Building a Greener Future: Community-Driven Climate Action and Carbon Offset Solutions

This side event will bring together community leaders, youth advocates, and climate experts to explore how grassroots actions and community-driven initiatives can contribute to sustainable climate solutions. Focusing on inclusive governance, transparency, and responsible corporate practices, the session aims to empower vulnerable communities to lead in climate resilience and adaptation efforts. Attendees will engage with case studies of successful community-led projects, such as reforestation and carbon offset initiatives, which have achieved environmental and socio-economic benefits, particularly in high-risk areas. The event also highlights the role of youth-led organizations in mobilizing local populations, promoting climate education, and holding governments and corporations accountable. Participants will examine ways to foster partnerships that bridge policy and community action, encouraging practical and scalable climate solutions. Key themes include: Sustainability and Community Empowerment: Supporting local initiatives that address climate impacts while improving livelihoods. Youth-Led Action: Showcasing young leaders’ roles in driving grassroots climate resilience. Inclusive Governance: Ensuring vulnerable voices are central to climate strategy development.

He Baihuiqian – Chairperson, Climate Youth Board, Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Edinburgh. He has significant expertise in urban air pollution research and mitigation and is a renowned climate communicator through his award-winning Chinese podcast on climate change. Wang Xixi – Vice Chairperson, Climate Youth Board, Sustainable Infrastructure Analyst for an International Development Financial Institution. With experience across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, she advises on climate finance and renewable energy transition projects under South-South cooperation frameworks. Zhang Silu – Secretary-General, Climate Youth Board, recipient of the Chen Rongjie Scholar Award, and active contributor to youth development and climate advocacy. She has co-authored several reports on climate action and youth involvement in sustainable development. Wang Qionghui – Board Member, Climate Youth Board, with a background in journalism and finance, currently working in venture capital. She is committed to social impact projects, including public education on sustainability and rural education initiatives. Cai Luona – Board Member, Climate Youth Board, Partner at Leftover Food Magic Bag, and Community Champion in the Greater China region for the World Economic Forum Global Shapers. She focuses on circular economy and food waste reduction and has been recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for her work in education and social enterprise. Zhai Yubo – Board Member, Climate Youth Board, General Manager of Sustainability at NengLian Group. He leads initiatives in carbon neutrality and sustainable transportation and has contributed to carbon reduction standards in the new energy transportation field. Song Ruiming – Board Member, Climate Youth Board, graduate of Harvard University in International Climate Policy. Song has participated in UN climate negotiations since COP21 and specializes in global carbon markets and climate finance. Chen Minfang – Supervisor, Climate Youth Board, Ph.D. candidate in Social Work at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with extensive experience in rural sustainable development projects in minority regions of China.