Top 5 sustainability trends in 2026 – a new era may begin

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 02. 20. 11:21

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With the acceleration of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, thinking about sustainability may enter a new phase in 2026. According to K&H, international trends show that the emphasis is increasingly shifting to adaptation, energy security and financial risk management, but education of the public and economic actors, as well as credible communication, will also be important.

The effects of climate change no longer only raise environmental issues. Droughts, heat waves and weather extremes have direct economic and financial consequences. Climate risk is increasingly appearing as a financial risk: production losses, supply disruptions and increasing damages are also becoming decisive for corporate operations and economic stability.

The second half of the K&H Sustainability Index 2025 research highlights that the biggest challenge for companies in transitioning to sustainable operations is currently the lack of external, favorable green financing and the creation of the necessary financial resources. According to the survey, financing constraints are now having a stronger impact on green investments than regulatory or professional issues.

According to K&H’s assessment, the following key areas will be in the spotlight this year:

1. Strengthening adaptation and resilience

Some impacts of warming are already inevitable, so increasing the resilience of infrastructure, energy supply and economic operations becomes a key issue. This means not only protective measures, but also long-term investments.

2. Clean energy, energy storage and network development

Renewable energy capacities are expanding worldwide, but they are not sufficient on their own. The development of storage capacities and the modernization of distribution networks are essential for flexible energy systems. Sustainable energy supply thus becomes a systemic issue, where production, storage and network infrastructure together determine security.

According to K&H’s experience, although green financing is already a business worth more than a thousand billion forints in Hungary, only very few companies still use it. It is characteristic that mostly the largest companies take out green loans. At the same time, the opportunity is also available to SMEs. In addition, there are many types of green investments that are not yet or barely appear on the green loan market today, even though there would be an opportunity for them. Such areas are energy efficiency developments or climate change adaptation.

“Adaptation means not only environmental protection, but also financial protection. Energy efficiency, infrastructure development or strengthening security of supply are no longer a sustainability bonus, but a business prerequisite,” said Levente Suba, Head of Sustainability at K&H Group.

3. Nature-based and regenerative solutions

Nature-based and regenerative solutions are increasingly prominent among the 2026 trends. The state of ecosystems has a direct impact on water management, agricultural production and climate change mitigation, so they are also becoming an issue of economic stability.

4. Circularity and resource security

The role of the circular economy is gaining importance, but progress is limited. According to the indicators of the Central Statistical Office and Eurostat, about 6 percent of materials are returned to the economic cycle in Hungary, which remains below the EU average.
According to Eurostat data, the amount of municipal waste per capita in Hungary was the third highest in the European Union in 2022, and one of the most significant increases since 2010 can also be attributed to Hungary. Circularity is thus increasingly becoming a factor in resource efficiency, cost and security of supply.

5. Reporting, focus and social education

The role of sustainability reports is growing, but the emphasis is on credibility and real preparedness. In addition to the changing regulatory environment, companies are increasingly asking which areas are worth focusing on. In addition, communication and education also play a key role. Sustainability becomes operational when stakeholders – companies, employees and households – understand the economic and financial connections.

“In the coming years, those economic actors who do not treat sustainability as an isolated environmental issue, but rather think of it as an integral part of their adaptation, energy and risk management strategies, may be more successful,” emphasized Levente Suba.