Türkiye is seeking to turn more than a decade of marine restoration work off Istanbul into a model for protecting ecosystems across the country, bringing its Zero Waste vision together with science-based conservation ahead of the COP31 climate summit.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and Zero Waste Foundation President and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion Samed Ağırbaş visited Tavşan Island to examine marine conservation, restoration and monitoring efforts hosted by the Marine Life Conservation Society (DYKD).
The visit focused on the scientific and integrated conservation model developed around Tavşan Island over the years and plans to replicate the approach at Üç Adalar off the Mediterranean province of Antalya.
Officials also discussed showcasing Türkiye's field experience to the international community during the COP31 process.
Türkiye's Zero Waste initiative, launched under the leadership of first lady Emine Erdoğan, founder of the Zero Waste Movement, chair of the U.N. Secretary-General's Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste and honorary president of the Zero Waste Foundation, has increasingly expanded its focus from waste management toward broader sustainability and ecosystem protection.
