Sustainable World 2021

A major transformation the likes of which have not been seen for several decades has begun as the climate strategy undertaken by the EU and Hungary represent both a substantial burden and a host of opportunities for all market players. The short-term approach will not cut it in the case of a rearrangement of such magnitude, and the primary goal each and every day must be sustainable long-term operation. But how will the advantage of those reacting fastest and the procrastination of the uncertain change the playing field? What are industrial corporations planning in order to maintain or even improve their prestige while finding their place in a sustainable world? And the most burning issue: where will market players find the funding for all this?

An increasing number of nations and businesses are committed to green loans and green bonds, while investments tied to ESG certifications are gaining ground with astonishing speed. The ESG reports and green bond issues of businesses force decision-makers to think twice about future investments, while the climate and the risk inherent in transformation have emerged as heretofore unknown sources of hazard. The time has come for the symbiosis of finances and sustainability.

The amount of available carbon quotas are decreasing each year, and we are closer and closer to the introduction of carbon credit trading not just in the energy industry but also for transportation and buildings. There are now several green and innovative solutions to replace fossil fuels, as in addition to wind, solar and geothermal energy, green hydrogen has also emerged as an option to be explored. The clock is ticking, and the energy industry is in a race against rising costs and the climate disaster.

Sustainable businesses are the businesses of the future. They are the ones using sustainability and the green label in their plans and ongoing projects not just as a marketing gimmick but as a well-considered business strategy. So far, sustainability has been a competitive edge, but it is now becoming a basic requirement. The balance is shifting, the playing field is being rearranged, and the winners will be those who do not shrink away from dynamic and innovative transformation. Businesses of the future operate in a sustainable manner, placing a minimal burden on the environment, but are still cost and energy efficient. Thanks to a high degree of digitalisation and a committed workforce, they are prepared to serve conscious consumers who are looking for safety.