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

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.

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“The main findings of the report highlight that global material use continues to grow while circular performance is declining. The foundations of the linear model – large-scale extraction, short product lifecycles, and high levels of waste generation – are hindering the sustainable functioning of the economy. Although efficiency and technological developments are improving, these alone cannot counterbalance the rising demand for materials. The report emphasizes that recycling on its own could raise the circularity rate to a maximum of only 25%, which is why prevention, new business models, material substitution, longer product lifecycles, and systemic cooperation are indispensable.”

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

The keynote speaker at the event was Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Cramer, emeritus professor at Utrecht University, who presented how significant progress toward a circular economy can be achieved at both national and sectoral levels, using the Dutch Concrete Agreement as an example. In her lecture, she pointed out: “The transition to a circular economy offers an exciting opportunity to reduce environmental burdens while strengthening business development and innovation. At the same time, no single company, government, or citizen can accomplish this transition alone. To realise change, cooperation among product chain partners or regional actors is needed. Independent intermediaries, so-called brokers, can help coordinate stakeholders and accelerate the process.”

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

“BCSDH’s international event, which involves bringing the European Circular Economy Hotspot meeting to Budapest on 5–7 October 2026, aims to highlight the importance and opportunities of the circular economy. Our goal is to showcase the most innovative circular and sustainable economic practices, promote Hungary’s achievements, and support the creation of new collaborations,” shared Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, with participants.

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Ambassador Willem van Ee highlighted: ‘We say in the Netherlands: “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” Through forward-looking policies, innovative partnerships, and collective commitment, we are indeed adjusting our sails — steering our economy toward a circular, sustainable and regenerative future that other nations can learn from.’

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Hungarian policy directions were presented by Dr. Péter Bera, Head of Department at the State Secretariat for Circular Economy and Climate Policy of the Ministry of Energy, who outlined the possibilities for national implementation and the challenges that lie ahead. Joost van Dun, Head of Circular Economy at ING Sustainable Finance, gave a presentation on the financing framework for the circular transition.

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At the roundtable discussion focusing on corporate innovation, moderated by Dr. Bálint Bartha-Horváth (Senior Sustainability Consultant, CBRE), Noémi Bakos (Founder, Equinox), Krisztina Bogdán (CEO, ING Bank), and Anita Simon (Deputy CEO, Alteo Group) shared their practical experiences.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

In the corporate pitch session, four organisations – Cyclosteel (László Vadas, Managing Director), DBH Group (László Ürge, Member of the Board), Decathlon (Diána Andri, Sustainability Director), and Terra Matters (Laetitia Georgel, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Expert) – presented their practical innovations that directly support the dissemination of the circular model in Hungary.

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BCSDH’s 2025 programmes and the planned professional directions for 2026 were presented by Ivett Takács.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

At the event, Melinda Topolcsik, Managing Director of Bridgestone Tatabánya, personally received the ‘Sustainable Future Award’ in the Leading Woman category. Her certificate was presented by Attila Chikán Jr., with the award being handed over by Judit Szabó, Head of Communications at Progress Ltd.

The Tulip Award for Sustainability

The Circular Economy Summit hosted the award-giving ceremony of the ‘Tulip Award for Sustainability,’ established by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hungary.

The award aims to annually recognize SMEs, start-ups, companies, or nonprofit organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in sustainability within a given industry. This year’s theme was ‘Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.’

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The award was won by SSH System Ltd. for developing and promoting its straw blanket as a renewable, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient architectural solution. The award was received by Tímea Stverteczky, Chief Financial Officer.

In the conclusion to the summit, during a collaborative session, participants shared their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities they encounter in their companies during the transition to circular operations. This was followed by an opportunity for informal networking and lunch.

The moderators of each table were: Gábor Arató – Manupackaging International Kft.; Zsombor Barta – Greenbors Consulting; Dr. Viktória Bodnár – IFUA Horváth & Partners Kft.; Dr. Bálint Bartha-Horváth – CBRE; Péter Chrabák – Bay Zoltán Research Center; Brigitta Deák – Greenpro Zrt.; László Ürge – DBH Group; Róbert Üveg – Danucem Magyarország Kft. – CRH CEE Division, Dr. Marina Varga – Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The main event sponsor of the Circular Economy Summit is ING

The main sponsor of the Circular Economy Platform in 2025 is Szentkirályi

The highlighted sponsor is McDonald’s (Progress).
The supporter of BCSDH’s carbon-conscious events is Ayvens.

20.11.2025

ESG has become part of everyday life for companies – we presented the results of the latest BCSDH ESG survey

News

Where are Hungarian companies headed in terms of sustainability? What benefits has ESG brought them so far? What are their expectations for the future?

We are pleased to say that the BCSDH’s 2025 ESG survey provides up-to-date answers to these frequently asked questions. The results were presented on November 11, 2025, at this year’s closing ESG working group meeting at the ONE headquarters, hosted by the 4iG Group. The participants were welcomed by Dr. Dóra Antal, ESG and sustainability expert at the 4iG Group.

In 2025, BCSDH once again conducted a comprehensive survey among its member companies, examining the integration of ESG into everyday corporate life and value chains, as well as their future expectations in the area of sustainability. A total of 77 companies from 15 industries participated in the survey. KPMG was the professional partner of the survey.

Ágnes Deme, senior manager at KPMG, presented the most important results of the survey. She said that 95% of the member companies that completed the survey agreed or strongly agreed that achieving sustainable operations is the goal, and that ESG activities and reporting tools are the means to achieve this. Integrating ESG considerations into business decisions brings benefits to companies, with SMEs reporting benefits mainly in the area of maintaining/strengthening business relationships, while large companies reported benefits in the area of better understanding and managing ESG risks.

The results of the survey will soon be available on the BCSDH and KPMG LinkedIn pages. The research summary can be downloaded here (in Hungarian).

Irén Márta, director of BCSDH, presented the section of the research on future expectations and plans to the audience. She emphasized that the majority of member companies had not postponed their sustainability efforts. Companies typically expanded their teams or brought in extra resources to continue their ESG activities in parallel with regulatory compliance.

The event concluded with small group discussions, where participants were able to delve deeper into the topics presented and share their best practices and dilemmas with each other.

Thanks to out sponsors!

14.11.2025

Let’s make a change also on behalf of those who don’t want to – the participants of Future Leaders Program 2025 have received their certificates.

News

At the BCSDH Business Lunch on October 7, the graduates of the 2025 class of the ‘Future Leaders’ Program received their certificates. With this year’s 38 participants, the Alumni organization of the ‘Future Leaders’ Program of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) now includes more than 370 leaders.

“Every person has unlimited power in at least one thing. This is none other than themselves. It has never been more important to look within ourselves and to make a change. Let’s make a change also on behalf of those who don’t want to. I believe that the Future Leaders program is an outstanding opportunity for companies, enabling their talented young leaders to guide their organizations toward a future that is not only happier but also more environmentally sustainable and economically successful,” said Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

The participants of the 12th class were selected from young leaders of BCSDH member companies, representing various fields of expertise.

During the program, participants learn not only from renowned experts but also from practicing business leaders about ethical operations, strategy, and sustainability, within a diverse group. At the same time, they gain insights into the mentor companies both from the outside and the inside. Each year, more than seventy mentors – including corporate executives, NGO leaders, academic and business experts – support the participants, ensuring that they can explore the opportunities of the business sector from as many perspectives as possible.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

“One of the program’s uniquenesses and strengths is that it is always very up-to-date and highly relevant, since our speakers come from among our corporate executives and experts. The executives speak about their career paths and leadership dilemmas with such honesty, which is also truly unique,” said Zita Szederkényi, Head of the Program.

Over the course of the sessions, participants explore each principle of BCSDH’s “Sustainable Corporate Management Guidelines”, examining both their theoretical background and corporate practice. These include: Strategic Approach, Responsible Corporate Governance, Respect for Human Values, Environmental Responsibility, Partnership with Stakeholders, Ethical and Transparent Operation, and – introduced four years ago – Sustainable Products, Services, and Innovation.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

08.10.2025

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

Award, News

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Climate adaptation: the foundation of business continuity — with a tenfold return on investment

News

The impact of climate change on business has shifted from being a distant threat to becoming part of our everyday reality. Today, business continuity itself is at stake. Companies can no longer focus solely on mitigating climate change; they must also simultaneously adapt to it. This was the central theme of BCSDH’s business lunch held on October 7, 2025, which focused on climate adaptation.

At the event, the ‘For a Sustainable Future Award’ was presented, recognizing outstanding leaders, female leaders, and business solutions in the field of sustainability across four categories this year.

Budapest, October 7, 2025 – The physical impacts of climate change are already disrupting operations and supply chains, while increasing business costs worldwide and threatening financial performance. Since 2000, the economic costs of climate-related disasters have more than doubled.

At its Business Lunch, the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) presented a three-point recommendation and a four-point proposed action plan to help the business community take steps in the field of climate adaptation.

At the event, the organization — which brings together 155 member companies that account for around 40% of Hungary’s GDP — presented the For a Sustainable Future Award for the ninth time, recognizing excellence in the categories of Change Leader, Female Leader, Business Solution, and Corporate Transformation.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

Adapting to climate change is not merely a choice but a business and strategic necessity. Companies need bespoke, future-fit solutions — which means they must lead the way in innovation. This was the key message of the presentation delivered by Georgia Rolfe, Principal Consultant for Sustainable Technologies at Cambridge Consultants, part of Capgemini.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

“From storms to floods to droughts, climate disruption is already reshaping our economy. The businesses that step up, not just to survive, but to adapt and innovate, will define the next decade of leadership. The path forward lies in harnessing innovation and technology to embed resilience into your core strategy,” – explained Georgia Rolfe.

The risks of climate change — from disruptions to water supplies and damage to physical assets to declining workforce productivity — are driving up business costs while reducing operational efficiency. According to BCSDH’s Towards Net Zero research, published in early 2025, while 91% of companies already feel the impacts of climate change, only 16% have an adaptation action plan in place. Companies urgently need to rethink their climate resilience and adaptation strategies to safeguard their long-term viability, as well as their business and social value.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

In his opening remarks, Attila Chikán Jr., President of BCSDH, emphasized:
“Adaptation is not only about avoiding risks — it is also an opportunity. Every dollar invested in climate adaptation and resilience yields more than ten dollars in return within ten years. When a company invests in adapting to climate change, it supports its employees and the communities it touches, while making its own operations more resilient. It contributes to more predictable and therefore more competitive supply chains. Investment in resilience also paves the way for technological and operational innovation, smarter and more forward-looking planning, and long-term value creation.”

BCSDH’s Time to Transform 2030 program also aims to support companies to recognize risks and opportunities and trigger action in the field of climate adaptation.

The recommendations and actions developed in relation to this topic are the outcome of comprehensive professional collaboration involving leading experts as well as executives and specialists from BCSDH member companies.

Recommendations	Proposed actions
I. Integrate climate change adaptation into business strategy, management, and operations	Identify short- and long-term risks to the company, including human health- and water-related issues.
	Climate risk analysis, of which climate adaptation is an integral part, should cover sensitivity, exposure, impacts, and opportunities (measurement, objectives, actions, and feedback).
II. Align internal financial decision-making with a flexible adaptation plan	Identify and secure the resources needed for climate adaptation and transition through financial decision-making processes.
III. Involve and integrate stakeholders into the process for expanded impact and joint action	Extend the climate adaptation process to the entire value chain by applying the latest technologies, scientific findings, and research.

Nagy Z.Laszlo nagyzl@nagyzl.hu

What drives true, systemic change? What personal commitments motivate those inspiring leaders whose entire lives are shaped by sustainability? What makes them role models who inspire others? And where do they identify the momentum that can spark real action?

These were the guiding questions of an open conversation featuring Balázs Báthory, Deputy CEO for Innovation and Strategic Development at MARKET Építő Zrt.; Dr. Viktória Bodnár, Managing Partner at IFUA Horváth & Partners Ltd.; Zoltán Gazsi, who stepped down this year after nearly 20 years as CEO of Eisberg, and is now Founder and Leader of the Blue Zone Community; and Tibor Hodik, Managing Partner of the Progressive advertising agency and Founder and Leader of the natu group.

The main supporter of this year’s Time to Transform 2030 program is Nestlé.
The supporter of BCSDH’s carbon-conscious events is Ayvens.

07.10.2025