Released this week, the 2011 IKEA Sustainability Report outlines the sustainability work carried out on a global level by the group while, importantly, also including key performance indicators to show results against targets. According to the report, the share of more sustainable cotton in the IKEA range has increased significantly – up to 50,000 tons – as part of its work with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), the WWF and other partners which helps cotton farmers in India, Pakistan, China and Turkey introduce more sustainable cultivation methods.

IKEA has a long history of working with sustainability. It is a founding member of both the Forest Stewardship Council and the BCI, and has maintained successful partnerships with UNICEF, Save the Children and World Wildlife Fund for over a decade.

The company also developed its IWAY code of conduct for suppliers which, launched in 2000, now records over 165,000 environmental and social improvements the company has achieved.

“The sense of urgency around sustainability in IKEA has intensified and we are continuing to push ourselves to do even more,” said Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Group. “We are working hard to secure more renewable energy, protect raw materials and drive innovation to eliminate waste - choosing instead to create new, valuable resources. And we are making good progress,”

Highlights of the report include details of IKEA’s allocation of ?70 million invested in renewable energies, part of the company’s long-term goal of using 100% renewable energy, and confirmation that total donations from the IKEA Foundation increased to ?5 million in 2011.