IKEA’s People & Planet Positive strategy shows how we can take charge too

A new online tool demonstrates that temperature rises can be controlled along with improving living standards. The global calculator project led by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, shows that rapid action is required to alter the technology and fuels used and make greater use of land, food, energy and forestry. And to prove that it is possible to grow successfully and sustainably, the IKEA Group shows its People & Planet Positive strategy is on track and delivering good results – 5.9% annual increase in total sales to EUR 28.7 billion. Also IKEA is installing more solar panels and wind turbines – a step closer to producing more renewable energy than the total energy it uses by 2020. Read More

Top Europe story – plus report on new UK carbon calculator + story on WRAP

Rapid Action needed to Change the Climate – Discovery of a new tool to help us

By Stephanie Stanton in Science Microcap Observer (28 January 2015):

A new online tool demonstrates that global temperature rises can be controlled along with improving living standards.

According to the global calculator project led by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, rapid action is required to alter the technology and fuels used by people to make a greater use of land, food, energy and forestry.

This particular calculator  - www.globalcalculator.org – also revealed that people can eat better, have a more comfortable standard of living and travel even more whilst cutting down carbon to prevent temperatures rising by more than 2C (the limit beyond which catastrophic outcomes are to be anticipated).

Actions are to be taken to cut down carbon emission from each units of electricity by at least 90% as well as expanding forests by 5 to 15%. These measures are the only way to develop the lives of the 10 billion people, the expected population by 2050.

Co-founded by EU climate initiative Climate-KIC, this calculator has been constructed by an alliance of a number of other organizations from the U.S., China, India and Europe and it targets to assist businesses and governments or any other stakeholders to review the options available for cutting emissions and alternatives for energy and land till the year 2050.

According to the Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey, for the first time everyone on Planet Earth can flourish while restricting global temperature rises to 2°C, averting the most serious impacts of climate change. The calculator is also clear about the fact that actions must be taken immediately if we are to improve the life here.

Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, a significant person in helping to test the tool has stated that it enables everyone to be part of this journey while making significant decisions and the right choices on fields such as energy, agriculture and manufacturing.

Meetings and discussions on climate changes are to be held in Paris later in 2015 and this calculator will show the political leaders that a cleaner and safer future is awaiting us only if we act fast!

Source: www.microcapobserver.com/rapid-action-needed-change-climate-discovery-new-tool-help-us/235525/  and www.globalcalculator.org/

IKEA Group Announces Strong Sustainability Progress

Report from Power Engineering International (28 January 2015):

The IKEA Group Sustainability Report for fiscal year (FY14*) 2014, released today, shows its People & Planet Positive strategy is on track and delivering good results. Sustainability performance is announced today alongside strong financial results, which show an increase in total sales to EUR 28.7 billion ($32.1 billion), a 5.9% increase (adjusted for currency impact) from last year.

Sustainability highlights from FY14:

During the year, IKEA Group committed to own a further 87 wind turbines, bringing the total to 224, and installed 150,000  solar panels, increasing the total to 700,000 and taking the company a step closer to producing more renewable energy than the total energy it uses by 2020. By the end of 2015, we aim to have invested and committed to invest EUR 1.5 billion in renewable energy projects.

The sales value of products for a more sustainable life at home passed EUR1 billion, a 58% increase compared with FY13. These products enable people to save or generate energy, reduce water use, cut waste and live healthier lives.

75% of all lighting products sold were LED or compatible with LED bulbs, which use 85% less energy and last 20 times longer than traditional (incandescent) bulbs. The entire IKEA lighting range will convert to LED by September 2015.

EUR66 million saved through energy efficiency efforts in stores and warehouses since FY10.

IKEA Group is one of the world’s largest buyers of FSC-certified wood in the retail sector, and 41% of its wood was FSC certified or recycled in FY14. All wood was sourced from suppliers that meet the IKEA forestry standard.

The share of cotton from more sustainable sources used in IKEA products reached 76%, meaning farmers use less chemicals and water, whilst increasing their earnings. IKEA is on track to reach its goal of 100% by the end of August 2015.

47% of managers are women.

The IKEA Foundation donated EUR104 million in 2014 to projects that support millions of children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Sustainability is a key driver of innovation and an integral part of our business strategy. We see it as a great opportunity to improve our business. That’s why we’ve set ambitious 100% targets, for example for our LED lighting range, important raw materials and renewable energy. We are determined to grow IKEA while also having a positive impact on people and the planet,” Peter Agnefjäll, President and CEO, IKEA Group.

“Through our People & Planet Positive strategy, we want to make IKEA completely sustainable. I’m proud to say that we’re making good progress in transforming the supply of key materials, with over ¾ of our cotton and 41% of our wood now from more sustainable sources, and we’re investing in renewable energy to bring us closer to our goal of being energy independent. And by making energy- efficient LED affordable and attractive, we’ve enabled millions of people to live a little more sustainably,” Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Group.

IKEA US FY14 Highlights

IKEA installed additional solar energy systems to more US locations in FY14, with nearly 90% of our buildings outfitted with solar panels. IKEA announced two new stores; Merriam and Miami would open with solar panels. The IKEA Canton, Centennial, and Stoughton stores had their solar energy systems expanded by at least 25%. The IKEA Perryville and West Hampton distribution centers completed phase two of their solar panel installation.

The IKEA Merriam store will also have geothermal technology, a heating and cooling system.

In April 2014, IKEA US made its first wind farm investment in the US with the purchase of Hoopeston Wind in Hoopeston, IL. When completed, this project will generate enough safe, pollution-free energy to power approximately 30,000 US homes.

In the last 18 months, we have dropped the price of our E26 400 lumen bulbs (dimmable and non-dimmable) from $9.99 to $4.49 in order to make LED affordable for the many people; offering the lowest price on the market.

For more information on IKEA US community and environment programs, please read here: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/this-is-ikea/reports-downloads/index.html

Source: www.powerengineeringint.com/marketwired/2015/01/28/ikea-group-announces-strong-sustainability-progress.html