The International Energy Agency (IEA) High-Level Dialogue on Energy Transition, held at the United Nations Headquarters, paved the way for addressing the energy transition with a holistic approach that is not limited solely to increasing clean energy capacity, but also encompasses conserving resources, reducing waste, and strengthening circular production-consumption models.
Speaking at the meeting held on September 22, 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, First Lady Emine Erdoğan drew attention to the impacts of the climate crisis on energy systems, emphasizing that the energy transition must be evaluated together with the efficient use of resources and an understanding of sustainable production.
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum was also present at the meeting. Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş followed First Lady Emine Erdoğan's speech and later participated in the roundtable meeting, providing evaluations on the future of energy transition, climate goals, and sustainable development.
The Scope of the Energy Transition is Being Reconsidered
During the meeting, held at a time when the effects of the climate crisis are becoming increasingly visible, topics such as reducing energy demand, using resources efficiently, and reevaluating production-consumption processes were brought to the agenda alongside the transition to clean energy.
In a post following the meeting, First Lady Emine Erdoğan stated that the climate crisis necessitates a reconsideration of our perspective on energy and noted that the Zero Waste approach is a strong guide for this transformation.
"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."
"Moreover, we need a new understanding that protects our resources. Zero Waste is a strong guide for this transformation. Based on circularity, it makes it possible to preserve the value of resources and reintegrate them into the system. Türkiye ranks 5th in Europe and 11th in the world in renewable energy installed capacity. We aim to increase our solar and wind installed capacity to 120 thousand megawatts by 2035. We continue to strengthen this progress with the Zero Waste approach. I believe that COP31, which we will host in November, will carry this effort even further."
The Global Zero Waste Agenda Extending from Istanbul to Antalya
First Lady Emine Erdoğan also touched upon the 2nd International Zero Waste Forum held in Istanbul in June, expressing that the forum is a powerful example of the will to act together on a global scale. Stating that the forum, which brought together 120 ministers from 183 countries and more than 7,000 participants, demonstrated that a world without waste is an achievable goal through collective will, Erdoğan drew attention to the importance of international collaborations in integrating the zero waste approach with climate action.
Emphasizing that the energy transition should not be addressed solely through changes in energy production technologies, First Lady Emine Erdoğan stated that production and consumption patterns must also be placed at the center of the transformation, making the following evaluation:
"Therefore, we must not limit the issue of energy transition to the question, 'How can we produce more clean energy?' We must first address the issue with the question, 'Why do we have to produce more energy?' We need to put our thinking caps on and consider how we use our resources and the consequences of our limitless consumption habits."
The Transformation of Consumption Habits is Part of Climate Action
Drawing attention to the fact that a sustainable future is possible not only through technological transformation but also by reshaping the culture of consumption, First Lady Emine Erdoğan expressed the need to move away from the consumption mentality shaped around single-use products:
"Therefore, our primary issue must be to move away from the throwaway culture shaped around single-use products. For the prosperity of us all and intergenerational justice, we must transition to a culture of sustainability shaped around long-lasting and durable products."
Reminding that the activities carried out by the United Nations within the scope of the International Day of Zero Waste also draw attention to different dimensions of waste, Erdoğan noted that the energy used in the process from the production of food to its delivery to the consumer must be evaluated alongside waste, indicating that resource and energy management cannot be considered separately.
An Implementation-Oriented Approach for Zero Waste at COP31
Stating that the Zero Waste Movement, initiated by Türkiye in 2017, has today become an approach that resonates on a global scale, First Lady Emine Erdoğan drew attention to the opportunities offered by circular waste management in terms of conserving resources and reducing emissions in the energy sector.
First Lady Emine Erdoğan emphasized that the zero waste approach must be carried further during the COP31 process, saying:
"For this reason, we desire to carry the zero waste approach even further within the scope of the action agenda of COP31, which we will host in November. Because zero waste is the most powerful path that opens the door to genuine transformation in every field from production to consumption."
Samed Ağırbaş: "We Will Continue to Carry First Lady Emine Erdoğan's Vision Further"
Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş, who followed the meeting, stated that addressing energy transition and resource management together will strengthen the impact of climate action on the ground.
Expressing that the Zero Waste Foundation continues its efforts in line with the vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Ağırbaş stated: "In the process leading up to COP31, we will continue to carry the Zero Waste vision put forward by our Honorary Chairperson, First Lady Emine Erdoğan, further as one of the concrete implementation areas of climate action."
Pointing out that the Zero Waste approach is an understanding that aims to transform the entire system from production to consumption, not limited merely to collecting, separating, and recycling waste, Ağırbaş stated that addressing the energy transition together with resource management will reinforce the corresponding effect of climate action on the ground.
