Can IKEA Really Go Green?

IKEA is known across the world for its affordable flat-pack furniture, meatballs, and do-it-yourself instructions. But behind the familiar blue and yellow logo, something much bigger is happening. IKEA is trying to answer a question that many global companies are now facing: Can a business built on mass production and global scale truly become sustainable?

The answer, at least according to IKEA’s latest actions, might be yes.

The company is taking major steps to reduce its environmental impact, from how it sources wood and makes furniture to how it delivers products and powers its stores. These efforts are not just small fixes. They represent a deep shift in how IKEA thinks about business, climate, and responsibility.

 

Cutting Emissions While Growing

 

In the last few years, IKEA has managed to reduce its overall climate footprint while continuing to grow as a business. In the 2023 financial year, the company reported a 12% drop in total greenhouse gas emissions compared to the year before. By 2024, total emissions were down 28% from 2016 levels.

This reduction includes emissions from IKEA’s own operations, its suppliers, and even the energy used by customers when they use IKEA products at home.

Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of Inter IKEA Group, explained it clearly in the company’s annual report: “We’ve reduced our climate footprint while making IKEA more affordable. That shows that sustainability and good business can go hand in hand.”

Most companies struggle to lower emissions while expanding. IKEA is showing that it can be done.

 

A Roadmap to Net-Zero

 

To guide this transition, IKEA submitted its climate goals for independent review by the Science Based Targets initiative. These goals were approved in 2024 and are aligned with the most ambitious international target—limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

By 2030, IKEA plans to cut total emissions by 50% from 2016 levels across its full value chain. That includes materials, production, transport, product use, and even end-of-life disposal. It also has a long-term target of becoming net-zero by 2050.

“The world is changing, and we must change with it,” said Andreas Rangel Ahrens, Head of Climate at Inter IKEA.
“We see our climate goals not only as a responsibility but as an opportunity to improve our business while helping protect the planet.

 

Responsible Materials and Smarter Products

 

One of the biggest parts of IKEA’s environmental impact comes from materials, especially wood and glue.

Nearly 98% of the wood used in IKEA products now comes from recycled sources or is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). But IKEA didn’t stop there. It also looked at glue—a hidden but high-emission material used in particleboard.

Glue alone was responsible for about 5% of IKEA’s total carbon footprint. In 2023, IKEA started using a plant-based glue made from corn starch at one of its factories in Lithuania. This small change could cut glue-related emissions by 30% by 2030.

 

Giving Products a Second Life

IKEA has also expanded its buy-back and resale program, encouraging customers to return gently used furniture. These items are then refurbished and sold in store at lower prices.

In 2023, more than 430,000 pieces of IKEA furniture were brought back and given a second life. IKEA also sold over 263,000 second-hand items online that year, nearly four times more than the previous year.

“The idea is to make circular consumption easy and accessible,” said Lena Pripp-Kovac, Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA.
“If we make it simple for customers to return and reuse their products, we can keep materials in use and reduce waste significantly.”

 

Removing Plastic from Packaging

 

Another major step involves packaging. IKEA has committed to removing plastic from consumer packaging by 2028. Starting in 2025, all new products will come in plastic-free packaging.

By 2023, IKEA had already reduced plastic packaging by 47% compared to its 2021 baseline. One simple but effective change was switching the small plastic bags used for screws and bolts to paper pouches. This alone saved around 1,400 tonnes of plastic every year.

 

Powering Its Business with Clean Energy

 

Renewable energy is a major part of IKEA’s climate strategy. As of 2024, 71% of all energy used in its retail and production operations was renewable. The company reached 81% renewable electricity use across its sites.

In 25 countries where IKEA operates, all stores now run entirely on renewable electricity.

To go even further, IKEA’s parent company, Ingka Group, committed 1.5 billion euros to phase out fossil fuels from its buildings. The goal is to reduce emissions from heating, cooling, and operations by 85% by 2030.

“The future of energy must be renewable,” said Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group.
“This investment allows us to reduce emissions, increase efficiency, and lower long-term costs. It’s good for business and good for the planet.”

 

Greener Deliveries

Home delivery is another area where IKEA is making significant changes. As of late 2024, 41% of IKEA’s deliveries were made using electric or zero-emission vehicles.

Major cities such as Amsterdam, Shanghai, and New York already see 100% electric IKEA deliveries.

The original goal was to achieve 100% zero-emission deliveries by 2025. However, due to infrastructure challenges and vehicle supply issues, the company adjusted its target to reach over 90% by 2028.

 

Investing in Circular Innovation

 

IKEA is also investing heavily in the circular economy—where waste is reduced by keeping products and materials in use.

In 2025, the company announced over $1 billion in new investments for recycling infrastructure, including companies that recycle foam mattresses and plastic packaging. One of these partners, a Dutch firm called RetourMatras, now recycles the equivalent of all mattresses discarded in the Netherlands each year.

“We’re building a supply chain that doesn’t just extract and discard,” said Pripp-Kovac.
“We want to close the loop and design waste out of the system.”

IKEA is also scaling up its line of replacement parts and spare components, allowing customers to repair their furniture easily.

 

Even the Meatballs Are Changing

Yes, even IKEA’s famous food is going greener.

By 2025, 50% of main meals served in IKEA restaurants will be plant-based, and 80% will be red meat–free. The menu already includes vegetarian hot dogs, plant-based meatballs, and even hybrid burgers—half meat, half plant protein—to help customers ease into lower-impact choices.

Why food? Because IKEA’s food sales make up a surprisingly large share of its overall carbon footprint. Changing the plate is part of changing the system.

 

Industry Influence

 

IKEA isn’t just fixing its own footprint. It’s trying to move the whole sector forward.

The company helped launch the Race to Zero Retail campaign, a coalition of retailers pushing for science-based emissions targets. It’s also been vocal about the need for better environmental regulations, more support for suppliers, and stronger rules around biodiversity and labor rights.

And one thing IKEA does well? Transparency. It publishes detailed data on its emissions, its progress, and its challenges—so the public can hold it accountable

 

A Work in Progress

 

IKEA’s sustainability journey is far from over. The company still faces tough challenges, including reducing emissions from its global supply chain, sourcing truly low-impact materials, and continuing to meet its targets as customer demand grows.

But unlike many companies that make vague promises, IKEA is sharing real numbers, taking public accountability, and investing where it matters.

“We may not have all the answers yet, but we’re not waiting to act,” said Abrahamsson Ring.

 

The Bigger Picture

Can IKEA really go green? The latest evidence suggests it is well on the way.

It is cutting emissions, removing plastic, designing smarter products, switching to renewable energy, and changing how people think about buying and using furniture.

For a company that operates in more than 60 countries, this is not a small achievement. It is a sign that sustainability at scale is possible—if you’re willing to rethink how business is done.

Whether you’re a policymaker, a CEO, a designer, or simply someone who shops at IKEA, there’s a lesson here: bold climate action doesn’t have to wait. It just needs commitment, creativity, and a willingness to lead.

 

 

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