A key focus area of People & Planet Positive is becoming energy and resource independent, which includes producing as much renewable energy as is consumed in IKEA Group stores and buildings, further building on the €1.5 billion ($1.8 billion U.S.) allocated to wind and solar projects. It also includes improving the energy efficiency of IKEA Group operations by at least 20 percent, and encouraging suppliers to do the same. In addition, IKEA plans to make its products more sustainable by ensuring that all main home furnishing materials, including packaging, are renewable, recyclable, or recycled.

The company noted that it has been working towards the goal of sustainability for many years “and we are now ready to take the next big step. People & Planet Positive will help us to do that, transforming our business and having an even greater positive impact on the world,” said Mikael Ohlsson, president and CEO, IKEA Group.

Currently there are more than 298 IKEA Group stores in 26 countries, including 50 in North America (38 in the U.S.; 11 in Canada; and one in the Dominican Republic). For more information, visit www.IKEA-usa.com.

Publication date: 11/26/2012