Karen Pflug

Chief Sustainability Officer at the Ingka Group, Former Global Head of Quality at IKEA, & Innovative Sustainability Expert

  • CEO of Ikano Insight
  • Apparel Director, Reebok
  • Innovation Director, Nike
  • Played a key role in reducing Ingka Group’s carbon footprint by 24% since 2016

Karen Pflug, appointed as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of Ingka Group in 2021, has been instrumental in steering the company’s sustainability initiatives towards innovation and impactful change. With over 25 years of experience in leading business transformation, particularly emphasising innovation, sustainable design, and retail, she has significantly influenced Ingka Group’s approach to sustainability.

Under Karen’s leadership, Ingka Group has made substantial investments in renewable energy, aligning with its commitment to sustainability. The company has allocated €6.5 billion for renewable energy projects by 2030, with €3 billion already invested in wind and solar energy. This includes the installation of 575 wind turbines across 17 countries and 20 solar parks, featuring over 900,000 solar panels on IKEA store and warehouse rooftops. Additionally, she has been Global Head of Quality at IKEA, driving innovation and widely globally well received product improvement programmes. As CEO of Ikano Insight, she is helping organisations turn everyday data into meaningful, actionable insights by making the complex simple with innovative solutions.

Karen’s has also championed the transition to a circular economy within Ingka Group. The company aims to become fully circular by 2030, focusing on designing products for longevity, repairability, and recyclability. Initiatives such as offering spare parts to customers have been implemented to extend product lifespans, with 1.6 million customers utilizing these services last year. Additionally, Ingka Investments has supported innovative companies like RetourMatras, which recycles over a million mattresses in the Netherlands, contributing to waste reduction and resource efficiency.

In her role, Karen emphasises the importance of integrating sustainability into all aspects of the business. She advocates for leaders and employees across various functions to actively contribute to the sustainability agenda, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility. Karen believes that embedding sustainability into daily operations is crucial for the company’s long-term success and resilience. Karen’s leadership has been pivotal in Ingka Group’s efforts to decouple business growth from its climate footprint. The company has successfully reduced its carbon footprint by 24% since 2016 while increasing revenue by nearly 31%. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of Karen’s innovative approach to sustainability, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and business growth can coexist.

Through her strategic vision and commitment to innovation, Karen Pflug continues to drive Ingka Group’s sustainability agenda, ensuring that the company not only meets its environmental goals but also sets a benchmark for sustainable practices in the retail industry. Her illustrious career is rife with meaningful strides made in the sustainability field, and she speaks on these in detail when hired as a keynote speaker at a wide range of events. She has received an overall rating of 9.2/10 as a sustainability keynote speaker. If you wish to hire a thought leader in innovation & sustainability, Karen Pflug is the right choice for you!

To enquire about Karen Pflug for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@sustainability-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553.