A large number of exceptional applications were submitted for the 2024 Sustainable Future Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding corporate and leadership achievements aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and driving systemic change, were presented based on the decision of the professional jury. Tesco, K&H Bank, SolServices, Saint-Gobain, and Continental Automotive were the winners of the various corporate categories. Károly Nyári (Grundfos) received the Change Leader Award, while Anikó Körmendi (Arriva Hungary) and Zsuzsa Nagy (E.ON Group) were honored with the Leading Woman Award. The award ceremony took place at the business lunch of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) on October 10.
Márta Irén, Director of BCSDH and a member of the professional jury, stated: “For the eighth time in 2024, we received an outstanding number of high-quality applications for the Sustainable Future Award. The business world and the environment around us are changing rapidly, continuously challenging companies. This should encourage us even more to take swift action and transform our systems to become more sustainable. The Sustainable Future Award evolves along with changes in the business environment, responding to current challenges. This year, we focused the award on areas where companies have the greatest impact on transforming systems. It is encouraging to see, through the applications, an increasing number of solutions that create real change and [involve] companies integrating sustainability into their operations.”
The six-member professional jury, consisting of Dr. Gábor Bartus, Szilvia Krizsó, Márta Irén, Éda Pogány, István Salgó, and Prof. Dr. Diána Ürge-Vorsatz, selected the winners.
Winners of the 2024 Sustainable Future Awards:
CHANGE LEADER AWARD:
Károly Nyári
Vice President, Head of Group Finance
Grundfos A/S
Károly Nyári is a visionary, forward-thinking leader and a true driving force, leading his company and partners toward the realization of sustainability through a complex understanding of it.
LEADING WOMAN AWARD:
Anikó Körmendi
CEO
Arriva Hungary Ltd.
Anikó Körmendi is an inspiring, innovative, and integrative leader who works tirelessly to promote electromobility and more sustainable operations at the corporate, industry, and regional levels.
Zsuzsa Nagy
Managing Director
E.ON Hungária Group / E.ON Energy Solutions Ltd.
Zsuzsa Nagy is a people-centered and inclusive leader whose innovative solutions significantly benefit her company, its partners, and, indirectly, the country’s green energy transition.
BEST BUSINESS SOLUTION AWARD:
Climate Protection and Adaptation Category:
K&H Bank – K&H Agricultural CO2 Calculator
K&H Bank supported the agricultural sector in taking a significant step forward by helping farmers with credible, science-based carbon footprint measurement, which was developed with the help of a Hungarian team of experts.
The award was received by Zoltán Demeter Agribusiness Manager of K&H Bank.
Biodiversity Preservation and Restoration Category:
Saint Gobain – Biodiversity Program
Through professional partnership, the program laid the foundation for a self-sustaining ecosystem during quarry reclamation that has served as an inspiration and example for other companies.
The award was received by Daniel Domini, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain Hungary.
SolServices – Next-Generation Solar Park Professional Guide
The initiative involved developing an outstanding industry-level guide and solution that innovatively supports the establishment of solar parks that preserve biodiversity.
The award was received by Krisztina Kulcsárné Dr. Takács, CFO and Gábor Dr. Farkas, Managing Director of Solservices.
Human Value Category:
TESCO Global Stores Ltd. – “Combatting Menstrual Poverty”
Committed to addressing societal and women’s issues, Tesco has taken significant steps to help reduce menstrual poverty.
The award was received by Eszter Varga, External Communications Manager of TESCO.
CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION AWARD:
Continental Automotive Hungary Ltd.
Continental is systematically progressing toward full carbon neutrality and circularity throughout its entire value chain, integrating sustainability as a core part of its operations.
The award was received by Zoltán Dapsy Managing Director of Continental Automotive Hungary
CONGRATULATION!
Main sponsors of this year’s awards: Essity, Market, SPAR
Sponsor of the Leading Woman category: McDonald’s.
