Unfortunately, you need a newer version of Adobe Flash Player to take a look at this content. Don't worry, it's easy. To install the latest version, just click
here.
Low prices are the cornerstone of the IKEA vision and our business idea - but not at any price. At the IKEA Group, we believe that taking responsibility for people and the environment is a prerequisite for doing good business.
IKEA Begins US Solar Panel Initiative
IKEA Starts US solar energy program to further its sustainable commitment to reduce carbon footprint.
To further its sustainable commitment, to reduce its costs and to minimize its carbon footprint, IKEA began conducting evaluations of all US locations for potential solar energy opportunities. In addition to existing photovoltaic (PV) systems operational at the Brooklyn, NY and Pittsburgh, PA stores that were constructed earlier on a smaller scale and tested different technology options, IKEA had installed, solar water heating systems exist in Charlotte, NC; Draper, UT; Orlando, FL; and Tampa, FL.
This recent solar energy approach includes purchasing full solar PV systems for installation atop IKEA buildings to generate electricity for use by the facility. In 2010, IKEA initiated 11 of these projects on 7 stores in California, the store in Arizona, two stores on the East Coast, and the Southwest distribution center – the largest IKEA US building – which will be one of the largest single-roof commercial systems in California.
Upon completion, these eleven systems will combine to a total of 6,800 kW (6.8 MW) of electric power generation, consisting of nearly 30,000 solar panels and producing approximately 9.7 million kWh annually. This annual output is the equivalent to reducing 7,700 tons of CO2, powering 845 single-family homes, and the emissions produced by 1,331 cars. This effort by IKEA will reduce the amount of electricity IKEA consumes and purchases from the power grid, and – depending upon location – will either contribute to the local utilities’ renewable portfolio goals or reduce the building’s carbon intensity.
IKEA Taps Geothermal Energy
IKEA Constructs its first US geothermal project for store opening in Centennial, Colorado in 2011.
During 2010, the first geothermal project in the United States for IKEA was constructed as part of the Denver-area store opening in 2011 in Centennial, Colorado. The ground-source heat pump system is designed to meet the new store’s heating, cooling and hot water demands. Once operational, it project will be the state’s largest commercial building utilizing this type of technology.
Geothermal systems involve drilling holes – for this project 130, each at 5.5 inches in diameter and 500 feet deep – into the earth to install piping filled with heat-transferring liquid that circulates through underground loops and through special equipment to either warm-up or cool-down the temperature inside the store. The depth of the holes was determined based on soil conditions, thermal conductivity tests and the large amount of liquid needed for the heating and cooling loads of the 415,000 s.f. store. This innovative approach is consistent with the IKEA commitment to utilize sustainable building practices whenever feasible.
In support of this effort, IKEA has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to study geothermal efficiency in large-scale buildings. NREL’s monitoring and data will help IKEA make decisions to optimize the efficiency and operation of the system by adding different mixtures to the liquid, tempering the flow, adjusting the sequence of operations or fine-tuning the complex controls. NREL’s database will be open to researchers around the world to use for their models.
IKEA Pulls The Plug On All Incandescent Light Bulbs
IKEA has pulled the plug. Incandescent lights are out. Ahead of the upcoming legislation – The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that will phase out all incandescent light bulbs by 2012-2014 - IKEA has now made these lights a thing of the past and is the first major retailer to stop the sale of incandescent lights.
IKEA is well positioned to offer its customers a comprehensive range of effective energy saving bulbs including: the popular compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), a full range of LED lamps that are 70% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps which consume 30% less energy than incandescents, a halogen retrofit bulb which can be used in a standard light socket, solar powered lamps including the SUNNAN desk lamp and the ‘SOLVINDEN’ range of outdoor lights.
What do consumers think about this phase out, upcoming government legislation and more? Here are the results of the IKEA lighting survey, conducted by telephone in December 2010 by Harris Interactive among 1,011 US adults.
• Nearly two-thirds (59%) of Americans have changed majority of light bulbs in their homes to energy saving lights. Women (63%) are more likely to have changed their bulbs than men (55%).
• More than half (61%) of Americans are not aware of the legislation to phase out incandescent light bulbs. And 84% of people, ages 18-24, are not aware of the legislation.
• More than two-thirds (67%) of Americans care about using energy saving lights. And more than half (56%) of Americans are ready to switch to energy saving lights.
• Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) Americans believe that using energy saving lights will save them money.
• 82% of Americans are not concerned about disposal of old bulbs.
• 81% of Americans say that using energy saving lights is a good environmental practice.
IKEA Celebrates Planting 1.5 Million Trees Across America
On October 16, IKEA US will celebrate the planting of 1.5 million trees across America through the IKEA Plant A Tree campaign. This tree planting has been a partnership program between IKEA and American Forests since June 2006 supported in part with the generous donations from IKEA customers.
The IKEA Plant A Tree program asks customers to donate $1 to plant one tree. This annual program will run from October 16 till the end of 2010.
Trees from the Plant A Tree program have been planted in forests across America designated by American Forests. Some of the planting sites include 74,000 trees in the McNally Fire restoration in California, 15,000 trees in Arizona for the Warm Fire Restoration project and over 100,000 trees in the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.
See your local store for information on celebrations in your local IKEA store.
We believe that children are the most important people in the world.
9 million children have been hit by the recent floods in PAKISTAN - and probably, like us, you want to help.
The water is finally starting to subside but the work is only just beginning and children are at great risk from life-threatening diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and malaria. Across the country floodwaters have devastated towns and villages, washed away bridges and roads, destroyed crops and livestock and caused major damage to hospitals, schools, and drinking water facilities.
IKEA believes that children are the most important people in the world and that’s why we want to help the children who have been affected by the flood. IKEA Foundation has donated tens of thousands of the most needed supplies such as buckets, blankets, bed-sheets and soft toys. We hope you will join us by supporting UNICEF and Save the Children. With your generous support, Save the Children and UNICEF can reach even more children and families in need – so please donate whatever you can to UNICEF and Save the Children right now.
For more than 10 years, UNICEF and Save the Children have worked closely with IKEA to improve the world for children, including helping in emergencies. Both organizations rely in part on voluntary contributions so they urgently need your support to protect the children in Pakistan. Your donation will help provide clean water, food and vaccinations to protect millions of children from killer diseases. Every euro/dollar/pound/etc. received will help save lives.
The IKEA Sustainability Report 2009 now available!
The IKEA Sustainability Report 2009 shows progress in a number of areas and it gives detailed information and figures regarding our work to take responsibility for people and the environment. IKEA continues to fight climate change - we're expanding our cooperation with WWF in four new climate projects and we've decided to equip 150 stores and distribution centers with solar panels for electricity production. IKEA Foundation continues its fight for children's rights and now supports UNICEF and Save the Children programs that will benefit 100 million children.
IKEA works to ensure that products and materials are adapted to minimise any negative impact on the environment, and are safe for customers from a health perspective. As part of our business idea, we insist on keeping costs low and always try to use resources wisely when designing our products.
We at IKEA are determined to play a part in preventing the climate change by improving our overall energy efficiency and reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases.
IKEA code of conduct, The IKEA Way on Purchasing Home Furnishing Products (IWAY), defines what suppliers can expect from IKEA and specifies what IKEA requires from its suppliers. IWAY was introduced in 2000 and today there are several IWAYs covering different aspects of our business.
IKEA products must be manufactured under acceptable working conditions by suppliers who take responsibility for the environment. The best way of influencing and contributing to positive development is to maintain close, long-term relationships with our suppliers. By supporting suppliers with know-how we want to motivate them to take more responsibility for people and the environment.
IKEA Foundation's mission is to improve the rights and life opportunities of the many children - creating substantial and lasting change. Our main partners are the two leading global organizations for children's rights, UNICEF and Save the Children.
IKEA co-operates with companies, trade unions, NGOs and organizations to develop and reinforce the impact of our work within the social and environmental field. By doing so we can learn, share experiences and accomplish more than if we work alone.
