IKEA, the world's largest home furnishing retailer, has released its 2010 Sustainability Report (September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010), which recaps and highlights its sustainable progress, accomplishments and new opportunities in the areas of social and environmental responsibility. The report describes the priorities for 2015 that influence the entire value chain from product design and development to the very end of a product's life as outlined in the new IKEA Sustainability direction. The IKEA global Sustainability Report can be found at http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/pdf/ikea_ser_2010.pdf.

"I'm proud to share with you some of the things that IKEA has accomplished so far together with our customers, co-workers, suppliers and partners such as WWF, UNICEF and Save the Children. Working together means that we can make huge contributions towards a more sustainable future," says IKEA Group President and CEO Mikael Ohlsson.

Highlights from the 2010 IKEA Sustainability Report

• PRODUCT SCORE CARD: The introduction of the IKEA Sustainability Product Score card. This is a new internal tool for more sustainable product development and purchasing that will help classify the IKEA home furnishing range within 11 criteria that have an impact on the environment.
• CERTIFIED WOOD: The share of certified wood increased substantially from 16.2 to 23.6 percent.
• RENEWABLE ENERGY: The number of IKEA buildings with solar panel systems nearly doubled, taking us one step further towards the goal of operating all IKEA units on 100 percent renewable energy.
• IKEA FOUNDATION: Decision made to invest an additional 7.5 million euro in UNICEF's water sanitation program in India. This support will help expand the scope of the program in15 states.
• MORE SUSTAINABLE COTTON: More than 80,000 farmers in India and Pakistan are now using more sustainable farming practices. The share of more sustainable cotton in the IKEA range more than doubled compared to last year to 13.4 percent of total IKEA use.

"IKEA has laid a great foundation. Persistent, hard work within forestry and cotton cultivation is paying off. The IKEA Foundation helps us improve the lives of many millions of children in need, and the goal to use 100% renewable energy in all IKEA units is an industry-leading commitment," says Steve Howard, Sustainability Chief Officer IKEA Group.

Highlights From the IKEA US Sustainability FY 10 Report

• INCANDESCENT LIGHT PHASE OUT: IKEA announced in June 2010 that it would start to phase out the sale of incandescent light bulbs in all US stores, placing focus on selling a comprehensive range of energy saving bulbs including CFLs, plus LED and solar lamps.
• GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY: IKEA US announced that the new store opening in fall 2011 in Centennial, Colorado will be constructed with geothermal technology. In support of this effort, IKEA has partnered with the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to study geothermal efficiency in large-scale buildings. The study will also help IKEA to continue to make decisions that optimize efficiency and operations of IKEA building systems.
• SOLAR PANELS: IKEA initiated 11 solar panel projects on 7 IKEA stores including California, Arizona, two stores on the east coast, and the Southwest distribution center - the largest IKEA US building. Upon completion, these eleven systems combined will have the capacity to generate 6,800 kW (6.8 MW) of electric power; an output that is equivalent to reducing 7,700 tons of CO₂ - a total which could be equivalent to emissions produced by over 1,300 cars on the road.
• REDUCING CO₂ BY PLANTING TREES: Through the support of both IKEA customers and IKEA US, 1.5 million trees were planted 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 has been asking customers to donate $1 to plant one tree at check out.

About IKEA:
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings and accessories of great design and quality with functional living solutions at everyday low prices. There are more than 300 IKEA stores in 37 countries, including 49 in North America (11 in Canada; 37 in the US; 1 in the Dominican Republic). IKEA has six distribution centers in North America. IKEA has been named to BusinessWeek's List of The Best Global Brands (August 7, 2006) for four consecutive years and Business Week's List of the Top 2009 Twenty Best Companies for Leadership (February 2010). IKEA was listed in March 2007, on Fast Company's Fast 50, for its environmentally responsible products, as well as for five consecutive years in Training magazine's annual list of top companies that excel at human capital development. TIME Magazine (May 2009) listed IKEA as one of the top 8 most global eco conscious companies. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment including UNICEF, Save the Children and American Forests. To visit the IKEA website, please go to www.IKEA-usa.com and also learn more about IKEA environmental and social responsibility actions and programs. Also visit www.Facebook.com/IKEAUSA.

IKEA

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IKEA strives to be 'The Life Improvement Store,' and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 39 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

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