The Ingka Group – the largest IKEA retailer of which IKEA UK is a part – has strengthened its climate targets to include a firm ambition to avoid reliance upon carbon offsetting in its mission to reach net zero absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2050.
The commitment forms the foundation of a revised set of climate targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that have now been formally validated and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
The company first set science-based climate targets in 2018 and has since reduced its climate footprint by 24.3% while increasing its revenue by 30.9% compared to its 2016 baseline. It’s a story that has told of Ikea’s success in ‘decoupling revenue growth from environmental impact’ around the world.
Ingka Group moved to strengthen its climate targets back in November 2023, readjusting its goals in alignment with advances made in climate science. These revised targets – approved by the SBTi in April this year – mean that Ingka Group is now committed to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions form the value chain by at least 50% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Crucially, Ingka Group will strive to do so without relying on carbon offsets to meet these absolute reduction targets.
“The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity and as a business we are driving action in our business and beyond to contribute to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C,” said Jesper Brodin, ceo of the Ingka Group.
“Even if we have come far on our journey, we all need to do more and the latest climate science is telling that we need to move with impact and speed. Now. Together we can create a positive change in society by accelerating climate action and working together with partners, governments, the private sector, and our customers.”
The strengthened climate ambition ‘Net Zero and Beyond’ will now focus on three areas: Drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions by halving absolute GHG across the entire Ingka Group value chain by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050 (without offsets); removing and storing carbon through forestry, agriculture, and products by permanently removing and storing carbon in the atmosphere through nature-based solutions in the value chain; and going beyond the value chain by contributing to additional reduction of GHG emissions in society and advocating for climate policies in line with science.
To reach these goals, Ingka Group’s actions will include striving towards 100% renewable electricity across its operations; increased use of materials and food offerings with a lower carbon footprint; transitioning towards a circular business (with buy back and take back services, in-store circular hubs, and second hand options); and promoting sustainable choices for customers.
Karen Pflug, chief sustainability officer at Ingka Group, said: “Since we first set science-based climate targets in 2018, the global climate landscape has undergone drastic changes, as the urgency for action has accelerated as the science evolved.
“As a business, we support the ongoing development of credible external climate standards, grounded in the latest science. The validation of our updated net zero targets with prioritised actions will support and guide us in our own operations and beyond.“As a multinational business present in 31 countries, we will focus our actions on driving impact in our value chain and continue to engage with our millions of customers in living a more sustainable life at home.”
