Mottainai Youth Declaration on Zero Waste and Circularity

19 February 2025 | Osaka, Japan

The UNEP IETC Global Dialogue is a biennial flagship event that convenes global stakeholders to address critical environmental challenges. This year featured a dedicated Youth Day, emphasizing the vital role of young people in shaping sustainable solutions. Waste management stands as one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, demanding solutions that span the entire lifecycle of products, from production and consumption to disposal and recovery. As a substantial segment of the global population, youth are pivotal in addressing this issue through innovation, advocacy, education, and action.

During the Youth day, participants from across the world came together to develop the Mottainai Youth Declaration on Zero Waste and Circularity, a policy framework reflecting youth-driven commitments and policy recommendations. The term Mottainai (もったいない) originates from Japan, conveying a deep sense of regret over waste, and is widely used by environmental advocates to promote the principles of responsible consumption and production. This concept was chosen to symbolize the urgency of embracing circularity and sustainable practices.