Sustainable World 2020

The opportunities are there, they just need to be taken. At present, the most important job of pioneering businesses is to inspire other players in the Hungarian economy and to show the way on how to make not just a single organisation but the entire Hungarian private sector and economy sustainable. What does the EU expect from us? How does politics support a sustainable economy? Where are we now, and what is the next move for businesses of the future?

The financing requirements of green projects have brought a new horizon for financial markets. Financing, whether EU funding, government grants or market-based solutions, can take us closer to sustainability targets, but we must know the opportunities by heart for this. Green loans, green bonds and ESG certifications are now in the focus of pioneering businesses and organisations as well as investors. Once we have the funding, we can invest in the future! The only question is, how will this transform investment portfolios, the list of attractive targets and the moves of investors.

The big corporations of the world are turning green one after the other and it is now unacceptable for a business, especially an energy company, not to be climate neutral. The European Central Bank no longer supports fossil projects, so for the energy sector the stakes are higher than the mere marketing use of global green trends. We are witnessing a major transformation in the energy industry, but it is not so hard to come out on top of these forced changes.

The businesses of the future are also green businesses. They use sustainability and the green label not just as marketing tricks in their plans and projects but as part of a well-planned business strategy. All this will become the foundation for stable operations eventually, but at present it remains the competitive advantage of the fastest, the most open and most innovative players. It is an advantage in cost-efficiency, customer acquisition and HR issues. The business of the future is a company operating in a sustainable manner, placing a minimal burden on the environment, is cost and energy efficient, and is aware of all energy, financial and investment opportunities that can help it become even more successful and satisfy its customers, business partners and younger employees alike.