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Why we advocate for a net zero world

Driving climate action together

IKEA is taking responsibility for its emissions. We are committed to the Paris Agreement and to contribute to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This includes becoming net-zero by 2050 at the latest and halving greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms from the total IKEA value chain by 2030. We have set Science-Based Targets in 2018 and are in the process of updating our targets in alignment with the new Net Zero Standard.

Together with our partners across sectors, we can play a role in accelerating climate action even further by advocating and positively influencing the private sector and governments and involving the many people.

We do this by engaging at key events (e.g. COP27, Climate Week, WEF), driving initiatives such as the Race to Zero 2030 Breakthroughs: Retail Campaign and the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, and fostering dialogue with key stakeholders and policy makers.

We all have a part to play

Creating a better tomorrow together

We believe that climate actions and investments from businesses in line with 1.5°C provide governments with the necessary backing to implement more ambitious climate targets, plans and actions. These government targets, policies and plans in turn provide the clarity, predictability and a level playing field that will encourage more businesses to take or increase climate action and make investments in line with 1.5°C . The result is a positive government policy-business action ambition loop driving the necessary systemic change.

It is important, that the actions taken are based on (scientific) evidence showing the positive impact on climate, people, and the planet. Businesses are most efficient when operating in a global market with harmonized standards and legislation that reduce the administrative burden to what is necessary. Where possible, it is critical to ensure the consistency of policies to provide clarity and certainty for all.  

Driving large-scale, systemic change, together  

 Together, we need to: 

  • Strive towards electrification, phase out fossil fuels and transition towards 100% renewable energy while improving energy efficiency.
  • Use more materials and food ingredients with a low carbon footprint, promote sustainable choices and transform into circular businesses. This will reduce the need to extract and process new, raw materials. Together, we can assemble a net zero world that is better for all.

Read more about our climate advocacy engagements here

We encourage other businesses to:

  • Set science-based goals in line with the 1.5°C target to halve emissions by 2030 (according to the new net zero standard), achieve net zero by 2050 the latest, with a clear roadmap and mechanisms on how to get there, while transparently reporting on progress.  
  • Collaborate within and across sectors and drive advocacy and actions in alliances and initiatives such as the WEF CEO Climate Leaders Alliance, RE100, EV100, The We Mean Business Coalition or the World Resource Institute and many others. 
  • Contribute to internationally harmonized standards on measuring and reporting.

We welcome the following actions from governments:

  • Increasegreenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the 1.5°C target to halve emissions by 2030 (so called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)) and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest.
  • Set short and long-term policies in line with the 1.5°C target to finance and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, circularity, as well as sustainable transport, food systems, reducing food waste, agriculture, and forestry.  
  • Invest in necessary infrastructure to enable businesses and people to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Developed countries should meet their commitment of investing at least $100B in developing countries’ climate action.
  • Contribute to internationally harmonized standards on measuring and reporting. 

In our advocacy initiatives we engage in more detail on topics like renewable energy, sustainable mobility, circularity, finance, and international standards. 

This is the most important decade of our history. Let’s assemble a better future.

We work and collaborate with the following organisations and initiatives

The World Economic Forum CEO Climate Leader Alliance

In 2020, Ingka Group's CEO was appointed Co-Chair of this global community of Chief Executive Officers. Its purpose is to catalyse action across all sectors and engage policymakers to help transition to a net-zero economy.

Science Based Targets initiative (SBT)

IKEA and Ingka Group have set science-based targets in line with the 1.5°C benchmark. Together with other partners, IKEA is supporting the Science Based Targets initiative to develop the first global standard for net-zero businesses.

The We Mean Business Coalition (WMB)

In 2014, Ingka Group was one of the driving forces behind creating the We Mean Business Coalition — a global nonprofit working with the world's most influential businesses to take action on climate change. Together, we catalyse business and policy action to halve global emissions by 2030 in line with the 1.5°C benchmark.

RE100

In 2014, Ingka Group co-founded RE100 — a global initiative uniting the world's most influential businesses driving the transition to 100% renewable electricity (RE).

EV100

In 2017, Ingka Group co-founded EV100 — a global initiative uniting forward-looking companies committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

Creating and driving climate actions in the retail sector

Businesses have a part to play in addressing the climate crisis by reducing their climate footprint and need to take action now in committing to net zero.   

In this sense, Ingka Group endorsed the Marrakesh Pathway for retail in 2021 and, later that year, IKEA launched the 2030 Breakthroughs: Retail campaign together with Walmart, H&M, Kingfisher and Best Buy. The objective of the campaign is to accelerate a movement in the retail industry to rally leadership around climate action and to encourage retailers to achieve 1.5°C climate targets. 

Clouds and blue sky.

IKEA is becoming climate positive by 2030

IKEA is committed to becoming climate positive by 2030 by reducing more greenhouse gases than our total value chain emits — while growing the IKEA business. We are committed to the Paris Agreement and to helping limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This includes a commitment to become net-zero at the latest by 2050 — and to halve greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms from the total IKEA value chain by 2030.

Our commitments

Read the latest news about our ambitions and actions here