Péter Noszek, New Member of the BCSDH Board

The General Assembly of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) elected Péter Noszek, Managing Director of Nestlé Hungária Ltd., as a new member of its Board. After ten years of dedicated service, Zoltán Gazsi is stepping down from the BCSDH Board.

The general assembly of the Hungarian Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH) has elected Péter Noszek, CEO of Nestlé Hungária Ltd., as a new member of the Executive Board of the organization, replacing Zoltán Gazsi who is stepping down from his position as member of the BCSDH Board.

“Economic risks are increasing, uncertainty is becoming a permanent feature of our operating environment, and the world to which we aligned our companies, business models and systems no longer exists. Extreme weather events have multiplied, and the business sector must also prepare for their impacts. We need to assess how these changes may affect business operations and how we can adapt and strengthen our resilience,” BCSDH President Attila Chikán Jr. was quoted as saying in a statement released by the organization.

In his welcoming speech, the BCSDH president added that "however, it is equally important to consider the conditions to which we are adapting. Systemic transformation is required to halt climate change. With its 158 member companies, BCSDH has become an indispensable actor in sustainability and, as a community of business leaders, is committed to driving these changes.”

The organization aims to familiarize an increasing number of companies with sustainable corporate leadership and to inspire concrete action. Over the past decade, it has organised nearly 500 professional events, engaged close to 300 active corporate leaders in its initiatives, and showcased almost 200 business solutions addressing sustainability challenges.

The Net Zero Advisory Board, established in 2021 and bringing together leading representatives of the regulatory, scientific and business communities committed to sustainability across sectors, plays a vital role in supporting and accelerating the transition of the Hungarian economy towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Future Leaders Program, launched 13 years ago and attended by 404 talented leaders to date, won the European Enterprise Promotion Award in Hungary in 2024 in the Sustainable Transition category. Through this program, as well as through Action 2020 and Time to Transform 2030 Hungary, more than 300 civil society, academic and corporate experts have been involved.

"The Circular Economy Platform is also doing important work, which has earned BCSDH the right to host the European Circular Economy Hotspot in Budapest on October 5-7, 2026, thereby giving visibility to good solutions at home and providing an opportunity to learn about the latest international developments," BCSDH Managing Director Irén Márta stated, highlighting recent milestones.

She added that "in 2025, we launched the BCSDH Academy, a unique registered online knowledge platform designed specifically for senior executives and decision-makers, addressing sustainability topics at a strategic level. Climate adaptation is already available as a module, and the circular economy module will follow in 2026. Short, focused video lectures delivered by renowned experts, complemented by practical examples, case studies and decision-support materials, assist corporate leaders in making informed strategic decisions.”

The Sustainable Future Award, established in 2017, was presented for the ninth time, in recognition of outstanding corporate, leadership and individual achievements in sustainability.

While the ESG Working Group supports member companies through ESG training sessions and tailored services that enhance understanding of environmental, social and governance requirements and reporting expectations, BCSDH also represents the corporate sector’s sustainability ambitions as a permanent invitee to the National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT). These ambitions now extend far beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions: biodiversity protection, addressing social inequalities, and adapting to already unavoidable changes are receiving increasing attention within the Hungarian business community – recognizing that there is no business and no future without nature or people.

“Looking ahead, we must significantly scale up our efforts at global, national and corporate levels alike – whether in climate mitigation, adaptation or resilience – even if geopolitical tensions occasionally divert attention,” Attila Chikán Jr. emphasized. “Only by rebuilding trust and establishing new forms of cooperation can we strengthen resilience and contribute to a more stable and sustainable future. This is also a core mission of BCSDH,” he added.

The newly elected Board member, Péter Noszek, expressed his commitment to supporting BCSDH’s work with his experience and expertise, helping companies take the necessary steps in sustainability, accelerate systemic transformation, and initiate genuine value-creating processes in ESG, climate target-setting and adaptation, as well as in the circular economy.