// Ikea named as a Partner for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26.
// The retailer is committed to becoming climate positive by 2030 through reducing more greenhouse gas emissions
Ikea has been named as a Partner for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26.
The conference which takes place between October 31 and November 12 will be an important moment to turn the tide on climate change.
Ikea has pledged to create a better everyday life for the many people and has committed to becoming climate positive by 2030 through reducing more greenhouse gas emissions than its value chain emits, while growing the business.
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The retailer is committed to the Paris Agreement and to contribute to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Ikea UK & Ireland chief sustainability officer Peter Jelkeby said: “Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time and we’re determined to show that it’s good business to be a good business. At IKEA we want to show that healthy and sustainable living can be affordable, attractive and convenient for the many people.
“Today, in the UK, our Buy back and Take back services, in-store circular hubs, and online platforms for second-hand products, are already supporting our customers to live more sustainable lifestyles, whilst helping to create the circular economy that we’ll need to transition to net-zero.
“We’re proud to be a Partner of COP26 and look forward to working closely and collaboratively with the UK Government and other partners to seize this opportunity for ambitious climate action now.”
COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said: “I am delighted to welcome IKEA to the COP26 family as a Partner for the UN climate conference taking place in Glasgow in November. They are showing climate leadership in their field by committing to science based targets including halving their emissions by 2030.
“By working with Glasgow City Council so the furniture from the summit can be used again, IKEA is helping to ensure there is a lasting local legacy from COP26. I look forward to working with IKEA and all our Partners ahead of the summit as we ensure a successful and inclusive COP26.”
Jesper Brodin, Ingka Group CEO, said: “We are in the most important decade when it comes to climate change and even if there are challenges ahead, we are optimistic that by working together we can make COP26, UN Climate Change Conference, a success. With bold commitments and actions from companies, governments and society we have it in our hands to ensure a just transition to a net-zero future.”
As a Partner, IKEA UK & Ireland will be furnishing some key areas within the COP26 venue in Glasgow. After the conference, IKEA UK & Ireland will work closely with Glasgow City Council and the Cabinet Office to ensure the furniture is given a second life and donated to charitable organisations and/or local community projects.
Key Ikea climate actions include phasing out fossil fuels and striving towards 100 per cent renewable energy across the retailer’s value chain by 2030.
By 2025 Ingka Group will switch to 100 per cent zero-emission home deliveries in all markets.
As part of its low carbon transport and logistics actions, Ikea also aims to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions from product transport by 15 per cent compared to 2017.
Alongside this, the retailer is also striving to become a circular business, using only renewable and recycled materials with lower climate footprint and designing products for circularity by 2030.
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