Responsibility for the natural environment
The ALTEO Group recognises that the operation of energy and waste management infrastructure is directly and indirectly connected to the natural environment. Accordingly, we strive to take the protection of ecosystems and wildlife into account in our investments and operational activities.
In line with its ESG strategy to 2030, ALTEO has developed a comprehensive biodiversity strategy aimed at preserving and improving the ecological condition of the company’s sites and consciously supporting biological diversity. The strategy, adopted for a 15-year horizon, was prepared with the approval of ALTEO’s Green Committee , and it focuses not only on the directly affected power plant areas but also extends to geographically more distant or indirectly affected areas that are also ecologically connected to the company’s operations.
The strategy is underpinned by the European Union’s biodiversity objectives and by Hungarian nature conservation regulation. In line with these, ALTEO has broken its biodiversity goals to 2040 down into concrete, progressively implementable measures.
Short-term measures include a detailed ecological survey of the sites, the development of targeted actions based on the results, and the scheduled implementation of improvements that deliver quick results. Planned interventions include creating pollinator-friendly habitats, introducing alternative rainwater management solutions and controlling invasive plant species. Their purpose is to improve the condition of local wildlife and increase the ecological value of the areas even alongside the operation of the sites.
In the medium and long term, the strategy envisages even more complex ecological studies and interventions, focusing primarily on reducing water-related risks (connected to the Hernád river) and on transforming and developing the land management practices of the solar power plants from a nature conservation perspective.
Water use is particularly important for an energy company, where the condition of rivers and the distribution of rainfall have a direct impact on operations. The plans include introducing studies and measures that reduce the vulnerability of water use while also having a positive effect on biodiversity (e.g. redesigning bank protection). This also covers examining the passability of the hydro power plants on the Hernád, continuously monitoring the river’s ecological status and improving the condition of aquatic ecosystems.
The strategy applies not only an infrastructural and ecological approach but also draws on scientific research. With the involvement of experts, we study the effects of the hydro power plants on algal communities and fish stocks, as well as the processes shaping the ecological status of the Hernád river — including channel changes and sediment movement, which are particularly significant for a watercourse still capable of forming natural meanders today.
For the solar power plants, biodiversity considerations are reflected in the transformation of land management practices. We are examining and planning to introduce maintenance and management methods that are better adapted to the needs of local wildlife — for example, consciously adjusting mowing schedules to provide refuge and survival zones for smaller organisms.
Overall, ALTEO’s biodiversity strategy is a complex, multi-level sustainability programme spanning from short-term site improvements to long-term ecological research. The essence of the approach is that the company’s operations should not merely minimise environmental impacts but actively contribute to improving the condition of natural systems and preserving biological diversity.
Volunteer day at Sas Hill, 2023
“READY, SET… We need you again." We delivered the volunteer programme chosen together at the ALTEO Civil Expo within the project brought by the Green Belt Association, at the protected Sas Hill area — home to plant species unique in Hungary and Europe.
Sas Hill is a symbol of Hungarian nature conservation: a small area home to rare plant and animal species not found elsewhere in the country. ALTEO volunteers devoted a workday to supporting the area’s long-term preservation through concrete, hands-on work.
Habitat-improvement works around the Visitor Centre
Forest clean-up in the protected area
- Venue
Sas-hegy, Látogató Központ — 1112 Budapest, Tájék u. 26.
- Date
2023. június 16. (péntek), 08:30 – 15:00
- Partner
Green Belt Association
- Event
Volunteer programme chosen together at ALTEO Civil Expo
Knowledge sharing on sustainable wildlife
ChikansPlanet is the personal professional blog of Attila Chikán Jr, founded in 2012 to call attention to the importance of sustainability and to spark dialogue on the topic. The blog discusses social, economic, environmental and energy issues — including the protection of wildlife.
My belief is that resolving the conflicts of a (more) liveable future depends on whether, in the coming years and decades, we can successfully align sustainability objectives.
Latest biodiversity-focused articles
Invisible protection for hedgehogs: new tool may reduce road kills
Research shows that one of the main threats to European hedgehogs is road traffic. Ultrasonic devices can help prevent road kills — some UK surveys indicate that the hedgehog population can lose up to a third due to traffic.
Walk all of England’s coast: the world’s longest coastal footpath opens
The King Charles III England Coast Path has officially opened, so the entire coast of England can be walked on a single designated trail. The approximately 4,300 km route is the world’s longest officially maintained coastal footpath.
Riverbank clean-up on the Danube and Tisza, 2022
The Clean Shore Project welcomed volunteers at two sites: Római-part in Budapest and Tisza Island in Tiszaújváros. The goal was to protect riverbanks and aquatic habitats — through litter collection, upcycling workshops and responsible-animal-care programmes.
The day at both sites started with arrival at 8:30 and continuous riverbank clean-up from 9:15 to 11:15. At Római-part the ALTEO team complemented the clean-up with a joint goulash cook-up, an upcycling workshop (wallet from tetra packaging, key fob from cork stoppers) and a responsible-dog-ownership programme; at Tiszaújváros, hamburger and hot-dog cooking and a rowing option awaited the volunteers.
Upcycled wallet from tetra packaging
Key fob from cork stoppers
Responsible dog-ownership programme
- Date
2022. október 15. (szombat), 9:00 – 14:00
- Site 1.
Római-part, Budapest — Külker Evezős Klub Óbuda
- Site 2.
Tisza-sziget, Tiszaújváros — Sziget Kikötő Kft.
- Protected value
Riverbanks and aquatic habitats
What we provided on site
We provided bags, gloves and grabbers on site. We asked participants only to wear closed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Snapshots from our volunteer projects
The photos below were taken at the Protected Hill and the Clean Shore Project. The marketing team continuously adds further documentation.
Sas Hill — habitat-improvement works, 2023
Sas Hill — forest clean-up, 2023
Clean Shore — upcycled wallet, 2022
Clean Shore — key fob from cork stoppers, 2022
Clean Shore — responsible dog ownership, 2022
The marketing team gradually provides the full photo documentation of the 2023 Sas Hill volunteer day and the 2022 Clean Shore Project — when new images arrive, the gallery is extended automatically.
Join our next volunteer project
Our biodiversity projects are part of our broader community-engagement programme. Dates of upcoming volunteer events and registration terms are available on our CSR page.