The Zero Waste Foundation highlighted Türkiye’s zero waste approach and the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change preparations during New York Climate Week, focusing on zero waste, climate justice, green skills, sustainable food systems and local implementation.
The foundation, one of the main stakeholders of New York Climate Week, brought Türkiye’s approach to translating climate commitments into concrete action to international platforms ahead of COP31.
The week brought together climate decision-makers, public and private sector representatives, international organizations and civil society actors from different countries.
The zero waste vision promoted by Emine Erdoğan, founder of the Zero Waste Movement and honorary chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation, was among the key issues highlighted during the events and meetings.
Messages from Erdoğan in New York emphasized that zero waste should be addressed not only as a waste management issue but also alongside energy transition, resource efficiency and climate action.
Samed Ağırbaş, president of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, also discussed Türkiye’s preparations for COP31 during New York Climate Week.
Ağırbaş said there was significant interest in COP31 during the U.N. General Assembly and that high-level participation from countries around the world was expected.
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend COP31, he said, adding that Türkiye would assume a stronger position in global climate diplomacy through COP31.
“Türkiye has historically served as a bridge, and with COP31, it will become one of the most important actors in climate diplomacy,” Ağırbaş said.
He added that the COP31 process was being built as a “people-focused, implementation-oriented COP” under the leadership of COP31 President and Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum.
Ağırbaş delivered the closing remarks at the Climate Implementation Forum during New York Climate Week, where he stressed that climate targets should not remain at the level of policies and commitments.
He said climate commitments needed to produce tangible outcomes in people’s daily lives, including cleaner air, healthier food and more resilient communities.
He also participated in a roundtable at the Harvard Club titled “From Climate Targets to Final Investment Decisions: How Can COP31 Climate Commitments Be Transformed Into Investment?”
The meeting brought together representatives from the business and financial sectors and focused on converting climate commitments into investment decisions and mobilizing private capital.
Ağırbaş emphasized the importance of directing global capital toward areas capable of generating high impact and said the foundation aimed to develop zero-waste- and energy-focused initiatives into measurable and financeable projects.
Ağırbaş also attended the COP31 Action Agenda Launch Event at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Monday.
The COP31 Action Agenda, presented by Kurum, outlined priorities and a road map for translating climate targets into concrete action.
Ağırbaş said the Zero Waste Foundation would continue advancing Erdoğan’s zero waste vision as a concrete component of climate action during the COP31 preparations.
He also participated in a roundtable titled “From Climate Targets to Final Investment Decisions: How Can COP31 Climate Commitments Be Translated Into Investment?”, where business and financial sector representatives discussed directing global capital toward high-impact areas.
During the week, Ağırbaş attended meetings organized by international organizations and high-level gatherings, where he presented Türkiye’s zero waste experience and COP31 preparations to international stakeholders.
He said the foundation’s work had helped turn the zero waste approach into a global movement originating from Türkiye and that the experience gained through implementation across all 81 provinces continued to be shared internationally.
