Ikea accused of using wood from protected Swedish forests

Greenpeace Nordic has accused the furniture retailer Ikea of sourcing wood from highly biodiverse, old-growth continuity forests in Sweden. Using electronic trackers placed in logs, investigators reportedly traced timber from clear-cut areas to sawmills owned by SCA, which supply factories producing Ikea products such as the Ivar and Hejne shelving units.

Greenpeace stated that these forests are essential for biodiversity and that their destruction impacts the cultural heritage and livelihoods of the indigenous Sami population. The environmental organization is calling on Ikea to clean up its supply chains to protect Nordic forests.

In response, Ikea stated that the logging practices follow all applicable laws and the company’s own environmental certifications. Ulf Johansson, Ikea’s raw material manager, noted that while the company respects calls for higher standards, they must balance environmental, social, and economic interests. Ikea further argued that being classified as a continuity forest does not automatically mean the land is legally protected.