The Zero Waste approach, which has become a global transformation movement under the leadership of Ms. Emine Erdoğan, Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, President of the United Nations Zero Waste High-level Personalities Advisory Board and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, reveals a strong vision for the realization of sustainability goals with concrete steps. In line with this vision, spreading the concept of sustainable production and consumption, efficient use of resources and integrating environmental responsibility into corporate processes are among the basic elements of sustainability leadership.
Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş presented the awards to the award winners within the scope of the Sustainability Leaders Awards organized by Inbusiness Magazine, the monthly economic magazine of Turkuvaz Media Group. The awards, determined in line with the data of the Sustainable 500 Research, honored institutions that stand out with their concrete goals and practices in the field of sustainability. The awards, which aim to honor institutions that support sustainability goals with field practices, found their winners in 12 categories.
Presenting the awards at the ceremony held in the Green Zone, Ağırbaş rewarded the achievements of those who create value and lead the transformation in the field of sustainability.
RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO Türkiye'S TRANSFORMATION
In his speech at the award ceremony attended by VakıfBank General Manager Osman Arslan and ASELSAN Deputy General Manager Nurettin Tüysüz, Ağırbaş touched upon the recently announced financing package between VakıfBank and the Zero Waste Foundation and appreciated the bank's efforts in this field. Ağırbaş stated that VakıfBank carries out important work as a stakeholder of the Zero Waste Foundation and expressed their satisfaction in working with VakıfBank. Ağırbaş congratulated the bank on behalf of the Zero Waste Foundation for its work in the field of sustainability and as the COP31 High Level Climate Champion. Drawing attention to the importance of ASELSAN for Türkiye, Ağırbaş stated that they cooperate with the institution in various fields, especially the Zero Waste Forum. Addressing the importance of ASELSAN's work that combines its experience in the field of technology with a zero waste approach, Ağırbaş congratulated the institution for its contributions in this field. Addressing the work of Kalyon PV, Ağırbaş emphasized the importance of Türkiye's investments in the field of renewable energy. Ağırbaş stated that he had visited Kalyon PV's facilities before and expressed that the steps taken by Türkiye in the field of renewable energy have yielded concrete results today and thanked the company's efforts.
EMPHASIS ON SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION DURING COP31 PROCESS
Combating climate change, protecting natural resources and achieving sustainable development goals are among the priority topics of the international agenda. In the COP31 process, led by Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum, it is important for public institutions, private sector, academia and non-governmental organizations to act with a common responsibility approach in terms of strengthening climate action.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Today, sustainability stands out as an approach that includes companies not only reducing their environmental impacts, but also producing social benefits and creating long-term value. Efficient use of resources, reduction of waste, reduction of emissions and development of egalitarian practices in employee policies are among the determining factors in the sustainability performance of institutions.
