Associate Feature: Let's assemble a better future for the home we all share

As we enter a critical decade in our history, we recognise that  climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a visible reality, impacting the lives of many millions of people around the world. At IKEA we’re stepping up our actions to tackle climate change, but we can only take the journey if we do so together with other businesses, governments, and the many people. The COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this November is a pivotal moment, and ahead of the summit we call on everyone, to help assemble a better future – and home – for all.

We want to create a better everyday life for the many people

Climate change affects all of us, but as we’ve seen in recent years it impacts the vulnerable the most. At IKEA we are stubborn optimists, believing that we still have a choice and a chance to create a better future together, if we all play our part.

As the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) confirmed and laid bare, many challenges remain. However, many more of the solutions to the climate emergency exist today and we need to take action now. Together we can assemble a net-zero world that is better for all. With clean air, clean water, better health,
resilient ecosystems, and a fair
and equal society.

We know that IKEA has the power through its size and scope to help shape a better world over the next decade. We can and will make sustainability the attractive, affordable, and convenient choice for the many people, and we will do our best to ensure no one is left out, because the efforts of every one of us will be needed to tackle this crisis.

At IKEA we are taking action now to become climate positive

We want to create a better everyday life for the many people and we are reassembling our own business and the IKEA value chain, with clear commitments and plans to address the climate challenge head on - even if we don’t have all the answers. We are committed to becoming climate positive by 2030 and net-zero at the latest by 2050, in line with our commitments to meet the levels necessary to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C.

We firmly believe that as the leaders in life at home we have a responsibility towards the collective home we share with future generations. It is what our customers and co-workers expect us to do – and vitally, our business can only thrive if we protect the world around us.

Working together we can fix this

Taking COP26 as our cue we want to inspire and enable everyone – in our business and beyond - to take ambitious climate action now.

We are determined to be open and to share what we know and will learn along the way with others and to make sustainable living affordable, convenient and accessible to everyone.

IKEA will use the opportunity of COP26 to bring the perspectives
of the many people through our products and sustainability solutions to the world’s leaders and demonstrate the demand for change and action. Together with our partners in the retail sector, wider business, and those from civil society and the community, we will ask of government what we ask of ourselves - for not only commitments, but ambitious action, now.

COP26 will help us create a community of the willing and bring people together to find the solutions that we know exist. This includes focusing on the areas of our business where action is already underway, including creating a global clean energy community, expanding plant-based food options, and making sustainable choices
more affordable.

IKEA is committed to becoming a fully circular business by 2030. Today, in the UK, our Buy back and Take back services, in-store Circular Hubs and sustainability shops, and online platforms for second-hand products are already helping to create the circular economy that we’ll need to transition to net zero.

IKEA customers account for around 20% of our total climate footprint, so initiatives such as the scheme recently launched in Sweden which enables customers to purchase low-cost renewable energy from solar and wind farms, will make renewables an affordable choice while encouraging the creation of more capacity.

The moment is now!

Glasgow’s COP26 is crucial, because it represents the last, best chance for countries to review and further strengthen their climate commitments and ambition to
limit global temperature rises to
1.5 degrees and take action before it’s too late.

The UN’s General Secretary recently said that the science behind climate change represents a “code red for humanity” However, as a stubbornly optimistic company, we know that by working together we can avert the climate catastrophe. But there is no time for delay and no more room
for excuses.

With world leaders gathered at COP – one year later than planned – it’s a decisive moment and a time for leaders to go further and do better in delivering on their commitments. Business like ours must ignite momentum and energy, in Glasgow, across Scotland, the UK and globally. In doing this, we have a historic opportunity to turn
the tide.

Together, we have it in our hands to transition to net zero and become climate positive, as well as creating a fair and equal society and making sustainability affordable and accessible to the many people. What happens at COP impacts us all. A critical decade for climate has just begun.

This article was sponsored by IKEA.