IKEA’s new Greenwich store awarded highest sustainability rating

A new IKEA store in the London borough of Greenwich has been awarded the highest rating score for a retail unit to date by a leading building science organisation.

Building Research Establishment (BRE) has awarded IKEA Greenwich an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the BREEAM UK New Construction certification, which rates the sustainability of buildings.

The IKEA branch achieved a score of over 90%, making it the first building in the UK and second retail unit in the world to receive such an accolade.

The award has been celebrated by IKEA who called it a ‘milestone’ in their journey to becoming a more sustainable business.

Hege Sæbjørnsen, Country Sustainability Manager at IKEA UK & Ireland said: ‘Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and through our combined efforts across the business and in partnership with others, we have been able to achieve an “Outstanding” BREEAM UK New Construction rating.

‘This is a prolific milestone in our journey to becoming a more sustainable and circular business, and also how we hope to inspire change beyond our own business.’

BRE’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) measures buildings against a range of sustainability variables including indoor air quality, water usage, and innovation initiatives.

The assessment method aims to rate environments which boost the wellbeing of those who live and work in them and help to protect natural resources.

IKEA Greenwich rated highly for incorporating a range of sustainable technologies, such as solar power, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting and its use of renewable construction materials.

The retail unit also received praise for its use of renewable energy as it is powered by solar panels and uses a geothermal system for heating and cooling.

The store is designed to allow natural light, while it also features three landscaped gardens to support insect life and raised beds which are accessible to customers and the community.

Only 320 buildings around the world have achieved a BREEAM score of over 90%, which goes to demonstrate the scale of the IKEA store’s achievement.

Shamir Ghumra, director of BREEAM at BRE, said: ‘BREEAM is the world’s leading building design certification and our aim is to drive excellence in sustainable building practices.

‘Ikea’s 90.44% score reflects this. It’s testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability practices of the highest standard, for the benefit of all.’

BRE was founded in 1921 as part of the British Civil Service as an effort to improve housing in the UK. It was given executive agency status in 1990 and was privatised in 1997.

Image credit: David Anstiss