The “Green Personality of the Year 2024” award was presented at the GREEN BRANDS regional Sustainability Gala!

This year’s GREEN BRANDS® Regional Award Ceremony took place in Vienna on December 3, celebrating the most sustainable Austrian, Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian companies, brands, and outstanding green personalities. Leaders and representatives of Hungary’s GREEN BRANDS® certified sustainable brands, along with the Hungarian members of the international GREEN BRANDS jury, were invited to the event.

Today, environmental protection and the safeguarding of our planet are more critical than ever. Recognizing this, regulations are becoming stricter, with terms like ESG, sustainability reports, and EU directives gaining prominence. Meeting these requirements remains a significant challenge for many businesses. The GREEN BRANDS® audit and certification serve as a long-standing compass for ecological sustainability, guiding businesses towards a greener economy, supporting green transformation, and combating greenwashing. 

“GREEN BRANDS is one of Europe’s oldest, independent, transparent, and reliable ecological certifications. It is open to anyone, regardless of industry or company size, who operates sustainably or offers sustainable products or services. This includes large corporations, SMEs, startups, micro-enterprises, and even non-profit organizations. The Regional Gala is held to honor and appropriately celebrate the true ambassadors of sustainability—those who play an outstanding role in advancing environmental protection and sustainability today.”

– said András Wiszkidenszky, Regional Director of GREEN BRANDS.

Nearly 300 guests from four countries attended the Gala at the stunning Niederösterreich Palais, with the highlight being the Green Personalities of the Year awards and celebrations. Since 2012, the international GREEN BRANDS® – Green Personality of the Year award has recognized individuals who contribute to environmental protection and promote sustainability through their professional activities and daily lives. Previous winners and nominees have included climate researchers, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs.

Why is the “Green Personality of the Year” award important, and who can receive this recognition?

“This award honors individuals who work towards a greener future, inspiring others to adopt a green mindset and lifestyle through their personal example, professional work, and commitment. They make a significant contribution to sustainability and environmental protection. We aim to give them greater visibility through this recognition. We are very proud and delighted to celebrate this year’s Hungarian recipient, IDA PETRIK, who emerged as Hungary’s Green Personality of the Year in 2024 after a complex three-step selection process!”

– said Hajnalka Kovács-Czövek, Country Manager of GREEN BRANDS Hungary.

Ida Petrik, an economist, sustainability and business ethics expert, and community builder, focuses on creating a more sustainable business sector. She was previously Deputy Executive Director of the KÖVET Association and later served as Executive Director of BCSDH (Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary). Believing in collaboration over competition, she founded and has led the MSVK community (Modern & Stylish Countryside Business Community) since 2023. This network connects rural, primarily family-owned businesses across industries and regions, united by a shared value system emphasizing sustainable, environmentally friendly operations, respect for tradition, and exceptional premium quality. Ida Petrik is a community builder for sustainability.

“I am delighted to receive this recognition from GREEN BRANDS—it’s a significant professional validation for me. The award confirms that I’m on the right path and motivates me to do even more to protect our environment and further develop our rural community, where local businesses are directly connected to their surroundings and can operate more responsibly. I believe they can set an example of how to live and work sustainably in the long term.”

– said Ida Petrik.

The full interview with Ida Petrik is available on the GREEN BRANDS website.