The G8’s Role in Global Energy Governance Since the 2005 Gleneagles Summit

Although it is widely recognized that today’s multiple energy challenges need to be tackled through internationally coordinated action, global energy governance has remained largely underdeveloped. Since the 2005 Gleneagles summit, however, the G8 has issued several ambitious energy action plans and declarations. Through its language and actions the G8 appears to claim a “leadership” role to fill the void in global energy governance. This article critically examines the G8’s actual value added in this field. It comes to a nuanced conclusion. Admittedly, the G8 has initiated several substantive processes. It has, for instance, revamped the International Energy Agency by expanding its scope beyond merely monitoring oil markets, and it has played a critical role in setting up a new international organization in the field of energy efficiency. Yet, in general, the G8 has failed to exert global political leadership, mainly because of internal divergence, lack of compliance monitoring, and nonmembership of major countries.