Greenpeace responds to IKEA: 'Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's sustainable'

– The evidence provided by Greenpeace is strong and shows how IKEA suppliers are behind the destruction of valuable ancient forests in Romania to manufacture some of IKEA's most popular furniture. IKEA can't deny this, but unfortunately they seem to be trying to sweep it under the rug. It also means that they are not listening to everyone who signed our open letter, says Erika Bjoriby, head of Greenpeace Sweden.

IKEA claims, among other things, that it is not doing anything illegal.

– Even if it is true that IKEA does not do anything illegal, it does not mean that it is sustainable, and sustainable is precisely what IKEA is keen to appear to be. The same applies, for example, to oil extraction in the Arctic. It's legal too, but it's definitely something you should stay away from if you care about our environment and our shared future. Erika Bjoribe says.

All of the logging sites cited by Greenpeace in the report were identified as ancient forests for several reasons. This is partly due to the age of the trees, but also due to their different sizes and shapes, as well as the amount of dead wood that was visible. Many trees are also indigenous and forests contribute unique ecosystem services.

As Greenpeace points out in its report, FSC classification does not always adequately take into account the importance of old-growth forests. It allows forestry companies to cut down ancient forests, even if doing so requires strict protection. Greenpeace Norden raised the issue surrounding the FSC mark in a previous release relationship From 2009.

Hiding behind a sustainability label that clearly has obvious flaws is not the answer. We ask IKEA to review its supply chains and urge our politicians to take the necessary decisions to reach EU biodiversity commitments. The current system is not enough to ensure that the last of our ancient forests are not cut down. Political clarity around this could ensure that IKEA is not linked to the destruction of ancient forests in the future, but instead becomes an advocate for nature conservation. Erika Bjoribe says.

Mir information

Greenpeace Open letter He received thousands of signatures in one day. In Sweden alone, more than 3,500 people had signed the letter at the time of writing

IKEA's statements can be found on the Greenpeace report, for example Current durability

Photo material from yesterday's Greenpeace demonstrations outside IKEA is available here