Within the scope of preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which Türkiye will host in 2026, a significant cooperation has been launched to accelerate the green transformation process of the industry.
The Zero Waste Movement, growing on a global scale under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chair of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, has taken a new step towards disseminating sustainable production models in the industrial sector in line with Türkiye's climate goals.
With the cooperation protocol signed between the Zero Waste Foundation and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO); it is aimed to strengthen the zero waste approach in the industry, disseminate circular economy practices, increase resource and water efficiency, support clean production technologies, and develop a sustainable production culture.
The "Zero Waste Journey of Industry: Circular Business Models" meeting, hosted by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry within the scope of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, was held with the agenda of green transformation and circular economy, which are among the key topics of Türkiye's private sector vision during the COP31 process.
At the meeting; the effects of the transition to a circular economy on global trade, international sustainability standards, eco-design applications, digital product passports, resource efficiency, next-generation production technologies, and zero waste applications in the industry were discussed. In sessions held by experts in their fields, the contributions of circular models to economic competitiveness alongside environmental gains and good practice examples were evaluated.
The Role of Industry in the COP31 Vision
The opening speeches of the meeting held in Odakule were delivered by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry Erdal Bahçıvan, and President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated that the zero waste approach is a global transformation area that concerns the entire value chain from production to consumption, and drew attention to the vision Türkiye has put forward in this field.
Touching upon the international importance of the Zero Waste Forum, Governor Gül expressed that the organization, which will include participants from 183 countries, will contribute to the global brand value of Türkiye and Istanbul.
Emphasizing that Türkiye has reached a pioneering position in the world in the field of zero waste, Gül noted that this success makes significant contributions to the sustainability agenda on a global scale.
"Our Industry is One of the Most Important Actors of Green Transformation"
President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş drew attention to the critical role of the industrial sector in sustainable transformation.
Ağırbaş stated that, as the Zero Waste Foundation, they carry out close collaborations with industrialists, producers, and sector representatives, expressing that the works carried out within the scope of Istanbul Zero Waste Week were shaped with an understanding of collective wisdom and participation.
Noting that local needs and sector expectations were revealed through the Zero Waste, Environment, and Climate Change Workshops held across Türkiye, Ağırbaş announced that special workshops geared towards the industrial sector would also commence.
Ağırbaş evaluated, "Together with our industrialists, producers, and all stakeholders, we will listen to the needs of the sectors and bring solution proposals to the relevant authorities. We will advance the green transformation process with collective wisdom."
Pointing out that the COP31 process is an important opportunity for Türkiye in global climate diplomacy, Ağırbaş stated that the Zero Waste Forum will be one of the strong reflections of this vision on the international platform.
"Circular Economy is the Economic Imperative of Sustainable Development"
Erdal Bahçıvan, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, stated that climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are three fundamental global crises that affect each other.
Emphasizing that the circular economy is not merely an environmental approach but also a strategic transformation area that increases the competitiveness of the industry, Bahçıvan said that production models where resources are used more efficiently, wastes are transformed back into value, and product life cycles are extended will shape the industry of the future.
Stating that the Turkish industry has a significant potential in this transformation with its engineering infrastructure, production capacity, and entrepreneurial power, Bahçıvan drew attention to the importance of university-industry collaborations, R&D investments, clean technology applications, and the popularization of industrial symbiosis models.
Expressing that COP31 is a great opportunity for Türkiye, Bahçıvan noted that the conference will be an important platform to convey Türkiye's climate policies, private sector capacity, and sustainable production vision to the world.
Joint Roadmap for Zero Waste in Industry
Within the scope of the signed cooperation protocol, joint efforts will be carried out for industrial enterprises to more strongly integrate the zero waste approach into their corporate processes.
In this context, trainings, workshops, seminars, and implementation programs will be held in order to;
• Increase resource efficiency in industrial facilities,
• Reduce waste generation,
• Expand reuse and recovery applications,
• Develop circular business models,
• Support clean production technologies,
• Strengthen technical capacity in the field of sustainability.
It is aimed to popularize the results obtained from circular economy models applied in designated pilot industrial facilities across the sector and to share Türkiye's green transformation experience in the international arena.
Türkiye's Green Production Vision on the Road to COP31
This cooperation between the Zero Waste Foundation and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry stands out as one of the important steps strengthening the industrial leg of the climate leadership vision Türkiye has put forward during the COP31 process.
By integrating the Zero Waste approach into production processes, Türkiye aims to create an industrial ecosystem that uses its resources more efficiently, centers on the circular economy, and develops low-carbon production models.
This approach, shaped by the joint efforts of the public, private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations leading up to COP31, aims to set a strong example in the global climate struggle while contributing to Türkiye's sustainable development goals.
