Aretha Aprilia Wins Germany’s Green Talents Award

Johor Bahru, Malaysia—CDM Smith is pleased to congrat­u­late Renewable Energy Specialist Aretha Aprilia on receiving the Green Talents Award from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The award, created to promote the international exchange of innovative green ideas, honors leading scientists in the field of sustainable development. The winners are selected by a jury of renowned German experts.

“I am grateful to have received an international recognition for the work that I do in the environment and energy sectors,” Aprilia said. “I am also appreciative for the opportunity that CDM Smith gives.” 

Aprilia holds a PhD in Energy Science from Kyoto University and has more than 10 years of experience in envi­ron­men­tal science. Specif­i­cally, her expertise in renewable energy and solid waste management has earned her multiple accolades and global recognition. Working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Bangkok, she has received a Certificate of Appre­ci­a­tion for Outstanding Performance from the UNEP regional director. Aprilia has also served as a consultant to numerous inter­na­tional projects and insti­tu­tions, including the German development agency, GIZ. 

She has published more than 15 articles in various outlets, which include the Jakarta Post, the Jakarta Globe, and several peer-reviewed journals on renewable energy and solid waste management. In addition to her latest award, Aprilia has been named to a list of “50 Most Impactful Green Leaders” in India and received the Young Caring Profes­sional Award from the Martha Tilaar Group. 

At CDM Smith, Aprilia serves as a renewable energy specialist on the “Green Prosperity” project in Indonesia, where she oversees the imple­men­ta­tion of community grant projects funded by the U.S. government. Her work in analyzing renewable energy policies in Indonesia—where over 2,500 villages currently have no access to electricity—as well as her research on community-based waste management attracted the attention of the German government Green Talents Award jury. 

"It's my dream that all Indonesians will have easy access to electricity from renewable energy sources, including people in remote locations in the country," Aprilia told the Jakarta Globe. 

CDM Smith provides lasting and integrated solutions in water, environment, trans­porta­tion, energy and facilities to public and private clients worldwide. As a full-service engineering and construc­tion firm, we deliver exceptional client service, quality results and enduring value across the entire project life cycle.