By Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast
The world’s furniture giant has plans to double investments in renewable energy now and hopefully again in 2015 as well as become 100% reliant on renewable energy sources by 2020.
Not only is Ikea planning on being 100% reliant on renewable energy resources by 2020, but they are also planning to have all their subcontractors 100% reliant as well. They are doubling its renewable energy investments to a total of $4billion and they feel that with the rapid expansion they will hopefully be doubling this investment again in 2015. CEO Mikael Ohlsson said “I foresee we’ll continue to increase our investments in renewable energy. Looking at how quickly we’re expanding and our value chain, we will most likely have to double the investments once more after 2015.”
The hope is that these goals will help reduce costs and therefore help the company keeps its reputation of affordability now and in the future. These are very demanding goals and ones that all our big companies and small companies alike should be setting for themselves. It is a big development which will hopefully push others to follow their example.
Ikea also plan to expand on their range of energy efficient products such as lighting as well as water-use efficiency. Their objectives are to supply only LED lighting in all their lighting departments by 2016 as well as 70%-80% of power consumption from renewable energies by 2015. Sales figures recently released show an increase in sales to $27.6 billion euro.
Currently, Ikea own a quarter of a million solar panels, 126 wind farms of which supply 34% of their current energy consumption.
Even though, many politicians around the world have not come on board yet to urge our big companies to use and invest in renewable energies, many are jumping on board anyway. It is not only a smart business decision to help lower costs but it is also a way to help our environment and protect our futures.
President Obama said in his final inauguration speech that they “Will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgement of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms.”
“The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God.”
Having a president of such a powerful country put climate change in the fore front like that could be a very influential move. We, like many others, hope that these are not just words and some action will take place this term. We also hope that other political leaders around the world will follow his example and start taking action and creating a future for our loved ones.