Becoming people and planet positive

The world is facing a climate crisis that will affect the lives of many millions of people today and for generations to come. Human activities have warmed the planet’s average temperature by more than 1°C, and we’re still using resources at a rate equivalent more than one Earths per year*. With 1 million species at risk of extinction, we’re on course for irrevocable damage to nature and ecosystems. 

We know we have a huge responsibility – and opportunity – to tackle the climate crisis and we want to be a part of shaping a new normal that’s better for people and planet. We are committed to the shared IKEA goal of becoming a climate positive business by 2030 – while still growing our business. We are also committed to the Paris Agreement and to limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C. 

There are some existing solutions to the climate crisis already, but they urgently need to be deployed on a massive scale and more innovative solutions need to be found. This can offer new opportunities for job creation, innovation, economic growth and reduced energy costs. And, we know it’s possible for businesses to grow while shrinking the climate footprint. During the period FY16-FY21, the Ingka Group business grew by 17.6%, and yet we also achieved a 6.5% climate footprint reduction over the same period. 

By 2030 our ambition is to become circular and climate positive. 

We are reducing the climate footprint from IKEA retail operations, customer and co-worker travel and home deliveries. We are switching to renewable energy and aim for all home deliveries to be made using zero emissions vehicles by 2025. We are contributing to a reduction in the climate footprint of IKEA products and food, e.g. by promoting IKEA products, food and services that have a lower climate footprint.  

We are also going beyond the IKEA value chain. For example, with our energy services like home solar and clean electricity subscriptions, we’re making it easier and more affordable for our customers to use and produce renewable energy. Read more about our climate footprint and our work to become climate positive.  

Using resources efficiently has always been part of how we work at IKEA. We want to play our part in making the circular economy a reality, and IKEA is committed to becoming a circular business by 2030. We strive for zero waste in our operations, we strive to recycle even more of our waste and we provide new circular services and offers to enable our customers reuse and repair products. Read more about our efforts to become a circular business by 2030.  

*Source: Earth Overshoot Day: www.overshootday.org

It’s part of our mission to ensure we put people at the heart of our business. We’re present in many communities, and when those communities thrive, we do too. We recognise the challenges people are facing and the rapid changes in our communities – particularly where rights and opportunities are far from equal. 

Guided by our values, we want to create lasting positive change in the communities where we are present. This means creating a fairer and more equal society, by growing our business in a fair and inclusive way.  

Fair and equal growth leads to motivated co-workers, innovative meeting places, and resilient and empowered communities. 

By 2030 our ambition is to improve the well-being of millions of people by becoming a truly people-centred company and employer. 

We are committed to promoting and supporting a world where human rights are a reality for all. We put respect for human rights at the heart of our business, integrating it into our strategies, policies and processes. Our respect for human rights covers our co-workers, customers, workers in our supply chain and our neighbours – in fact, everyone our business touches. Read more about our performance and our policy on human rights.

The safety and wellbeing of our co-workers is our top priority. We work to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for everyone, and we support our co-workers in staying healthy, in feeling connected with colleagues and in maintaining their work-life balance.  We celebrate diversity and together we will create a workplace that is as diverse as the world is, and as inclusive as the world should be. Read about how we work to create better lives for our co-workers.  

We want to create a positive impact for the neighbourhoods where we operate. For years, we’ve worked in partnerships with community organisations to find solutions to local social and environmental challenges, and to have a lasting positive impact on our communities. In FY21 we were able to support more than 1 million people experiencing social exclusion and poverty. We also welcomed 802 refugees into our workplaces. Read more about our initiatives during FY21 and our ambition to be a good neighbour.  

Read more about our policy on human rights