Published 25 November 2019 • Inter IKEA newsroom
COP25: Representatives from IKEA present in Madrid
COP is the biggest global climate meeting annually arranged by The United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC) and brings together governments, civil society, the private sector and environmental organisations. IKEA has been present at COP several times, and this year is no exception. We are committed to taking the lead on climate action and working with all parts of society to make a positive difference.
During COP25 in Madrid, we want to highlight the need for collaboration on climate action, take part in discussions on how to speed up the global climate movement, share learnings and concrete actions from our entire value chain and inspire others to take action towards a 1.5⁰ world.
IKEA representatives are joining a number of panel discussions and sessions during COP25, such as;
Climate Action and Land Use – Opportunities and Risks
IKEA, UNDP and FAO jointly invite to an event that will explore what governments and businesses can do to improve land use management with special focus on forestry and agriculture and the food, materials and fuels they provide.
Who: Ulf Johansson, Global Wood Supply & Forestry Manager at IKEA Range & Supply will be one of the speakers during this session.
When: 5 December at 12.30 - 14.00 (CET)
Where: Place to be confirmed
Making Food Compatible with the Paris Agreement
A coalition of experts led by the EAT Foundation with the support of UN Climate Change will emphasize the need to focus the world's attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play in achieving the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Who: Lena Pripp-Kovac, Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group will be one of the speakers during this session.
When: 11 December at 15.00 - 17.30 (CET)
Where: Room 6
Accelerating Industry Transformation – IKEA becoming Climate Positive by 2030
This event will engage businesses, policy-makers and NGOs in a discussion about key technological shifts and regulatory changes needed to allow businesses to reach ambitious climate goals. The IKEA commitment to become circular and climate positive by 2030 will be used as an example.
Who: Torbjörn Lööf, CEO at Inter IKEA Group and Lena Pripp-Kovac, Chief Sustainability Officer will be speakers during this session.
When: 12 December, 16.30 - 18.00 (CET)
Where: Place to be confirmed
COP25 event: “Establishing a Global Definition of Climate Positive”
IKEA and WWF invites companies, policy makers, NGOs and other stakeholders to join a discussion about what a global definition of "climate positive" should include, grounding the definition in science and transparency and encouraging other companies to join.
Torbjörn Lööf, CEO at Inter IKEA Group together with Lena Pripp Kovac, Chief Sustainability Officer will be speaking at the event.
When: 10 December, 16:45 -18:15
Where: Room 6, IFEMA
Lead organisers: Inter IKEA Group together with United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
More events will be confirmed in the coming week.
The following global IKEA representatives will be present during COP25:
Torbjörn Lööf, Chief Executive Officer at Inter IKEA Group
Torbjörn is CEO of Inter IKEA Group, which includes the IKEA brand and concept, the worldwide franchisor and the development, design and production of home furnishing solutions to address the everyday needs of the many people. The IKEA brand is represented in more than 50 markets around the world. By 2030, the IKEA ambition is to be a climate positive and circular business that inspires and enables millions of people to live better lives within the limits of the planet. IKEA will eliminate GHG emissions wherever possible across the total value chain and store carbon in land, plants and products. The aim is that all IKEA products are designed from the very beginning to be repurposed, repaired, reused, resold and recycled, generating as less waste as possible – using only renewable and recycled materials.
Lena Pripp-Kovac, Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group
Lena is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group - covering the IKEA product and food range, supply, production and franchising. In her role, she leads the global IKEA sustainability strategy which includes transforming IKEA into a circular business, becoming climate positive, creating a fair and equal society and enabling healthy and sustainable living. Lena has more than 20 years’ experience of working with sustainability related topics in various businesses, industries and countries. Lena is passionate about making sustainable living inspiring and affordable to the many people.
Andreas Ahrens, Head of Climate at Inter IKEA Group
Andreas, MSc in Engineering, leads the climate agenda for Inter IKEA Group and the full IKEA value-chain – from material extraction and processing to product end-of-life. Andreas also leads the connected strategic initiative to secure that IKEA develops the organisation to meet the set strategic commitments and targets to become climate positive by 2030 by reducing more greenhouse gas emissions than the IKEA value chain emits, while growing the IKEA business. Andreas has previously worked extensively with sustainability integration, product development and supply chain management with focus on climate and circular economy.
Ulf Johansson, Global Wood Supply & Forestry Manager at IKEA Range & Supply
Ulf Johansson had been working for 14 years in different forest industry companies when he joined IKEA as Forestry Manager in South East Asia in 2001. After 4 years spent in Asia, Ulf returned back to Sweden to the head office in Älmhult where he held various managerial positions connected to the sourcing of wood-based furniture before becoming Wood Supply & Forestry Manager in 2015. Tasked with setting up the new Business Unit, the Wood Supply & Forestry team that Ulf leads now comprises over 40 individuals worldwide leading business priorities for responsible forest management, strategic wood sourcing and communication.
Related links
IKEA Sustainability Strategy - People and Planet Positve
IKEA supports the Exponential Roadmap and the 1.5° C degree pledge
COP25: IKEA joins forces with UN Climate Change to promote climate action
COP25: Why IKEA wants a global definition of Climate positive
COP25: IKEA on what climate actions are needed to improve land use
COP25: How IKEA is making food compatible with the Paris Agreement