Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit
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Report on Civil Society
and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit
Department of Civil Society Studies, G8 Research Group
at Trinity College, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto
24 June 2014
The G8 Research Group is based at Trinity College, Munk School of Global Affairs,
University of Toronto. It is an international network of scholars, professionals and students
interested in the activities of the Group of Eight (G8). Its mission is to serve as leading source
of independent research and analysis on the G8, its member states and related institutions in
the world.
www.g8live.org
This report was prepared by the G8 Research Group’s Department of Civil Society Studies.
Civil Society Studies Department Director:
Alexandra Hergaarden Robertson
Civil Society Studies Lead Analysts:
Halah Akash
Alexandria Matic
Civil Society Studies Analysts:
Emily Bayrachny
Carmen Celestini
Abdi Hershi
Jasper Lim
Aylin Manduric
Alexis Moyle
Estefania Rueda-Torres
Bianca Salazar
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 1
Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Research Methodology 6
3. Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations 7
4. Developmental Non-Governmental Organizations 13
5. Human Rights Non-Governmental Organizations 17
6. Service-Based Humanitarian Organizations 21
7. Educational Campaigns 25
8. Philanthropic Foundations 28
9. Trade Unions 31
10. Faith-based Organizations 33
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 2
Introduction
Civil Society and the G8
Since the term “civil society” first appeared in a summit document at the G8 Halifax Summit
in 1995, these organizations have been particularly strategic about their involvement with
summit activities.1 In the past decade, demonstrations and NGO campaigns around the
summits have garnered their fair share of media attention, with far-reaching demonstrations
becoming increasingly commonplace.
According to the University of Toronto’s Peter Hajnal, civil society’s interaction with the G8
can be categorized into four distinct periods: 1981-1994, a “period of the earliest form of
dialogue” and interaction; 1995-1997, a “period of formal recognition” by G8 member-states,
and; 1998-present, a “period of well-structured cooperation.”2 By 2006, they were being
involved in formal consultations, albeit in a relatively minor capacity. Since then, civil
society groups have been a mainstay.
G8 Research Group Civil Society Studies
The goal of the 2014 Civil Society Studies report is to provide analysis of the strategies used
by civil society groups to influence G7 decision-making, particularly in the time leading up to
and during the Brussels Summit.
To this end, we identified eight (8) civil society sub-groups that perceive G8 lobbying to be
an important strategy to their organizational objectives. The sub-groups are:
1. Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations
2. Developmental Non-Governmental Organizations
3. Human Rights Non-Governmental Organizations
4. Service-Based Humanitarian Organizations
5. Educational Campaigns
6. Philanthropic Foundations
7. Trade Unions
8. Faith-Based Organizations
Each section includes a concise executive summary that provides an overview of the tactics
employed by the civil society sub-group to influence the decision-making of the G7, as well
as the response of these same civil society groups to the outcomes of the summit.
1
“Civil Society and the G8,” presentation prepared for the Civil G8 Forum, 9-10 March 2006, Civil G8,
(Moscow), 5 March 2006. Date of Access: 1 February 2011. http://en.civilg8.ru/1628.php. Please see the
Halifax Summit Communiqué, 16 June 1995, http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/summit/1995halifax/
communique/index.html.
2
“Civil Society at the Gleneagles Summit,” G8 Information Centre, 17 March 2006. Date of
Access: 9 December 2010. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/scholar/hajnal_060309.html#_ftn1.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 3
Overview of Civil Society at the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit
Unlike previous meetings of the G8, the 2014 G7 summit in Brussels garnered less attention
from – and motived less mobilization by – civil society groups. Russia’s indefinite
suspension from the G8 and the last minute relocation of this year’s summit from Sochi to
Brussels appear to have hampered the ability of civil society groups to effectively respond to
the meeting with their usual mix of policy papers, press statements, public awareness events,
and protests. With few public details available about the summit’s agenda and little time to
organize, civil society groups were uncharacteristically quiet in the lead up to the Brussels
summit.
A few organizations did, however, publish policy papers and press statements in advance the
summit. On 2 June ActionAid released a press statement that called upon G7 leaders to
radically reform the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition.3 On 4 June Greenpeace
EU and Friends of the Europe posted press releases criticizing the fossil fuel dependency of
G7 states.4 Both of these environmental non-governmental organizations argued that the
environmental and security goals of the G7 would be better achieved through increased use of
renewable energy sources and greater energy efficiency.
In contrast to other civil society organizations, Oxfam was particularly active during this
time. On 3 June 2014 Oxfam released a press statement expressing that the G7’s energy
security policies must bring clean, affordable, and renewable energy to the fore.5 Oxfam also
organized two media events during the summit to call the attention of G7 leaders to the
organization’s policy demands. During both of these events Oxfam continued the use of its
trademark leaders’ masks, dubbed the “Big Heads,” accompanied with props in order to
convey the NGO’s messages on the current European energy crisis and the growing wealth
inequality found around the world.
Civil society studies analysts with the G8 Research Group were fortunate to interview Natalia
Alonso, Head of Office at Oxfam International Advocacy Brussels, at the second of these
media events. Ms. Alonso spoke to our analysts about the organization’s policy demands for
the G7, as well as the way in which Oxfam strategizes its interactions with the G7 and media
during these summits to most effectively pursue its policy goals.
In regards to summit outcomes, Ms. Alonso stated that Oxfam would like to see policies
enacted by the G7 countries that tackle growing inequality between the rich and the poor.
Specifically, the organization would like to see increased tax transparency, progressive
3
“ActionAid Calls on the G7 to Radically Reform the New Alliance,” ActionAid, 2 June 2014. Date of access:
7 June 2014. http://www.actionaid.org/news/actionaid-calls-g7-radically-reform-new-alliance.
4
“G7 Shouldn’t Sacrifice European Security to Suit Energy Giants,” Greenpeace EU, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 7 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/G7-shouldnt-sacrifice-European-
security-to-suit-energy-giants/. “G7 Must Break Dangerous Dirty Energy Addiction,” Friends of the Earth
Europe, 4 June 2014. Date of access: 7 June 2014. https://www.foeeurope.org/g7-dangerous-addiction-dirty-
energy-040614.
5
“G7 and Europe Face Energy Wake-Up Call as Food and Fuel Crisis Looms,” Oxfam International, 3 June
2014. Date of access: 7 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/pressroom/pressrelease/2014-06-03/g7-and-
europe-face-energy-wake-call-food-and-fuel-crisis-looms.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 4
taxation policies, and public disclosure of the control and ownership of companies, especially
for those that are involved in extractive industries in the developing world.
When asked if Oxfam had been successful in its attempts to influence the outcomes of G8
summits in the past, Ms. Alonso stated that: “Success is a big word, but say, we have certain
level of influence, not just Oxfam, but civil society and such. We bring issues into the agenda
that aren’t in the agenda, we certainly influence part of the debate, maybe not directly but
influencing all the people who are influencing the G8. So I think there is a level of influence,
at least as I said, calling for demands. One of the roles of civil society groups is to act as a
watch dog role and we’re trying to do that role.”
Concerning the most successful strategies used by Oxfam to achieve its policy objectives,
Ms. Alonso stated that her organization used media events like those with the “Big Heads” to
pass on its policy demands to the G7 through the press. As Oxfam does not have direct access
to the G7 leaders, using press coverage of media events is an effective way to get the
attention of key decision-makers. Ms. Alonso contrasted this strategy with the methods
employed by Oxfam in its lobbying of the European Parliament, whereby the organization
will meet with councillors and attend preparatory meetings to influence political outcomes.
In conclusion, Ms. Alonso said that the political support that the G7 can marshal around
policy issues should not be underestimated and that the summits can be an important venue
for discussing such issues, but that the G7’s reactions to most of Oxfam’s policy demands
pertaining to income inequality have been lukewarm.
Oxfam volunteers dressed as G7 leaders “play to the tune of the wealthy elite” during a media event intended to
draw attention to the increasing gulf between rich and poor.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 5
Research Methodology
The scope of this report was determined using the London School of Economics Centre for
Civil Society’s definition of “civil society”:
Civil society refers to the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared
interests, purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from
those of the state, family, and market, though in practice, the boundaries between
state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated.
Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional
forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power. Civil societies are
often populated by organizations such as registered charities, development non-
governmental organizations, community groups, women’s organizations, faith-
based organizations, professional associations, trade unions, self-help groups, social
movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy groups.6
The report assesses civil society’s involvement with the G7 by analyzing strategies used by
subgroups. Each report section was researched according to a standardized set of indicators:
1. The first strategy, Policy, Press Statements and Utilization of Media, details how
subgroups used various communications mediums to lobby the G7 and engage with
the wider public.
2. The second, Protests, takes a look at demonstrations held by civil society sub-groups.
3. The third strategy, Public Awareness Events and Workshops pays particular
attention to campaigns mounted by civil society groups to lobby G7 member states
and create public awareness of their objectives.
4. Collaborative Efforts examines cooperation between civil society groups.
5. Finally, G7-Civil Society Initiatives assesses official G7 engagement with civil
society groups, such as formal consultations and special events.
6
Osborne, Stephen. The Third Sector in Europe: Prospects and Challenges. New York: Routledge, 2008, 9.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 6
Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations
Alexandra Hergaarden Robertson
Executive Summary
As with other civil society groups, environmental non-governmental organizations (eNGOs)
were generally less active in the lead up to the Brussels Summit than they have been in recent
years. Greenpeace EU, Oxfam International and Friends of the Earth (FOE) Europe released
press statements in advance of the summit that called upon the G7 to promote renewable
energy projects and energy conservation initiatives. Each of these groups framed the ongoing
Ukrainian crisis and its impact on European energy security as an opportunity to move away
from natural gas and other fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources that promote energy
security and mitigate the risk of catastrophic climate change.
eNGOs were unanimous in their disappointment at the Brussels Summit outcomes, stating
that the G7 had squandered an opportunity to improve European energy security and take
strong action on climate change. Arguing that, while the summit was over, there was still an
opportunity for the G7 to reform its unsustainable energy policies and influence international
efforts to combat climate change, Oxfam EU called upon G7 leaders to “take bold steps to
wean us off dirty fuels and promise cash for the new global Green Climate Fund to help the
world’s poorest countries tackle climate change” in advance of the UN climate summit to be
held in September 2014.7
Introduction
Beginning with the Gleneagles Summit in 2005, global climate change has often been a
dominant issue on the G8 agenda.8 During the summit at Gleneagles, G8 leaders confirmed
the reality of anthropogenic climate change and its potential to impact every country in the
world.9 In recent years, eNGOs have increasingly urged G8 leaders to adopt environmentally
sustainable agreements and policies. eNGOs have also called upon the G8 countries to
honour their commitments regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation made at
previous summits.
The major eNGOs involved in past summits include Greenpeace International, the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Oxfam International, Friends of the Earth International, the
International Union for the Conversation of Nature, the Climate Action Network, and the
Global Call for Climate Action (known to the public by its TckTckTck moniker). In addition
to advocacy efforts by these large, international eNGOs, G8 leaders have also been pressured
by smaller, locally-based environmental groups, such as the Canadian Youth Climate
Coalition at the Muskoka Summit10, the Coalition Against NATO/G8 (CANG8) Environment
Committee Working Group during the Camp David Summit, and Friends of the Earth
Northern Ireland during the summit at Lough Erne.
7
“Oxfam on the G7 Summit: Stronger Steer Needed on Energy Security, Climate Change and the Global
Economy,” Oxfam International, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 10 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/
en/pressroom/reactions/oxfam-g7-summit-stronger-steer-energy-climate-change-global-economy.
8
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
9
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
10
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 7
Greenpeace International and the WWF in particular have been prominent actors at previous
summits. These two eNGOs are notable for their vocal advocacy for increased climate action
by G8 nations. Greenpeace has garnered significant media attention for its protests, including
the 2009 L’Anquila Summit demonstration in which Greenpeace activists climbed Mt.
Rushmore with a banner reading “America Honours Leaders Not Politicians: Stop Global
Warming.”11 Greenpeace has also frequently published policy demands and post-summit
evaluations in an attempt to influence and pressure G8 leaders.12 The WWF has received
widespread attention for its “Climate Scorecards,” by which the organization monitors and
appraises G8 nations on their environmental records.13 Prior to the Deauville Summit in
2011, both eNGOs released comprehensive policy papers, in which they focused on the
phasing out of nuclear and fossil fuel energy, investment in renewables, and the reaffirmation
of international commitments regarding climate change.14
At past summits environmental groups have urged that countries take steps to keep global
temperatures from increasing more than two degrees Celsius.15 For this to be accomplished,
eNGOs have demanded the reduction of carbon emission and the phasing out of fossil fuel
use.16 These groups have also pressured G8 nations to financially assist developing countries
in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.17 Another prominent demand has been
the creation of international institutions that encourage and facilitate the “greening” of
national economies.18 In forwarding these demands, eNGOs have made their voices heard
through protests, publicity stunts, press releases, and public awareness campaigns.19 They
have attempted to influence summit outcomes through policy proposals and the assessment of
domestic environmental records.20 eNGOs have also engaged with the broader public and its
demands through public polls and social media.21
Environmental civil society groups have generally been disappointed by G8 summit
outcomes. Major points of contention have been the absence of environmental leadership
from G8 politicians, the poor environmental records of G8 nations, and the insufficient
allocation of funds towards environmental policies and initiatives.22 In the aftermath of the
11
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
12
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
13
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
14
“Report on Civil Society and the 2012 G8 Camp David Summit,” G8 Research Group, 19 May 2012. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://g8live.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Final-Civil-Society-Camp-David-.pdf.
15
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
16
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
17
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
18
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
19
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
20
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
21
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
22
“Report on Civil Society and the 2010 G8 Muskoka Summit,” G8 Research Group, February 2011. Date of
access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2010-muskoka-civilsociety.pdf.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 8
2011 Deauville Summit, Greenpeace and the WWF criticized G8 leaders for failing to
implement the reforms on fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies needed to move forward with
climate change commitments regarding renewable energy and green growth.23 Following the
2012 Camp David Summit, environmental groups were once again unanimous in their
criticism of G8 continued inaction on climate change.
This same assessment was echoed by eNGOs in reaction to the outcomes of the 2013 Lough
Erne summit. eNGOs were generally disappointed by the conspicuous absence of key
environmental issues from the Lough Erne summit agenda. Several environmental civil
society groups criticized the G8’s lack of leadership on climate change, as well as the poor
domestic records of G8 member states. In this regard Friends of the Earth was particularly
vocal, claiming that G8 leaders failed to take responsibility for their own countries’
contribution to climate change and other global environmental problems.24
Policy, Press Statements and Utilization of Media
On 6 May Greenpeace EU released a press statement on the commitment made by the G7
energy ministers to improve energy security during a May 5-6 meeting in Rome.25 The
organization noted that discussions by the G7 and the European Union in the coming months
on the topic of European dependency on Russian natural gas imports would have a profound
impact on the future of Europe’s energy system.26 The statement continued:
If European leaders opt for the wrong solutions and begin importing fossil fuels
or nuclear energy technologies from other countries, Europe will continue to
rely on dirty, volatile and dangerous fuels for decades to come. But if political
leaders make the right choices at the G7 meetings and the European Summit in
June, Europe could not only cut its dependence on energy imports from Russia
and elsewhere, it could also avert catastrophic climate change, lower energy
costs, reduce air pollution, spark new jobs and industries, and give Europeans
real energy security.27
On the same day, Friends of the Earth Europe tweeted a link to the Greenpeace press
statement on European energy dependency on its Twitter page, adding a message to the G7
leaders: “#G7: Go renewable. Go clean & independent.”28
23
“Report on Civil Society and the 2011 G8 Deauville Summit,” G8 Research Group, 28 February 2012. Date
of access: 23 February 2013. http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/csed/2011-deauville-civilsociety-post.pdf.
24
“G8 Summit 2013 – Friends of the Earth Media Briefing” Friends of the Earth UK, 12 June 2013. Date of
access: 24 January 2014. http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/g8_media_briefing_ 2013.pdf.
25
“European Leaders Play Russian Roulette with Energy Policy,” Greenpeace EU, 6 May 2014. Date of access:
11 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/Publications/2014/European-leaders-play-Russian-roulette-
with-energy-policy/.
26
“European Leaders Play Russian Roulette with Energy Policy,” Greenpeace EU, 6 May 2014. Date of access:
11 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/Publications/2014/European-leaders-play-Russian-roulette-
with-energy-policy/.
27
“European Leaders Play Russian Roulette with Energy Policy,” Greenpeace EU, 6 May 2014. Date of access:
11 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/Publications/2014/European-leaders-play-Russian-roulette-
with-energy-policy/.
28
Friends of the Earth Europe Twitter feed, 6 May 2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. https://twitter.com/
foeeurope/status/463597359164063744.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 9
On 3 June Oxfam International released a statement calling on G7 leaders to address the dual
crises of fuel and food insecurity.29 The organization stated that Europe is currently at a
crossroads, with two distinct options before it:
It can continue to rely on imported fossil fuels and opt for dirty and expensive
‘home-grown' energy sources like coal and fracking. This would miss a golden
opportunity to tackle climate change, and commit Europeans to higher fuel and
food prices as a result – hitting the poorest the hardest. Alternatively, it could
choose a more sustainable pathway, cutting energy dependency, reducing prices
and helping prevent runaway climate change, which is already affecting food
production.30
On 4 June Friends of the Earth (FOE) Europe released a press statement calling on the G7
countries to “break their fossil fuel dependency” by investing in “genuine solutions to energy
security,” such as renewables and energy conservation.31 FOE stated that the crisis in Ukraine
should not be used as a justification to import shale gas and tar sands oil to lessen Europe’s
energy dependency on Russia, but instead should be taken as an opportunity to find
sustainable solutions to Europe’s energy security.32 FOE extractives campaigner Colin Roche
stated that:
Under the guise of energy security, G7 leaders are pushing a corporate-driven
agenda of dirty energy. This will lock in fossil fuel use for decades. The only
path to energy security is to break the stranglehold of fossil fuel imports,
prevent further shale gas development, and develop our own clean, community-
owned renewable energy resources.33
Susan Scherbarth, the climate justice and energy campaigner for FOE Europe, added that:
We walked out of the climate talks in Warsaw in frustration at the toxic
influence of dirty energy corporations on the talks and the positions of many
national governments. We're seeing the same story with the G7. Instead, Europe
needs to leave fossil fuels in the ground, and promote greater energy efficiency
and community-owned renewables – to deliver a more secure future for us all.34
29
“G7 and Europe Face Energy Wake-Up Call as Food and Fuel Crisis Looms,” Oxfam International, 3 June
2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/pressroom/pressrelease/2014-06-03/g7-and-
europe-face-energy-wake-call-food-and-fuel-crisis-looms.
30
“G7 and Europe Face Energy Wake-Up Call as Food and Fuel Crisis Looms,” Oxfam International, 3 June
2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/pressroom/pressrelease/2014-06-03/g7-and-
europe-face-energy-wake-call-food-and-fuel-crisis-looms.
31
“G7 Must Break Dangerous Dirty Energy Addiction,” Friends of the Earth Europe, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. https://www.foeeurope.org/g7-dangerous-addiction-dirty-energy-040614.
32
“G7 Must Break Dangerous Dirty Energy Addiction,” Friends of the Earth Europe, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. https://www.foeeurope.org/g7-dangerous-addiction-dirty-energy-040614.
33
“G7 Must Break Dangerous Dirty Energy Addiction,” Friends of the Earth Europe, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. https://www.foeeurope.org/g7-dangerous-addiction-dirty-energy-040614.
34
“G7 Must Break Dangerous Dirty Energy Addiction,” Friends of the Earth Europe, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. https://www.foeeurope.org/g7-dangerous-addiction-dirty-energy-040614.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 10
Greenpeace EU also released a statement on 4 June calling on the G7 “not to sacrifice
Europe’s security and the climate for the benefit of the fossil fuels industry.”35 Energy policy
advisor Tara Connolly called the European energy security crisis a “wake-up call” for the
continent to “cut its dependence on dirty imports once and for all.”36 Connolly argued that
renewable energy initiatives and energy conservation practices were the solution to Europe’s
unsustainable reliance on Russian gas imports, but that the G7 leaders “continue to pander to
the fossil fuels industry,” a move that threatens both Europe’s security and the global
climate.37
On 5 June Oxfam released a press statement that, while noting the presence of energy
security and climate change on the summit agenda, chastised G7 leaders for not taking the
opportunity afforded by the Ukrainian crisis to end Europe’s dependence on Russian natural
gas.38 Natalia Alonso, Head of Oxfam’s EU Office, linked “Europe’s dependence on dirty
energy” with rising international food prices and increased risk of catastrophic climate
change. She continued:
G7 leaders offered climate action with one hand, making good pledges on
energy efficiency and renewables, only to snatch it away with the other, by
continuing to trumpet indigenous hydrocarbon resources, which are expensive,
unproven and dirty like shale gas … Ahead of the Ban Ki-moon climate summit
in September, Europe and the G7 should take bold steps to wean us off dirty
fuels and promise cash for the new global Green Climate Fund to help the
world’s poorest countries tackle climate change.39
In response to the Brussels G7 Summit Declaration, Greenpeace EU released a statement
expressing disappointment with the lack of movement on the “burning issue of energy
independence” in Europe.40 Tara Connolly, an energy policy advisor for Greenpeace EU,
stated that:
Energy dependence drives dangerous climate change as much as it fuels conflicts.
G7 leaders might sound like they agree, but they’re bluffing. Their plan for energy
security focuses on swapping Russian oil and gas for dirty and risky energy from
elsewhere. Let’s not kid ourselves: timid steps by Obama and the EU to cut carbon
emissions are not enough. Only a shift to an efficient energy system run fully on
35
“G7 Shouldn’t Sacrifice European Security to Suit Energy Giants,” Greenpeace EU, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 10 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/G7-shouldnt-sacrifice-European-
security-to-suit-energy-giants/.
36
“G7 Shouldn’t Sacrifice European Security to Suit Energy Giants,” Greenpeace EU, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 10 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/G7-shouldnt-sacrifice-European-
security-to-suit-energy-giants/.
37
“G7 Shouldn’t Sacrifice European Security to Suit Energy Giants,” Greenpeace EU, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 10 June 2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/G7-shouldnt-sacrifice-European-
security-to-suit-energy-giants/.
38
“Oxfam on the G7 Summit: Stronger Steer Needed on Energy Security, Climate Change and the Global
Economy,” Oxfam International, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 10 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/
en/pressroom/reactions/oxfam-g7-summit-stronger-steer-energy-climate-change-global-economy.
39
“Oxfam on the G7 Summit: Stronger Steer Needed on Energy Security, Climate Change and the Global
Economy,” Oxfam International, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 10 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/
en/pressroom/reactions/oxfam-g7-summit-stronger-steer-energy-climate-change-global-economy.
40
“G7: No Breakthrough on Energy Independence,” Greenpeace EU, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 12 June
2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/G7-no-breakthrough-on-energy-independence/.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 11
renewables can free our economies from the shackles of energy dependence and
unlock a healthy and sustainable future.41
Pre-Summit Protests
On 3 June Oxfam organized a media event near the Brussels Summit site to draw attention to
how the “G7 remains hooked on dirty energy.”42 Wearing the “Big Heads” that have become
a staple of Oxfam demonstrations and media events during G8 summits, volunteers depicted
the G7 leaders’ fossil fuel dependency and called for a move towards clean and secure energy
alternatives.
Public Awareness Events and Workshops
eNGOS were not involved in any public awareness events or workshops regarding the
Brussels Summit.
Collaborative Efforts
There were no collaborative efforts between eNGOs and other civil society groups in the
lead-up to or during the Brussels Summit.
G7-Civil Society Initiatives
There were no joint initiatives between eNGOs and the G7 during the Brussels Summit.
41
“G7: No Breakthrough on Energy Independence,” Greenpeace EU, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 12 June
2014. http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/G7-no-breakthrough-on-energy-independence/.
42
“G7 and Europe Face Energy Wake-Up Call as Food and Fuel Crisis Looms,” Oxfam International, 3 June
2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/pressroom/pressrelease/2014-06-03/g7-and-
europe-face-energy-wake-call-food-and-fuel-crisis-looms.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 12
Developmental Non-Governmental Organizations
Aylin Manduric and Emily Bayrachny
Executive Summary
Developmental NGOs were uncharacteristically inactive in the lead up to the G7 Brussels
Summit and ultimately divided in their assessments of the summit outcomes. Due to sudden
changes in summit location and group composition, as well as the relatively late release of the
agenda, developmental NGOs were given little time to mobilize in advance of the 2014
summit. Responses released after the summit were mixed, with certain groups pleased with
the level of progress on development goals and others left unsatisfied.43 While ONE indicated
that the progress made on development issues during the summit exceeded their
expectations,44 World Vision expressed disappointment and awarded the 2014 summit a
grade of “D” on its G8 scorecard, placing Brussels last in its ranking of the past five
summits.45
Introduction
Developmental non-governmental organizations seek to address economic, social, and
political challenges in developing countries through their policy and program work. The
alleviation of global poverty through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and various
sustainable development mechanisms is a key objective among developmental NGOs.
International development issues have had a prominent place on the agenda at many G8
summits, and developmental NGOs have played an important part in ensuring such issues are
prioritized by G8 leaders in their summit commitments.46 Developmental NGOs have closely
monitored the performance of G8 nations on their development commitments and have
applied pressure to encourage compliance with the promises made at previous summits.47 At
past summits, developmental NGOs have been among the most influential civil society
groups.48
This pattern of engagement and interaction was challenged by the geopolitical issues
surrounding this year’s summit. In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean
Peninsula, G7 leaders voted in March 2014 to expel the Russian Federation from the G8 and
move this year’s summit to Brussels, where it was hosted by the European Union.49 Due to
this unexpected and late change, many developmental NGOs were left unprepared for the
June summit and were relatively inactive in the lead up to the meeting at Brussels.
43
“G7 Leaders ‘Too Easily Distracted’ as They Fail to Deliver for Children,” World Vision, 6 June 2014. Date
of access: 11 June 2014.
http://www.worldvision.org/sites/default/files/G7%202014%20WV%20response_FINAL.pdf.
44
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, 5 June 2014. Date
of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
45
“G7 Leaders ‘Too Easily Distracted’ as They Fail to Deliver for Children,” World Vision, 6 June 2014. Date
of access: 11 June 2014.
http://www.worldvision.org/sites/default/files/G7%202014%20WV%20response_FINAL.pdf.
46
“Report on Civil Society and the 2012 G8 Camp David Summit,” G8 Research Group, 19 May 2012. Date of
access: 17 June 2014. http://g8live.org/wp‐content/uploads/2012/05/Final‐Civil‐Society‐Camp‐David.pdf.
47
“Report on Civil Society and the 2012 G8 Camp David Summit,” G8 Research Group, 19 May 2012. Date of
access: 17 June 2014. http://g8live.org/wp‐content/uploads/2012/05/Final‐Civil‐Society‐Camp‐David.pdf.
48
“Report on Civil Society and the 2012 G8 Camp David Summit,” G8 Research Group, 19 May 2012. Date of
access: 17 June 2014. http://g8live.org/wp‐content/uploads/2012/05/Final‐Civil‐Society‐Camp‐David.pdf.
49
“G7 Nations Meet Without Russia For the First time in 17 Years,” The Moscow Times, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/g7-nations-meet-without-russia-for-first-
time-in-17-years/501488.html.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 13
Many of the policy demands prevalent at the Lough Erne summit were also voiced by NGOs
at the Brussels Summit, such as action on global hunger, climate change and agricultural
reform. The most notable new issue raised by NGOs was European dependency on Russian
gas imports. NGOs such as Oxfam stressed the need for energy reform and restructuring to
reduce dependency on Russian natural gas and also combat climate change.50
Compared to recent years, many NGOs released few policy briefs or press statements, and
there was little in the way of public demonstrations and media events. The Ukraine crisis that
dominated G7 talks did, however, allow for discussion of energy reform, a prominent policy
ask among developmental NGOs.
Policy, Press Statements, and Utilization of Media
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) released a press statement on
5 June 2014 immediately following the release of the Brussels G7 Summit Declaration.51 The
IISD highlighted the G7’s acknowledgement of the importance of inclusive development and
the continuation of existing initiatives.52
On 5 June 2014 ONE also released a statement, noting that the G7 had made more progress
regarding development issues than anticipated.53 ONE’s International advocacy director
Eloise Todd remarked that “G7 leaders have kept the ball rolling forward on transparency,
health, agriculture, and the push for ambitious new goals on development.”54 The statement
praised the G7’s call for more “clear and measurable” objectives following the expiry of the
Millennium Development Goals in 2015.55 Todd also highlighted the G7 leaders’ renewed
commitment to fighting AIDS and renewing Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation
(GAVI),56 a vaccination scheme due to end in 2015.57
ONE also made note of the call for universal standards for corporate transparency,
particularly in extractive industries, recommending that the G20 expand on the commitment
50
“G7 and Europe Face Energy Wake-Up Call as Food and Fuel Crisis Looms,” Oxfam, 3 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/pressroom/pressrelease/2014-06-03/g7-and-europe-face-
energy-wake-call-food-and-fuel-crisis-looms.
51
Brussels Summit Declaration, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/ cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/143078.pdf.
52
“G7 Declaration Highlights Energy Security, Climate Change, Sustainable Development,” Post-2015 Policy
& Practice, June 5 2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. http://post2015.iisd.org/news/g7-declaration-highlights-
energy-security-climate-change-sustainable-development/.
53
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, June 5 2014. Date
of access: June 11 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
54
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, June 5 2014. Date
of access: June 11 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
55
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, June 5 2014. Date
of access: June 11 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
56
A. D. Mackenzie, “Anti-Poverty Activists Welcome g7’s Renewed ‘Commitment’,” Inter Press Service, 6
June 2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.ipsnews.net/2014/06/anti-poverty-activists-welcome-g7s-
renewed-commitment/.
57
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, 5 June 2014, Date
of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 14
by including the release of information on who owns and manages corporations and trusts.58
ONE marks such a commitment as essential to making business operations fairer for
developing countries.59 ONE concluded its statement on an optimistic note, with high
expectations for next year’s summit in Germany.60 ONE indicates that the summit is an
opportunity to discuss a “huge push to end extreme poverty and transform opportunities for
the poorest.”61
In complete contrast to the response from ONE, World Vision released a scathing press
statement on 6 June 2014, stating that the Brussels Summit asked “more questions than it
answered about the value of this annual forum.”62 The press release highlighted leaders’
commitments to maternal and child health as the “only bright lights” during what was
characterized as a difficult year for the summit.63 Chris Derksen-Hiebert, a spokesman for
World Vision, decried the lack of action taken to help preserve children’s rights in the
developing world. The press statement outlines four issue areas on which the G7 summit has
failed to take sufficient action: committing to the rights of children in conflict-torn regions;
making measurable commitments to ending maternal and child malnutrition; improving on
the accountability of summit participants; and following through on past commitments,
particularly regarding affected by the Syrian civil war.64
Pre-Summit Protests
Due to the unexpected change in venue and composition, there was much less mobilization
by civil society groups than is usually the case. On 3 June Oxfam held a media event in
Brussels to raise awareness concerning European dependence on Russian natural gas.65 The
event featured Oxfam volunteers wearing the infamous “Big Head” masks, which were made
to resemble the G7 leaders and have been used for dramatic effect during a number of Oxfam
protests at previous summits.66
58
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, 5 June 2014, Date
of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
59
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, 5 June 2014, Date
of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
60
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, 5 June 2014, Date
of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
61
“ONE Welcomes Progress on Key Development Priorities at Brussels G7 Summit,” ONE, 5 June 2014, Date
of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.one.org/international/press/one-welcomes-progress-on-key-development-
priorities-at-brussels-g7-summit/.
62
“G7 Leaders ‘Too Easily Distracted’ as They Fail to Deliver for Children,” World Vision, 6 June 2014. Date
of access: 11 June 2014.
http://www.worldvision.org/sites/default/files/G7%202014%20WV%20response_FINAL.pdf.
63
“G7 Leaders ‘Too Easily Distracted’ as They Fail to Deliver for Children,” World Vision, 6 June 2014. Date
of access: 11 June 2014.
http://www.worldvision.org/sites/default/files/G7%202014%20WV%20response_FINAL.pdf.
64
“G7 Leaders ‘Too Easily Distracted’ as They Fail to Deliver for Children,” World Vision, 6 June 2014. Date
of access: 11 June 2014.
http://www.worldvision.org/sites/default/files/G7%202014%20WV%20response_FINAL.pdf.
65
“G7 Nations Meet Without Russia For the First time in 17 Years,” The Moscow Times, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/g7-nations-meet-without-russia-for-first-
time-in-17-years/501488.html.
66
“G7 Nations Meet Without Russia For the First time in 17 Years,” The Moscow Times, 4 June 2014. Date of
access: 12 June 2014. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/g7-nations-meet-without-russia-for-first-
time-in-17-years/501488.html. “Verdict on the G8 Summit, 2013,” Oxfam, 20 June 2013. Date of access: 16
January 2014. http://blogs.oxfam.org/en/blogs/13-06-20-verdict-g8-summit-2013.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 15
Public Awareness Events and Workshops
Due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding this year’s summit, there were no notable
public awareness events organized by developmental NGOs during the Brussels Summit.
Collaborative Efforts
There were no notable collaborative efforts by developmental NGOs during the summit.
G7-Civil Society Initiatives
There were no G8-Civil Society initiatives during the summit.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 16
Human Rights Non-Governmental Organizations
Alexis Moyle and Estefania Rueda-Torres
Executive Summary
Due to the summit’s unexpected relocation and the relatively late publication date of the
summit agenda, many human rights non-governmental organizations that had been prominent
at previous meetings of the G8 – such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International,
Global Call to Action Against Poverty, InterAction, and Global Witness – were relatively
inactive in the lead up to the Brussels Summit. Some human rights groups, such as Oxfam
International, ONE, and World Vision, continued their pattern of engagement both before and
during the summit. Overall, however, human rights organizations were significantly less
active than in previous years.
Key demands made by humans rights NGOs at the Brussels Summit included policies to
combat growing economic inequality around the world, global poverty, and fossil fuel
dependency. ONE was relatively satisfied with the summit commitments on issues such as
transparency, health and agriculture.67 Oxfam criticized the G7 for not opening up a dialogue
with the European Union regarding the use of more energy efficient resources, and for not
sufficiently addressing the issue of economic inequality.68 In a statement directed towards
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, World Vision called on Canada to ensure global
poverty issues were adequately addressed by the G7.69 The EU Transparency International
Office released a statement that welcomed the G7’s renewed commitments to fight tax
evasion and illegal financial flows. Action Aid demanded that the G7 carry out far-reaching
changes to the New Alliance Initiative, including the reorientation of the project to meet land
and food security objectives.
Introduction
Human rights organizations have been consistently engaged with the G8 throughout its
history, working to raise awareness, spark discussion, and encourage action on the pressing
issues of humanitarian crises and human rights violations. This was the case last year at the
Lough Erne summit where NGOs demanded that leaders address human rights violations in
Africa, the Arab Spring, and gendered violence in conflict zones.70 In the past, organizations
such as Amnesty International, Global Call to Action Against Poverty, InterAction, Global
Witness, and Human Rights Watch have engaged with the G8 by releasing policy papers,
press statements and by participating in demonstrations. This year, however, human rights
67
“ONE Welcomes G7 Summit News on Extractives Transparency,” ONE United States, 6 June 2014. Date of
access: 9 June 2014. http://www.one.org/us/press/one-welcomes-g7-summit-news-on-extractives-transparency.
68
“Oxfam on G7 Summit: Stronger Steer Needed on Energy Security, Climate Change and the Global
Economy,” Oxfam International, 5 June 2014. Date of access: 9 June 2014.
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/reactions/ oxfam-g7-summit-stronger-steer-energy-climate-change-global-
economy.
69
“Canada at the G7,” World Vision, 4 June 2014. Date of access: 11 June 2014. http://www.worldvision.ca/
ABOUTUS/Media-Centre/Pages/Canada-at-the-G7.aspx.
70
“Report on Civil Society and the 2013 Lough Erne Summit,” G8 Research Group, 10 June 2013. Date of
access: 9 June 2014. www.g8live.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/GGRG.-Lough-Erne-summit-report.-
2013.pdf.
G8 Research Group’s Report on Civil Society and the 2014 G7 Brussels Summit 17
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