Press Release2021.6.15
Kiko Network

Kiko Network’s Kimiko Hirata awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize
Recognized for efforts on coal - third ever Japanese recipient (first female)
Kimiko Hirata, International Director of Kiko Network and staff member since the organization’sestablishment, has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, an award often referred to as
the “Nobel Prize for Environment” due to its prestigiousness.
Hirata was awarded the Prize for her NGO activities to prevent climate change, notably leading tothe cancellation of one-third of the planned new coal power plant projects initiated by the JapaneseGovernment and businesses following the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant(For further details, see the Goldman Environmental Prize web page, Kimiko’s award page, and pressrelease).
This honor would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of a great number ofpeople, and Kimiko Hirata and the entire Kiko Network staff would like to express our sincere gratitude
to all of you. Kiko Network will continue to develop further activities toward the realization of adecarbonized society, and we appreciate your continued support.
＊Message from Kimiko Hirata
Over the last several years, we have been trying to put an end to the rush of construction of new
coal-fired power plants. Activities calling for the cancellation of plant construction projects have grown
thanks to the efforts of Kiko Network staff, local organizations and citizens, and support andassistance from domestic and foreign lawyers, experts and NGOs. I did not expect to receive such aprestigious award, but this award is not only for me - it is recognition for everyone who has worked
together with us in these activities so persistently. This recognition highlights the significance of eachand every Japanese citizen's efforts for social change, and this alone will be invaluable for us in ourfuture activities. However, in order to realize a coal phase-out and decarbonized society, big,
ambitious actions are necessary, and our efforts from this point on will be even more important. It is
my hope that this award will provide an opportunity for many people to take further action.
＊About the Goldman Environmental Prize - third ever Japanese recipient (first female)
Established in 1989 by Richard and Rhoda Goldman, the Goldman Environmental Prize is awarded
to six individuals every year to recognize their “sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance
the natural environment.” In its 32-year history, Japanese recipients of the Prize have been YoichiKuroda (1991) for his efforts on tropical forest conservation and timber trade issues, and Hirofumi
Yamashita (1998) for his work on Isahaya Bay reclamation issues. As the third ever Japaneseawardee, Kimiko Hirata is the first Japanese recipient in 23 years, and the first woman. Otherawardees of the Prize that are well-known in Japan include Wangari Maathai (1991), Kenyan
environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Ursula Sladek (2011), who launched aGerman citizens' renewable energy company.
＊Information:
・Virtual Award Ceremony (English)
Date: June 16, 2021 (Wednesday) 8:00〜9:00am (Japan Standard Time)Live stream and recording of the ceremony can be viewed on the Goldman Environmental Prize YouTube
channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/goldmanprize* Held annually at the San Francisco Opera House, this year’s ceremony will be held online in light of
the COVID-19 pandemic

Presenters:
Jane Fonda, American actress, featured in films such as Klute and Coming Home
Sigourney Weaver, American actress, featured in such films as the Alien series and Avatar
Lenny Kravitz, American musician, known for hit songs such as Are You Gonna Go My Way
Ndlovu Youth Choir, South African church choir formed through a child care program, others

・Award Commemoration Symposium (Held in Japan, in Japanese)
Date: July 4, 2021 1:00～3:00pm (Japan Standard Time)
Location: Conference hall in Tokyo (without audience) + Online broadcast
Tentative Program:Part 1: Awarding of Goldman Environmental Prize
Commemoration Message and Acceptance speech by Kimiko Hirata
Part 2: Towards a net-zero emissions and a coal phase-out in Japan (panel discussion)
See our event page (in Japanese) for further details
Hosts: Kiko Network / Goldman Environmental Foundation

Reference:
Goldman Environmental Prize home page: https://www.goldmanprize.org/
Contact: Kiko Network: https://www.kikonet.org
Kiko Network Kyoto Office: TEL: +81-75-254-1012 Email: kyoto@kikonet.org
Kiko Network Tokyo Office: TEL: +81-3-3263-9210 Email: tokyo@kikonet.org