The Istanbul Zero Waste and Climate Change Platform, which aims to increase implementation capacity in combating climate change and bring zero waste solutions to the center of the global climate agenda, was introduced to the international public within the scope of the Zero Waste Forum 2026.
Announced within the scope of the Forum organized by the Zero Waste Foundation 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; the platform aims to unite governments, local administrations, international organizations, private sector representatives, academia, and civil society around a common climate action vision.
The initiative, announced by Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, aims to disseminate solutions based on zero waste and the circular economy across different sectors, create measurable climate gains, and provide concrete contributions to the COP31 process.
A New Implementation-Oriented Cooperation Mechanism in Climate Action
The Istanbul Zero Waste and Climate Change Platform was introduced in the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action session with the participation of Climate Champions Team representatives, United Nations officials, representatives of international organizations, and climate entrepreneurs.
In the session, discussions were held on how zero waste applications can be scaled across different sectors, how the economic and environmental benefits of circular economy models can be increased, and how implementable climate solutions can be strengthened during the COP31 process.
The platform is planned to establish a strong connection between global climate goals and local implementations, creating a ground for joint action in a wide area from cities to production processes, and from consumption habits to resource management.
A Common Umbrella for Zero Waste and the Circular Economy
The platform will bring together critically important areas for the climate, such as the prevention of waste generation, the dissemination of circular economy practices, the development of sustainable consumption models, the transformation of food systems, and the reduction of methane emissions, within a common framework.
In this context, it is aimed to increase knowledge sharing among different actors, popularize good practice examples, and support concrete projects aimed at climate goals.
While it is stated that approaches based on zero waste and the circular economy offer significant opportunities in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resource efficiency, and protecting natural systems; particularly reducing food loss and waste, preventing emissions originating from organic waste, and developing reuse models are among the priority topics of climate action.
Contribution to the Global Implementation Agenda on the Road to COP31
The Istanbul Zero Waste and Climate Change Platform aims to contribute to making zero waste and circular economy solutions more visible in global climate policies ahead of COP31 to be hosted by Türkiye.
Through the platform, it is aimed to strengthen the role of cities, companies, investors, and non-governmental organizations in the process of achieving climate goals, develop joint projects, and popularize implementable solutions on a global scale.
"Istanbul Will Bring Global Solutions Together on a Common Ground"
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, stated in his evaluation at the introduction of the platform that Istanbul has been a center bringing together different geographies and cultures throughout history, and said:
"Istanbul has been a bridge connecting different continents and civilizations throughout history. The Istanbul Zero Waste and Climate Change Platform will also bring global solutions in the field of zero waste and the circular economy together on a common ground. This initiative will accelerate the implementation of climate action, bring fragmented approaches together to reduce emissions, and contribute to increasing the resilience of our planet."
Istanbul is Becoming a New Center in Global Environmental Diplomacy
The Istanbul Zero Waste and Climate Change Platform, implemented by the Zero Waste Foundation, represents a new cooperation phase of the Zero Waste Movement growing on a global scale under the pioneering of First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
The platform demonstrates that the zero waste approach in combating climate change is not merely an environmental policy, but also a strategic tool for sustainable development, resource security, and economic transformation.
This new cooperation model rising from Istanbul in the process leading to COP31 is evaluated as an important step strengthening collective wisdom and implementation-oriented solutions in global environmental diplomacy.
