In our interview, we discussed how the green transition can be integrated into the operations of Hungarian SMEs not as a burden, but as a tangible competitive advantage. Dóra Csernus explains why energy is moving towards sustainability today, how this affects climate policy, and how businesses can create immediate financial benefits through energy efficiency or green loans. Furthermore, we touch upon the importance of a geopolitical outlook and the key message for achieving future-resilience for the domestic economy. We spoke with Dóra Csernus, Director for Climate, Energy, and Environmental Policy at the Egyensúly Intézet.
– Thank you for making time for us. Let's start with your title, which is lengthy for a reason. For years, "sustainability" was the cool buzzword, then attention increasingly focused on "climate," but now it seems to be shifting to "energy." Do you see this change in the professional discourse?
– Absolutely: sustainability was a very "hot topic" in the 2010s, but today it's somehow "not exciting enough." With the various crises (health, economic, energy), many feel that those must be solved first, and sustainability can come later. Energy and economic issues have come to the forefront because we perceive these as the real, serious challenges. And yet, the effects of climate change are just as unavoidable, just as energy is one of the main drivers of the economy and politics.
– The Egyensúly Intézet was established as an independent think tank. What exactly is the Institute's profile, and with whom do you collaborate to shape this medium-term, future vision?
– The Institute's goal is to be an independent platform that deals with policy not politics. We are building a medium-term vision: how our country can be cleaner, more successful, and wealthier, assuming the decisions are in our hands. Our primary target group is the circle of political, economic, and cultural decision-makers, as we believe we can achieve the fastest results by influencing them. We build bridges; we don't start thinking from scratch. We bring actors to the table who, regardless of worldview or party affiliation, are open to constructive debate and joint thinking about the future. We also cooperate with networks, for example, the Hungarian National Association of Local Authorities, or the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers (VOSZ).
– For the cluster members, the entrepreneurs, I assume the most exciting question is how sustainability can be integrated as a tangible competitive advantage. What first steps do you recommend, regardless of what the company does?
– The first, and the one with the quickest return, is energy efficiency. The energy crisis forced everyone to act. If a company operates energy-efficiently, its bills are smaller, and more money remains for other things. This can be achieved by optimizing the energy consumption of production processes or buildings; the latter, among other things, through the energy modernization of buildings. In both areas, there are (energy management software) that help with optimization. By the way, in Hungary, our buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions and final energy consumption—so great results can be achieved in this area.
– At the conference, you highlighted that adapting to climate change will be essential in the future. How does this relate to competitiveness?
– Responding to the effects of climate change will be key. Extreme weather, heatwaves, and water scarcity will unfortunately be with us in the coming decades, and these will secure a market for certain types of products and services. There will be a market for everything related to water retention in the landscape or in the city, to renewable energy sources, heat pumps, insulation, or doors and windows. Furthermore, it is worth paying attention to agriculture, which is not sustainable in its current form. Water-intensive crops requiring heavy irrigation, in a warming climate, with sinking groundwater levels in many places, will not work in the long run. This makes room for sustainable, less water-intensive solutions and technologies.
– Should companies look beyond the narrow Hungarian market? What geopolitical outlook do you suggest?
– Absolutely. The Mediterranean region can be a good reference. The climate and water stress they have experienced in recent years is gradually appearing here as well. It's worth learning good solutions from them. On the other hand, it is also worth opening up to Eastern and African markets. For example, there is significant demand in Africa for Hungarian water management and engineering expertise in topics like greywater use, water scarcity management, or water retention.
– You also mentioned the credit market as a competitive advantage. How do you see investments and loans in the future?
– Yes, long-term, conscious green investment can absolutely be a goal. More and more banks are required to have a certain percentage of their loan portfolio be "green." If a business takes out a loan for an environmentally friendly development or renewable energy, it will be attractive to the bank, and thus, in some cases, it can access financing more easily and on better terms. This is a very tangible competitive advantage in the capital market.
– You graduated from the University of Szeged, and I can't miss asking: how did it feel to lecture here years later, in the emblematic café of Hungary's best university, Café Radnóti?
– It felt very good. The fact that I was lecturing in the Faculty of Humanities (BTK) building was especially funny to me, because I used to go there as a small child to see my father, I just entered from the other side. And before the TIK (University Congress Centre) existed, the Ady Square sports field was on the side of Café Radnóti—I have a lot of childhood memories connected to this place. It was a very good feeling to return in this role, representing the Equilibrium Institute. I admit that when I attended university, I wasn't only thinking about what I would be when I grew up... And it's a funny feeling to come back twenty years later as an expert.
– Finally, regarding the recipe for a successful business, what is the one key message you would highlight as the essence of the presentation?
– Collaboration. It may sound cliché, but there is incredible power in people talking to each other. Businesses must learn to cooperate with those who think differently, who come from different fields. Through civilized debate and listening to different perspectives, the result of our shared knowledge will always be greater than the sum of its parts. This provides the most stable foundation for future success.