Speaking at the opening main event held within the scope of London Climate Action Week (LCAW), where the Zero Waste Foundation is the main partner, Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, shared the "COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Vision Document" with the international public for the first time, setting forth the priority climate action areas of the COP31 process.
Stating that the climate struggle should not be limited merely to the announcement of goals, Ağırbaş emphasized the need to strengthen an understanding of climate action that is human-centered, inclusive, measurable, and creates concrete results on the ground.
COP31 Vision Document Announced in London
Samed Ağırbaş delivered the opening speech at the main opening event titled "Time for Action: Bringing the Global Climate Action Agenda to Life", organized within the scope of London Climate Action Week, where the Zero Waste Foundation participated as a main partner.
Drawing attention to the role of the Zero Waste approach in the climate struggle—which was shaped in line with the environmental and sustainability vision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and transformed into a global movement under the pioneering of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Chair of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation—Ağırbaş shared the vision document setting out the fundamental approach of the COP31 process.
The document, announced within the scope of the COP31 preparations carried out under the leadership of Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President, sets forth the goals of strengthening climate action with local applications, including all stakeholders in the process, and ensuring that climate solutions resonate in daily life.
A New Approach in Climate Action: From Targets to Implementation
With the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Vision Document, it is emphasized that the climate struggle must not consist merely of long-term goals, and that these goals must be transformed into implementable and measurable results at the local level.
The document is based on a human-oriented approach that places cities, communities, businesses, and all climate stakeholders at the center of solution processes.
Samed Ağırbaş stated that the struggle to be carried out against the climate crisis must proceed with an understanding that protects the future of children, strengthens food and water security, increases the resilience of communities, and creates fairer opportunities for everyone.
"Climate Action Must Improve People's Lives"
Drawing attention to the necessity that climate solutions reach people's living spaces and be shaped with the active participation of societies, Ağırbaş emphasized the importance of empowering communities that are particularly more vulnerable to climate impacts.
Stating that COP31 will be an important turning point in the transition process from goals to implementation, Ağırbaş said that the summit to be held in Antalya must not only be a diplomacy platform but an implementation arena where climate commitments resonate on the ground.
Zero Waste, One of the Powerful Tools of Global Climate Solution
Touching upon Türkiye's pioneering role in the field of zero waste in his speech, Ağırbaş expressed that the environmental and sustainability vision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan contributed to the strengthening of the Zero Waste Movement on an international scale.
Stating that the Zero Waste approach transformed from a national initiative into a global movement under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Ağırbaş noted that this understanding constitutes a strong model in terms of resource efficiency, the circular economy, prevention of waste, and the protection of future generations.
Ağırbaş emphasized that Zero Waste is not limited merely to waste management; it is a comprehensive transformation model that re-evaluates societies' relationship with resources and centers on the understanding of responsible production and consumption.
Touching also upon Türkiye's civilizational accumulation of thousands of years, Ağırbaş stated that Çatalhöyük, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the early examples of the understanding of communal living, efficient use of resources, and solidarity, drawing attention to the fact that the sustainability approach is a value located in the depths of human history.
"Zero Waste Istanbul Platform for Climate Action" Will Strengthen Global Collaborations
Expressing that the zero waste approach will be one of the important topics of the global climate agenda during the COP31 process, Ağırbaş announced the launch of the "Zero Waste Istanbul Platform for Climate Action".
The platform aims to bring together stakeholders operating in the fields of;
• Food systems,
• Cities,
• Industry,
• Methane reduction,
• Nature and biodiversity,
• Health,
• Sustainable development
aiming to create a strong connection between climate goals and implementations.
Stating that Zero Waste solutions will contribute to the reduction of emissions, increasing resource efficiency, strengthening food security, and the creation of resilient cities, Ağırbaş expressed that the development of global collaborations is targeted through the platform.
Preparation for the First "Zero Waste COP"
Ağırbaş stated that efforts will be carried out for COP31 to be the first comprehensive "Zero Waste COP", from its design to its operational processes.
Expressing that COP31 should not merely be a summit where decisions are made, but a conference where sustainability principles are applied and which sets an example on a global scale, Ağırbaş emphasized that success in the climate struggle will be measured not only by the decisions taken but by the positive changes felt in people's daily lives.
Drawing attention to the necessity that children have a safer future, societies become more resilient against climate impacts, cities transform into cleaner and healthier living spaces, and climate solutions be accessible for everyone, Ağırbaş invited all stakeholders to act jointly on the road to Antalya.
Stating that the COP31 process offers an important opportunity to accelerate climate action with strong partnerships, innovative solutions, and international collaborations, Samed Ağırbaş expressed that efforts will continue towards the goal of a more inclusive, fairer, and truly sustainable future.
