Türkiye, which will preside over and host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in 2026, is preparing to take on a decisive role globally in the fight against climate change. Carrying its constructive, inclusive, and trust-building approach in peace diplomacy to climate diplomacy, Türkiye strengthens its claim to be one of the pioneering countries taking action not only for its own future but for continents and generations through the COP31 process.
Türkiye puts forward the claim of being not only a host country but also a global actor that sets a vision and produces solutions. One of the strongest pillars of this process is the Zero Waste vision, which has turned into a global movement under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, and the Zero Waste Foundation, which implements this vision at an institutional level.
COP31, brought to our country as a result of the intense and successful diplomatic traffic conducted by Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, bears the quality of a strategic platform where Türkiye will strongly reflect its climate action vision to the international public.
A Strong Transition from Peace Diplomacy to Climate Diplomacy
Türkiye, which has gained global trust with its mediation role in international crises in recent years, carries this accumulation to the field of combating climate change with the COP31 process. In this context, it is aimed that access to climate finance for developing countries, technology transfer, and climate justice will be among the priority agenda items at COP31.
Zero Waste Movement: Türkiye's Global Climate Brand
This vision, implemented with the strong leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, founder of the Zero Waste Movement and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, offers a holistic approach that inspires the world on resource efficiency, circular economy, and waste reduction.
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, stated the following regarding the issue:
“The Zero Waste vision, which First Lady Emine Erdoğan has decisively expressed on international platforms, is accepted today not only as an environmental policy but as a concrete, measurable, and applicable global solution model in the fight against climate change. COP31 offers a historic opportunity to convey this approach more strongly to the international public.”
Roadmap Proposal from the Zero Waste Foundation
The “Sustainable COP31 Framework” developed by the Foundation aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the event. This framework consists of the following headings:
- Zero Waste Management Protocols
- Carbon Reduction and Offset Strategies
- Sustainable Logistics and Transport Planning
- Environmental Performance Criteria for Event Areas
- Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency Mechanisms
Zero Waste Implementation Platform Special for COP31
One of the most innovative works of the Zero Waste Foundation for the COP31 process was the “Zero Waste Implementation Platform”. Within the scope of the platform:
- Smart waste monitoring systems,
- Digital waste management applications,
- Sustainable procurement protocols,
- Individual carbon footprint calculation modules
are being implemented.
Türkiye's COP31 Legacy
COP31, to be hosted by Türkiye, will be a historic turning point where the Zero Waste vision, which has turned into a global movement under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, unites with climate diplomacy to give a strong message to the world.
