Friends of the Earth International

Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), presents itself as the world's largest grassroots environmental network. The organization consists of 69 national member groups, 5,000 local activist groups and over 2 million members and supporters globally. The FOEI secretariat is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It was established in 1981 as a united organization with its roots in anti nuclear and whaling movements. Today the activities of FOEI and its national groups include combating climate change, but also comprises efforts to enhance corporate accountability, protect biodiversity and forests, restrict the use of Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs), and to limit the power and influence of international financial institutions (IFIs) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Working method

FOE International carries out campaigns to create awareness among key stakeholders on its issues. The local organizations run independent campaigns, and the international umbrella organization coordinates these on a larger scale. The campaign activities are carried out via public relations and through setting up and participating in events such as demonstration and other events around intergovernmental meetings and conferences.

Income in 2007

Around 2.5 million Euros

Publications by FOEI on Climate Change:

• Poverty, Climate and Energy: the case against oil aid - June 2008;
• Climate Change - voices from communities affected by climate change - November 2007;
• Power Failure: How the World Bank is Failing to Adequately Finance Renewable Energy for Development - October 2005;