Impact Makers: Nga Tran Thi Thanh (Jessica)

Accelerating Vietnam’s transition to a low-carbon economy through blended finance By Climate Champions | November 5, 2024

NAME

Nga Tran Thi Thanh (Jessica)

TITLE

Country Manager, Clime Capital Management Pte Ltd

LOCATION 

Hanoi, Vietnam

ABOUT 

Nga Tran Thi Thanh (Jessica) is the Vietnam Country Manager for Clime Capital, leading the Southeast Asia Clean Energy Facility (SEACEF), the region’s first blended equity investment fund. SEACEF, supported by international foundations and investors, directs early-stage, high-risk capital into impactful clean energy projects across Southeast Asia.

Under Nga’s leadership, Clime Capital Vietnam has accelerated investment in transformative sectors like solar, wind, energy efficiency, and electric mobility. Since SEACEF’s inception in 2020, the fund has not only supported renewable energy but also prioritized gender equality, empowering women-led businesses in the low-carbon transition. Following SEACEF I, the recently launched SEACEF II continues to invest in early-stage renewable and sustainable tech while helping companies scale and meet global ESG standards.

Nga has championed Clime Capital’s commitment to gender equity, ensuring investment decisions support diversity and inclusion within the sector. Her efforts in collaborating with local authorities and industry partners are helping drive Vietnam’s climate goals, including its target of net zero emissions by 2050.

MOTIVATIONS

Inspired by the immense potential of the energy and transportation sectors to drive human and social development, Nga quit her multinational job to dive into the dynamic and challenging world of climate finance. “Climate change is the most urgent and complex issue of our time and Vietnam, and my homeland, is among the most vulnerable countries, which is why I am determined to contribute to its green transformation,” she says.

IMPACTS

Clime Capital’s SEACEF I fund, launched in the early days of the Covid pandemic, recognized the urgency of overcoming barriers to low-carbon investment in Southeast Asia, even amid global uncertainty. To date, SEACEF has made seventeen early-stage investments across the region, including six in Vietnam, advancing projects in solar, wind, energy efficiency, and electric mobility.

Utilizing a blended finance model and its Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), Clime Capital has pioneered financing approaches that support clean energy innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. These investments have established a foundation for scaling renewable energy solutions, building industry commitment, and encouraging gender-smart investment within Southeast Asia’s cleantech sector.

Through partnerships with initiatives like the Climate Leader Network and She Wins Climate Network, Clime Capital also champions women’s leadership in the green transition, creating a framework for gender-inclusive financing that elevates women and diverse leaders in Vietnam’s climate action landscape. Supported by leading international foundations, Clime Capital has cultivated climate and gender-focused networks, co-investment platforms, and training programs that help sharpen its investment strategy and influence sustainable development across Southeast Asia.

CHALLENGES

While Clime Capital  has made significant progress, several challenges remain:

• Vietnam and the wider region face the dual challenge of raising living standards while rapidly scaling low-carbon energy solutions.
• Although SEACEF’s blended finance model has been successful, there is still a need for increased capital flow to meet the country’s climate targets.
• Navigating the complex political landscape and securing buy-in from multiple stakeholders has been a challenge, particularly in sectors like oil and gas.
• Ensuring that marginalized groups, such as women and Indigenous communities, are represented in climate decision-making processes remains a key focus.

GOALS

The goals for SEACEF II are:

• Scale clean energy infrastructure across Southeast Asia.

• Invest in emerging climate technologies such as electric mobility and smart grids.

• Provide strategic guidance to portfolio companies on regulatory, structural, and operational matters.

• Promote gender equality in climate investments in line with the 2X Challenge.

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

• Businesses and investors: Partner with SEACEF to co-invest in clean energy projects supported by international foundations, benefiting from tailored equity and technical assistance.
• NGOs and policymakers: Collaborate with SEACEF to provide financing and expertise aligned with national climate goals for sustainable transitions.
• Individuals and donors: Support Clime Capital’s efforts to expand clean energy access, build local capacity, and create jobs in Southeast Asia’s green economy.

CONTACT

Website

Linkedin

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