Dutch lawyer Roger Cox has been awarded the 2022 International Peace Prize “Dresden Prize.”

The award recognizes Cox’s groundbreaking contribution to the fight to meet global climate goals through legal means. The prize is endowed with 10,000 euros and is sponsored by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.

The award is given by Friends of Dresden Germany e.V. in cooperation with the Semperoper Dresden.

Cox won a historic case before a Dutch court in The Hague, which obliges the oil company Shell to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2019.

In recognition of the award, Beate Spiegel, Managing Director of the Klaus Tschira Foundation noted “Roger Cox has outgrown his time, so to speak. While many recognize the danger of climate change, too little is still being done. Roger Cox used the means at his disposal – laws and court hearings – convincingly.”

Roger Cox will not be able to attend the Dresden Prize at a public ceremony in the Semper Opera House due to COVID-19. However, the public honoring of Roger Cox in the Semperoper will be made up for on feb. 19, 2023 in a double award ceremony for the 2022 and 2023 prize winners.