30.04.2026 15:40
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that they will maximize waste management in transportation projects, saying, 'We will increase the use of recycled materials in construction and maintenance processes, make zero waste practices standard in our ports, airports, and stations, and promote sustainable transportation awareness among our passengers, employees, and all stakeholders.'
A cooperation protocol was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Zero Waste Foundation at a ceremony held at the Ministry.
Minister Uraloğlu stated in his speech that the "Zero Waste Movement," launched in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has become a global movement and brand born in Turkey and recognized in 193 countries worldwide.
"TRANSPORT SECTOR PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE"
Pointing out that the transport sector plays a decisive role in the rise of civilizations and human progress, Uraloğlu said, "Today, the transport sector ranks third globally with approximately 21% share among sectors causing greenhouse gas emissions, and second in Turkey with a 17.6% share. These data clearly reveal that the transport sector plays or must play a critical role in combating climate change."
Uraloğlu noted that realities such as global climate change and the limited nature of natural resources are forcing the transport sector to change, emphasizing that this change is not just a necessity but also a responsibility towards humanity's future.
"WE HAVE BUILT A SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION"
Stressing that the protocol signed with the Zero Waste Foundation is a new and strong step taken with awareness of this responsibility, Uraloğlu stated, "We carry the pride and responsibility of being the first ministry in Turkey to calculate its corporate carbon footprint. With our environment-focused initiatives such as 'Turkey's Net Zero Emission Roadmap in Transport Project,' 'Each Ticket a Sapling, Our Love Green Homeland Campaign,' and our sustainability vision, we have built a significant accumulation in this field."
Uraloğlu explained that the protocol will further strengthen existing efforts, ensure the spread of zero waste approaches across the transport sector, and also carry the '2053 net zero emission' target forward with greater motivation and determination.
Emphasizing that as a ministry, they demonstrate their sensitivity to protecting nature and the environment not just in words but through actions, Uraloğlu noted:
"We shape our transport investments not only based on economic growth but also on environmental sustainability principles. We are implementing the 'Turkey's Net Zero Emission Roadmap in Transport Project' under the financial cooperation of the European Union, covering all transport modes in the sector. This project aims to create an effective study to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport activities to zero. With the emission model developed within the project, we analyze the current status of road, rail, air, maritime transport modes and create activity estimates, vehicle numbers, fuel types, and emission projections according to different scenarios."
"WE HAVE PREPARED A CLEANER TURKEY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS"
Minister Uraloğlu reported that by eliminating 6.55 million tons of carbon emissions—equivalent to what approximately 1 million mature trees can clean in a year—through uninterrupted traffic flow, they have prepared a cleaner Turkey legacy for future generations.
Uraloğlu highlighted that they reduce their carbon footprint with ecological bridges, bicycle paths, solar energy systems, and asphalt recycling facilities, achieving resource and energy efficiency through the recovery of approximately 2 million tons of asphalt annually.
Uraloğlu stated that with smart transport systems, they reduce emissions by improving traffic flow, and through projects to increase the share of rail freight transport from 5% to 22%, they support safer, more balanced, and environmentally friendly multimodal transport.
Providing information that they have prevented 62 million tons of carbon emissions since 2013 with the Marmaray Project alone, and support green transformation in the maritime field with the Green Port Certificate and Decarbonization in Maritime Transport projects, Uraloğlu continued:
"Within the scope of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program conducted by the Airports Council International, which includes a total of 625 airports in 92 countries worldwide, Turkey is the second country with the highest number of certificates after the USA, with 52 airports having carbon neutral airport certification. With 145 domestic Toggs we use in 'Follow Me' services at airports, we are rapidly approaching the zero-emission target in aviation, and with such environmentally friendly approaches, we rank among Europe's exemplary countries in sustainability."
"WE ARE THE MINISTRY THAT FIRST PERFORMED CORPORATE CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATION"
Drawing attention to the fact that, in line with the 2053 net zero emission target, they address environmental sustainability together with economic development, Uraloğlu said:
"The protocol was prepared with the aim of spreading the zero waste approach in transport and infrastructure sectors, increasing resource efficiency, preventing waste generation, adopting the circular economy model, and promoting green infrastructure practices. With the protocol, we will maximize waste management in our transport projects, increase the use of recycled materials in construction and maintenance processes, standardize zero waste practices at our ports, airports, and stations, and spread sustainable transport awareness to our passengers, employees, and stakeholders. With the responsibility of being the first ministry in Turkey to calculate its corporate carbon footprint, we shape every project with environmental sustainability principles."
Uraloğlu expressed that as a ministry, they will contribute to the process with strong content and concrete cooperation projects with the Zero Waste Foundation, stating that they work to leave a cleaner Turkey and a more livable world for future generations.
Uraloğlu noted that the protocol is a new ring in this vision and wished the protocol well.
"TURKEY WILL HOST TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS THIS YEAR"
Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş stated that Turkey will host two different important events this year, saying, "One is the Zero Waste Forum to be held on June 5-7. Representatives from more than 150 countries will attend the forum. We will host over 100 ministers and more than 5,000 participants from around the world. The forum, which we organize with institutions like the World Bank and the United Nations, and the world's best universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, along with our universities from Turkey, is the world's largest and most comprehensive zero waste, climate, and environment meeting."
he said.
Stating that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will also be involved in the protocol, Ağırbaş said that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has made very significant investments in transportation and infrastructure.
Ağırbaş expressed that guests from different parts of the world admire Turkey's transportation investments and thanked President Erdoğan and Minister Uraloğlu for the investments.
Reminding that Turkey will also host the 31st Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), Ağırbaş said, "We are working to involve disadvantaged groups, universities, and state enterprise organizations from around the world in the process. With the protocol we will sign today, under the leadership of our Minister, we will further strengthen efforts related to the transportation and infrastructure sector in the context of zero waste in Turkey."
Ağırbaş noted that the Ministry will be among the partners at the forum to be organized and stated that they will present the transportation and infrastructure works conducted in Turkey to the guests and discuss how a roadmap can be created to reduce carbon emissions in various meetings.
After the speeches, Minister Uraloğlu and Ağırbaş signed the cooperation protocol.