The 31st Annual Conference of ISDRS will be hosted by the Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
Corvinus University of Budapest is Hungary’s leading university in the field of economic and social sciences. Currently, about 10,000 students study at Corvinus, including 2,000 international students. The institution maintains close relationships with more than 200 partner universities worldwide. Corvinus regularly achieves high positions in international higher education rankings: with its Masters in Business and Management, it was ranked number one in the region in the 2019 Eduniversal Ranking while with its Masters in Management and Leadership programme, it has been ranked among the 100 best business schools in the world year after year by the Financial Times since 2005. Corvinus University of Budapest is the only university in the field of economic sciences in Hungary that has two international institutional accreditations (AMBA and AACSB). Corvinus is also active in the field of sustainable development as a member of PRME, leading the Central and Eastern European Chapter.
Institute of Sustainable Development, Department of Sustainability Management and Environmental Economics at Corvinus
The Institute of Sustainable Development is the centre of research and education related to sustainable development at the University. The predecessor of the Department of Sustainability Management and Environmental Economics has been one of the key players during Hungary’s accession to the European Union by providing a solid scientific basis for the harmonisation of environmental law in the country. Practical work was carried out at the Hungarian Cleaner Production Centre, a member of the UNIDO/UNEP cleaner production centre network with the objective to promote environmental management practices in the business sphere (both SMEs and large organisations) since the late 1990’s.
The Department has an extensive experience organising national in and international scientific workshops and conferences. Colleagues of the Department successfully hosted the 10th European Roundtable on Cleaner Production, the NATO CCMS workshop on ‘Clean Products and Processes’, the annual conference of EMAN (Environmental and Sustainability Management Accounting Network), the annual conference of ISDRS in 2020 (online) and more recently the last meeting of the CEE Chapter of PRME in April, 2024.
Social Impact and Sustainability at Corvinus
Corvinus University of Budapest is implementing a comprehensive institutional strategy to strengthen its social impact and sustainability efforts. A key milestone in this journey was the opening of the Gellért Campus in 2024, recognized as Hungary’s most sustainable higher education building. With LEED Gold certification, it features renewable energy systems, green roofs, water-saving technologies, and a bike-friendly infrastructure. The university also earned the Access4you accessibility certification, demonstrating its commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
Through the Corvinus Green Project, the university promotes composting, selective waste collection, water conservation, and sustainable procurement. The “Do it Online!” initiative reduces the administrative environmental footprint through digitalization. As a result, Corvinus significantly improved its position in global sustainability rankings, moving from 869th to 475th place in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.
Corvinus promotes equity and inclusion through a Gender Equality Plan, family-friendly initiatives, an accessible website for visually impaired users, as well as language and leadership training, scholarships, and targeted support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Sustainability is embedded in the curriculum: SDG-integrated courses, new degree programs such as the MSc in Sustainability Management and Entrepreneurship, and hands-on learning opportunities, including student research forums, mentoring programs, and volunteer initiatives, all contribute to social responsibility in education.
The university places special emphasis on mental health and student well-being, offering a dedicated Mental Health Week, professional counseling, and health services. Students also independently contribute to environmental and social causes through sustainability clubs, community-building events, and social entrepreneurship initiatives.
Sustainability is reflected in university governance as well. In 2025, Corvinus established a Vice Dean for Sustainability, formed the university-wide ERS Hub (Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability coordination body), and integrated sustainability into internal regulations and processes.
Faculty members and researchers are actively engaged in international SDG-related research projects and publications, and have received recognition for their efforts in responsible education. Students also take part in tutoring disadvantaged youth, contributing to research, and implementing real-life projects in collaboration with civil society partners.
Finally, Corvinus plays a leading role in national and international sustainability networks such as the PRME Central and Eastern Europe Chapter, ISDRS, ESEE, and the Sustainability Platform of Hungarian Universities, reinforcing its strong commitment to social, environmental, and ethical responsibility.
