Published 25 November 2019 • Inter IKEA newsroom
IKEA at COP25 – the world’s biggest conference to tackle climate change
COP is the biggest global climate meeting annually arranged by The United Nations Framework Convention (UNFCCC). IKEA will join COP25 in Madrid to share our work to become climate positive and discuss how we and other businesses can speed up the global climate movement.
The event brings together governments, civil society, the private sector and environmental organisations. The overarching theme for COP25 is “Time for Action”, and the ambition is to adopt a package of decisions ensuring the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which is coming into effect in 2020. IKEA has been present at COP several times, and this year is no exception.
There is an urgent need to accelerate change in order to limit climate change to 1.5°C. We have decided to transform IKEA to a climate positive and circular business by 2030 - a business built on clean, renewable energy and regenerative resources, de-coupling material use from our growth. By 2030 our ambition is to reduce more greenhouse gas emissions than the IKEA value chain emits, while growing the IKEA business.
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.
“Becoming a climate-positive business is a transformational change. It means rethinking every aspect of how we do business. We have a positive and solution-oriented approach, and we are optimistic about the future. We should not underestimate the challenges, but with big challenges come big opportunities,” says Torbjörn Lööf, CEO Inter IKEA Group, who will participate in key panels and high-level meetings.
COP25 will be held in Madrid, 2–13 December.
Global IKEA representatives taking part in COP25, Madrid:
- Torbjörn Lööf, Chief Executive Officer at Inter IKEA Group
- Lena Pripp-Kovac, Chief Sustainability Officer at Inter IKEA Group
- Andreas Ahrens, Head of Climate at Inter IKEA Group
- Ulf Johansson, Global Wood Supply & Forestry Manager, IKEA Range & Supply
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.