Climate

En una señal  de impulso positivo, las naciones acuerdan celebrar otra conferencia en Tuvalu, organizada conjuntamente con Irlanda

PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA: 29 de abril de 2026

Santa Marta, Colombia– Hoy concluyó en la ciudad de Santa Marta, la Primera Conferencia sobre la Transición para Abandonar los Combustibles Fósiles, con motivos para el optimismo: por primera vez, 57 gobiernos nacionales se unieron para comenzar a eliminar gradualmente los combustibles fósiles. En una victoria para las comunidades afectadas de todo el mundo, varios grupos de la conferencia, como el mundo académico, los pueblos indígenas, los afrodescendientes y los gobiernos nacionales y subnacionales, incluyeron llamados a reducir los productos petroquímicos, un factor clave del cambio climático. Los parlamentarios y el sector privado también pidieron medidas específicas para abordar la crisis del plástico.

Ana Rocha, directora de Política Global de Plásticos de GAIA, afirma: «Santa Marta reunió a un grupo de países que reconocen la urgencia de reducir gradualmente los combustibles fósiles. Si bien siempre se anulan resultados más tangibles, el progreso es importante, y Colombia, los Países Bajos y todos los involucrados merecen reconocimiento por sacar el debate del estancamiento. Ahora los países deben aprovechar este impulso para traducir la intención en acciones decisivas».

En el Diálogo sobre ciencia y política celebrado los días 24 y 25 de abril, GAIA y el Centro para el Derecho Ambiental Internacional (CIEL) convocaron conjuntamente a un grupo de expertos para ofrecer orientación sobre cómo abordar los productos petroquímicos como parte fundamental de la reducción gradual de los combustibles fósiles. Las recomendaciones incluyen congelar la expansión petroquímica, establecer límites decrecientes a la producción petroquímica, garantizar la transparencia y la trazabilidad en toda la cadena de suministro petroquímica, eliminar los subsidios, prevenir las soluciones falsas y desarrollar mecanismos financieros para apoyar transiciones justas.

Los productos petroquímicos se producen a partir de combustibles fósiles, y la Agencia Internacional de la Energía proyecta que, sin intervención, los productos petroquímicos representarán un tercio del crecimiento de la demanda de petróleo para 2030, y casi la mitad para 2050.

57 naciones participaron en la conferencia. Muchas naciones expresaron la necesidad de una Transición Justa en la que países con realidades y condiciones similares desarrollen soluciones conjuntamente, abordando la complejidad de la crisis con soluciones viables.

En una señal del impulso positivo hacia la reducción gradual de los combustibles fósiles, los países han decidido reunirse de nuevo el próximo año, en una segunda conferencia que se celebrará en Tuvalu gracias a una colaboración entre Tuvalu e Irlanda. La elección de la sede, uno de los países más vulnerables al clima del mundo, pone de relieve tanto la crisis climática como el espíritu de solidaridad Sur-Norte. La fecha exacta de la próxima conferencia está por confirmar.

De aquí a la próxima conferencia, los países trabajarán en tres líneas de acción para desarrollar sus estrategias de descarbonización, entre ellas: abordar las barreras económicas y financieras estructurales, promover el comercio verde frente al comercio de combustibles fósiles, y abordar la dependencia y el suministro de combustibles fósiles.

Este avance histórico en la cooperación internacional para combatir la crisis climática refuerza la viabilidad de un proceso que excluye a los malos actores que han saboteado las negociaciones climáticas durante los últimos treinta años, ofreciendo una alternativa al disfuncional sistema de veto de un solo país de las Naciones Unidas.

Citas de miembros de GAIA:

«Esta primera conferencia marca el inicio de una transición para dejar atrás la dependencia de los combustibles fósiles. Es esencial invitar a más países a sumarse a estos esfuerzos. Los países deben priorizar la reducción de la producción petroquímica al tiempo que abordan toda la cadena de valor de los plásticos —desde la extracción hasta la eliminación—, incluyendo a los recolectores de residuos y a las comunidades afectadas por la contaminación. Esta transición debe estar centrada en las personas y solo será efectiva si es justa, inclusiva y se basa en un enfoque de derechos humanos». -Laura Suárez, directora nacional de la Fundación PlastiCo y coordinadora científica y de políticas del Proyecto MarLi en la Universidad San Francisco de Quito

«Una transición integral para dejar atrás los combustibles fósiles requiere repensar y transformar todo el sistema que depende de ellos, lo que incluye acabar con nuestra dependencia de los plásticos de un solo uso y los agroquímicos. Los países deben elegir la continuidad de la vida en la Tierra por encima de la codicia corporativa». -Ana Belén Ortega, miembro de Alianza Basura Cero Ecuador

«Toda historia tiene un comienzo. Este es el nuestro. Por primera vez, personas de todo el mundo están diciendo que así es como iniciamos el plan para acabar con el uso de los combustibles fósiles. Seguiremos luchando por la remediación y la recuperación de los sitios de combustibles fósiles y petroquímicos porque ahí es donde esta historia debe terminar para las comunidades de primera línea. No será justo si no lo limpiamos.” -Ean Tafoya, vicepresidente de GreenLatinos

“Esta reunión fue un paso necesario para ir más allá de una economía basada en los combustibles fósiles que ha causado un profundo daño al clima, la biodiversidad, la salud humana y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades de primera línea. Salimos de esta conferencia con agradecimiento, pero también con un llamado claro: la transición para dejar atrás los combustibles fósiles no debe repetir los daños de la extracción. Debe brindar justicia, reparaciones y participación real a los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades de primera línea.” -Frankie Orona, cofundador y director ejecutivo de Society of Native Nations

Contacto de prensa:

Claire Arkin, directora de comunicaciones globales

claire@no-burn.org | +1 973 444 4869

In Show of Momentum, Nations Agree to Another Conference in Tuvalu, Co-hosted with Ireland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2026

Santa Marta, Colombia– Today, the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels came to a close in Santa Marta, Colombia with cause for optimism: for the first time, 57 national governments came together to begin phasing out fossil fuels.  In a win for impacted communities worldwide, several constituencies of the conference, such as academia, Indigenous Peoples, Afrodescedents, and national and subnational governments, included calls to reduce petrochemicals, a key driver of climate change. Parliamentarians and the private sector also called for specific measures to address the plastic crisis.

Ana Rocha, Global Plastics Policy Director at GAIA, states: “Santa Marta brought together a group of countries that recognize the urgency of phasing down fossil fuels. While there is always an appetite for more tangible outcomes, progress matters, and Colombia, the Netherlands, and all involved deserve credit for moving the conversation beyond paralysis. Now countries must build on this momentum to translate intention into decisive action.”

At the  Science and policy dialogue held on April 24-25th, GAIA and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) co-convened a group of experts to offer guidance on how to address petrochemicals as a critical part of a fossil fuel phase-down. Recommendations included freezing petrochemical expansion, establishing declining caps on petrochemical production, ensuring transparency and traceability across the petrochemical supply chain, eliminating subsidies, preventing false solutions, and developing financial mechanisms to support just transitions.

Petrochemicals are produced from fossil fuels, and the International Energy Agency projects that, without intervention, petrochemicals will account for one third of oil demand growth by 2030, and nearly half by 2050. 

Fifty seven nations participated in the conference.  Many nations voiced the need for a Just Transition where countries with similar realities and conditions develop solutions together, addressing the complexity of the crisis with actionable solutions. 

In a sign of positive momentum towards a fossil fuel phase-down, countries have decided to convene again next year, in a second conference hosted in Tuvalu through a collaboration between Tuvalu and Ireland. The choice of location, one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, highlights both the climate crisis as well as the spirit of South-North solidarity. The exact date for the next conference is to be confirmed. 

Between now and the next conference, countries will work in three workstreams to develop their decarbonization strategies, including: tackling structural economic and financial barriers, promoting green trade over fossil fuel trade, and addressing fossil fuel dependency and supply. 

This historic advancement in international cooperation to combat the climate crisis bolsters the viability of a process that excludes the bad actors who have sabotaged the climate talks for the past thirty years, providing an alternative to the dysfunctional one-country-veto system of the United Nations. 

Quotes from GAIA Members: 

“This first conference marks the beginning of a transition away from fossil fuel dependency.  It is essential to invite more countries to join these efforts. Countries must prioritize reducing petrochemical production while addressing the entire plastics value chain —from extraction to disposal— including waste pickers, and communities affected by pollution. This transition must be people-centered and will only be effective if it is just, inclusive, and grounded in a human rights-based approach.” -Laura Suárez, National Director at Fundación PlastiCo. Project and Science Policy & Scientific Coordinator of the MarLi Project at Universidad San Francisco de Quito

“A comprehensive transition away from fossil fuels requires rethinking and transforming the entire system that relies on them, including ending our dependence on single-use plastics and agrochemicals. Countries must choose the continuation of life on earth over corporate greed.” -Ana Belén Ortega, Member of Alianza Basura Cero Ecuador 

“Every story has a beginning. This is it. For the first time people from across the globe are saying this is how we start the plan to end the use of fossil fuels. We will continue to fight for remediation and reclamation of fossil fuel and petrochemical sites because that is where this story must end for Frontline communities. It will not be just if we don’t clean it up.” -Ean Tafoya, Vice President, GreenLatinos

“This gathering was a necessary step toward moving beyond a fossil fuel economy that has caused deep harm to the climate, biodiversity, human health, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities. We leave this conference with appreciation, but also with a clear call: transitioning away from fossil fuels must not repeat the harms of extraction. It must deliver justice, reparations, and real participation for Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities.” -Frankie Orona, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Society of Native Nations

Press contact:

Claire Arkin, Global Communications Lead 

claire@no-burn.org | +1 973 444 4869

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GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 1,000 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries. With our work, we aim to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. We envision a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. 

By Sonia G. Astudillo

When we talk about climate action, organic waste doesn’t always make the headlines. Yet it’s one of the fastest ways to cut methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Thanks to support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), GAIA and its partners are showing how community-led zero waste solutions can deliver big wins for the climate, for people, and for local economies.


From Households to Global Climate Talks


In Bandung, Indonesia, households are separating food scraps, feeding them into composting and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems. By early 2026, more than 1,600 households were participating, processing over 1,000 kilograms of organic waste per day. The maggots produced are already being used as animal feed, linking waste management directly to food security.

In Valparaíso, Chile, waste picker cooperatives are building composting programs and training initiatives, despite delays in government permitting. Their persistence underscores the importance of grassroots leadership in shaping sustainable systems.

In Durban, South Africa, market-based composting pilots are underway. Initial audits show potential diversion of 8,400 tonnes of organic waste per year, cutting nearly 2,000 tonnes of methane emissions.

These local stories connect to the global stage. GAIA’s Zero Waste Academy is now live, offering training and resources worldwide. At COP events, GAIA delegates have amplified waste methane solutions, achieving 211 million audience reach via traditional media and doubling social media engagement compared to previous years.

Waste Pickers at the Center

A defining feature of this project is justice and inclusion. Waste pickers and local communities — often marginalized and under-recognized — are placed at the heart of solutions. Training, technical support, and advocacy have helped shift perceptions: waste pickers are not just informal workers, but frontline climate actors. Local communities are not just residents, they are actors of change and engagement.

Gender equity is also emphasized, recognizing the vital role of women waste pickers and addressing barriers to income, safety, and leadership.

Publications Driving Change


GAIA has produced a suite of publications to strengthen knowledge, visibility, and policy impact:

  • Technical and policy publications on organic waste, landfill methane emissions, and  global warming impacts of zero waste, waste-to-energy incineration, and business-as-usual waste management systems that aim to support policymakers in ensuring effective solutions to waste methane reduction. 

Policy Shifts and Global Impact


The initiative has influenced both policy and implementation at multiple levels:

  • Technical assistance and policy advocacy have fostered vital linkages between organic waste management, local food production, and stunting reduction, a model now being institutionalized within Bandung’s 2027 city planning and budgeting framework to ensure long-term government ownership through the collaboration of the Regional Development Planning, Research and Innovation Agency, Food Security and Agriculture Agency, Population and Family Planning Agency, and Environmental Agency.
  • Strategic efforts have unlocked cross-sectoral public funding to support composting, food production, and distribution.
  • Contributions to the recently enacted Bandung Mayor Regulation 3/2026 on Integrated Urban Farming to connect organic waste management and local food production.
  • The implementation of household Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems as part of the city’s organic waste treatment showcases a complementing decentralized composting system in the city.
  • Pushing implementation of source-separated organic waste collection and home composting, through Bandung Mayor’s Instruction 001-DLH/2026 on Waste Segregation Officer program will increase the amount of source-separated organic waste for scaling up and replication process.
  • Regional forums in Latin America have strengthened collaboration among waste picker groups, other community-led organic management initiatives, and policymakers. It provided a learning space to share best practices on organic waste management and methane abatement, leading to a more regional impact.  
  • Globally, GAIA’s NDC Tracker shows progress in several countries: significant NDC improvements compared to the previous NDC in Brazil and Mexico, and a growing focus on environmental justice and just transition in Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Nigeria. Though gaps remain in waste picker inclusion and resistance to waste-to-energy schemes.
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A Path Forward

The outcomes of this CCAC-supported initiative prove that organic waste management is more than a technical fix — it’s a powerful entry point for climate action, social equity, and green job creation.

From compost pits in Bandung to market composting in Durban, these solutions are already being implemented, refined, and scaled. They show that a just transition in the waste sector is possible — one that cuts methane, creates livelihoods, and builds resilient communities.

First International Conference for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Will Convene April 28-29, Santa Marta, Colombia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2026 

New York, NY– Representatives from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) will be on-the-ground at the upcoming First International Conference for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels 28–29 April 2026 in Santa Marta, Colombia, as well as the related Global Science and Policy Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (April 24-25). 

The conference, co-organized by Colombia and The Netherlands, aims to bring together countries that recognize the need for climate action to discuss pathways for a fossil fuel phase down. This is the first of a series of conferences that will develop a roadmap for this phase down. 

GAIA and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are co-convening a group of experts to develop recommendations for the phase down of petrochemicals as part of the roadmap, to inform government discussions at the conference. 

When developing strategies for a fossil fuel phase down, countries at Santa Marta cannot let petrochemicals fly under the radar. Petrochemicals are created from fossil fuels, and, and the IEA projects that the chemicals sector will increase energy demand by 2035 by more than any other industrial sector.  Plastics alone are on track to take up a third of the global carbon budget by 2050. Without setting a target phase down for the petrochemical industry, world leaders will fatally undermine their own progress in reducing fossil fuel extraction and use. 

The wars in the Middle East have also exposed the fragility of the fossil fuel/petrochemical supply chain prone to escalating conflicts, showing once again that relying on these industries is a risky business.

The development of this conference also signals that a critical mass of countries are willing to find common ground outside of the dysfunctional climate negotiations space. This could provide lessons for other multinational policy fora– particularly the plastics treaty talks, which have fallen prone to the same strategies that have stymied the climate talks, namely a small handful of fossil fuel-producing countries blocking meaningful action. 

GAIA’s policy experts, (Ana Rocha, Global Plastics Policy Director and Dr. Neil Tangri, Science and Policy Director) will be at the conference, and are available for comment on this topic in the lead-up as well as during and after the proceedings. 

Press contacts:

Claire Arkin, Global Communications Lead 

claire@no-burn.org | +1 973 444 4869

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GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 1,000 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 100 countries. With our work we aim to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. We envision a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. 

Brussels, Belgium – 30 March 2026 – On the occasion of International Zero Waste Day, the European network Zero Waste Europe is spotlighting how communities in Montenegro are turning food waste into a valuable resource through the #ForkToFarm project. Over the last two years, Montenegrin municipalities have clearly demonstrated how decentralized bio-waste management can help reduce methane emissions, improve soil health, and support local food systems.

Across Europe, research suggests 74% of food waste generated still ends up in landfill or incineration. For a lot of European countries, landfill remains the predominant disposal methods and organic waste ending up here will decompose and release methane – a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. By separating food and garden waste, and then composting it locally, communities can significantly cut emissions while returning valuable nutrients to the soil.

The #ForkToFarmproject, implemented by Zero Waste Montenegro in municipalities including Danilovgrad, Tuzi, Kotor and Podgorica, promotes practical solutions such as household composting, community composting sites, and awareness campaigns encouraging residents to separate organic waste at source. Through trainings and community engagement, residents learn how to transform food scraps and garden waste into compost that can be used in gardens, farms, and green spaces.

“Organic waste is one of the biggest untapped opportunities to reduce emissions in the waste sector,” said Kristina Joksimovic from Zero Waste Montenegro. “By keeping food waste out of landfills and turning it into compost, for relatively low costs, communities can take immediate climate action while supporting healthier soils and more resilient food systems. However, to unlock this potential at scale, we need significantly more public investment in organic waste management and food waste prevention. This must become a clear priority within climate and waste policies and infrastructure investments.”

The project shows that decentralized solutions can work effectively even in municipalities with limited waste management infrastructure. Participating households have reported reductions in mixed waste, while communities benefit from locally produced compost that can improve soil quality and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.

These initiatives also support broader European efforts to strengthen bio-waste collection and reduce the environmental impact of waste management. By empowering local communities and municipalities to manage organic waste more sustainably, the project demonstrates a scalable model that can be replicated across Europe.

“The UN Zero Waste Day reminds us that preventing waste is one of the most effective climate solutions available today,” Jack McQuibban, Head of Local Zero Waste Implementation at Zero Waste Europe,  added. “The experiences from Montenegro show that with the right support, communities can transform food waste into a resource and move closer to a zero waste future.”

By documenting these experiences, the #ForkToFarm case study aims to inspire municipalities and organisations across Europe to adopt decentralized bio-waste systems that keep organic materials in circulation and out of landfills.

By Mariel Vilella, February 13, 2026

GAIA (Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives) today welcomed the COP31 Presidency’s decision to make zero waste and waste methane reduction a top climate priority. The announcement underscores the urgent need to tackle methane—a super-pollutant over 80 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years—and accelerate near-term climate action under the Paris Agreement, while ensuring a just transition for frontline communities.

“Zero waste is a practical, fast, and equitable climate solution”

Waste methane is one of the fastest and most cost-effective emissions sources to address. Proven solutions—like composting, recycling, waste separation, and biological treatment—can reduce methane emissions by up to 95% and cut total waste-sector emissions by more than 1.4 billion tonnes, while delivering cleaner air, jobs, healthier communities, and stronger local economies. Crucially, these solutions must be implemented in ways that ensure a just transition for waste workers and marginalized communities.

Türkiye has a unique opportunity to lead
Türkiye can elevate zero waste as a core climate solution, mobilizing finance toward local implementation, demonstrating scalable models, and integrating equity and community-led approaches. This sets a powerful precedent for global ambition, practical delivery, and a just transition.

Local communities are already showing what works
Across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, local governments and community organizations are demonstrating that zero waste systems can deliver rapid, equitable climate action. Key examples include:

  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 4,500 households in Bonyokwa ward divert 100% of organic waste, cutting 16.4 tonnes of methane annually. World Bank funding supports scaling, led by local GAIA member, Nipe Fagio.
  • Brazil: 20+ waste picker organisations in São Paulo and Brasília implement organic waste recycling under the National Strategy for Municipal Biowaste, supported by over US$ 70M.
  • Philippines: The Zero Waste Cities Network includes 37 cities committed to reducing 70% of methane from waste by 2030. The Philippine National Waste Workers Alliance (PNWWA) unites 1,000+ workers advocating for safe working conditions.
  • Durban, South Africa: Food waste from Warwick markets is composted for the Durban Botanic Garden, reducing landfill costs (~US$ 93/tonne) and creating jobs. The project is expanding to three markets and eventually all nine city markets.
    Accra, Ghana: Green Youth Africa Organization (GAYO) integrates 600 informal waste workers into municipal systems, reducing burning and improving livelihoods.
  • Europe: Nearly 500 municipalities are committed to zero waste through the Zero Waste Cities Certification. Highlights include Milan collecting 95 kg of organics per person annually, Salacea (Romania) increasing separate collection from 1% to 61% in three months, and Partizanske (Slovakia) reducing residual waste by 57 kg per person within a year.

Financing zero waste solutions is key to a just transition
To scale these proven approaches, GAIA calls on governments, multilateral climate funds, and private investors to:

  • Shift finance away from high-emitting, harmful waste disposal practices, such as waste-to-energy incineration, toward community-led zero waste initiatives.
  • Support frontline waste workers and local organizations to ensure equitable and effective implementation.
  • Provide inclusive access to finance for marginalized communities, ensuring a just transition and that no one is left behind.

Zero waste is not only a climate solution—it is a justice-centered development opportunity. The time to act is now. COP31 must ensure finance and support to reach those already delivering results on the ground, so local successes can scale to global impact, while advancing a just transition for all communities involved.

For more information, and case studies of community-led zero waste solutions, visit: GAIA Zero Waste Business Models

PRESS STATEMENT
Feb 13, 2026

GAIA welcomes the COP31 Presidency’s decision to prioritize zero waste and waste methane reduction—a critical and timely step toward accelerating climate action and advancing a just transition for frontline communities.

Mariel Vilella, Director of GAIA’s Global Climate Program, said:

“Recognizing zero waste as a top climate priority is both urgent and overdue. Waste methane is a super-pollutant driving near-term warming, yet zero waste solutions—like composting, recycling, and organic waste treatment—can reduce methane emissions by up to 95% and cut total waste-sector emissions by more than 1.4 billion tonnes. These solutions deliver cleaner air, jobs, healthier communities, and stronger local economies, while ensuring a just transition for waste workers and marginalized communities.

“Türkiye has a unique opportunity to lead by elevating zero waste as a core climate solution, mobilizing finance toward implementation, and demonstrating scalable, equity-driven models. Across the globe, communities are already showing what works—from Dar es Salaam diverting 100% of organic waste from 4,500 households, to Brazil’s 20+ waste picker organisations supported with USD 70M, and 37 Philippine cities committed to cutting 70% of methane emissions from waste by 2030.

“Climate finance must shift from harmful disposal practices, like waste-to-energy incineration, to community-led zero waste initiatives that deliver results on the ground. Zero waste is not only a climate solution—it is a justice-centred development opportunity. The time to act is now.”

Additional information about zero waste in practice across the world

Across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, local governments and community organizations are demonstrating that zero waste systems can deliver rapid, equitable climate solutions. The cases of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Quezon City (Philippines), and Accra (Ghana) illustrate how decentralized, community-based organic waste management creates green jobs, reduces methane emissions, and strengthens local governance. These examples show that solutions already exist, but scaling them requires supportive policies, networks, and financial backing. (GAIA Zero Waste Business Models)

Additional transformative examples worldwide include:

  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Bonyokwa ward zero waste model collects 1.74 tonnes daily from 4,500 households, achieving 95% source segregation and 100% organic waste diversion, cutting 16.4 tonnes of methane annually.
  • Brazil: Over 20 waste picker organisations, including in São Paulo and Brasília, are implementing organic waste recycling systems under the National Strategy for Municipal Biowaste, supported with over USD 70M in funding.
  • Philippines: The Zero Waste Cities Network now includes 37 cities committed to cutting 70% of methane emissions from waste by 2030. The Philippine National Waste Workers Alliance (PNWWA) unites 1,000+ workers advocating for labour rights and safe working conditions.
  • Durban, South Africa: Food waste from the Warwick markets is composted for the Durban Botanic Garden, reducing landfill costs (~USD 93/ton) and creating jobs. The project is scaling to three markets and eventually all nine city markets.
  • Accra, Ghana: Green Youth Africa Organization (GAYO) integrates 600 informal waste workers into municipal waste systems, reducing burning and improving livelihoods.
  • Europe: Nearly 500 municipalities are committed to zero waste under the Zero Waste Cities Certification. Highlights include Milan collecting 95 kg of organics per person annually, Salacea (Romania) increasing separate collection from 1% to 61% in three months, and Partizanske (Slovakia) reducing residual waste by 57 kg per person within a year.

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Sonia Astudillo, Global Climate Communications Officer | +639175968286 | sonia@no-burn.org

GAIA is a network of grassroots groups as well as national and regional alliances representing more than 1000 organizations from over 100 countries. With our work we aim to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. We envision a just, Zero Waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. www.no-burn.org

En el Día internacional de los suelos GAIA se suma al esfuerzo de cuidar su preservación y resaltar su vínculo con la gestión de los residuos orgánicos.

El Día internacional de los suelos se celebra desde 2013 y este año tiene como lema “Suelos sanos para ciudades saludables”. Si bien la fecha oficial es el 2013, sus orígenes se remontan al año 2002 gracias al impulso de la Unión Internacional de Ciencias del Suelo (IUSS), la cual propuso este evento en el marco de la creación de un foro colaborativo que surgió ante la necesidad de compartir experiencias sostenibles para recuperar un suelo que pensábamos era un recurso infinito.

Algunos datos importantes para tener en cuenta:

  • Más del 95% de nuestros alimentos y 15 de los 18 elementos básicos químicos esenciales para las plantas proceden del suelo.
  • Hoy en día el 33% de los suelos están degradados. La erosión y una inadecuada gestión del mismo altera el equilibrio natural de la Tierra, desaprovechando recursos hídricos y reduciendo el nivel de vitaminas y nutrientes de los alimentos que producimos.
  • Las prácticas sostenibles de gestión del suelo mejoran su salud, reducen la erosión y la contaminación; y mejoran la infiltración y el almacenamiento del agua.
  • Estas prácticas también preservan la biodiversidad, mejoran la fertilidad y contribuyen a la retención de carbono, desempeñando un papel crucial en la lucha contra el cambio climático.

El vínculo entre los suelos y los residuos sólidos municipales no es evidente hoy en día. Incluso, históricamente las aguas servidas se utilizaban para renovar la fertilidad de los suelos aledaños a las ciudades para poder producir alimentos.

Se podría decir que es casi como cuando se barren las hojas caídas de los árboles, se embolsan y luego se eliminan de parques, césped o jardines. Se altera el ciclo natural de descomposición y reintegro de la materia orgánica al ciclo de la vida.

Cuando se piensa en el suelo, casi siempre se asocia con el campo y la naturaleza. No obstante, rara vez nos detenemos a pensar que el suelo de las ciudades también es fundamental.

Este Día Mundial del Suelo 2025 pone el foco en los paisajes urbanos con el tema “Suelos sanos para ciudades saludables”. Bajo el asfalto, los edificios y las calles, existe un suelo que, si es permeable y está cubierto de vegetación, ayuda a absorber el agua de lluvia, regular la temperatura, almacenar carbono y mejorar la calidad del aire. Pero cuando se sella con cemento, pierde estas funciones, haciendo que las ciudades sean más vulnerables a inundaciones, calor extremo y contaminación.

En este sentido, basura cero busca no solamente que pensemos en los residuos con un análisis crítico, sino que ofrece también acciones reales para habitar de forma saludable y sostenible nuestras ciudades.

¿Cómo podemos cuidar de mejor manera los suelos que nos alimentan y nos acompañan?

Separar nuestros residuos en nuestro día a día resulta ser clave para poder gestionar la fracción biodegradable de los residuos (habitualmente denominados residuos orgánicos, o RROO). Al separar los restos de nuestra alimentación, del plástico, el cartón, aluminio, vidrios, etc., estamos contribuyendo a que la municipalidad, recicladores, otros agentes, o nosotros mismos podamos hacer un tratamiento adecuado o un retiro diferenciado de esta fracción, permitiendo que exista una gestión específica de estos residuos, lo que facilita el reintegrar materia orgánica, nutrientes y minerales a suelos que producen alimentos, parques o jardines.

¿Qué métodos de tratamiento de residuos orgánicos existen?

Históricamente los residuos orgánicos se han compostado, pero también con el paso del tiempo se han utilizado métodos más específicos como el vermicompostaje, la digestión anaeróbica y la producción de larvas de mosca soldado negra. Todos los métodos ofrecen uno o más subproductos, aprovechables para nutrir los suelos, generar energía y/o inclusive producir nuevas formas de alimentación animal.

¿Sabías que además al separar tus residuos, contribuyes a que estos no produzcan metano?

El metano es uno de los gases de efecto invernadero más importantes en la actualidad, y al mismo tiempo un “problema” de relativamente fácil solución, que puede ser implementada de forma descentralizada, y en función de diferentes volúmenes (o toneladas), climas, y presupuestos.

Entender cuántos residuos orgánicos se tienen que gestionar, con cuánto espacio, presupuesto de inversión y operación, con cuántas personas y maquinarias se cuentan, qué normativas y reglamentos existen en las ciudades, es fundamental para diseñar un sistema descentralizado que ofrezca la posibilidad de que toda la ciudadanía pueda separar sus residuos y disfrutemos de los círculos virtuosos que esta modalidad de tratamiento ofrece.

¿Por qué es tan importante separar los residuos?

Porque de esta manera se facilita la valorización de esta fracción fértil y nutritiva; y porque evitamos contribuir a la contaminación de los suelos con microplásticos y los productos químicos nocivos asociados a su producción.

¿Cuáles son los círculos virtuosos de la gestión diferenciada de los residuos orgánicos ?

En base al trabajo que nuestras membresías y aliados desarrollan, vemos que el aprovechamiento del compost, el humus, o del digestato de los biodigestores, empiezan a desarrollarse proyectos comunitarios urbanos o rurales, en donde la alimentación saludable pasa a ser un tema central. Quienes hayan producido tomates, lechugas, flores o hierbas medicinales, saben que el resultado se aprecia y valora mucho más, porque vemos cómo el fruto de la dedicación y el cariño, la tierra nos ofrece comida sana en nuestros platos, y nos recuerda un vínculo ancestral con la madre Tierra.

Los vínculos que vecinos y vecinas forjan al encontrarse en torno a una compostera comunitaria, por ejemplo, son relaciones sociales sumamente importantes, creativas y valiosas, y desde allí se desprenden habitualmente el interés en almacenar y cuidar semillas ancestrales, y recetas para cuidar cultivos de plagas y enfermedades. Cuidar una huerta o un jardín hoy en día es también un espacio educativo, en sí mismo, e inclusive un oasis de paz y salud mental que es muy útil y necesario en esta vida moderna.

En el Día internacional de los suelos, les invitamos a conocer el documento técnico Residuos orgánicos Municipales: Estrategias para reducir las emisiones de metano, y a que todos aportemos con nuestro granito de arena para hacer esta solución una realidad habitual, y que sus beneficios se observen en lindas huertas y espacios de producción de alimentos en toda América Latina.

“The waste sector isn’t just about rubbish — it’s about rapid climate action, cleaner air, and social justice” emphasizes Mariel Vilella, Global Climate Program Director at GAIA

When delegates from around the world gathered in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, one thing became clear: the waste sector is no longer a background player in climate policy—it’s central to solving the crisis.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for nearly a third of today’s warming, is sometimes called the climate “emergency brake.” Cut it now, and we slow warming fast. At COP30, the Global Methane Status Report 2025 confirmed that solutions exist:  food waste reduction, source separation, composting, biogas and ultimately diverting organic waste from landfills and dumpsites. These approaches could deliver the largest methane decline ever recorded, and much of it is cheap, scalable, and job-creating.

The report was launched at the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial (Global Methane Pledge), showing a clear pathway to emission reductions across energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. Analysis from Climate Action Tracker and Climate Analytics shows that fully implementing pledges to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency, and cut methane sharply by 2030 could avert nearly 1°C of warming, lowering projected heating from 2.6°C to 1.7°C.

Four key outcomes from COP30 are now shaping the waste and climate agenda; milestones that signal a turning point for methane action, zero-waste solutions, and environmental justice. These developments not only elevate the role of the waste sector in global climate strategy, but also open new pathways for countries, cities, and communities to accelerate real, measurable progress. Here’s what emerged from Belém:

  1. Mitigation Work Programme: Waste Steps Into the Climate Spotlight
    A key outcome of COP30 was the elevation of waste and circular economy solutions within the Mitigation Work Programme. Building on this year’s global dialogue in Addis Ababa—where GAIA’s Neil Tangri presented organic waste best practices—Parties recognized that waste prevention, reduction, and upstream solutions in the waste hierarchy are essential to near-term climate ambition.Building on that, COP30 highlighted the need to cut waste-sector emissions while addressing the social dimensions of waste, including formalizing and protecting informal economy workers. Countries also emphasized the strong co-benefits of zero-waste approaches—from job creation to healthier communities.With a renewed focus on multilevel governance and broad collaboration across reuse, recycling, material separation, and organic waste systems, COP30 marked a clear shift: the waste sector is now firmly on the global climate agenda.
  2. Just Transition: Climate Action that Includes People
    COP30 marked a milestone with the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism, a first step towards ensuring that climate action supports workers, communities, and vulnerable populations.Combined with new funding streams, COP30 signaled that climate solutions can be fast, fair, and effective, if we include the people who make them work.
  3. The No Organic Initiative
    COP30 also saw the launch of the No Organic Waste Initiative, a bold effort to cut methane from organic waste by two-thirds, avoid 0.1°C warming by 2050, create jobs, reduce costs, and improve resource efficiency.For the first time, waste-pickers were fully included, sending a powerful message: climate solutions must be just and inclusive.With $30 million in funding from the Global Methane Hub, this initiative demonstrates that tackling waste isn’t just about managing trash—it’s about building a cleaner, fairer world.
  4. Black Carbon: Cleaner Air and Climate Wins
    The High-Level Launch of Sectoral Action on Black Carbon, co-hosted by the Clean Air Fund and SLYCAN Trust in consultation with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), highlighted black carbon emissions and their health and climate impacts.Countries including Chile, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Canada, Uganda, Cambodia, Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and Colombia outlined national steps to reduce black carbon from transport, household and commercial energy, and waste and agricultural burning.“Reducing methane and black carbon together improves air quality, health, and climate simultaneously”, said Henrique Bezerra Regional Lead for Latin America at the Global Methane Hub. 
  5. National Methane Programs
    To scale these solutions further, the CCAC launched seven new national methane programs, with ~$25 million committed to multi-year technical teams supporting super-emitter detection, project design, and capacity-building, aiming to reach 30 countries by 2030.

GAIA at COP30: Two Weeks of Climate Action

When the GAIA delegation touched down in Belém, we arrived with a clear mission: make waste, zero-waste solutions, and just-transition principles impossible to ignore. Over two weeks, our team turWhen the GAIA delegation touched down in Belém, we arrived with a clear mission: make waste, zero-waste solutions, and just-transition principles impossible to ignore. Over two weeks, our team turned knowledge into action, community-led ideas into policy conversations, and technical expertise into influence.

Explore the full GAIA COP30 delegation and see our GAIA COP30 calendar of events.

A Global Team, A Shared Vision

GAIA brought together 44 people from 30 organizations across 18+ countries—from Ghana and Indonesia to Chile and Brazil. Not everyone could be on-site, but our presence was felt both in the conference halls and online. Our delegation embodied a shared vision: solving the climate crisis starts with inclusive, community-driven solutions.

Week 1: Making Every Voice Heard 

GAIA members spoke at 34 events across 11 pavilions, including the Super Pollutants Pavilion, Children & Youth Pavilion, Amazon Climate Hub, and UNESCO Pavilion. We shared platforms with country pavilions like Brazil, Ethiopia, and Chile–ICCI–Iceland, and participated in UN events, press conferences, and online Climate Newsbreaks.

In numbers:

  • 28 GAIA staff and members speaking (including remote contributions)
  • 70 speaking appearances
  • Engagement with 12 funders and 15 policymakers
  • Media coverage: 4 interviews, 5 mentions (a full coverage report still to come)

It was a week defined by visibility and influence. Everywhere we went, GAIA made sure the message was unmistakable: cutting methane, expanding organic waste solutions, and advancing zero-waste strategies are essential to real climate progress. Our voices carried across pavilions, panels, and press rooms, ensuring that these priorities were not just mentioned, but centered in the conversations that matter most.

Week 2: Deepening Connections 

Week two shifted focus to building relationships and cementing impact, with 21 events across 11 pavilions, including the Museu das Amazonias, Food Roots and Routes Pavilion, USA Climate Pavilion, Super Pollutant Solutions Pavilion, and CDR30 Roundtable. Country pavilions included Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Highlights:

  • 20 GAIA members speaking, 32 appearances
  • Direct engagement with 5 funders and 2 policymakers
  • Media visibility: 2 interviews, 1 press release (a full coverage report still to come)
  • Online reach maintained through 5 Climate Newsbreaks.

Week two was all about building bridges — linking grassroots communities with global policymakers, connecting local zero-waste solutions to international funding opportunities, and turning hard-won knowledge into meaningful action. In every conversation and every room, GAIA worked to close the gaps that too often hold climate solutions back, creating pathways where collaboration and impact can truly thrive.

GAIA’s Impact: Turning Ideas into Action 

Across two weeks, GAIA demonstrated the power of connecting grassroots innovation with global policy:

  • Amplifying methane reduction and organic waste solutions
  • Highlighting inclusive, community-led zero-waste strategies
  • Engaging funders and policymakers directly
  • Strengthening solidarity across 30 countries

From high-level panels to targeted pavilion engagements, GAIA ensured zero-waste solutions and just-transition principles were central to COP30.

“Our two weeks in Belém were more than a conference—they were proof that community-driven climate action is not just possible, but essential”, said Froilan Grate, GAIA Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator, Philippines. 

Moving Forward: Opportunities for Zero Waste at COP31

Türkiye will host COP31 in 2026, while Australia takes on the lead negotiating Presidency. For Türkiye, COP31 is a chance to showcase its Zero Waste initiative as a cornerstone of domestic climate action and global leadership.

Launched in 2017, Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project has achieved:

  • Waste Reduction: Millions of tons of paper and plastic diverted from landfills
  • Emission Savings: ~500,000 tons of CO₂e saved annually
  • Resource Conservation: Preserving raw materials, energy, and water
  • Plastic Bag Reduction: 75% drop in usage between 2019–2021

The transition from COP30 to COP31 is a unique opportunity for the zero waste movement. GAIA’s experience in Belém shows how community-driven solutions, technical knowledge, and policy advocacy intersect to create real impact.

Türkiye’s Zero Waste initiative is a tangible example of national action that can be amplified globally, though tackling systemic hurdles like imported plastic waste and landfill reliance will be essential.

We look forward to supporting Türkiye, the Zero Waste Foundation, and the global community as they leverage COP31 to strengthen zero waste and methane mitigation. The next chapter is about turning ambition into action, bridging national initiatives with global climate leadership, and ensuring zero waste becomes a central pillar of the climate agenda.

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