Hungarian Association of Environmentally Aware Management (KÖVET)

Overview

The Hungarian Association of Environmentally Aware Management (KÖVET), established in October 1995, has been the Hungarian member organization of the International Network for Environmental Management (INEM) since 1996. KÖVET's president is Mr. Zoltán Mándoki, executive general manager of the Hungarian Oil and Gas Company (MOL). The secretary general is Dr. Tamás Kemény, executive director of the Foundation for the Progress of the Hungarian Industry.

KÖVET members are mainly small, medium-sized and large companies and sectoral organizations operating in Hungary. KÖVET members agree with the premise that environmentally oriented business conduct is a major condition for market success. KÖVET promotes this shift of values in the Hungarian economy.

KÖVET is neutral in political debates. Its members are not "absolutely green" firms but rather companies that feel a responsibility for the environment and are trying to reorientate their activities on that basis. They are also committed to disseminating knowledge about environmental management to other Hungarian enterprises. KÖVET is pleased to cooperate with any organization that feels responsible for the environment and its own market success.

Mission of KÖVET

The organization acts as a platform for ongoing information exchange, with the aim of promoting environmentally aware business management, to find new ways for industry to reduce its environmental impacts and to help to use this as a basis for competitive advantage.

Goals of KÖVET

To strengthen the environmental responsibility of companies and institutions;
To disseminate the common pool of practical experience and ideas to business circles, and to provide appropriate information to the general public;
To make use of foreign experience with the help of the International Network for Environmental Management;
To propagate the knowledge that environmentally and socially aware company management is not a cost increasing factor, but promotes the success of the individual business and the economy as a whole;
To continue development of the integrated system of environmental management by the exchange of experience and research;
To introduce the methods and techniques of environmental management into innovative companies, in particular among KÖVET members;
To direct in-house and external education and training (including relevant university courses and schools of business management) in such a way that it meets the needs of environmental management;
To adjust the economic environment so as to promote environmental management;
To help in identifying and using cost cutting potential, especially in energy, raw materials, water and the disposal or reuse of waste water and other waste materials;
To find new market potentials for environmentally friendly products and services;
To make companies more attractive, which is important in staff recruitment and motivation;
To improve the acceptance of companies with the general public - especially with neighbors, the local community and the media;
To promote the health and well being of entrepreneurs and executives;
To prevent losses in sales and revenues suffered by companies that fail to move with new market trends or are involved in ecological scandals, and to safeguard the long term existence of the company;
To assure a condition for the sustained viability of socially responsible market economy, and;
To make a contribution to conserving our fundamental natural resources.

Activities of KÖVET

Events
Conferences, experience exchange at company sites, training courses on environmental management systems and other topics also at site
Collection and distribution of literature
Small library on topics connected to environmentally aware management, distribution of important documents to members
Ongoing information exchange
Quarterly newsletter, topics: review of environmental management in an industrial sector or one environmental management tool, events, new regulation, environmental management systems (ISO 14001 and EMAS), job applicants, etc.
Working group meetings
On certain topics once or on a regular basis (e.g., environmental industry, codes of conduct, environmentally friendly office, new regulations, ongoing working group on Environmental Management Systems)
Case studies
Writing case studies of positive company examples, publishing them in the INEM Case Studies in Environmental Management casebook series
Lectures and expertise
KÖVET works on the national adaptation of the ISO 14000 series of environmental mangement standards with the Hungarian Standardization Agency, holds lectures on related topics, offers expert assistance on e.g., creating publications, and finding consultants and experts

Contact:

Gergely Tóth
Executive Secretary
Környezettudatos Vállalatirányítási Egyesület (KÖVET-INEM Hungary)
Munkácsy Mihály u. 16
1603 Budapest
Hungary

Tel.: +36-1-131-6763
Fax: +36-1-33-207-87
Email: info@kovet.hu
Homepage: http://www.kovet.hu