NETHERLANDS – Ikea has announced a new international research project aimed at enhancing responsible forest management and addressing global climate and biodiversity challenges.

In partnership with the European Forest Institute (EFI) and Preferred by Nature, the company will test and scale improved forestry practices that support climate adaptation and ecological conservation.

The initiative, backed by Inter Ikea Group and Ingka Group, will begin in Latvia on 16,000 hectares of forest owned by Ikea. The research will focus on adjusting existing forest management models and testing alternative methods such as closer-to-nature forestry, continuous cover forestry, and other climate-smart practices.

“Our ambition is to better understand how forestry can adapt to changing climate conditions while protecting biodiversity,” said Mikhail Tarasov, Head of Forestry at Inter Ikea Group. “We want to implement these solutions across all the forests we own or source from, going beyond just our supply chain.”

EFI will provide scientific research and analysis, while Preferred by Nature will contribute technical expertise and certification guidance. The collaboration aims to integrate the findings into global certification standards like FSC, helping to raise industry-wide sustainability standards.

By using its scale as a major wood consumer, Ikea seeks to lead by example in sustainable forestry, ensuring responsible sourcing and supporting long-term climate goals.