2008 Corporate Responsibility Report
How we are creating a smarter foundation for a sustainable future
Photo: Robert Houser, roberthouser.com
With stores in 36 countries, IKEA is a leading provider of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at affordable prices—from lamps and living room sets to kitchen appliances. IKEA maintains a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, including working to minimize the environmental impacts of its products and operations. The IKEA store in West Sacramento is one of the company's least energy-intensive locations on a square-foot basis. PG&E is helping the store stay at the forefront by partnering on a suite of energy efficiency and demand response programs, as well as PG&E's innovative ClimateSmart™ program. Working together, we are demonstrating the power of partnerships and taking creative steps to benefit the environment both today and tomorrow.
Heine Roikjer is the store manager, and Alex Chaney is the facilities manager at IKEA West Sacramento, a facility that stands apart for its energy-saving practices and environmental commitment.
Ann Denison is a service and sales representative at PG&E who is working collaboratively to help IKEA meet its sustainability goals.
Why is sustainability important to IKEA?
Roikjer: IKEA provides home furnishing articles for better living at a price people can afford—but not at any price. With everything we do, we think about how it relates to people and the environment. For us, sustainability is a must.
What's PG&E's approach to working with its business customers?
Denison: We want to build a relationship with our customers and partner with them to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. We offer a full package of programs and incentives—from energy efficiency rebates to the ClimateSmart program. I feel fortunate because Heine and Alex are so receptive to trying new things and so much fun to work with.
What steps have you taken to reduce your store's environmental footprint?
Chaney: When I came to IKEA in 2006, this store was new, so we took a comprehensive look at opportunities. We started with an energy audit, which helped us focus on areas of high energy usage, such as lighting. We converted to energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, earning PG&E rebates, and signed up for PG&E's demand response program to help shed our load during critical times. We've also assessed the carbon footprint of our store to understand where we are and possible savings.
Roikjer: PG&E's ClimateSmart program is a good example of long-term thinking. I believe we have a responsibility to support this kind of program in order to have a more sustainable future.
What are your expectations for PG&E as a business customer?
Roikjer: Just like any supplier or business partner, we expect PG&E to be socially responsible. We want true partners that we can talk to and who will listen to us and give us the service that we deserve. We also want to stay informed of new and upcoming technologies—for example, last year, we worked with PG&E to test some emerging lighting technologies in our store.
What are the greatest challenges companies face with regard to sustainability?
Denison: With today's economy, it can be more difficult for companies to balance short- versus long-term goals. It's important to have a strong corporate commitment and to be creative in how you approach opportunities. It also requires a culture change to recognize that electricity isn't here for our wasting.
How can PG&E lay a smarter, sustainable foundation for the future?
Roikjer: We look for PG&E to help its customers, like IKEA, stay focused on reducing energy use to help us meet our goals. And we need a greater investment in renewable energy, with large wind and solar installations, as well as new energy efficiency technologies.
Chaney: I'd like to see PG&E focus even more on energy-efficient design standards for buildings. This is an area that can make a big difference for California.