President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş discussed the intersecting aspects of Türkiye's zero waste approach with climate action and the circular economy in his article titled "From Zero Waste to COP31: Rethinking Our Way of Life," published in Daily Sabah.
Ağırbaş pointed out that in the process leading up to COP31, in order to achieve lasting results against the climate crisis, production and consumption habits, as well as the way resources are used, must be reevaluated.
Stating in his article that global discussions on the climate crisis are mostly shaped around emission reductions, temperature increases, and energy transition, Ağırbaş emphasized that the required transformation covers a broader area, ranging from resource management to daily life practices.
Pointing out that the approach Türkiye has put forward on the road to COP31 should not be evaluated solely through the reduction of emissions, Ağırbaş expressed that increasing resource efficiency, expanding sustainable production and consumption models, and strengthening the circular economy are vital components of climate action.
"When we talk about the climate crisis, the conversation often turns to carbon emissions, rising temperatures, and the energy transition. But the change we need goes far beyond these issues. The resources we use, the products we make, the materials we consume, and the waste we leave behind all have consequences for the world we will pass on to future generations.
For this reason, I believe that the vision Türkiye is putting forward on the road to COP31 should not be defined solely by emission reductions. Climate action is also about rethinking the way we use resources in our daily lives and economies. We must consume less, make better use of what we have, increase resource efficiency, and encourage innovation in alternative materials. We must also strengthen the circular economy. But before any of this can happen, we need a shift in mindset."
Ağırbaş pointed out that the Zero Waste Movement is a prime example demonstrating that this transformation is possible, noting that the movement does not focus merely on collecting and recycling waste; it represents a broader understanding based on preventing waste generation, conserving resources, and transforming consumption habits.
Drawing attention to the fact that the Zero Waste Movement was initiated in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Ağırbaş stated that this approach originating from Türkiye has found resonance internationally over time, and the UN General Assembly's declaration of March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste is one of the most significant indicators of this global recognition.
Ağırbaş added, "The United Nations General Assembly's decision to declare March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste was a major recognition of this vision at the global level. But it also begs the question of what happens next. I think we have reached that point now."
The Zero Waste Approach Covers the Entire System from Production to Consumption
Ağırbaş stated that the zero waste concept cannot be considered as an approach based solely on managing waste after it has been generated, emphasizing that the entire cycle—from the design and production of products to their usage process and end of life—must be taken into account.
Pointing out that this transformation cannot be limited to national policies alone, Ağırbaş drew attention to the importance of environmental policies finding resonance in the daily lives of society and becoming applicable at the local scale:
"Zero waste can no longer be treated just as a waste management problem. We must look at the entire life cycle of a product, starting from its design and production, all the way to the end of its useful life. This means using fewer resources, keeping products in use longer, increasing reuse and recycling, and preventing waste at the source before it ever reaches the environment.
This approach should be at the heart of future environmental policy, but change cannot be driven by centralized policies alone. A policy only means something when people can see it and apply it in their daily lives. That is why we need a much stronger connection between national policy and local action. Neighborhoods, schools, municipalities, businesses, production facilities, and citizens all have a role to play.
This is one of the reasons I attach importance to our cooperation with the Ministry of Interior. Strengthening local capacity helps environmental policies yield results on the ground. At the international level, our cooperation with the World Economic Forum allows us both to share Türkiye’s experience and to learn from the experiences of other countries."
Touching upon the international dimension of the experience Türkiye has gained in the field of zero waste, Ağırbaş stated that the Zero Waste Forum and the Istanbul Zero Waste Festival held in Istanbul played an important role in bringing this approach together with different segments of society and countries.
Ağırbaş emphasized the capacity of the events by saying, "Türkiye's zero waste efforts are no longer confined within its own borders. What we saw in Istanbul is perhaps one of the clearest examples of this":
"The Zero Waste Forum held on June 5-7 brought more than 5,000 participants from 183 countries to Istanbul. These numbers are significant, but what happened at the forum is even more important. We didn't just come together to repeat the environmental problems we already know. We discussed ways to strengthen new partnerships, financing mechanisms, and international policy cooperation.
The Istanbul Zero Waste Festival, held during the same period, reached an even wider audience by hosting more than 1 million people. For me, this carried another important message. Environmental policy has the greatest impact when it reaches people. Zero waste can only become a lasting transformation when it becomes a part of daily life."
Istanbul Can Act as a Bridge in Global Environmental and Climate Cooperation
Stating that Istanbul can be a crucial center for sharing Türkiye's zero waste experience on an international scale, Ağırbaş expressed that the connection the city establishes between different geographies, cultures, and stakeholders can also be carried over to the environmental and climate agenda.
"Türkiye has accumulated significant experience in zero waste, but the next step is to share this experience with a wider audience. Istanbul has the potential to become a global hub for environmental and climate diplomacy. For centuries, the city has brought continents, cultures, and civilizations together. Today, it has the opportunity to bring together different parts of the global environmental agenda as well. The Zero Waste Movement, which transformed into an international vision from Türkiye under the strong support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, places a special responsibility on Istanbul in this regard. Therefore, our goal is not just to make Istanbul a city where zero waste is discussed. We want it to be a place where policies are developed, experiences are shared, and new international partnerships are shaped."
COP31 Will Bring Türkiye's Zero Waste Experience Together with the Global Climate Agenda
Also touching upon Türkiye's role in the COP31 process in his article, Ağırbaş stated that Türkiye's hosting presents a significant opportunity to bring the circular economy, climate justice, inclusivity, and local experiences to the global climate agenda.
Pointing to the preparation process carried out under the leadership of Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum, Ağırbaş expressed that Türkiye can transform its experiences in various fields into international collaborations within the scope of COP31:
"The next step is COP31. Under the leadership of Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum, Türkiye has an opportunity. Türkiye can contribute in many areas, from the circular economy to climate justice and the stronger representation of disadvantaged groups.
The Zero Waste Foundation is also working to ensure that local experiences are included in this process. Local needs and potential solutions are being identified through the Türkiye Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Workshops held in 81 provinces. At the same time, our work on plastic pollution in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions continues. The provincial coordination meetings held in Adana, Mersin, Muğla, and Antalya allowed us to address the plastic waste problems facing our coastal provinces within the context of local conditions. We brought the findings from these meetings to the Türkiye Plastic Waste Workshop.
Ultimately, plastic waste is no longer a problem that can only be viewed through a narrow lens of pollution. When plastic enters our seas, its effects do not stay at the water's edge. It can affect ecosystems, move through food chains, and ultimately have consequences for human life. What our seas will look like in the future will largely depend on the choices we make today."
The Success of Climate Action Depends on the Participation of Society
In the final part of his article, Ağırbaş pointed out that in the process leading up to COP31, climate and environmental policies should be approached with an understanding of transformation that encompasses all segments of society.
Emphasizing the importance of using resources more efficiently, preventing waste before it occurs, and reevaluating consumption preferences, as well as society becoming an active part of this transformation, Ağırbaş stated that integrating the zero waste approach into daily life is decisive for lasting change:
"As we move towards COP31, I believe this understanding must be part of Türkiye's broader vision: making better choices about the materials we use, preventing waste before it occurs, using resources more efficiently, and ensuring that society as a whole is part of this transformation.
Our goal shouldn't just be managing waste more effectively. We must work towards a future where we prevent waste wherever possible, protect our resources, and bring the way we produce and consume into greater harmony with nature.
Perhaps one of the most important lessons from First Lady Emine Erdoğan's Zero Waste vision is also the simplest: protecting the future starts with changing today's habits. The choices we make now will help determine the world we leave behind."
