OPINION: 10 Years On from Paris – What Stands in the Way Is the Way Forward

The truth is, real climate progress has never been easy. We’re up against systems that were built without sustainability in mind, and tearing them down doesn’t happen overnight. But here’s the thing: what stands in our way is exactly what pushes us forward. Every obstacle can be a spark. Not a stop sign. This is where the best innovation and solutions can be found. Where vision meets sheer determination – and where positive momentum becomes unstoppable.

From ambition to action

At IKEA, sustainability and resource efficiency have long been part of our DNA, with our first environmental policy being set already in the early 1990s. But over the past decade, that commitment has taken on new urgency, as every fraction of a degree counts.

As a global company, and through Ingka Group operations in 31 countries, we have both responsibility and reach. That’s why we’ve committed to Paris and halving absolute emissions across our full value chain by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050, without relying on offsets. We’re investing in renewable energy, circularity, and nature-based carbon removal. We’re upskilling our leaders and working to influence actions beyond our own footprint, because being a good business means helping build the systems we all need to succeed.

Since 2009, we’ve invested over EUR 4.2 billion in renewable energy development through our investment arm, Ingka Investments, and now produce more electricity than we consume in our operations. Last year, we announced an additional EUR 1.5 billion to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels in our own operations through energy efficiency and renewable heating and cooling improvements. This year, we’ve committed to invest EUR 1 billion in circular, recycling and waste prevention businesses to drive systemic change.

But progress isn’t just about what we invest. It’s about finding innovative and unexpected solutions. In Paris, we launched zero-emission boat deliveries along the Seine in 2022 – a powerful example of what’s possible when we reimagine the familiar.

And these efforts are paying off. Since 2016, we’ve reduced our climate footprint by 30.1%, while growing the business by 23.7%. That’s not just a result for climate. It’s a great example of how reducing emissions and growing our business can go hand in hand. And in today’s world, this is more important than ever.

In FY24 we reached 96.6% renewable electricity sourcing for our operations, 41.1% zero-emission home deliveries, all while scaling services and solutions for people to acquire, care for and pass on IKEA products in circular ways, are helping us deliver on that ambition.

We’re not alone in this. Around the world, renewable energy is scaling faster than expected and has never been more affordable. Circular models are expanding. People everywhere are choosing to live with lower impact. To me, these aren’t just steps in the right direction. These are signs of resilience taking root.

The moment we’re in

The coming five years will define the next 50.

With the first breach of the 1.5°C threshold now behind us, urgency is no longer theoretical; it’s real. Staying on track with the Paris Agreement means halving global emissions by 2030. The coming five years are critical, but they’re also just the beginning. What we do now must lay the foundation for lasting, systemic change.

What that means is:

Courage to act boldly. We need to move forward even when the path is unclear. That includes phasing out fossil fuels, accelerating clean infrastructure, and supporting policies that help renewables become the default, not the exception.

Consistency across borders and value chains. Climate action can’t be patchwork. We need aligned standards, stable regulation, and investment in a just transition, so that the shift to a low-carbon economy works for people, not just markets.

Collaboration at every level. No single voice can solve everything. We need deeper collaboration between business, government, and civil society – rooted in science, backed by finance, and driven by delivery.

At IKEA, we’ve seen how climate action strengthens our business. Investments in clean energy reduce costs. Circular design creates new value. Inclusive models build long-term trust. Doing the right thing isn’t a trade-off. It’s how we stay relevant, resilient, and ready for the future.

The way forward

But we can’t do it on our own. And the good news is, we’re far from alone.

We’re part of initiatives like Climate Group, We Mean Business Coalition, the WEF Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, where businesses align with science, advocate for stronger policy, and turn ambition into accountability. That’s also why Action Speaks exists: to share practical, proven examples of climate action from companies around the world. Because the more we share what works (and what doesn’t) the faster we can all move.

Let this be the decade

This decade isn’t just about what we must prevent. It’s about what we can create. A world powered by clean energy. A world where sustainable living isn’t the exception; it’s just how we live. Cities with cleaner air and more green space for every family. That’s the future we still have time to build.

Ten years ago in Paris, the world made a promise to future generations. Now, the next five years will decide whether we keep it.

Let’s make this the decade where we don’t just talk about what’s possible, we prove it! Not only with more pledges, but with real action. With partnership. With delivery. And as we act, we must also keep learning – and sharing what works, failing fast when it doesn’t, and advancing solutions through science and technology.

May we be the generation remembered for acting with courage and choosing to move forward even when the path wasn’t clear. Because what seems to stand in our way often turns out to be the way forward.