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Experts with experience at the United Nations called for concrete climate action at COP31, saying the upcoming summit hosted by Türkiye presents an opportunity to move beyond rhetoric toward measurable results.
The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) will be held this year under Türkiye’s presidency. As preparations continue, the Zero Waste Foundation organized a “Zero Waste Retreat” in Istanbul on Feb. 6-8 to discuss a roadmap for the summit.
The meeting, chaired by Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Agirbas, brought together foundation advisers, senior representatives, members of the U.N. Zero Waste High-Level Advisory Board and key stakeholders of the COP31 High-Level Climate Champions initiative.
Lara van Druten, a member of the U.N. Zero Waste Advisory Board and founder and CEO of the Netherlands-based organization “The Waste Transformers,” said one of the main criticisms of previous COP meetings was that discussions often remained at the level of rhetoric.
“The main issue is not only talking about change but creating real transformation on the ground,” she said, adding that the current action agenda appears more promising, with serious momentum toward implementing projects.
Van Druten highlighted the strong link between zero waste and climate change, noting that at least one-third of food produced globally is wasted while millions die from hunger.
“If we can change our perspective on food waste and prevent people from going hungry, we can create a strong intersection with the COP agenda,” she said.
She also said Agirbas is working to include a broad range of stakeholders in the COP process, from small island states and the private sector to financial institutions, civil society and cities.
Neil Khor, special adviser for Cities and Local Governments to the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion and former secretary-general of the Executive Director’s Office at U.N.-Habitat, said the most critical element of the COP process is translating climate policies into concrete implementation on the ground.
He said the Zero Waste Foundation aims to cooperate with local stakeholders globally to ensure commitments are implemented locally, emphasizing that zero waste addresses both adaptation and mitigation goals.
Referring to Türkiye’s hosting of COP31, Khor said the country’s history and hospitality offer a valuable opportunity to bring stakeholders together.
“Instead of expecting millions to come to Türkiye, Türkiye can reach them,” he said, noting plans to establish a digital platform encouraging voluntary participation so individuals worldwide can make commitments linked to COP31.
He added that Türkiye has the opportunity to introduce a new way of thinking about zero waste, emphasizing that the issue concerns life itself, in line with the philosophy promoted by Emine Erdogan.
Atif Ikram Butt, special adviser for Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement to the COP31 High-Level Climate Champion and former director at the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP), said the international community must now agree to turn commitments into concrete action.
“Ten years have passed since the Paris Agreement. We are entering the final five-year period. This is a period of action to ensure we reach the targets by 2030,” he said.
Butt stressed that Türkiye’s leadership is significant, describing the country as a bridge between north and south and historically a connector of different societies.
“Türkiye can bring different parties to the same table and help agree on a common roadmap to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement,” he said.
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