Zero Waste Canada Supports Joint Declaration Calling for Zero Waste Climate Action Ahead of COP31
Zero Waste Canada is proud to support GAIA’s Joint Declaration, Aligning Zero Waste with High-Ambition Climate Action for COP31, joining civil society organizations around the world in highlighting zero waste as an essential part of climate action.
Released by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, also known as GAIA, the declaration calls for zero waste strategies to be meaningfully included in climate planning ahead of COP31. The declaration was developed in collaboration with Greenpeace Türkiye, World Wildlife Fund Türkiye, the Microplastic Research Group, and the Plastic Free Türkiye Platform, and has been signed by organizations representing zero waste practitioners, policy experts, and community groups across many countries.
The declaration emphasizes that zero waste is more than waste management. It is a practical climate strategy that addresses how materials are produced, consumed, reused, recovered, and kept out of disposal systems.
Key areas highlighted in the declaration include:
- Connecting zero waste strategies with fossil fuel phase-out and reduced plastic production
- Strengthening methane reduction through organics diversion and landfill prevention
- Prioritizing waste prevention, reuse, composting, and upstream solutions
- Avoiding high-carbon approaches such as waste-to-energy incineration and pyrolysis
- Supporting environmental justice for communities affected by waste pollution
- Recognizing and protecting waste pickers and waste workers as part of a just transition
For Zero Waste Canada, this declaration reflects an important message: zero waste solutions must be part of ambitious climate action. Waste prevention, reuse systems, source separation, composting, and responsible resource management can help reduce emissions while supporting healthier, more resilient communities.
As countries prepare for COP31, Zero Waste Canada encourages decision-makers, organizations, and communities to recognize zero waste as a practical and necessary climate solution.
Read GAIA’s full declaration here: https://www.no-burn.org/joint-declaration-zero-waste-climate-action-cop31/
Read GAIA’s press release here: https://www.no-burn.org/124-civil-society-groups-call-on-cop31-presidency-to-turn-zero-waste-ambition-into-climate-action/