The summit will open with a welcome address by János Áder, former president of Hungary and chairman of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation, who will outline Hungary’s achievements and remaining goals in the green transition. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, vice chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will provide an international perspective on climate mitigation strategies, examining global challenges and responsibilities.

Attila Steiner, State Secretary at Hungary’s Ministry of Energy, will discuss the main goals and achievements of the Hungarian EU Presidency in advancing the EU’s 2050 climate targets. Barbara Botos, Hungary’s Ambassador-at-large for Climate, will share key takeaways from the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Baku, setting the stage for critical discussions throughout the day.

Energy transition will be a key focus of the conference. Bart Vermeulen, director of government relations Europe at ExxonMobil, will present the company’s benchmark outlook on energy demand and supply and the energy sector’s role in decarbonization. A panel discussion moderated by Pál Ságvári, vice president of Hungary’s Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority, will explore the changing landscape of the energy sector, featuring leaders such as Károly Mátrai, CEO of MVM Zrt.; Zsolt Jamniczky, deputy CEO of E.ON Hungaria; Mátyás Vajta, CEO of HUPX; and Zsófia Beck, managing director and partner of Boston Consulting Group.

The program also includes discussions on sustainable finance and investments, with insights from Laurent Maurin, head of the Economic Studies Division at the European Investment Bank; György Szege, head of the ESG and Sustainability Department at MBH Bank; Rozália Miklós, managing director of MSCI; Réka Hámori, senior economist at the Hungarian Banking Association; József Török, investment director of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation; and Tamás Plester, EMEA oil and gas analyst at Erste Investment, on the role of green finance in combating climate change.

With a focus on green technology and entrepreneurship, the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation will spotlight startups catalyzing the green revolution, showcasing innovative solutions that support a low-carbon economy.

Furthering the dialogue on technology’s role in the energy transition, the summit will also address advancements in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Leading experts, including Attila Aszódi of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Csaba Kiss, deputy CEO and chief nuclear officer of MVM Energy Ltd.; Alexis Honner, business development manager of Rolls-Royce SMR; and Michael Bryant, vice president of marketing and sales at URENCO, will discuss how SMRs could enhance energy security and mitigate climate challenges.

Additionally, a panel will explore the role of biogas and biomethane in the energy transition, featuring insights from Kornél Tóth, head of group sustainable business solutions at MOL Group, along with other high-level experts.

The 2024 Budapest Climate Summit promises an insightful agenda and will showcase best practices toward a low-carbon economy, illustrating how companies across sectors are making their operations more sustainable and resilient.

Professionals and businesses in climate, energy, and sustainability sectors are encouraged to attend the Budapest Climate Summit on Dec. 2, 2024, to engage with pioneers of sustainable transformation in the CEE region.

For more information and registration, visit the conference website.