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We report a facile method by which to synthesize Au/Cdot nanohybrids using carbon dots (Cdots) obtained from rice straw as a direct reducing agent as well as a stabilizer. Rice-straw-derived Cdots possess oxygen-containing functional groups that act as an electron-donating source to reduce Au3+ to Au0 without the use of chemical reagents for the reduction of Au precursors. Additionally, the strong Au-carbon interaction promotes a high electron transfer of the Au/Cdot nanohybrid electrocatalyst, resulting in enhanced performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The overpotential is 150 mV at a current density of 10 mA·cm−2 and the TOF value is 0.06·s−1, representing the most outstanding HER performance among Au-based catalysts as a non-Pt HER electrocatalyst. The HER activity is stably maintained for 2000 cycles as well as for 48 h. The synthesis of Cdots, the hybridization of Au/Cdot electrocatalyst, and the production of clean hydrogen fuel using Au/Cdots are zero CO2 emission strategies, not only preventing the emission of pollutants but also satisfying the energy needs of humankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]