Greenpeace Criticizes Ikea Wood Sourcing Practices
The retailer faces calls to set measurable biodiversity targets as it reports its annual wood consumption levels.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Organic Food
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Greenpeace International recently alleged that Ikea Group sourcing practices are contributing to the destruction of European forests. The report calls for the company to adopt clearer, measurable biodiversity targets by 2030.
Why it matters
The criticism highlights the tension between large-scale industrial wood sourcing and forest conservation efforts. For the public, this raises questions about the environmental footprint of household goods and the transparency of corporate supply chains.
A report from Greenpeace alleges that current sourcing practices fail to protect forest health. While Ikea states 96.5% of its wood is FSC-certified or recycled, the total environmental impact of its 14.7 million cubic meters of wood processed in FY25 remains under debate.
The players
Ikea Group
A multinational retailer that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture and home accessories.
Greenpeace International
An environmental organization focused on global forest conservation and corporate accountability.
European Forest Institute
An international research organization that generates science-based information for forest policy.
The details
Ikea manages its wood procurement through annual plans and reports from suppliers submitted three times a year. In FY25, the company reported that 81% of its wood volume originated from virgin fibers, with 81% of all wood sourced from Europe. To address management standards, the company has partnered with the European Forest Institute and Preferred by Nature, allocating 16,000 hectares to research forest health, alongside its acquisition of 8,000 hectares of forest land in Latvia.
Timeline
2024: Environmental groups published reports on Romanian logging practices.
FY2025: Ikea reported its annual supply chain and wood sourcing metrics.
October 13, 2026: Greenpeace published its latest report and press release.
2030: Target date proposed by Greenpeace for corporate biodiversity goals.
Health Landscape
This report follows the 2024 analysis by Agent Green and Bruno Manser Fonds regarding Romanian logging practices. It highlights a growing shift toward requiring corporations to provide transparent, site-specific environmental metrics for the raw materials used in consumer goods.
Consumers seeking to minimize their environmental footprint may want to look for independent certifications on household wood products. It is worth discussing the importance of sustainable material sourcing with retailers when making significant furniture purchases.
The takeaway
Transparency in supply chains is becoming a key metric for evaluating the true cost of everyday products. Readers can prioritize items that explicitly document their environmental impact and adhere to independent forest certification standards.
Further reading
Learn more about the intersection of supply chain standards and sustainability in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Supply Chain Dive.
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