The environmental record of the outgoing European Commission is worryingly off target, states the latest assessment of the Barroso Commission by ‘Green 10’ coalition of leading environmental organisations.

The report, released on the 10th June, gave the Commission an overall mark of 4.4/10. The ‘Green 10’, of whom HEAL are a member, examined successes and failures in 12 policy areas that impact the environment, and set out a checklist for the next Commission. They blamed the low score on, among other things, a failure to reform agriculture and fisheries policies, and, more broadly, to propose sustainable economic policies. But there were some positive notes, notably in climate, energy and transport policy.

A weak focus on Health?

The chapter on health, written by HEAL, states that although polls consistently show that citizens are concerned about the impact that the environment plays on their health, the Commission has only achieved a mark of 5/10 for its health-related policies. Whilst there have been some positives, such as achieving a global mercury ban and proposals to reduce air pollution there was not enough effectual action to protect people’s health.

  On chemicals, the Commission was divided over REACH, continued internal controversies between Commission units, for example on the criteria for some very hazardous chemicals, have since hindered the start of effective implementation of REACH.

  On air quality, the Commission proposed standards that were lower than those recommended by the World Health Organisation for ultra fine particles, thus failing to ensure adequate health protection. The revision of the National Emission Ceilings Directive is still on hold for an undetermined period, undermining better air quality for all and missing the health co-benefits of climate protection.

  On pesticides, the Commission played a key role in supporting criteria to eliminate the most hazardous pesticides on the market like carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins and hormone disruptors. However, it failed to ban other dangerous substances, i.e. those that harm the development of children’s brains, and to adopt quantitative targets for reducing pesticide use.

At a time when Europe is gripped by economic and environmental crises, the environmental groups call on the next Commission to double its efforts over the next five years and put in place policies that benefit the environment and people’s health, and create sustainable economic growth and jobs.

Off Target: the European Commission 2004-2009 Environmental Progress Report and Lessons from the next Commission was presented a press conference in Brussels on the 10th June. A panel of four directors for Green 10 organisations (namely Greenpeace, WWF European Policy Office, Climate Action Network Europe, and Friends of the Earth Europe) introduced the report – Monica from HEAL attended to take questions from journalists on the Health chapter. The conference was well attended by EU press and the report has received huge coverage as a result.