The 2025 Sustainable Future Awards have been presented

The event, which was held to present the Sustainable Future Awards, recognized outstanding leaders, women leaders, and business solutions in four categories.

The physical impacts of climate change are already disrupting operations, disrupting supply chains, and increasing costs for businesses worldwide, jeopardizing their financial performance. The economic costs of climate-related disasters have more than doubled since 2000.

The Business Council for Sustainable Development of Hungary (BCSDH) presented the three-point recommendations and the associated four-point proposed action plan that will help the business world take steps in the field of climate adaptation at a business lunch.

At the event, the organization, which brings together 155 member companies that generate about 40% of Hungarian GDP, presented the Sustainable Future Award for the ninth time this year in the Change Leader, Leading Woman, Business Solution and Corporate Transformation categories.

Climate adaptation is not just a matter of choice, but a business and strategic necessity. Companies need customized, future-proof solutions, which means they have to lead innovation in this direction. This was discussed in her presentation by Georgia Rolfe, a senior consultant for sustainable technologies at Cambridge Consultants, a deep technology center of Capgemini.

 “From storms to floods to droughts, climate change is already shaping our economy. The companies that not only survive, but adapt and innovate will be the leaders of the next decade. The path to the future lies in the power of innovation and technology, which can build resilience into core strategy,”

– explained Georgia Rolfe.

The risks of climate change – such as water supply disruptions, damage to fixed assets and reduced workforce productivity – are increasing costs for companies while reducing their operational efficiency. According to the BCSDH’s Towards Net Zero research, published in early 2025, while 91% of companies are experiencing the impacts of climate change, only 16% have a climate adaptation action plan. Companies urgently need to rethink their climate resilience and adaptation plans to protect their long-term viability, business and social value.

In his opening remarks, ifj. Attila Chikán, President of BCSDH, highlighted:

“However, adaptation is not only about avoiding risks, but also about opportunities. Every dollar spent on climate adaptation and resilience projects yields a return of more than ten dollars over ten years. When a company invests in climate adaptation, it supports its employees and affected communities, while also making its own operations more resilient. It contributes to the creation of more predictable and therefore competitive supply chains. Investing in resilience paves the way for technological and operational innovation, smarter, more forward-looking planning, and long-term value creation.”

The BCSDH Time to Transform 2030 program also aims to help companies recognize risks and opportunities and take action in the field of climate adaptation.

The recommendations and actions formulated on the topic are the results of a comprehensive professional collaboration involving key experts in the topic and the managers and experts of the member companies.