09.11.2026 15:31
Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, spoke at the launch of the One Billion Challenge initiative launched within the scope of COP31. Drawing attention to the fact that more than one billion meals are wasted every day worldwide, Ağırbaş invited governments, businesses, cities, and households to combat food waste. The initiative aims to contribute to reducing food waste by half by 2030.
The One Billion Challenge (Call for 1 Billion Meals), implemented with the support of the Zero Waste Foundation, was introduced at an event held at the Zero Waste Forum Stage within the Zero Waste Museum in the COP31 Blue Zone. Noting that food loss and waste cause 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Ağırbaş called on everyone—from governments to farmers, from civil society organizations to young people—to join the initiative.
ZERO WASTE EFFORTS AT COP31 ARE BEING TAKEN TO A GLOBAL SCALE
The work carried out under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, Founder of the Zero Waste Movement, Chair of the UN Zero Waste High-Level Advisory Board of Eminent Persons, and Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, is gaining a more comprehensive character on a global scale during the COP31 process.
The summit, held in Antalya under the host country role of Türkiye and carried out under the leadership of Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 President, hosts initiatives aimed at strengthening implementation-oriented climate action on a global scale.
“WHEN WE WASTE FOOD, WE WASTE ALL RESOURCES”
Starting his speech by drawing attention to the fact that more than one billion meals are wasted every day in the world, while millions of people suffer from hunger, Ağırbaş said, “Behind every meal lie soil, water, energy, and human labor. When we waste food, we waste all these resources as well.”
Emphasizing that bread holds a sacred and precious place in Turkish culture, Ağırbaş said, “We are taught to respect food, share our table, and waste nothing that could feed another person. These values, shared by many cultures, remind us that preventing food waste is our common responsibility. Inspired by the pioneering leadership of the esteemed Emine Erdoğan, we are carrying this understanding into our global zero waste efforts.”
Stating that food loss and waste also contribute to climate change, Ağırbaş said, “Reducing them means protecting our resources, lowering emissions, and achieving savings.”
“WE MUST BRING EXISTING SOLUTIONS TOGETHER”
Saying that there are many solutions that can be applied in the fight against food waste, Ağırbaş said, “Farmers can improve storage conditions. Businesses can reduce waste generated along supply chains. Cities can help surplus food reach those in need. In our homes, we can plan our meals, store food under suitable conditions, and use up leftovers. Now we need to bring these efforts together.”
“MAKE A COMMITMENT, TAKE ACTION”
Stating that the One Billion Challenge initiative was launched for this purpose, Ağırbaş said, “We invite people, businesses, cities, schools, and communities around the world to join this initiative. Our call is quite simple: Make a commitment, take action, measure your progress, and share practices that work. You can take action in your own kitchen, on your farm, at your workplace, or across your city. Every step matters, and every successful example can inspire others.”
Repeating his call at the end of his speech, Ağırbaş said, “May the scale of one billion wasted meals inspire a global movement for action. Join the One Billion Challenge initiative. Let us appreciate the value of our food, share more, and waste less.”
GOAL TO HALVE FOOD WASTE BY 2030
The initiative, created in response to the waste of edible food corresponding to approximately 1 billion meals every day worldwide, aims to contribute to the global goal of halving food waste by 2030.
Within the scope of the initiative, participants are encouraged to identify the stages where food waste occurs, make commitments to reduce it, start measurement and tracking efforts, and share the results they obtain. Preventing food waste at its source, redistributing surplus food, improving supply chains, and strengthening food rescue systems are among the initiative's priority action areas.
For participation in the initiative and detailed information, the website foodwasteaction.sifiratikvakfi.org can be visited.