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Samed Ağırbaş, chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, said Turkey wants every country to be heard on equal terms at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will be hosted by Turkey in Antalya.

Speaking at Russia Energy Week in Moscow, Ağırbaş said preparations for the conference included bilateral talks with more than 70 countries and consultation meetings in several regions, and that efforts were continuing under Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum.

Food waste and consumption patterns in focus

Ağırbaş said food waste has reached serious levels worldwide. "Today there is tremendous food waste in the world. Unfortunately, while in one part of the world people lose their lives due to hunger and thirst, in another part people are working on lowering the prices of obesity drugs," Ağırbaş said.

Food waste can also be used in energy production, Ağırbaş said, adding that reducing the amount of waste matters both for efficient use of resources and for protecting the environment. Ağırbaş said global consumption habits need to change, describing "tremendous consumption frenzy" in the world alongside "great injustice."

Key takeaways

• Turkey aims to give every country an equal say at COP31, to be hosted in Antalya.
• COP31 preparations have included bilateral talks with more than 70 countries and regional consultations.
• Ağırbaş said exit from fossil fuels must be discussed without ignoring inequalities in energy access.
• The Zero Waste Foundation works in all 81 provinces and has shared the world's 20 best zero waste practices.