Aug. 26, 2007
Ten of Europe's largest environmental organisations/networks, the so-called Green 10, delivered a review of the Barroso-led European Commission (EC) in April that was critical of the EC's environmental record during the first half of its five-year term.
The Green 10, in assessing 16 separate policy areas, argued that EC President Jose Manuel Barroso has focused too narrowly on growth and jobs, while failing to develop progressive and sustainable industrial policies.
The Commission received the review's highest mark (7/10) for its climate policy, having pledged support for global greenhouse gas emissions cuts of 30 percent by 2020. The EC's energy and agriculture policies both earned marks of 6/10, whereas its Biodiversity Action Plan received a point less. A weak proposal on marine protection and a reluctance to take a stronger stance against illegal timber resulted in scores of 2/10 for the EC's marine and forest policies. The Barroso Commission's overall review score was 4.3/10.
Despite awarding low marks, the green groups made several policy recommendations and emphasised that there is still time for the EC to improve its record under Mr Barroso's leadership.
