IKEA Launches 2009 Global Sustainability Report

Report is Released as IKEA Canada is recognized as One of Canada's Greenest Employers for Second Consecutive Year

BURLINGTON, ON, May 6 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada released its 2009 global sustainability report today, which is published each year to highlight IKEA's global developments and its continual commitment to having a positive impact on people and the environment. The announcement comes on the heels of accepting an environmental nod from Mediacorp Canada Inc. who named the leading home furnishings company as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for the second year in a row.

This special designation recognizes the employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness in their organizations. IKEA was recognized for its international initiatives with UNICEF, Save the Children and WWF, long standing partnership with Tree Canada, in-store recycling programs, green parking policies and sustainable procurement guidelines.

Many of these initiatives are highlighted in the new global sustainability report, which describes the progress IKEA made over the last year (September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009) in the areas of social and environmental responsibility. The report follows the company's progress through key performance indicators that measure how far IKEA has come towards achieving its long term sustainability goals.

"The IKEA Sustainability Report highlights progress in a number of areas and I am proud of all the work we have done so far," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada. "We are on a never ending journey towards a more sustainable future and we will continue to integrate sustainability in everything we do. We want to, and will, take new and innovative steps together with our co-workers, customers, suppliers and other partners."

A few highlights from the global report:

    
    -   In 2009, IKEA has expanded its cooperation with WWF globally in four
        new climate projects. The ambition is to identify and act on
        opportunities in the entire value chain, from raw material extraction
        to recycling IKEA products at the end of their life-cycle, and to
        help our customers become more climate-smart.

    -   IKEA has decided to equip 150 stores and distribution centres with
        solar panels for electricity production. This represents a big step
        forward towards the long-term direction of running all IKEA buildings
        on 100 per cent renewable energy.

    -   IKEA Social Initiative continues its fight for children's rights and
        now supports UNICEF and Save the Children programs that will benefit
        100 million children. One major commitment is to strengthen
        10 million children's access to quality education in 15,000 villages
        in the cotton and cotton seed producing areas in India and Pakistan.

    -   In 2009, IKEA Social Initiative also started cooperating with the
        United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to empower 50,000 Indian
        women to become leaders, role models and entrepreneurs.
    

"Job seekers today are looking for more than just a pay cheque - they want to work for companies that show in action they are looking after its people, operate their businesses in sustainable ways and provide an inspiring place to work," continues Molinaro. "At IKEA, we are proud to be recognized for being one of Canada's Greenest employers two years in a row, and will continue to engage our co-workers in all our sustainability efforts."

The sustainability report is available for download at www.ikea.ca/theneverendinglist.

To read more on Mediacorp's editorial selection of IKEA in their 2010 Greenest Employers list, visit www.eluta.ca/green-at-ikea-canada.

About IKEA

IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 267 stores in 25 countries worldwide, which are visited by 590 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 11 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the ikea.com websites attracted 561 million visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca

For further information: or to schedule an interview with an IKEA spokesperson please contact: STEFANIE NIEWADA, ACCOUNT MANAGER, OPTIMUM PUBLIC RELATIONS, T: [phone], [email protected]