Powering sustainability: comparing ESG strategies of Hungary’s leading energy companies

This paper delves into the sustainability strategies of Hungary's four major energy companies—E.ON, MVM, MOL, and Opus Global—analyzing their motivations, comparative positioning, and distinctive approaches. By exploring these companies' ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals and performance in depth, the study identifies best practices that transcend regulatory compliance and align with enduring business objectives. The analysis also contextualizes Hungary's energy sector within global sustainability and digitalization trends, and provides actionable insights into dynamic, transparent, and impactful sustainability metrics, including the potential application of KPI-driven methodologies such as the Balanced Scorecard. Primary data from executive interviews are integrated to shed light on how these firms implement sustainability and digital innovation in practice, and how they measure and communicate progress through KPIs. Key words. ESG, sustainable business strategies, digitalization, performance management, Balanced Scorecard, energy companies, Hungary.