COP31 conference is paying clear attention to waste... Here's why
Waste is at the top of the COP31 agenda as one of the most prominent topics of climate action. But the question that arises is: Does this represent a real shift in confronting the crisis, or just a rearrangement of priorities away from its roots? The 31st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP31) will take place in Antalya, Turkey, between November 9 and 20, 2026, under the presidency of Turkey, with Australia chairing the negotiations. ero Waste”, a global trend aimed at reducing waste and refuse worldwide. This trend is supported by the United Nations. It is also worth mentioning that the International Day for Reducing Waste is celebrated on March 30 of each year, organized by the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
The International Day for Waste Reduction 2026 highli
ghts the importance of strengthening waste management globally, especially with the increasing amount of waste. The world produces between 2.1 and 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, and annual waste production is expected to reach 3.8 billion tons by 2050. This waste releases greenhouse gas emissions, which affect the Earth's climate. The theme of the year is food waste, a crisis that entered the discussions of the Conferences of the Parties on Climate Change for the first time at COP28, hosted by Expo 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates at the end of 2023. Global greenhouse gas emissions from the food waste sector could reach 10%, potentially exacerbating the climate crisis. Therefore, reducing food waste is one of the most prominent global climate solutions discussed in various climate action contexts, as it would reduce emissions and support the circular economy, aligning with the "zero waste" approach, which prioritizes prevention and resource efficiency.
In Türkiye
Turkey, as a country, is concerned about waste, and this is evident in the national initiatives it launches, most notably the Zero Waste Project , with the aim of reducing waste and spreading awareness of not wasting it. At the level of different sectors of the state in Turkey, many policies have begun to be implemented in which waste reduction policies are applied, such as in companies, government institutions, schools, universities and municipalities. All of this has led to an increase in recycling rates and a reduction in waste. Hisham Issa, the former Egyptian coordinator for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), explained to Al-Ain News that “at climate conferences in general, host countries try to draw attention to a specific issue. For example, Brazil wanted to draw attention and give great importance to forests as the world’s breathing space.” He goes on to explain that "the same applies to Turkey's interest in drawing attention to the circular economy through the 'zero waste' goal, and although putting those goals on the agenda is a priority, it is not necessary for them to affect the final climate negotiations decisions." But he adds that the circular economy may contribute in some way to environmental healing or solving environmental problems, and promoting it through panel discussions or exhibitions at COP31 may raise awareness of the issue of waste and support it.
promotion
Climate change conferences are attended by tens of thousands of people, and the conference's green space is open to visitors from the host country, significantly contributing to raising public awareness about environmental and climate issues. Indeed, increased awareness of these issues has been observed in communities that have hosted climate change conferences. From this standpoint, providing an opportunity to focus the conference on the issue of waste and to raise awareness about it among the general public would promote that issue, as well as enhance investments in the circular economy, which is a type of environmentally friendly economy, and thus benefit the health of the planet and open new horizons for creating effective solutions to turn the crisis into an opportunity.
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