Sweden’s IKEA, who was one of the first to sweep the world off its feet with its build-it-yourself furniture, is now aiming for sustainability. With the goal of complete energy independence by 2020, IKEA is now purchasing wind farms and solar panels around the world. Just last week, IKEA Canada announced its purchase of a wind farm located in southern Alberta, with 46 megawatts and twenty 100 metre tall turbines. IKEA Canada’s sustainability manager, Brendan Shale said, “This will be IKEA’s first wind farm outside of Europe. It’s also the largest investment by a retailer in Canada to date in wind energy.” With this new addition in their current collection of 157 wind turbines in eight countries worldwide, IKEA is almost halfway past their turbine purchasing goal.
Other than renewable power, IKEA is also looking into expanding into a line of green products. With a plan to invest $4.25 billion in its green portfolio until the end of 2015, IKEA will have generated 70% of the energy it consumes. According to IKEA’s chief sustainability officer, Steve Howard, to get that number up to 100% by 2020, the company will need to make another investment similar to the current one.
With so much effort and investment put into this green-energy push, IKEA is striving to improve on their CSR to strengthen their presence as a socially responsible business. “Sustainability has become a must-do for business,” says Howard, “it’s got to be in everybody’s home, it’s got to be in every business, it’s got to be at the heart of every business strategy.” Nevertheless, being green is costly, and it sure is costing IKEA a whole lot. Is investing in renewable energy really the key to success in the future of businesses, or is it just another green trend that will soon become irrelevant in consumers’ hearts?
Sources:
McCarthy, Shawn. “IKEA Brings Build-it-yourself Environmental Plan to Canada.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
McDonald, Ian. “Ikea Buys Wind Farm near Pincher Creek.” Global News. N.p., 15 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
White, Ryan. “IKEA Purchases Southern Alberta Wind Farm.” Calgary. CTV Calgary, 14 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
Picture credit:
Andrei, Mihai. “Ikea to Produce 100% Renewable Energy by 2020 – Sets Sustainable Standard.” ZME Science. N.p., 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
Hello Tiffany 🙂 I enjoyed reading your blog post.
May I comment on your blog post for my blog?
Thank you!
Thanks Hannah! and Yup for sure!