New initiative brings cities, finance and delivery partners together to scale practical solutions for waste, methane and circularity ahead of COP31 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2026
NEW YORK – Zero Waste Foundation, under the auspices of the COP31 Climate High-Level Champion – Samed Ağırbaş – today announced the next step in the Global Zero Waste Districts Initiative at an event hosted by the Global Methane Hub during Climate Week NYC.
The initiative is built around a simple idea: global commitments need a practical scale at which they can be delivered, measured and financed. Zero Waste Districts provide that scale by bringing together facilities, waste streams, shared infrastructure, local governance and investment within a defined area.
“Keeping organic waste out of landfills can cut methane, helping reduce the air pollution that makes people sick,” said Marcelo Mena, CEO of the Global Methane Hub. “Zero Waste Districts gives cities a practical way to deliver those health benefits while creating jobs, recovering valuable resources, and building solutions that can scale.”
“Zero Waste is climate action. But commitments alone do not deliver results. We need practical models that help cities move from ambition to implementation,” said Samed Ağırbaş, COP31 Climate High-Level Champion and President of the Zero Waste Foundation. “Zero Waste Districts give us a way to bring governments, communities, businesses and finance together around a defined place, with measurable outcomes and a pathway to scale.”
The initiative has a particular focus on organic waste and methane reduction. By bringing together waste streams and coordinating solutions across multiple facilities, districts can create the scale needed for shared systems such as composting and digestion, reuse and washing facilities, reverse logistics and repair capacity. The district provides the scale at which governance, measurement and finance can work together.
The initiative is taking shape across several regions, with pilot districts in Malaysia, Chile, Brazil and Kenya. In Malaysia, the first pilots include Pulau Tikus in George Town, Penang, which has been confirmed for mobilization, and the Kuala Lumpur City Center precinct, where work is progressing with the precinct owner and Think City. The initiative also welcomes the participation of districts in Chile, including Santiago and Patagonia; Brazil, including Fortaleza and Rio; and Kisumu in Kenya.
With districts now engaged across Asia, Africa and Latin America, the initiative is designed to build a diverse set of practical models that can be tested, measured and shared across different urban contexts ahead of COP31.
The initiative is also developing a financing pathway. Grant resources can support program design, baselines and verification, while implementation capital for shared infrastructure can be developed through a separate investment pipeline. Engagement with the Green Climate Fund is underway.
“By showing practical solutions at district level, we can develop models that can be replicated and scaled across Malaysia and internationally, helping to accelerate the transition towards a circular and low-carbon future,” said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, former Executive Director of UN-Habitat and former Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
Participating districts will work towards measurable diversion and circularity outcomes, generating evidence that can inform wider policy and help identify solutions that can be replicated elsewhere. A selection framework and route for additional districts to join the next cohort are also being developed ahead of COP31.
The Global Zero Waste Districts Initiative forms part of the broader Global Climate Action Agenda, connecting practical action on waste with methane reduction, resource efficiency, circularity and sustainable urban development.
“As we move towards COP31, we want cities to come to Antalya with more than commitments. We want to see what is being delivered, what is working, what can be measured and what can be scaled.” said Ağırbaş.
The initiative will continue to work with participating districts and partners on the road to COP31, building the evidence, partnerships and investment pathways needed to take successful district-level solutions to scale.
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About Climate-High Level Champions
The Climate High-Level Champions (HLCs) work to mobilize ambitious climate action from businesses, cities, regions, and financial institutions to support governments in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. By driving partnerships, showcasing transformative solutions, and prioritizing support for vulnerable communities, the HLCs help turn ideas into impact – cleaner air, better jobs, safer homes, and a healthier world for all. Appointed by successive COP Presidencies, the Champions work to strengthen collaboration between governments and the “real economy,” helping to translate climate commitments into practical, scalable solutions.
The Zero Waste Foundation was established in 2023 under the leadership of H.E. Mrs. Emine Erdoğan to support the development and sustainability of the Zero Waste movement. The purpose of the foundation is to disseminate the Zero Waste Project and ensure its sustainability. The Foundation works with governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to advance solutions that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and support sustainable development. It also plays a leading role in promoting the International Day of Zero Waste, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat, to raise global awareness and accelerate action toward more sustainable consumption and production patterns.
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Media Contact
Atif Ikram Butt