On September 1, 2025, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus Meeting in Tianjin, the Chinese mainland, President Xi Jinping announced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). He highlighted five core ideas: sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real action.
Gen Z voices from the United States, Syria, Palestine, Vietnam, Tonga, and South Africa weighed in on these pillars. Among them, Vietnamese student Tieu Thanh zoomed in on the people-centered idea—especially in climate governance.
“In climate governance, if people's needs aren't put in the spotlight, we can easily miss the struggles of certain groups when cutting emissions or overlook the extra costs that everyday families face as we shift to clean energy,” she explains.
So, what does a people-centered climate approach really look like? Think of:
- Targeted support for low-income families upgrading to solar panels ☀️
- Community-led workshops to train rural workers on energy-efficient farming 💡
- Subsidies or flexible payment plans to ease the transition from fossil fuels 🔋
- Digital platforms that let citizens report local pollution hot spots via an app 📱
By focusing on real-life needs and lowering barriers, climate policies can be more fair and effective. As Tieu Thanh puts it, “Putting people first isn't just good ethics—it's the smartest way to go green!” 🌍
What's your take on a people-centered climate plan in your community? Let us know below! 👇
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
