Climate Advocates Urge Governments to Reject Waste Incineration at COP31

ANTALYA, TÜRKİYE – November 2026 – Climate advocates and environmental experts have called on world leaders to abandon waste incineration projects and invest in sustainable waste management systems as countries gather for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

The advocates argue that burning waste is not a lasting solution to the global waste crisis, warning that expanding incineration facilities could expose communities to harmful pollution, create financial burdens for local authorities and undermine efforts to tackle climate change.

Speaking at a press conference themed “Zero Waste COP – Incinerators Out. Zero Waste In,” organised by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), participants urged governments and climate financiers to prioritise waste prevention, reuse, repair, recycling and composting.

Climate Programme Director at GAIA, Mariel Vilella, said addressing waste at its source was essential to achieving meaningful climate action.

She maintained that building more facilities to burn or dispose of waste would not resolve the underlying problem.

“Preventing waste, expanding reuse and composting organic materials are practical and proven solutions that can cut emissions while delivering benefits for communities,” she said.

The experts also raised concerns about the environmental impact of plastic production, noting that its dependence on fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gas emissions throughout its lifecycle.

Coordinator of the Climate Action Network Arab World (CANAW), Mohamed Kamal, said reducing plastic production and expanding reusable alternatives must become central components of global climate strategies.

“We cannot tackle climate change while allowing plastic production to keep expanding,” he stressed.

The growing promotion of waste-to-energy incineration projects across Africa also featured prominently at the press conference.

A new GAIA Africa report examining 15 incineration projects and proposals across 10 African countries has raised concerns about their economic viability and potential long-term consequences.

Executive Director of the Green Knowledge Foundation, Weyinmi Okotie, warned that incineration could trap municipalities in expensive infrastructure while exposing surrounding communities to harmful pollution.

He argued that African countries needed waste management approaches that reflected their local circumstances rather than relying on costly technologies that could create additional environmental challenges.

Meanwhile, Zero Waste Director of the Green Africa Youth Organisation, Jacob Johnson Attakpah, called for a fairer distribution of climate finance to support communities and cities already implementing sustainable waste management initiatives.

He said governments and climate financiers must redirect investments towards practical, community-driven solutions instead of concentrating resources on disposal technologies.

The role of local authorities in tackling the waste and climate crises was also highlighted.

Representing the Government of Bangladesh, Shahriar Hossain said cities were on the frontline of the waste crisis but also had the potential to lead the transition towards sustainable waste management.

He called for stronger political commitment, consistent public investment and policies that would enable cities to establish effective zero-waste systems on a larger scale.

The press conference, moderated by Yogi Tujuliarto of CNN Indonesia, sought to push governments to translate their climate commitments into concrete policies and investments that prioritise waste prevention over disposal.

As COP31 discussions continue, the advocates are urging world leaders to recognise that effective climate action must begin with reducing the amount of waste generated rather than simply finding new ways to dispose of it.

Their message to world leaders remains clear: “Incinerators out. Zero waste in.”