Marjan Minnesma

Marjan Minnesma
Minnesma (2015)
Born
Marjan Minnesma

(1966-10-28)28 October 1966
Wormerveer, Netherlands
Died22 May 2026(2026-05-22) (aged 59)
Noordbeemster, Netherlands
OccupationActivist
Known forCo-founding Urgenda Foundation

Marjan Minnesma (28 October 1966 – 22 May 2026) was a Dutch activist.[1][2]

Biography

Marjan Minnesma was born and raised in North-Holland. She held a degree in international law on climate change.[3]

In 2022, she received Goldman Environmental Prize for suing the Dutch government over its carbon emissions plans.[3] She won this lawsuit, becoming first woman to successfully sue a government over carbon emissions.[4]

She was the founder of Urgenda Foundation,[5] which aims to help enforce national, European and international environment treaties.

Minnesma died of breast cancer in her hometown of Noordbeemster, on 22 May 2026, at the age of 59.[6][7]

Recognition

References

  1. ^ "Marjan Minnesma - Goldman Environmental Prize". 19 April 2022.
  2. ^ Schwartz, John (25 June 2015). "Ruling Says Netherlands Must Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions" – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ^ a b "Marjan Minnesma: Climate litigation pioneer wins environmental prize". New Scientist.
  4. ^ "Dutch government loses world's first climate liability lawsuit". New Scientist.
  5. ^ "The Dutch Climate Case: Inspiring the World". The Green Interview.
  6. ^ "Marjan Minnesma". marjanminnesma.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  7. ^ "Urgenda-oprichter Marjan Minnesma (59) overleden aan de gevolgen van borstkanker". NU.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 May 2026.