IKEA on Wednesday said it would use only electric vehicles for delivery services by 2025 in India.
“We have the goal to adopt 100% EVs by 2025 for customer deliveries. Transport of co-workers with EVs will be the next step,” the Swedish home furnishings major said in an announcement on how Country Retail Managers at 30 IKEA retail businesses globally would take take on the role of country Chief Sustainability Officer as well.
“The Country Retail Managers will be overall accountable for implementing the IKEA sustainability strategy, people and planet positive in their respective countries,” a release said.
IKEA, which opened its first India store in Hyderabad, had in the past spoken of plans to have 25 stores in the country by 2025.
A re-look at the strategy, by the company that had secured government of India approval to invest up to ₹10,500 crore, would translate into the company looking beyond the 25 stores proposed in the country by 2025.
Consequently, IKEA Indian CEO Peter Betzel would take on the additional responsibility of Chief Sustainability Officer for India from September 1. “I have a greater responsibility to ensure sustainability is integrated into everything we do as a business. It’s especially relevant for India and we have many ambitious plans,” he said.
Citing India specific examples, the release said IKEA followed a framework of prevent, reduce, reuse, and recycle on the waste management front.
“We have tied up with IKEA purchasing suppliers where our cardboard and plastic waste will go for recycling into our value chain,” the release said.
On the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy front, IKEA is harnessing solar energy and exploring “possibilities to purchase renewable energy for the remaining part of our consumed energy.