First Vietnamese woman honored with world’s top environment prize

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The recognition appreciated her efforts to do scientific researches that prompted governmental agencies to advocate for sustainable long-term energy projections and reduction in coal power dependency in Vietnam. Her efforts helped eliminate 115 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the country annually.

“Vietnam’s energy future is at crossroads. Every decision and every dollar invested today will be felt in Vietnam and in earth’s climate for decades to come,” said Khanh, as cited by the foundation's website.

Nguy Thi Khanh, director of Green Innovation and Development Center (GreenID), has become the first Vietnamese to receive the Goldman prize

Nguy Thi Khanh, 41, was born into a rural family in Bac Am, a village in northern Vietnam. Growing up near a coal plant, she experienced firsthand the pollution and dust from coal operations and witnessed many people in her community develop cancer. 

Nguy Thi Khanh studied history, French, and diplomacy and had planned on becoming a diplomat. However, she was always passionate about the environment and, after graduating from college, began working on water conservation issues and community development for a small Vietnamese nonprofit organization.

In 2011, Nguy Thi Khanh founded the Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID) in order to promote sustainable energy development in Vietnam, as well as good water and air governance and green development. She also established the Vietnam Sustainable Energy Alliance, a network of 11 Vietnamese and international environmental and social organizations that collaborate on regional energy issues. 

Khanh (left, front row) with other winners of the 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize.

She is deeply focused on engaging with experts and decisionmakers on renewable energy and energy efficiency in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and coal power.

Also in the list of prize winners released on Monday by the American foundation, Khanh was accompanied by six others exemplary environmentalists from Colombia, France, the Philippines, the U.S. and South Africa. 

Nguy Thi Khanh and other winners will be awarded the prize at an invitation-only ceremony on Monday at 5:30 pm (PT) at the San Francisco Opera House. They are also invited to attend a ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 pm (EDT).