Swedish furniture giant IKEA recently released its 2022 Sustainability Report to gain insight into how it is meeting its climate goals to become a climate positive company by 2030.

IKEA’s sustainability program revolves around five areas: energy, air, water, food and waste. In the food category, the company aims to meet its climate goals by shifting its bar menu to be 50 percent plant-based by 2025. The company also plans to make 80% of its packaged food plant-based within that time frame.

IKEA also said it had decided to eliminate dairy from its coffee shop menus by 2030 as part of the company’s sustainability goals and its goal of becoming climate positive by 2030.
According to IKEA, its restaurants, coffee shops and bars serve more than 650 million customers a year.
“Plant-based foods generally have a lower climate footprint compared to animal foods. Plant-based diets with high nutritional value may also be a healthier choice,” IKEA said in its report.

IKEA expands plant-based food options

IKEA has long been experimenting with plant-based options, launching its first plant-based Swedish meatballs in 2015. Since then, the furniture giant has gradually expanded into new plant-based products, including plant-based hot dogs, dairy-free soft drinks, and plant-based chicken.
The chain has also developed new versions of its original plant-based meatballs. Launched in 2020 and sold under the name HUVUDROLL on its food marketplace, the ‘Plant Meatballs’ have been developed with sustainability in mind and have a carbon footprint of just 4% of IKEA’s traditional meat-based Swedish meatballs.

The report states:
“As a major food supplier, the IKEA business also has a responsibility to encourage and enable healthier and more sustainable food choices. During the year we continued to expand and improve our plant by launching new products and strengthening our communications sexual food supply.”

This has led to a significant increase in plant-based food sales at IKEA bars and stores. From 2021 to 2022, the sales share of plant balls and veggie balls will increase from 14% in IKEA restaurants to 17% in bars, and from 24% in stores to 26%.

Ditching dairy ‘good for people and planet’

In 2022, IKEA estimates its carbon footprint at 25.8 million tonnes of CO2e, a 5% reduction compared to the 2021 footprint and a 12% reduction compared to the 2016 baseline. While this is partly due to factors such as lower production volumes and more energy-efficient products, IKEA revealed that its increased plant-based food options — and consumer engagement with them — have helped it reduce its carbon footprint. It will continue to explore this field in exciting ways.

Late last year, IKEA announced a sustainable food court concept offering a range of sustainable and healthy food options, including salads, smoothies and plant-based dishes, made with local and organic ingredients where possible.

Sustainable food at IKEA

Both the food court and dairy-free pledge build on IKEA’s sustainable food catalog; it currently offers plant-based versions of Swedish meatballs, hot dogs and other coffee shop staples, including ice cream.
According to the United Nations, the livestock industry is responsible for about 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. According to a survey conducted by GlobalData, 23% of consumers worldwide are reducing their consumption of animal products, with 70% doing so for better health and environmental benefits.

IKEA says it has been actively working to improve animal welfare across its supply chain. The company has committed to sourcing all animal products from farms that meet higher welfare standards by 2025.