Commission's performance on environment criticised in NGO review[de] 

16 EU environment related policy areas are examined in the mid-term review, with each policy area receiving a possible high score of 10.  The score sheet breaks down as follows, from highest to lowest scores:

• Climate Change: 7
• Energy and Agriculture: 6 
• Lisbon Process, Development, Transport, Biodiversity, Environment & Health: 5
• Cohesion Policy and 6th Environment Action Plan: 4
• Sustainable Development, Trade Policy, Chemicals, Natural Resources and Waste: 3 
• Forests, Marine Protection and GMOs: 2   

At a press conference on Friday 27 April, the Green 10 explained that the overall low score is a reflection of the Barroso Commission’s “outdated” and “one dimensional” focus on short term growth and job creation. According to Jorgo Riss, Director of Greenpeace European Unit, the Commission has “chosen to ignore win-win opportunities by assuming that environmental protection must come at a cost to business, rather than creating opportunities for economic activity.”

The Green 10 voiced their greatest criticism with respect to forests and marine protection, stating that the Commission lacks any coherent policy vision or leadership in these areas. The Commission’s Marine Strategy in particular was criticised as being “empty.”

Despite an overall critical assessment, the Commission did receive praise for its tougher stance vis-à-vis Member States on emissions trading, for the development of a more coherent policy framework for dealing with climate change, and for its work on the Biodiversity Action Plan. 

The performance of individual Commissioners was also under review by the Green 10. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas received praise across the board, in particular for his efforts to link the climate change agenda with biodiversity issues. Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs received a less favorable review for his dealing with the issue of state subsidies, and Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen was criticised for “creating problems” as a watchdog for the growth and jobs agenda.  

In its press release, the Green 10 stresses that there is still time for the Commission to improve its record “by implementing forward-looking policies that prepare Europe's citizens for an uncertain future, where cutting resource wastage and pollution will bring cost savings, job creation and new business opportunities.”