On the sidelines of COP31, climate justice advocates, researchers, youth leaders and local government officials called on world leaders to abandon waste‑to‑energy incineration and channel climate finance into proven zero‑waste solutions. The call was made at a press conference dubbed “Zero Waste COP – Incinerators Out. Zero Waste In”.
Speakers said addressing the climate impact of waste required tackling the problem at its source through waste prevention, reuse, repair, redesign and composting, rather than investing in more infrastructure to burn waste. “Zero waste is climate action – but only when we address the problem at its source. We cannot solve the waste crisis by building more infrastructure to burn or dispose of what we produce,” said Mariel Vilella, Climate Program Director at GAIA.
Vilella added that preventing waste and expanding reuse and composting were practical, proven ways to reduce emissions while delivering benefits to communities. Speakers also warned that the climate crisis could not be separated from the waste crisis.
Mohamed Kamal, Coordinator of the Climate Action Network Arab World (CANAW), said plastic production remained closely linked to fossil fuels throughout its lifecycle. “We cannot tackle climate change while allowing plastic production to keep expanding. Reducing plastic production and scaling reuse must be part of any credible climate strategy,” he said.
A new GAIA Africa report reviewed 15 incineration projects and proposals across 10 African countries, raising questions about their financial viability and long‑term environmental impact. Weyinmi Okotie, Executive Director of the Green Knowledge Foundation, warned that incineration could lock African municipalities into expensive and polluting infrastructure. “Incineration can lock municipalities into costly infrastructure, expose communities to harmful pollution, and divert resources from more inclusive zero waste alternatives. Africa needs solutions that respond to its actual waste realities – not expensive technologies that create new problems,” Okotie said.
Advocates highlighted a financing gap, noting that while billions of dollars flow into large‑scale waste disposal technologies, communities and cities already implementing zero‑waste solutions struggle to access climate finance. Jacob Johnson Attakpah, Zero Waste Director of the Green Africa Youth Organisation, called for the imbalance to be addressed. “Governments and climate financiers must correct this imbalance and make climate finance accessible to the communities and cities already delivering solutions,” he said.
Shahriar Hossain, representing the Government of Bangladesh, highlighted the role of local governments, saying cities were on the frontline of both the waste and climate crises but also provided opportunities for implementing solutions. He said cities needed strong political support, consistent public investment and policies that would enable zero‑waste systems to be implemented on a larger scale.
The session, moderated by Yogi Tujuliarto of CNN Indonesia, ended with a call for climate pledges to translate into action through policies and funding that prioritise waste prevention over disposal. The advocates’ message to COP31 was clear: “Incinerators out. Zero waste in.”
