Stakeholders, local communities Archives

Priorities and initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture

Biodiversity, Climate protection and adaptation, Stakeholders, local communities, Sustainable supply chain

“Syngenta is the world’s leading agricultural company, providing effective crop protection products and high-yielding seeds to millions of farmers around the world. This is not only an opportunity but also a responsibility for us to take meaningful steps towards sustainable solutions that support natural diversity. That is why our strategy includes a strong focus on biodiversity and climate protection with concrete commitments, and we are confident that we can set an example for other companies and the industry.”
Éda Pogány, Sustainability Lead, Syngenta Europe

Company Name:

Syngenta Hungary

Implementation Year:

From 2022

Focus Areas:

Climate protection and adaptation, Biodiversity, Stakeholders and local communities, Sustainable supply chain

Program Objective:

We aim to reduce our emissions and energy use from our own operations by 38% by 2030 compared to 2022. As a large part of our carbon footprint comes from our supply chain, we are working with them to make our manufacturing processes more efficient and map the best path to carbon neutrality.

We need to produce enough safe food to feed 8 billion people every day worldwide, while reducing the sector’s environmental impact and countering the negative effects of climate change.

So we must strive to do it all at once:

to reduce the negative environmental and social impacts of the sector,
restore the health of natural resources and soil, and
increase biodiversity, and
meet the increased demand for food.

Program Measures and Commitments:

In partnership with producers and other stakeholders, we have recently identified four sustainability priorities:

1.Higher yield, lower environmental impact

To feed the world’s ever-growing population, we are increasing yields by reducing the environmental impact of agriculture through continuous innovation and sustainable technologies.

We are developing and making widely available sustainable, innovative solutions that are more efficient, can be applied in a targeted way and provide benefits for nature, farmers and consumers alike.

2.Renewing soil and nature

Promoting the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices

The use of regenerative farming techniques and precision use of nutrients and pesticides can be effective in improving soil health and increasing biodiversity. Our research in this area aims to use scientific methods to show how regenerative practices can be effectively applied under changing agroclimatic conditions.

3.Improving the well-being of producers

Improving the profitability of small farmers by providing access to seeds, crop protection, finance, markets and the necessary knowledge

Syngenta’s experts are constantly educating themselves in the most important and rapidly changing areas of agronomy and are up-to-date with digital, internet and AI-based solutions to provide smallholder farmers with personalised advice on a daily basis.

4.Sustainable business operations

Reducing the environmental impact of our own operations and supply chain, fostering a diverse and inclusive corporate culture, and ensuring the health and safety of our employees

As a large part of our carbon footprint comes from our supply chain, we are working with them to make manufacturing processes more efficient and explore the best path to carbon neutrality. Workplace safety is always our top priority and we are constantly working to maintain and improve our diverse and inclusive business culture.

Program Impact and Results:

One of the most important tasks in meeting the targets is to attract and involve farmers. Our staff are in the fields with farmers every day. They know them and help them make the regenerative transition, with biological control, digital solutions, expert advice, measurements, research and development, modelling of environmental, agronomic and economic outcomes, and the development of disease-resistant crops that can cope with extreme weather conditions and good water management.

Keywords:

biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, value chain, climate protection and mitigation

11.12.2024

Urban energy efficiency and energy community

Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Climate protection and adaptation, Consumer awareness, Stakeholders, local communities Energy

“Our cooperation with the city of Szolnok goes back many years, and with this agreement we have taken another big step towards an even more sustainable future. This investment is particularly important for us, not only because we are implementing a unique, forward-looking community solution, but also because we have found a partner in the municipality who, like us, wants to actively fight climate change and is leading the way. We work every day for these shared successes and we want to be an example to others.”
Zsolt Jamniczky, deputy CEO

Company name:

E.ON Hungária Group

Implementation Year:

From 2022

Focus Areas:

Climate protection and adaptation, Alternative energy use and energy efficiency, Stakeholders, local communities, Consumer awareness

Program Objective:

Energy communities are community, non-profit organisations made up of individuals, public institutions and businesses that offer a stable and environmentally friendly solution to energy supply.

The aim of the Szolnok Smart Municipal Energy Model is to build a complex, energy-efficient, innovative energy system that can simultaneously meet the needs of consumers, producers and the grid connected to the municipal network, and optimise the energy distribution and use processes between the different units.

Under the cooperation, 9 solar power plants with a total capacity of 330 kW will be set up at 6 locations to serve Szolnok’s energy needs, and energy communities will be established to further help use the energy generated efficiently. The investment will provide an environmentally friendly and forward-looking energy supply solution, helping to operate more cost-effectively and reduce energy expenditure.

Program Measures and Commitments:

The modernisation of the buildings of the institutions of the municipality has a significant impact on reducing energy demand and thus on maintenance costs. The project will therefore:

we are replacing facade doors and windows in 3 apartment buildings and 6 other institutional buildings (nursery, kindergartens, doctor’s office, nursery management office), as well as
we perform facade thermal insulation on approximately 4,883 m2 of wall surface and
slab thermal insulation on 3022 m2.

In these buildings we will also upgrade the heating, replacing around 82 boilers with new, modern, energy-efficient condensing gas boilers, including chimney restoration and replacement of radiators.
To meet energy needs, new decentralised solar PV systems will be installed on the roofs of 9 buildings with an installed capacity of 331.75 kWp, in the form of small household-scale power plants. We are also installing an innovative solar covered carport, which will provide covered parking for 15 cars in addition to generating electricity. We will also install five AC car chargers, each with a capacity of 1×22 kW, and a DC charger with a capacity of 75 kW. This will ensure access and development of electromobility for the population.

Both the municipality and E.ON are committed to maintaining and further developing the energy efficiency and innovative improvements created by the project. The current phase includes the integration of the designated buildings into the energy community and the maximisation of the members’ consumption of locally produced renewable energy. Future plans include the inclusion of other buildings in the municipality and the inclusion of consumers living in the municipality’s rental housing in the energy community. In addition, the continuous monitoring of consumption will provide the opportunity to balance consumption and generation in the future by using storage, which through further optimisation will provide the opportunity to increase local energy supply and thus cost-effective maintenance.

Program Impact and Results:

The project is in the construction phase, so final results are not available. Based on our calculations, the installation of nearly 5,000 m2 of modern insulation and the replacement of windows and doors will significantly reduce the heating demand of the consumers living in the apartments, while modern gas boilers will result in reduced gas costs and lower emissions. The more than 330 kW of solar PV systems to be installed will generate at least 400 MWh of electricity per year: a saving of nearly 100 tonnes of CO2. The 5 fast chargers and 1 electric charger to be installed will make a significant contribution to supporting the spread of e-mobility.

The project will have an impact on the entire population of Szolnok, reaching nearly 70 000 people.

Key words:

energy communities, energy efficiency, energy supply, partnership

11.12.2024

Reforestation at the Grundfos Székesfehérvár site

Biodiversity, Climate protection and adaptation, Corporate strategy, Employee well-being, Reduction of air pollution, Responsible corporate governance, Stakeholders, local communities

“Sustainability has always been a matter of the heart for Grundfos and is one of our core values. Therefore, we strive to pioneer solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improve people’s quality of life. This corporate goal is an integral part of our daily operations. The reforestation project at our Székesfehérvár site serves these goals, and following the principle of ‘think globally, act locally,’ we aim to do more for sustainability by building on local opportunities and needs.”
Olivér Szundy, Country Director / Csaba Udvar, Managing Director of the Székesfehérvár plant

Company Name:

Grundfos Hungary Manufacturing Ltd.

Implementation Year:

2022-2024

Focus Areas :

Climate Protection, Climate Adaptation, Air Pollution Reduction, Biodiversity, Employee Well-being, Stakeholders, Local Communities, Responsible Corporate Governance, Corporate Strategy

Program Objective:

The primary goal of the reforestation project implemented on a 4000 m2 area is to locally reduce CO2 emissions in the immediate vicinity of emissions. Expert estimates suggest that after 20 years, we can achieve approximately 25 tons of CO2 savings. In addition, improving the air quality in the industrial park environment and increasing biodiversity are also objectives.

Additional Goals:

Reducing noise and pollution from road traffic.
Mitigating north-northwest winds.
Returning a piece of nature to what the factory occupies.

Program Measures and Commitments:

In 2022, Grundfos initiated the biodiversity program at its Székesfehérvár plant, which will conclude in 2024. A crucial goal was to give back a piece of nature from what the factory occupies. Besides preserving and increasing biodiversity, a significant sustainability goal is to reduce CO2 emissions, which reforestation substantially contributes to on a 4000 m2 area. It’s worth emphasizing that this wasn’t merely tree planting, but a complex creation of a new ecosystem that will become self-sustainable in the long run, requiring no special care or intervention as this function is returned to nature.

Key steps and milestones:

The first step was selecting the area, designated or taken from the factory’s green areas, for the project.

The project creation was supported by a diverse team of experts, from facility management to environmental, health and safety personnel, and HR, ensuring that all necessary aspects are incorporated and applied during the program’s design and operation.

In addition to colleagues, it was essential to involve external experts, including cooperation with the Székesfehérvár City Maintenance, Vadex Mezőföld Forest and Game Management Ltd., and the University of Western Hungary.

The project concept was developed, followed by obtaining permits locally and globally.

After procurement, soil tests and preparation of the loess soil were carried out. The expertise of foresters in suggesting suitable tree species for the specific area and climatic conditions was crucial. In the end, around 3000 plants were planted, including field maple, Turkestan pear, wild pear, sessile oak, common oak, and, for the forest edge, hawthorn from domestic shrubs.

Post-care is crucial, and this will be carried out by local forestry experts under a 3-year framework contract.

In the future, we plan to establish a recreational park and communal space on the site for employees and company partners, thereby promoting the possibility of connecting with nature.

Program Impact and Results:

Key results:

Local capture of emitted CO2 on a 4000 m2 area.
Preservation and increase of biodiversity by planting 5 different tree species.
Avoidance of lawn mowing and fertilizer use to preserve the soil.
Climate adaptation – adapting to climate change (the forest has air-cleaning and cooling effects).

Keywords:

biodiversity, CO2, net zero, forest, Grundfos, climate change, climate adaptation

10.10.2023

Regenerative Agricultural Initiative in the Nestlé Pet Food Supply Chain (Bük and Surrounding Areas)

Biodiversity, Climate protection and adaptation, Stakeholders, local communities, Sustainable supply chain, Water usage

“Nestlé aims to source one-fifth of its key raw materials from areas that use soil regeneration methods by 2025. The essence of the LENS program is to eliminate the negative impacts of large-scale agricultural production, which has become widespread worldwide, and restore the exposed soil to a state where it can sustain its fertility in the long term.”
Peter Noszek, CEO

Company Name:

Nestlé Hungary Ltd.

Implementation Year:

2022-2023

Focus Areas:

Climate Protection and Adaptation, Water Usage, Biodiversity, Stakeholders, Local Communities, Sustainable Supply Chain

Program Objective:

By 2025, Nestlé aims to source one-fifth of its key raw materials from areas that use soil regeneration methods.

The essence of Nestlé’s soil renewal agricultural program in Bük is to:

Eliminate the negative impacts of large-scale agricultural production, which has become widespread worldwide.
Restore the exposed soil to a state where it can sustain its fertility in the long term.

As part of the program, Nestlé Purina seeks to promote the transition to soil renewal agricultural practices among its suppliers to:

Improve the resilience of its supply chain.
Contribute to the company’s net-zero emissions goal.

Program Measures and Commitments:

The broader adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, which supports food security, can:

Significantly sequester carbon and reduce emissions.
Increase soil water retention, improving water quality.
Enhance biodiversity.
Facilitate the inclusion of livestock grazing.
Provide long-term security for farmers.

The Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) methodology is used to develop private-sector ecosystem service marketplaces in specific regions. The program, developed by the British sustainability consultancy 3Keel, is running in several European countries and is managed by the international nonprofit organization Preferred by Nature, aligned with LENs principles and guidelines. In Hungary, the Nestlé Purina Petcare unit initiated the LENs program in the Western Transdanubian region in 2021. A significant portion of the raw materials supplied to the Nestlé Purina pet food factory in Bük is sourced from Hungarian farmers.

The LENs methodology is an independent mechanism based on ecosystem services. It allows businesses with a common interest in the protection and improvement of natural values and functions in a given region to jointly finance specific practices and measures.

The Impact and Results of the Program:

In 2022, the program worked with over 3 farmers on more than 200 hectares to implement soil renewal agricultural practices, financed by Nestlé Purina for over EUR 260,000.

In 2023, the program continues with 12 farmers on more than 5,000 hectares, including the measurement of results through a developed monitoring, reporting, and verification system. The program also includes farmer education and awareness-building through the Farm Network, which organizes 4-5 farmer training sessions annually.

Keywords:

Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Renewal Agriculture, Biodiversity Restoration, Climate Protection, Food Security, Supply Chain

10.10.2023

Biodiversity conservation and restoration at the dolomite plant in Pilisvörösvár

Biodiversity, Stakeholders, local communities

“In the construction industry, we must not forget that the resources we use are provided by nature, which has been home to the evolving biodiversity over millions of years. Our mission is to shape our industrial activities with maximum consideration for this and to regard biodiversity as one of the fundamental pillars of our business strategy. That’s why we launched our biodiversity program at the Pilis dolomite mine, with the main goal of providing habitats and living space for the valuable plant and animal species found here.”
Daniel Domini, Managing Director

Company name:

Saint Gobain

Implementation year :

Continously from 2020

Focus Areas:

Biodiversity, Stakeholder, local communities

Program Objective:

The dolomite mine at Saint-Gobain’s Weber plant in Pilisvörösvár has a history of more than 120 years. The main objective of our biodiversity programme, launched at the end of 2020 as a central initiative, is to provide habitats for the valuable plant and animal species found here, and to demonstrate that biodiversity can be safeguarded and further enhanced even in the presence of mining activities.

Saint-Gobain’s strategy is to focus on the operations with the greatest potential to impact on each of its more than 650 plants worldwide. Mining operations play the most significant role in biodiversity conservation and restoration.

Program Measures and Commitments:

As a construction company operating in the Pilis Hills – on 11 hectares – the protection of our environment is crucial for us. To provide plaster, tile adhesive and other technical mortar for millions of people, mining is essential.

Our biodiversity programme was born out of corporate climate neutrality commitments. Our net zero commitments, validated by Science Based Targets, include biodiversity conservation and restoration alongside targets on waste, CO2, energy consumption, etc.

In order to start the program we have mapped the flora and fauna with the help of biologists. As a first step, we have created a permanent wetland that did not exist before, maintained and diversified our grassland by grazing, converted our explosives store into a bat sanctuary, installed bird nests, swallow nests and bee hives, and protected our protected plants.

We design all this with a systems approach to create habitats that lay the foundations for a self-sustaining ecosystem. To do this, we have created a permanent water body of nearly 2000 m2 of water surface area, where we have planted reeds and sedges, on the site of our stormwater reservoir and siltation basin. Connected to this, we created a grassland area of about 1 hectare, grazed by rack sheep. It was a challenge to preserve natural assets in an industrial environment and to create protected habitats on the farm site. The design of the grazing area and the water body had to take into account the natural conditions and had to be coordinated with the work.

Our aim was to continue mining in a way that has a positive impact on biodiversity, and we have achieved this.

Program Impact and Results:

The ecosystem of the lake is stable, and its diversity continues to increase, just like the diversity of the meadow. According to the survey in the summer of 2022, the population of Italian and tarlósáska on the grazed area was approximately 20-30 individuals per square meter. Bats used our refuge for hibernation. Our protected bird population has increased. The conservation value of our critically endangered Hungarian gurgolya population reaches 500 million Hungarian forints.

The number of species increased from 154 to 199 by 2022, and this year, it has grown to over 200 with new species. In 2023, we launched the program in Halmajugra, on the Rigips factory premises, and we aim to inspire as many companies as possible to start their own programs through presentations, articles, and factory visits.

In 2023, we were able to hold off-site natural science classes for more than 150 students and discuss the importance of biodiversity.

Keywords:

conservation and restoration of biodiversity, native species, protected species

04.10.2023

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