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Sustainability

Sustainability governance

An aerial view of the IKEA Industry site in Kazlų Rūda.

The Inter IKEA Group sustainability management team includes the chief sustainability officer of Inter IKEA Group and the sustainability managers of the three core businesses: Retail Concept, Range and Supply. The group is responsible for aligning and developing sustainability ambitions and commitments, and reporting on performance. The group also provides recommendations on strategic business decisions with environmental and social impacts, and prepares content and decisions for the Strategic Sustainability Council.

IKEA-related polaroid colour photos of furniture, lamps, cotton plants, a baby, a freighter, foods on plates and more.

Global challenges including unsustainable consumption, climate change, nature loss and rising inequality, require action across the IKEA value chain. Sustainability considerations are integrated into how IKEA develops products, sources materials, works with suppliers and meets customers.

Read more about our sustainability agenda

Sustainability is an integrated part of our business. The total IKEA sustainability agenda is outlined by the Strategic Sustainability Council.

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Strategic Sustainability Council

The Strategic Sustainability Council ensures that we share the same positions across the IKEA franchise system, and that we align and follow-up on actions across the sustainability focus areas, while respecting the independence of the companies in the IKEA franchise system. It focuses on the following:

  • The IKEA brand’s role in society.
  • Strategic directions and ambitions across the franchise system, such as respecting human rights, and our work towards transitioning towards a circular business.
  • Alignment of IKEA specific sustainability requirements; for example, the requirements included in IWAY, the IKEA way of procuring products, services, materials and components.

The Strategic Sustainability Council is where representatives from Inter IKEA Group and the franchisees join to describe and follow up on our collective sustainability agenda. The managing directors of the represented IKEA franchisees and Inter IKEA Group companies (or core businesses) are invited members of the Council. The CEO of Inter IKEA Group is the chair of the Strategic Sustainability Council.

Two people looking closely at the construction of a wooden stool and taking notes while sitting in a sofa next to a window.

Sustainability working groups

Experts on specific topics from Inter IKEA Group and franchisees meet in working groups to share best practices and build knowledge through the IKEA value chain. The working groups discuss and align strategic initiatives and plans to fulfil the IKEA agenda.

Inter IKEA Group sustainability management

The Inter IKEA Group sustainability management team includes the sustainability managers from the three core businesses: Retail Concept, Range and Supply. The group is responsible for aligning and developing the sustainability agenda, including setting goals and commitments, and reporting on performance. The group also provides recommendations on strategic business decisions with environmental and social impacts, and prepares content and decisions for the Strategic Sustainability Council.

Two smiling, young IKEA co-workers in blue and yellow clothes, arranging rattan baskets for display in an IKEA store.

Ethics and integrity

The IKEA way of doing business is strongly rooted in the IKEA values and culture – they show up in our actions, decisions and behaviours. This behavioural part is reflected in how we do business and how we interact with each other, our business partners and customers. The IKEA business requirements cover a wide range of topics, including business ethics. Important documents covering business requirements are:

  • Code of Conduct: for Inter IKEA Group co-workers
  • IConduct: for IKEA franchisees
  • IWAY: for IKEA suppliers and service providers

The Inter IKEA Group Code of Conduct

The Inter IKEA Group Code of Conduct is based on six promises: promises Inter IKEA Group co-workers make to themselves and their colleagues, promises Inter IKEA Group makes to its co-workers, and promises we all make to the world around us. Together, they help guide how we work, collaborate and act in our daily roles.

IConduct

IKEA franchisees must live up to the business requirements to secure responsible business and protect the IKEA brand. These requirements are described in IConduct – the IKEA franchisee code of conduct. IConduct is based on the eight core International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and reference the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, which support our commitment to respect human rights.

IWAY

The IKEA way of procuring products, services, materials and components (IWAY) is the IKEA supplier code of conduct. IWAY sets requirements and ways of working on environmental, social and working conditions and animal welfare for all IKEA suppliers and service providers.

Setting sourcing standards through IWAY

Co-workers talk amongst themselves onsite in Lubawa.

An open, safe environment for feedback

The Inter IKEA Group way of doing business is based on a culture of high integrity. We promote an open culture of trust and honest communication, also when conversations are difficult. We have a strong focus on our feedback culture and focus on building trustful relationships at work. Sometimes people could end up in situations where it is impossible to solve it directly or with the manager. For those instances, we offer a Raising Concern Line, available by phone and web in local languages.