The preparations for COP31, which Turkey will host in Antalya, within the scope of New York Climate Week, which brings together climate decision makers, public and private sector representatives, international organizations and non-governmental actors from different countries of the world, and the approach to transforming climate targets into concrete results on the field, were also brought to the agenda on international platforms.
The zero waste vision put forward by Mrs. 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, was one of the prominent topics in the events and contacts during the week. Mrs. First Lady Erdoğan's messages in New York pointed out that zero waste should be addressed not only in the field of waste management, but also together with energy transformation, resource efficiency and climate action.
EMINE ERDOĞAN: “ZERO WASTE IS A POWERFUL GUIDANCE FOR THIS TRANSFORMATION”
Speaking at the International Energy Agency High Level Energy Transformation Dialogue held at the United Nations Headquarters, First Lady First Lady Erdoğan pointed out that the effects of the climate crisis are felt more deeply every day and emphasized that the perspective on energy should be changed. Stating that the energy transformation is not limited to the transition to clean energy and that there is a need for a new understanding based on the protection of resources, First Lady Erdoğan stated that the Zero Waste approach is a strong guide for this transformation.
Mrs. First Lady Erdoğan, who also shared information about Turkey's capacity in the field of renewable energy, stated that it is aimed to increase the solar and wind installed power to 120 thousand megawatts by 2035 and that this progress is strengthened with the Zero Waste approach. First Lady First Lady Erdoğan expressed her belief that COP31, which will be hosted by Turkey in November, will take this effort further.
In her speech at the opening of New York Climate Week, First Lady Emine Erdoğan pointed out that the climate crisis cannot be explained only by fossil fuels and high emissions, and that production and consumption habits should also be reconsidered. Stating that the Zero Waste movement has transformed the individual from being an observer in the face of the climate crisis to the leading actor of the solution, First Lady Erdoğan called for increasing international solidarity to adopt the Zero Waste approach as one of the powerful tools of climate action.
SAMED AĞIRBAŞ: “COP31 WILL BE A PEOPLE-FOCUSED, IMPLEMENTATION COP”
Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş also made evaluations about COP31 preparations within the scope of New York Climate Week. Stating that COP31 will be a different summit, Ağırbaş stated that there is serious excitement for COP31 within the scope of the United Nations General Assembly and a high level of participation is expected from different countries of the world.
Stating that more than 100 thousand people are expected to attend the summit, Ağırbaş said that Turkey will experience a "year of summits", as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated. Stating that Turkey will come to a stronger and more important position in climate issues with COP31, Ağırbaş said, "With the summit, the consequences of the decisions to be taken on the field will be more visible and concrete steps will be taken together for the future of the world." he said.
Emphasizing that Turkey is now in a very important position in terms of climate diplomacy, Ağırbaş said, "Turkey has served as a bridge throughout history, and with COP31, it will be one of the most important actors of climate diplomacy."
Stating that the decisions to be taken within the scope of COP31 will find a response on the field, Ağırbaş said, "Our work in this field continues under the leadership of our Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President Murat Kurum. We are building this COP as a people-oriented, implementation COP. Hopefully, we will build a more livable world together." he said.
“CLIMATE COMMITMENTS SHOULD DIRECTLY REFLECT ON HUMAN LIFE”
Making the closing speech at the Climate Implementation Forum within the scope of New York Climate Week, where Zero Waste Foundation is among the main stakeholders, Ağırbaş pointed out that climate targets should not remain only at the policy and commitment level. Emphasizing the importance of transforming climate commitments into results that directly reflect on human life, such as cleaner air, healthier food and resilient communities, Ağırbaş stated that in the process leading up to COP31, solution areas that will carry global goals into concrete practices on a local scale, especially zero waste, green skills and sustainable food systems, were discussed.
COP31 ACTION AGENDA INTRODUCED IN NEW YORK
Ağırbaş also attended the COP31 Action Agenda Launch Event held at the United Nations Headquarters. With the COP31 Action Agenda announced by Mr. Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President, priorities and a road map that will carry climate targets to concrete results on the field were revealed.
Ağırbaş stated that they will continue to carry forward the Zero Waste vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan during the preparation process for COP31 as one of the concrete implementation areas of climate action.
INVESTMENT AGENDA FOR COP31 AT HARVARD CLUB
Dr. at Harvard Club “From Climate Goals to Final Investment Decision: How Can COP31 Turn Climate Commitments into Investment?”, moderated by Jean Baderschneider. Participating in the round table meeting titled, Ağırbaş discussed the topics regarding the transformation of climate commitments into final investment decisions and the mobilization of private capital.
At the meeting attended by business world and finance sector representatives, Ağırbaş pointed out the importance of directing global capital to areas that will create high impact, and shared his determination to transform Zero Waste and energy-oriented initiatives into financeable projects that produce measurable results in the field.
COP31 DIPLOMACY IN NEW YORK
Ağırbaş, who attended meetings of different international organizations and high-level meetings within the scope of New York Climate Week, shared Turkey's experience in the field of zero waste and COP31 preparations with international stakeholders.
Stating that they witnessed a period of important developments for Turkey in New York, Ağırbaş said that the contacts held after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's address at the United Nations General Assembly constituted an important basis for explaining Turkey's approach to the global agenda.
ZERO WASTE WILL BE ONE OF THE AREAS OF APPLICATION OF CLIMATE ACTION AT COP31
COP31, which will be held in Antalya, hosted by Turkey, stands out as a process where the zero waste approach will meet the climate agenda more strongly. COP31 High Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş stated that the preparations carried out under the leadership of COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Mr. Murat Kurum, focus on ensuring that climate policies are met on the field.
The COP31 Presidency also publicly announced its approach to transforming climate targets into measurable and concrete practices.
ZERO WASTE EXPERIENCE EXTENDING FROM ISTANBUL TO THE WORLD
Ağırbaş stated that the contacts carried out within the scope of New York Climate Week, following the Zero Waste Forum held in Istanbul in June, further strengthened the international role of Istanbul in the field of zero waste.
Ağırbaş stated that the zero waste approach has turned into a global movement spreading from Turkey to the world, with the work carried out by the Zero Waste Foundation in line with the vision put forward by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, and noted that the experience implemented in 81 provinces continues to be shared with international stakeholders.
Ağırbaş stated that preparations are continuing to reorganize the Zero Waste Forum, which was held in Istanbul in June, with a wider participation next year, and reiterated the goal of Istanbul becoming a global meeting point in the field of zero waste.
