WWF and IKEA Conservation Partnership

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WWF-IKEA
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WWF and IKEA Partnership

A partnership for change

By working together for change we can truly make a difference and do more than we could on our own. WWF and home furnishings retailer IKEA share the same values and want to see considerate, efficient, and economically sound use of natural resources. Our combined expertise and market power give us the ability to influence and transform entire markets and be a leading example of how a partnership can lead to truly sustainable business practices.

 

Started in 2002, the partnership recently celebrated ten years in action, and it is now well into its fourth partnership period. Today, we run joint projects in 13 countries around the world to promote responsible and sustainable use of resources with a special focus on the forest and cotton markets.

In addition to working together in projects, WWF and IKEA strive to inspire other companies and networks to address environmental challenges and make people’s lives at home more sustainable.

Read more in factsheet about the partnership
Looking for the latest news on the partnership?

Download newsletter # 2, 2011

Download newsletter #3, 2011

Download newsletter #1, 2012

Download newsletter #2, 2012

Download newsletter #3, 2012

Download newsletter #1, 2013



  “IKEA is a forerunner in some areas, and a good example to follow in transforming markets on a long-term basis. At the same time, we continue to challenge IKEA in its work towards becoming a more sustainable company.

Håkan Wirtén, Secretary General, WWF Sweden

Håkan Wirtén, Secretary General, WWF Sweden

Forest


WWF and IKEA are committed to promoting responsible forest management. We want to secure biological and social forest values for both present and future needs by tackling severe problems, such as forest degradation and illegal logging.
 
It started with five forest projects in 2002. We now have 13 joint projects in 11 different countries and many tangible results to show for it. Overall, our projects have helped to improve forest management in Europe and Asia, and contributed to around 30 million hectares becoming certified as responsibly managed.
Together we are:
• Combating illegal logging
• Supporting credible forest certification
• Promoting responsible timber trade
• Mapping and protecting High Conservation Value Forests
 
Many challenges remain, but the projects have contributed to some exciting results, for instance to increased FSC certification in Russia. FSC certification was first introduced here in 2000, and the IKEA and WWF projects (started two years later) have played a key role in reaching 30 million certified hectares or about 25% of the Russia's leased forests.

Read more in factsheet about the forest projects

Cotton

In 2005, we also joined forces to reduce the environmental and social impacts of conventional cotton production in India and Pakistan – two of the world’s most important cotton-growing countries. Our joint projects help cotton farmers increase their income and improve their working conditions. We also help them reduce the use of chemicals and save on precious water resources.
We provide support, training and outreach to farmers that want to comply with the Better Cotton Initiative’s criteria and produce Better Cotton. Some 45,000 farmers in the two countries are involved in our joint projects, taking part in a global shift towards Better Cotton.
Together we are:
• Building farmers’ capacity to produce Better Cotton
• Reducing the use of pesticides, water and chemical fertiliser while
  increasing farmers’ incomes
• Improving the working conditions of cotton farm families and workers
• Understanding and communicating how environmental and social 
   impacts can be improved
• Creating a shift towards a Better Cotton market

 
Read more in factsheet about the cotton projects


 

Watch a film about cotton


Climate

IKEA and WWF cooperated in six joint projects to tackle climate change between 2007 and 2012.  Our joint purpose was to identify market transformation opportunities and find innovative low-carbon solutions that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in society while engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
The projects covered a wide range of aspects in the IKEA value chain – including product development, supplier operations, transportation and recycling – as well as ways to inspire people to live a more sustainable life at home.
Read more about the climate projects and their results in the reports on the right.

Reports from the partnership's climate projects

We Love Wood Campaign


  • Watch this video to find out more about the "We Love Wood" Campaign



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