Türkiye Appoints Zero Waste Leader as COP31 Champion

Türkiye has confirmed the senior figure who will act as its link between governments and the private sector in the run up to COP31, the UN climate summit scheduled for Antalya in November 2026. Samed Agirbas, president of the Zero Waste Foundation, has been named High Level Climate Champion for the conference.

The appointment matters because this role sits at the point where climate commitments move from diplomacy into business decisions. High Level Climate Champions are responsible for bringing companies, investors, cities and civil society into the UN climate process and pushing for practical delivery rather than statements of intent.

For UK businesses, COPs are not abstract political events. They shape the direction of regulation, sector standards, procurement expectations and investor pressure. Understanding who is influencing the private sector agenda at future summits helps businesses anticipate where requirements, reporting and commercial risk may tighten.

A key appointment ahead of COP31 in Antalya

The appointment of Samed Agirbas was announced in January 2026 by Türkiye’s environment minister and COP31 president designate Murat Kurum. Agirbas will serve as High Level Climate Champion for the two year cycle covering COP30 to COP31, working alongside his counterpart appointed by the previous host.

The High Level Climate Champions role was created at the Paris climate conference in 2015. Its purpose is to bridge national government commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change with action by non state actors. These include businesses, financiers, local authorities, universities and charities.

Rather than negotiating emissions targets, champions focus on delivery. They work through the Global Climate Action Agenda, which pulls together voluntary initiatives on energy, transport, land use, waste, buildings and finance. The aim is to show progress in the real economy that supports government targets.

Türkiye has chosen a figure closely associated with its Zero Waste policy. The Zero Waste Foundation was set up to promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling across cities, public institutions and businesses. The initiative has been promoted internationally by Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdogan and has been referenced in UN forums.

Agirbas has previously held roles linked to youth engagement, municipal governance and UN Habitat. That background aligns with the champion remit, which requires coordination across very different types of organisations rather than technical negotiation.

How the High Level Climate Champion role shapes business involvement

From a business perspective, the significance of this role lies in agenda setting. The High Level Climate Champions do not write law, but they influence which themes and sectors receive attention at COP summits and in the years between them.

In recent COP cycles, champions have been central to initiatives on clean power, zero emission vehicles, methane reduction, deforestation and climate finance. They convene pledges, track participation and report on progress. These initiatives often feed into procurement standards, lender expectations and sector benchmarks.

The champion role also provides a route for governments to signal priorities to the market. By choosing a Zero Waste advocate, Türkiye is indicating that materials, consumption and waste management will be part of its core narrative at COP31.

This fits with trends seen at recent summits. Waste, resources and circular economy issues have moved higher up the agenda as countries look beyond energy alone to tackle emissions and resilience. For many sectors, waste reduction measures are among the first actions expected by investors and customers.

Agirbas has indicated that his focus will be on delivery rather than declarations, using platforms such as the Zero Waste Forum to bring business, finance, universities and public bodies together. That approach mirrors the direction taken by recent Action Agendas, which emphasise measurable outcomes.

What zero waste emphasis signals for supply chains and standards

A stronger focus on zero waste within the UN climate process has practical implications for companies operating internationally. While Zero Waste is often used loosely, in policy terms it normally covers prevention, reuse, repair, recycling and the reduction of landfill and incineration.

For manufacturers and retailers, this can translate into tighter expectations on packaging, material choice and take back schemes. For construction, it often links to design for disassembly and waste reporting on projects. For services, it increasingly affects procurement criteria and client questionnaires.

Many UK SMEs encounter these pressures through their customers rather than through direct regulation. Large buyers and public sector bodies frequently align their requirements with international frameworks discussed at COPs, even where domestic law remains unchanged.

Türkiye hosting COP31 also matters for supply chains that run through or into the region. Where host countries promote specific policy themes, there is often follow up through bilateral trade engagement, development finance and infrastructure programmes.

Although the High Level Climate Champion has no regulatory authority, the initiatives promoted under their watch can shape voluntary standards that later become expected practice. Past examples include climate disclosure frameworks and sector pledges that now appear in tender documents.

Implications for UK SMEs operating or trading internationally

UK SMEs with international exposure should not assume that COP outcomes only affect large multinationals. In practice, changes filter down through contracts, reporting requests and assurance requirements.

Businesses involved in manufacturing, distribution, construction, hospitality and facilities management are already seeing waste and resource data requested by customers. References to zero waste, circular economy or landfill diversion increasingly appear in pre qualification questionnaires.

Where COP31 places further emphasis on waste reduction, SMEs may see greater scrutiny of how waste is managed across operations and supply chains. This includes segregation practices, contractor selection and evidence of recycling or recovery rates.

There is also a tender risk dimension. Public sector buyers and large corporates often align procurement policy with the themes highlighted at COPs. For UK SMEs bidding into these markets, being able to explain waste practices clearly can influence scoring.

From a cost perspective, waste remains an area where compliance and efficiency overlap. Better waste data often exposes avoidable disposal costs. However, the compliance side should not be overlooked. Claims linked to zero waste or circular practices need to be accurate and defensible.

UK businesses that trade with Türkiye or operate in the region should also watch for alignment of local expectations with COP31 messaging. While timelines vary, host country priorities often influence guidance issued to regulators, banks and development agencies.

Key points UK businesses should be aware of

• Samed Agirbas has been appointed High Level Climate Champion for COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in November 2026.
• The role focuses on mobilising businesses and other non state actors to deliver practical climate action alongside government commitments.
• Türkiye’s choice signals a strong emphasis on waste reduction and resource use within the COP31 Action Agenda.
• Initiatives promoted through the champion role often shape voluntary standards that later appear in procurement and reporting.
• UK SMEs may encounter increased scrutiny of waste practices through customers, tenders and supply chain requests.

Our view on what this means in practice

From an SBS perspective, the appointment is consistent with a wider shift we see across client work. Waste and materials are becoming a first step issue in sustainability assessments, partly because they are visible and often quick to measure.

While energy and carbon accounting remain critical, many organisations start with waste because it touches operations, compliance and cost control at the same time. International attention on zero waste reinforces that direction of travel.

We also see confusion around terms. Zero waste does not generally mean producing no waste at all. In most business contexts it refers to structured reduction and responsible management, supported by data and clear processes.

As COP31 approaches, businesses would be well advised to ensure they understand their waste streams and the assumptions behind any claims made in policies or bids. This reduces risk where customers ask for evidence rather than statements.

For SMEs, the key is proportionate action. Most will not engage directly with COP initiatives, but the expectations set there will continue to shape the questions you are asked by larger organisations. Being prepared avoids last minute reactions.

This appointment does not change UK law, but it does point to where scrutiny is increasing. In our experience, businesses that address waste early are better placed when climate reporting and procurement requirements tighten.

Authoritative sources and official information

Further detail on the High Level Climate Champions role and the Global Climate Action Agenda is available from the UNFCCC High Level Climate Champions.

Information on COP31 preparations and Türkiye’s role as host can be found through updates from the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties.

Background on Türkiye’s Zero Waste initiative is available via the UN Zero Waste programme.

For UK context on waste regulation and business responsibilities, see guidance from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Related SBS guidance includes our overview of net zero and carbon reporting support, our work on environmental compliance for SMEs, and practical advice on sustainable procurement requirements.