Lack of education in terms of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and a poor number of good practice solutions are two of the challenges in the field, says Matius Ichim, Architect at Matius Studio and owner of the retail platform www.prioretail.ro. He talked to Green Forum about the advantages of a sustainably built commercial space. He says that 15-20% of the operating networks in Romania have started implementing ESG key principles in their fit-out design and close to 5% in full sustainable standards.
The Ariston Group, which operates in the field of sustainable thermal comfort, has presented its vision and ESG objectives for 2030 within the "Road to 100", a strategic plan that attests to the group's commitment to sustainability.
Municipalities report difficulties in securing experts with environmental and climate skills, as well as technical and engineering expertise. The European Investment Bank unveils 2022 Municipality Survey findings.
To support the fight against and prevention of plastic pollution, Lidl Romania has invested over RON14.6 million (€2.92 million) in programs developed together with civil society.
ROCA Industry, the first Romanian holding company of construction materials companies, part of the ROCA Investments portfolio, announces the launch of the first Sustainability Report, anticipating the European Directive applicable starting from the financial year 2024, regarding corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD).
Coca-Cola HBC Romania is the first local company, in the FMCG industry to produce a sustainability report to international standards and among the first local companies to publicly present such a report, says Alice Nichita, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director at Coca-Cola HBC Romania. She talked to Green Forum about the company's ESG strategy and the company's current sustainability targets and the social initiatives that the company and its employees are involved in.
Wizz Air was named the most sustainable low-cost airline for the third consecutive year at the World Finance Sustainability Awards 2023. The company states that World Finance magazine appreciated Wizz Air's sustainability credentials and its commitment to reducing emissions by another 25% by the end of the decade.
HP has reduced its absolute carbon footprint by 18% since 2019. The company's goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. HP has reduced single-use plastic packaging by 55% compared to 2018.
In the face of mounting environmental challenges, the FMCG sector is using innovation to reduce ecological impact and cultivate consumer trust. In this article, we explore key innovations for FMCG led by entrepreneurs in Central and Eastern Europe, such as alternative packaging materials and low-carbon protein alternatives.
Organizations face a shortage of sustainability skills, and the European Commission warns that labour availability in Europe will fall from 64% to 56% by 2070.
BRD – Groupe Société Générale granted sustainable financing of RON1.1 billion (€220 million) last year. BRD launched 2022 its first green lending products for individuals. Also, the BRD Group reduced its energy consumption by 12.5% compared to the previous year and the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from operations.
The Bosch Group focuses on sustainability in all areas of activity. The group has invested €83 million in Romania in 2022, mainly in the development of production units in the Electro-mobility Solutions business sector in Cluj and Blaj, as well as in the field of research and development, within the Bosch Engineering Center in Cluj, says Mihai Boldijar, general manager of Robert Bosch and representative of the Bosch Group in Romania.
At Romanian private equity fund ROCA Investments, ESG considerations are gradually turning into a critical part of the investment and portfolio management processes, says CEO Rudolf Vizental
The Bosch Power Tools division is taking a big step forward with regard to its sustainability goals. Thus, starting in the autumn of 2023, 23 new and improved measuring instruments will be available, together with the related accessories and packaging, all presenting a new concept of sustainability and being produced with as much recycled material as possible.
BASF plans to invest up to €4 billion to achieve its climate protection targets by 2030. The group wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our production sites and our energy purchases by 25% by 2030, compared with the 2018 baseline. BASF set a global target to promote female leadership and aims to increase the proportion of women in leadership positions to 30% by 2030.
OMV Petrom has reduced carbon intensity by 11% compared to 2019 and its overarching ambition is to achieve a 30% reduction by 2030 compared to 2019. OMV Petrom is planning to have photovoltaic panels installed in 50% of the group filling station network by 2025.
Four out of ten Romanians have not heard of any brand involved in sustainable actions, shows a study carried out by IZI for the Romanian Sustainability Embassy (ASR). According to him, responsible communication from truly sustainable companies is essential to combat the greenwashing phenomenon.
Vienna Insurance Group considers sustainability as an important part of its strategic orientation. The insurer established the VIG Family Fund, a fund in which approximately €7 million were collected, which will support in the medium and long term the efforts to help the families of VIG employees in Ukraine who were affected by the war. The company shows that it supports social and ecological causes by investing in businesses such as solar and wind farms, in ecologically sustainable and affordable housing projects, or in eco-mobility.
80% of Romanians are willing to do more for sustainability, and the main barriers are the lack of easy access to information and personal resources, according to a study carried out by the Arctic Foundation in collaboration with Ipsos. 38% say they don't know what to do to be more sustainable, and 34% believe they don't have time to act in this direction.
Poland has moved up 49 places in the Climate Risk Index 2025, underscoring the increasing impact of climate change on the real estate sector. Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, droughts and floods are becoming a regular challenge for property owners and investors, according to Cushman & Wakefield.
European companies are facing widespread challenges as they attempt to comply with the EU's new sustainability reporting standards, according to recent findings from the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).
Improving energy efficiency in buildings plays a key role in building a sustainable future. It leads to lower costs, a healthier indoor environment, and a smaller environmental footprint. According to România Eficientă, efficient energy use is not about sacrificing comfort but about eliminating waste.
Hidroelectrica has selected Waldevar Energy to implement the Nufărul Project, a pioneering renewable energy initiative set to become the largest floating photovoltaic (FPV) system installed on a hydroelectric dam in Europe.
The European Ombudsman has formally questioned the European Commission's handling of recent proposals aimed at scaling back corporate sustainability requirements, raising concerns over transparency and procedural compliance.
