Ingka Group details path to net zero in climate transition plan

IKEA’s largest retailer Ingka Group has detailed the actions it plans to take within and beyond its operations to achieve net zero emissions in its climate transition plan.

The plan, published this week, presents a roadmap for decarbonisation across all aspects of Ingka Group’s value chain, including IKEA store operations, construction materials, mobility and investments. For each emission category, the document presents key sources of emissions, decarbonisation levers, case studies and external dependencies.

IKEA: Phasing out fossil fuels and embracing circularity

Key actions by 2030 include phasing out fossil fuels and striving towards 100% renewable energy for electricity, heating and cooling (where the group recently announced a €1.5 billion retrofitting investment) and fuels. 

With that comes a target to make more than 90% of home deliveries with zero-emissions vehicles by the end of the decade. This goal was recently lowered due to the lack of electric vehicle infrastructure in certain countries – an adjustment IKEA Chief Sustainability Officer Karen Pflug discussed in this CSO Futures interview.

The climate transition plan also involves a strong focus on materials and circularity, both for IKEA buildings and products. In its search for better materials, the company is purchasing green steel for its warehouse racking, increasing the use of recycled or FSC-certified wood and paper, and engaging with suppliers to set their own science-based targets.

At the same time, Ingka Group is developing circular services to allow customers to prolong the life of their products.

Ingka Group CSO: ‘We hope to inspire others’

Commenting on the launch of Ingka Group’s climate transition plan, CSO Karen Pflug said:  “We have strong climate commitments, and the publication of our net zero transition plan means we have an even clearer roadmap for how to get there. Thanks to the dedication and work of many colleagues across the business, this plan has taken in many learnings and goes deeper than ever before into each of our climate emission categories for our business. 

“We hope that by being transparent about our challenges, dependencies and innovation gaps we can inspire others and lead conversations that will support us in achieving the transition in our own business and broader society.”

Ingka Group has reduced its climate footprint by more than 30% since 2016, and has a target to reduce absolute emissions across all scopes by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 at the latest.

Climate policy asks

Along with detailing its own plans for decarbonisation, Ingka Group’s climate transition plan also asks policymakers to support private sector actions by setting ambitious national climate targets or NDCs, phasing out fossil fuels and increasing investment in renewables, and setting policies in line with the 1.5°C target to finance and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, circularity, sustainable transport and food systems, as well as responsible forestry.

“Climate change has no borders and together – across the public and private sector – we must collaborate across industries and with governments and customers to drive real change. 2025 is a critical milestone for governments to deliver their own ambitious national climate plans ahead of COP30, so we invite policymakers, industry peers, and customers to collaborate in accelerating the transition to a sustainable future. We can only get there by working together,” added Simon Henzell-Thomas, Climate & Nature Manager, Ingka Group.