In FY24, we used 13.4 million cubic meters of wood  for our products - 10.2 million m3 which was virgin wood material. But how much is that really? To start with, let’s not avoid the fact: it’s a lot. That’s why we work tirelessly to ensure that the wood we use comes from responsibly managed sources and that it’s used as efficiently as possible.  Across the world, wood has a huge number of different uses.

Approximately half the world’s wood is used each year as wood fuel in the form of charcoal, fuelwood or pellets. The other half is used for so-called industrial roundwood that is turned, among other applications, into paper, packaging and products made of wood - including IKEA furniture. Based on data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization over the past five years, we estimate that our 10.2 million cubic meters of virgin wood material accounts for about 0.6% of global industrial wood use.     

Making responsible forest management the norm 

For IKEA, it’s a pre-requisite that our own share of wood is responsibly sourced. But beyond that, what if we could see our large scale as an opportunity? An opportunity to raise the bar and influence the industry to make responsible forest management the norm across the world. An opportunity to help halt deforestation. An opportunity to support the livelihoods of local communities who depend on forests.   

That is the optimism on which we build our approach to wood and forestry, both within and beyond IKEA.  

The first part of fixing something that’s not being done right by one of our suppliers or sub-suppliers is finding that mistake in the first place. We’ve worked for decades to develop a comprehensive wood control system that helps us to do just that.   

Our suppliers are required to prove they’ve sourced their wood from responsibly managed forests and provide their wood sourcing plans annually. This is verified by internal audits conducted by qualified IKEA specialists. Each audit can include visiting suppliers and entire supply chains e.g. sawmills and forests themselves, checking operations in the production facilities’ log yards, and reviewing documentation. Such audits are conducted regularly.  

Following a risk-based approach, we also use technology such as anatomy, isotope and DNA analysis to verify the species and origin of wood to ensure it’s come from a responsibly managed forest.  

On top of our own checks, we also require suppliers to comply with the strictest standards developed by FSC. FSC has its own compliance and verification systems that complement our internal efforts.  

It’s easy to say no 

Under no circumstances do we accept wood that fails to meet our critical requirements. If we discover something that’s not done right, we take the necessary measures: we correct wrongdoings or end the business relationship.  

We know that an important way to reduce pressure on forests is to use wood even more efficiently than we do today. Our goal by 2030 is to have one third of the IKEA wood-based range be made from recycled wood. In FY24, approximately 16% of our wood use was recycled wood. We still have a way to go but continue to work on developing and using new technology that enables recyclability of composite wood materials, including fibreboard.   

So why not aim higher than 30%? Whilst we always try to produce more from less, solid wood as a material in furniture is often irreplaceable in certain applications: from the durable yet beautiful surface of a wooden dining table to the strength wood brings to our beds and sofas. The important thing to remember is that if we can’t use recycled wood, then we secure that the wood we use comes from responsibly managed forests that are FSC-certified. In total, 97% of wood used in our products in FY24 was either FSC-certified or recycled.  

We’ll continue to work towards our 2030 target of using more recycled wood, whilst remaining focused on all the work we do to ensure the rest of our wood comes from responsibly managed sources.   

Forests are complex environments on which nature and people depend. They’re places of biological diversity, but also a source of economic income for local people and workers.  

The Forest Stewardship Council is a nonprofit organisation that covers more than 150 million hectares of certified forests and is the global benchmark for sustainable forestry. Equally governed by environmental, social, and economic perspectives, FSC helps forest managers, smallholders, and governments ensure thriving forest ecosystems and safeguard the livelihoods of forest communities.  

FSC’s forestry standards, linked to a strict chain of custody certification, are a proven solution to fight the climate and biodiversity crises. The FSC logo, found on millions of products worldwide, is the most recognised mark for responsible forestry.

To set these standards, FSC has a democratic and transparent approach that allows all stakeholders, including business and environmental groups, to have their voices heard. So, while it’s true that IKEA has a seat at the table to influence FSC standards, we do so together with 1,100 members who voice their valuable perspectives, ideas and concerns around responsible forest management processes. 

With this approach, we believe FSC is the most credible certification for responsibly sourced wood available.