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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How is IKEA linked to deforestation in Romania and the 'timber mafia'? 

IKEA is linked to deforestation in Romania through its sourcing of wood from illegally logged forests by the timber mafia. Investigations by environmental organizations, including Agent Green, the Bruno Manser Fonds, and Greenpeace Romania, found evidence that IKEA has sourced timber from Romania’s national forests and even from EU-protected Natura 2000 biodiversity sites. Agent Green’s 2024 report concluded that forests rich in biodiversity have been fragmented, degraded, and in some cases reduced to barren landscapes, with wood from these areas entering IKEA’s supply chain. IKEA is well aware of the volatility of the region and supply chain; our film’s key characters have met with IKEA in person to explain firsthand what is happening on the ground in Romania.

The issue is a result of corruption in Romania’s forestry sector. Since the fall of communism in 1989 and Romania’s entry into the EU in 2007, the country’s forests have become increasingly vulnerable to land grabs and commercial exploitation. During this period, large tracts of forest were acquired by private interests, and IKEA (Inka Investments) became the largest private forest owner in Romania.

The term “timber mafia” refers to the powerful networks involved in illegal logging, corruption, and violence surrounding the timber trade. In Romania, these groups have been linked to threats and attacks against forest rangers, activists, and investigators, with multiple reported deaths and hundreds of violent incidents. 

What are the impacts of this illegal logging on local communities and the environment? 

Illegal logging in Romania has significant environmental and social impacts.

From an environmental perspective, it has contributed to the degradation and fragmentation of old-growth forests in the Carpathian region, including some of Europe’s last remaining intact forest ecosystems. This has led to biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, soil erosion, and reduced carbon sequestration capacity. In many cases, forest landscapes have been replaced by clear-cut or heavily degraded areas. 

“I just remember the places where I used to grow up in the Carpathians, where there were intact forest landscapes,” Gabi Paun shared. “Suddenly, after 2000, the companies came and started to cut… [Now] I can’t recognize the places. I immediately get disoriented.”

The impacts on local communities and those working in forest protection are also significant. Individuals involved in monitoring, documenting, or opposing illegal logging activities face serious risks. According to reported figures, at least six patrolmen from Romania’s Forest Guard have been killed in recent years, and more than 650 violent incidents, including assaults, shootings, and other attacks, have been registered in connection with forestry-related conflicts.

Public officials have also been targeted. Doina Pana, a former Romanian minister, resigned due to health issues after she stated she survived mercury poisoning, which she believes was linked to her efforts to address illegal logging.

How has IKEA managed to develop a reputation for sustainability, despite this illegal logging? 

IKEA has been very effective at building a global reputation as a sustainability leader through branding and strategic philanthropy. IKEA benefits from operating in places where forest deforestation often receives limited international scrutiny, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia, allowing these issues to remain less visible to global audiences (see other examples in Ukraine and Russia).

IKEA’s public-facing sustainability campaigns and the work of the IKEA Foundation, which supports environmental initiatives and storytelling projects worldwide, also reinforce IKEA's positive public reputation. 

IKEA has consistently pointed to its compliance with national and EU regulations, as well as its certification through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). However, environmental groups, including Agent Green and Greenpeace, have alleged that IKEA’s logging practices in high-conservation-value forests undermine biodiversity protections. Notably, FSC has faced criticism over potential conflicts of interest related to IKEA’s historical role in its founding. 

What have local activists been doing to expose this? What is the response like?

Local activists and environmental organizations in Romania have been working for years to expose illegal logging, corruption, and the destruction of old-growth forests. Agent Green and Greenpeace are two organizations that have been gathering evidence, pushing for policy reform (both nationally and at the EU level), and bringing international attention to the issue.

One of the most prominent voices in this movement is Gabriel Paun, whom our film follows. For more than a decade, Gabi and his team at Agent Green have been investigating illegal logging networks, exposing links between the timber mafia and major corporate supply chains, and advocating for stronger protections for Romania’s remaining forests. This work is often dangerous, with activists and forest guards facing violence. Their efforts have included traditional protests/sit-ins, formal reports documenting illegal logging, and media outreach both in the country and internationally. While many people in Europe are increasingly aware of these issues, there is still far less awareness in North America.