The Sustainable Allure of Real Wood
You know, there’s just something special about real wood furniture. The way the grain catches the light, the warmth it brings to a room – it’s no wonder so many of us are drawn to the natural beauty of this age-old material. But have you ever stopped to wonder about the journey that piece of furniture took to end up in your home?
As a new convert to the RV lifestyle, my wife Jess and I have become passionate about sustainable living. And when it comes to furnishing our home on wheels, real wood has always been our material of choice. But the more we learned about the sourcing and production of wood furniture, the more we realized there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
I’ll never forget the early days of our relationship, when Jess first introduced me to the joys of hiking and camping. Those formative experiences in the great outdoors instilled in us a deep appreciation for nature and a responsibility to protect it. So when we decided to downsize our lives and hit the road, we knew we wanted to do it in an eco-conscious way.
That’s why, when we were shopping for our Leisure Travel Van, one of the key factors was the company’s commitment to sustainability. From their use of renewable energy and efficient systems to their partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Unfinished Furniture brand aligned perfectly with our values. And that got us thinking – just how sustainable is the journey of real wood furniture from forest to home?
A Tangled Web of Deforestation
As it turns out, the wood industry is a complex and often controversial one. While wood is a renewable resource, the reality is that many of the world’s forests are being exploited at an unsustainable rate. According to a study published in the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, deforestation is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation.
The problem is particularly acute in developing regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and urban development have decimated ancient forests. Even in places like Canada and Siberia, the pressure on timber resources is growing. As one expert from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) put it, “A few efforts at replanting and conservation are being made, but nowhere near enough.”
IKEA’s Sustainable Transformation
But it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, there are some companies out there that are leading the charge when it comes to responsible forestry practices. Take IKEA, for example – one of the world’s largest furniture retailers and a major player in the wood industry.
Back in the 1990s, IKEA realized that it needed to take a hard look at the source of its timber. As the company’s former Environment Manager, Russel Johnson, put it, “A British organization had recently started publishing blacklists of companies that used wood species from tropical rainforests.” IKEA had to face the fact that some of its products were contributing to the deforestation crisis.
In response, the company launched an ambitious plan to clean up its supply chain and transition to more sustainable forestry practices. It was a long and arduous process, but IKEA was determined to lead by example.
As Ulf Johansson, IKEA’s Global Wood Supply & Forestry Manager, explains, “It was clear that IKEA needed much more in-house knowledge, not least about where the wood in its products had come from.” The company started by hiring its own team of foresters to develop and implement new requirements for responsible sourcing.
One of the key steps was IKEA’s involvement in the founding of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in 1993. This international certification system set rigorous standards for environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable forestry. IKEA then set ambitious goals to increase the percentage of FSC-certified wood in its products.
Navigating the Challenges
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. As Gudmund Vollbrecht, a former IKEA forester, recalls, “Some people said that as long as the teak came from plantations, it was fine to use it. But others didn’t agree, as teak was being smuggled extensively throughout Southeast Asia at the time.” There were frequent internal debates about balancing sustainability and affordability.
Kjell-Owe Ahlskog, another former Global Forestry Manager, remembers the challenges well: “At the time IKEA had been fluctuating between 3 and 8% FSC-certified wood of total wood production for several years, and there was no major improvement in sight.” The availability of FSC-certified timber was limited, and the company struggled to find a way to maintain its low prices while sourcing more sustainably.
It was a delicate balancing act, but IKEA stayed the course. As Sophie Beckham, who took over as Global Forestry Manager in 2007, explains, “We were starting to learn that we needed to be more open and transparent and engage our stakeholders.” The company forged partnerships with environmental groups like WWF, working together to map old-growth forests, combat illegal logging, and promote responsible wood trading.
A Culture Shift Takes Root
Over the years, IKEA’s forest strategy became increasingly integrated into its business operations. Anders Hildeman, a former Global Forestry Manager, recalls a pivotal moment in 2012 when he appeared on Swedish television to address accusations that the company was contributing to the destruction of ancient forests. “Internally, it gave us the political capital we needed to force these issues and three years later to achieve 50% FSC-certified wood,” he says.
Gradually, a culture shift was taking hold within IKEA. As Mikhail Tarasov, the current Global Forestry Manager, puts it, “Forestry had to become part of the business agenda.” He remembers the challenges he faced when he took over the China market in 2010, where FSC-certified wood levels were virtually non-existent. “Things were just not moving forward. The goal was clear, but we couldn’t reach it.”
But Mikhail and his team persevered, working closely with WWF to increase the availability of sustainable timber. Within two years, they managed to raise the share of wood from more sustainable sources in China from just over 0% to around 50%. It was a remarkable turnaround, but Mikhail is quick to credit the groundwork laid by his predecessors.
Reaching New Heights of Sustainability
Today, IKEA’s journey towards becoming “Forest Positive” is making impressive strides. In 2020, the company achieved its goal of using only FSC-certified or recycled wood across its entire global operations. That’s a remarkable feat, considering that just a few decades ago, the idea of a furniture giant like IKEA taking such a strong stance on sustainability was almost unthinkable.
As Mikhail Tarasov explains, “It’s been a long journey, and it’s far from over. Many individuals throughout these 30 years have played important roles in driving change in the organization.” But he’s quick to point out that this couldn’t have been achieved without a continued commitment to the cause and a genuine passion for sustainability within IKEA.
The company’s new forest agenda for 2030 aims to take things even further, focusing on enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and driving innovation to use wood in even smarter ways. Mikhail sums it up perfectly: “Forestry is not rocket science – it’s much more complicated. But we have to stay on our toes. As the pressure on the world’s forests continues to grow, we are ramping up the work to secure these precious resources for generations to come.”
Sustainable Furniture, Sustainable Living
As Jess and I continue our journey in our Leisure Travel Van, the story of IKEA’s transformation has really resonated with us. It’s a powerful reminder that even the biggest companies can make a meaningful difference when they put their minds to it. And it’s not just about IKEA – there are countless other furniture makers and retailers out there who are also stepping up to the sustainability challenge.
At the end of the day, the choices we make as consumers can have a huge impact. By supporting companies that prioritize responsible forestry practices and ethical production, we can all play a role in creating a more sustainable future for our planet. And when it comes to furnishing our homes, whether it’s an RV or a traditional stick-and-brick, real wood is a clear choice – not just for its beauty, but for its environmental benefits as well.
So next time you admire that gorgeous wooden table or dresser, take a moment to appreciate the journey it’s taken to end up in your home. It’s a story of innovation, perseverance, and a deep commitment to preserving the natural world. And who knows – maybe it’ll even inspire you to explore the great outdoors and discover the wonders of sustainable living for yourself.
