During New York Climate Week, preparations for COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya, the translation of climate goals into concrete action on the ground, and the role of the Zero Waste approach in global climate action were addressed across various platforms. At events where the Zero Waste Foundation was among the main stakeholders, the Zero Waste vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan and COP31’s implementation-focused approach were brought to the international climate agenda.
Bringing together decision-makers, public and private sector representatives, international organizations, and civil society actors from different parts of the world, New York Climate Week served as an international platform for addressing key issues on the global climate agenda ahead of COP31.
Throughout the week, discussions covered preparations for COP31 in Antalya, translating climate goals into concrete results, climate finance, local implementation, green skills, sustainable food systems, and the Zero Waste approach.
The vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chairperson of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, and Honorary Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation, was among the prominent themes of the engagements in New York. Her messages emphasized that the Zero Waste approach should not be viewed solely as a waste management concept, but should also be addressed together with the energy transition, efficient resource use, and climate action.
Emine Erdoğan Highlights Zero Waste in the Energy Transition
Speaking at the International Energy Agency High-Level Dialogue on Energy Transition held at the United Nations Headquarters, First Lady Emine Erdoğan drew attention to the increasingly visible impacts of the climate crisis and emphasized the need to reconsider our approach to energy.
Stating that the energy transition is not limited to switching to clean energy sources and that a new understanding centered on protecting resources is also needed, First Lady Emine Erdoğan noted that the Zero Waste approach provides a strong guide for this transformation.
Sharing information on Türkiye’s renewable energy capacity, First Lady Emine Erdoğan stated that the country aims to increase its solar and wind installed capacity to 120 gigawatts by 2035 and noted that this progress is being strengthened through the Zero Waste approach.
“We are feeling the effects of the climate crisis more deeply every day. The burden on nature is constantly increasing. This picture clearly shows that we must change our view on energy.”
First Lady Emine Erdoğan expressed her belief that COP31, which Türkiye will host in November, will carry these efforts even further.
In her opening speech at New York Climate Week, First Lady Emine Erdoğan also noted that the climate crisis cannot be explained solely by fossil fuels and high emissions, emphasizing that production and consumption patterns must also be reconsidered. Stating that the Zero Waste Movement transforms individuals from observers of the climate crisis into active contributors to solutions, she called for greater international solidarity to strengthen the adoption of the Zero Waste approach as a powerful tool for climate action.
Ağırbaş: “COP31 Will Be a People-Centered, Implementation COP”
Throughout New York Climate Week, Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş held engagements related to preparations for COP31 and shared his assessment of the summit’s approach in Antalya.
Stating that COP31 will be a different kind of summit, Ağırbaş noted that there was significant interest in COP31 during the United Nations General Assembly and that high-level participation from countries around the world is expected.
Ağırbaş stated that more than 100,000 people are expected to attend the summit and noted that, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also stated, Türkiye is entering a “year of summits.”
Stating that Türkiye will assume a stronger and more significant position on climate issues through COP31, Ağırbaş said, “The decisions taken at the summit will have a greater impact on the ground, and concrete steps will be taken together for the future of the world.”
Emphasizing Türkiye’s increasingly important position in climate diplomacy, Ağırbaş said, “Türkiye has historically served as a bridge, and with COP31 it will become one of the most important actors in climate diplomacy.”
“We are building this COP as a people-centered, implementation-focused COP. Hopefully, together we will build a more livable world.”
The Impact of Climate Goals Will Be Seen in People’s Lives
Delivering the closing remarks at the Climate Implementation Forum during New York Climate Week, where the Zero Waste Foundation was among the main stakeholders, Ağırbaş emphasized that climate goals should not remain only at the level of policies and commitments.
Highlighting the importance of translating climate commitments into outcomes that directly affect people's lives, such as cleaner air, healthier food, and more resilient communities, Ağırbaş stated that the process leading to COP31 is addressing solution areas capable of translating global goals into concrete local implementation, particularly in zero waste, green skills, and sustainable food systems.
COP31 Action Agenda Meets Global Stakeholders in New York
Ağırbaş also attended the COP31 Action Agenda Launch Event held at the United Nations Headquarters.
The COP31 Action Agenda, announced by Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum, set out priorities and a roadmap for translating climate goals into concrete results on the ground.
Ağırbaş stated that throughout the preparations for COP31, they will continue to advance the Zero Waste vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan as one of the concrete implementation areas of climate action.
From Climate Commitments to Investment Decisions
Ağırbaş participated in the roundtable titled “From Climate Goals to Final Investment Decisions: How Can We Turn COP31 Climate Commitments into Investments?”, moderated by Dr. Jean Baderschneider at the Harvard Club, where he addressed the translation of climate commitments into final investment decisions and the mobilization of private capital.
At the meeting, which brought together representatives from the business and finance sectors, Ağırbaş highlighted the importance of directing global capital toward high-impact areas and shared his commitment to transforming Zero Waste and energy-focused initiatives into financeable projects that deliver measurable results on the ground.
International Engagements for COP31 in New York
During New York Climate Week, Ağırbaş participated in meetings of various international organizations and high-level gatherings, sharing Türkiye’s experience in zero waste and preparations for COP31 with international stakeholders.
Stating that New York witnessed an important period of developments for Türkiye, Ağırbaş noted that the engagements following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s address to the United Nations General Assembly provided an important platform for communicating Türkiye’s approach to the global agenda.
Zero Waste to Become Part of the COP31 Implementation Agenda
COP31, to be hosted by Türkiye in Antalya, is emerging as a process through which the Zero Waste approach will engage more strongly with the climate agenda.
COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş stated that preparations led by COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum are focused on ensuring that climate policies deliver concrete results on the ground. The COP31 Presidency has also publicly outlined its approach to translating climate goals into measurable and concrete implementation.
Istanbul’s Experience Growing Through Global Cooperation
Ağırbaş stated that the engagements held during New York Climate Week following the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul in June have further strengthened Istanbul’s international role in the field of zero waste.
Ağırbaş noted that through the work of the Zero Waste Foundation in line with the vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the Zero Waste approach has evolved into a global movement originating from Türkiye and expanding internationally. He added that the experience implemented across all 81 provinces of Türkiye continues to be shared with international stakeholders.
Ağırbaş stated that preparations are continuing to hold the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul again next year with broader participation, reiterating the goal of making Istanbul a global meeting point for zero waste.
The events and engagements held throughout New York Climate Week contributed to addressing the Zero Waste approach alongside climate action, resource efficiency, investment, local implementation, and international cooperation ahead of COP31. The Zero Waste Foundation continues its work to translate climate goals into concrete and measurable implementation in line with the Zero Waste vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan on the road to COP31 in Antalya.
