated, and implementation has become the currency of climate action. Progress depends on identifying where interests align and creating momentum through practical collaboration, which is the way that the Paris Agreement was designed – around bottom-up delivery based on national priorities, not a top-down mandate.

This became apparent not just through the elevation and restructuring of the Action Agenda – which mobilizes 480+ initiatives involving 190 countries, tens of thousands of businesses, investors, and cities – as the engine of delivery to unblock barriers and scale solutions. This was also visible in the COP30 outcomes – where no consensus was available, countries agreed to move forward on voluntary initiatives on transitioning away from fossil fuels, deforestation and a Global Implementation Accelerator to close the gap on NDCs.

For business, these developments matter because business has been at the heart of the Action Agenda and this represents a shift towards greater political focus on the enabling conditions for investment. This means both opportunity and responsibility:

Identifying where clearer investment signals and frameworks are needed.
Contributing to platforms to shape standards and influence policy.
Working collaboratively to de-risk investments and technologies.

Businesses need to move from calling for ambition, to identifying the practical actions and implementation barriers that turn climate goals into investable opportunities. And businesses did come out in force. At the pre-COP São Paulo business week, over 1500 business leaders and investors emphasized the need to work across value chains to achieve competitive and resilient outcomes and attract investment and during COP30 businesses from all sectors and continent were engaged.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) detailed summary of COP30 is AVAILABLE HERE.

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At the Race to Zero working group meeting on November 25, Dr. Barbara Wassen, Ambassador-at-Large for Climate reported firsthand on developments and key decisions. You can read the related news and further information HERE.

02.12.2025

Shaping 2050 in Images – The BCSDH Social Capital Creative Hub Begins Co-Creating a Shared Vision

News

On November 27, 2025, Future FM Ltd. hosted the BCSDH Social Capital Creative Hub. The name itself underscores that the group functions as an inspiring professional community working toward a more sustainable and human-centered world.

In her welcome remarks, Deputy CEO Katalin Takács highlighted that this venue was chosen because Future FM, in close collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services, obtained the Eco-Friendly Service certification in office cleaning within this building.

During the first part of the meeting, Program Manager Zita Szederkényi reviewed the 2025 year of “Future Leaders” program, reflecting on participant feedback. The 12th cohort found the program highly valuable, particularly the professional knowledge acquired and corporate practices explored. Additionally, attendees were introduced to the key innovations and development opportunities planned for 2026.

The second part of the meeting focused on creation. Under the guidance of Dr. József Kolossa, Lead Sustainability Advisor at HuGBC, the co-creation process began to envision the kind of world we want to live in by 2050. Individual visions were developed using texts and AI-generated images. This process will continue in 2026, culminating in the development of a shared vision and actionable roadmap.

28.11.2025

COP30 in Brazil in the spirit of mutirão – Dr. Barbara Wassen’s first-hand account of COP at the Race to Zero working group

News

One of the BCSDH Race to Zero working group’s key events of the year took place on November 25. The meeting was particularly timely, as COP30 had ended just a few days earlier in Belém, allowing participants to receive first-hand, reliable, and detailed information about the most important climate policy developments of the year.

On behalf of AutoWallis Nyrt., the host of the event, Gábor Ormosy, CEO welcomed the attendees, followed by Dr. Barbara Wassen, Ambassador-at-Large for Climate at the Energy Ministry, who gave a comprehensive presentation on the most important developments at COP30. The most important political outcome of the event was the adoption of the Global Mutirão decision, which elevates the logic of collective action originating in Brazilian culture to a global level. This cooperation-based framework focuses on the accelerated implementation steps necessary to keep the 1.5 °C target alive, including more effective implementation of countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and strengthening international cooperation.

In the next part of the program, Tímea Kovács, ESG expert at AutoWallis, presented the company’s sustainability activities and goals. The series of presentations was concluded by Irén Márta, director of BCSDH, who presented the main current issues in the field of climate-neutral operation and adaptation.

The event was concluded with an informal professional discussion, during which participants shared their own climate and sustainability challenges, good practices, and lessons learned from the COP.

Dr. Barbara Wassen’s daily report on COP30 is available here: https://ceenergynews.com/cop30-insights/

Thanks to the Race to Zero program sponsors:

27.11.2025

Increasing material use is responsible for more than half of the harmful impacts on the climate – the transition to a circular economy is inevitable.

News

On 20 November 2025, the Circular Economy Summit was held for the eighth time at Öbölház, where corporate leaders, researchers, and policymakers gathered to discuss the latest challenges and opportunities associated with the circular transition. The event was hosted by Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Attila Chikán Jr., President of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH).

“The Circularity Gap Report 2025 shows that although we have taken small steps forward, due to increasing material use, only 6.9% of material flows can be considered circular, which represents a setback compared to last year’s 7.2%. Growing material consumption is responsible for 60% of harmful climate impacts, more than 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress related to land use, and around 40% of health-damaging particulate pollution. This is a clear signal that systemic change, cooperation, and consistent corporate action are needed to advance the transition to a circular economy.” – highlighted Attila Chikán Jr. in his opening remarks.