SUSTAINABILITY BULLETIN (ISSUE 17)

MESSAGES FROM TRASTA ESG

Today, sustainability is not a concept that can be categorized as "it would be nice if it were the case," but rather a "necessity." Therefore, it is crucial to closely follow developments in the field of sustainability and to carry out careful and diligent activities in areas such as waste management, which lies at the heart of the issue.

With this goal in mind, in our newsletter, we provide an overview of COP29 while shedding light on waste management through the example of South Korea.

We hope the content proves beneficial to you...

Stay sustainable…

ÖZGÜN ÇINAR, CEO

 ESG NEWS

• Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels in 2024 are set to blow past last year’s record levels, dashing hopes this year will see the planet-warming emissions peak. “Reducing emissions is more urgent than ever and there’s only one way to do it: massively reduce fossil emissions,” says Pierre Friedlingstein at the University of Exeter, UK. DETAIL
• The 2024 EY Global Climate Action Barometer reveals that while climate disclosures have improved significantly over recent years, urgent action remains lacking among companies to combat the intensifying climate crisis. Despite an increase in disclosure coverage to 94% and a quality score of 54%, this growth is not sufficient to align with the global climate agenda. DETAIL
• IBM has released its first-ever State of Sustainability Readiness Report 2024, revealing that 88% of business leaders plan to increase IT investments for sustainability over the next 12 months. Conducted by Morning Consult and sponsored by IBM, the report surveyed 2,790 business leaders across 15 industries in nine countries between April and May 2024. This research underscores the growth potential of sustainability-focused technology investments, though significant challenges remain, particularly with AI adoption and measuring sustainability progress. DETAIL
• By 2050, 70 per cent of the world's population will live in urban centres - that's just one reason why mayors will be essential to addressing the climate crisis, making vital adaptations to cities to make them more bearable in a warming world. DETAIL
• Climate lawsuits and negative court decisions can reduce the value of publicly listed companies, a Nature Sustainability study suggested. DETAIL
• China’s “role” at the COP29 climate talks, which concluded over the weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan, was “markedly different to previous years”, with its negotiators being “unusually cooperative”, according to an anonymous “chief negotiator” for a “powerful” country quoted by BBC News. DETAIL

• The world's biggest steelmakers are falling behind in the shift towards low-carbon production, with some still entirely dependent on fossil fuels for their energy, a survey of 18 leading firms showed on Friday. DETAIL
• Spain's left-wing government has approved a policy of "paid climate leave" – of up to four days – for people who need to avoid travelling during weather emergencies, Euronews reports. DETAIL

🍃GREEN COLUMN🍃

SOUTH KOREA'S PLASTIC WASTE PROBLEM DESPITE PRAISES FOR RECYCLING

While South Korea has garnered international praise for its recycling systems, the true state of plastic waste management reveals a more complex situation that goes beyond official statistics. The recent Global Plastic Waste Agreement talks in Busan brought the shortcomings of the country’s plastic recycling system back into the spotlight.

In 2022, MIT Technology Review described South Korea as “one of the world’s best recycling economies” and the only country from Asia to make it onto this list. However, environmental activists and waste management experts argue that serious problems lurk behind this success story.

According to official figures, South Korea recycles 73% of its plastic waste. However, Greenpeace and other environmental groups argue that this figure is misleading. A large portion of plastic waste sent to recycling facilities is either incinerated or sent to landfills, yet these materials are still considered “recycled.”

Greenpeace claims that the real recycling rate in the country is only 27%. This highlights the urgent need for more transparent and effective methods in plastic waste management.

The rise in online shopping and plastic packaging during the pandemic has further increased plastic waste production. The total amount of plastic waste in the country saw a 31% increase in 2022, confirming this trend. A significant portion of this waste cannot be recycled due to technological and financial constraints. At a closed recycling facility in Asan, 19,000 tons of plastic waste have been left unprocessed for years, with the cleaning costs estimated to reach several billion won.

Advanced technologies used in recycling have also become a point of controversy. Methods such as pyrolysis break plastics down into their molecular components at high temperatures, turning them into fuel or reusable products. However, these methods are criticized not only for their high costs but also for increasing carbon emissions. Environmental organizations argue that technological solutions alone are not enough in the fight against plastic pollution; cultural and structural changes to reduce plastic consumption are also necessary.

The South Korean government, however, has created an inconsistent picture by frequently changing its waste management policies. In 2023, restrictions on single-use plastic products were eased, a move that was seen as a setback by environmental groups. This fluctuation in the country’s environmental policies indicates the need for a more solid framework in waste management.

No matter how advanced recycling systems may be, solving these problems will not be possible without stronger policies to reduce waste production and societal changes focused on sustainability. For South Korea to take more comprehensive action against plastic pollution, it could set a crucial example for the world in tackling this global issue.

DAMLA GÜNALP, SUSTAINABILITY ASSISTANT SPECIALIST

ABOUT US

Trasta ESG, is a consulting firm in Turkey that offers services such as sustainability report writing, gap analysis and sustainability consulting, providing businesses with the opportunity to determine their ESG score using a "Sustainability Assessment and Management Platform" designed according to international standards and tailored to different sectors.

Our motto is, "We are with you at every stage of your sustainability journey!"

You can explore our services in detail here and reach us through the links below.

Click for our corporate web site…

Telephone: +90 (216) 455 39 66

Email: info@trastaesg.com