The Greek public can only agree with European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, who on Monday called on the Greek government to implement a more effective environmental strategy for the country.

Greece is facing more ecological challenges than any other European Union country, but, regardless, does not have an autonomous environment ministry to deal with these problems. In fact, environmental issues are left to the devices of Greece’s Public Works Ministry.

Dimas’s recommendations were made in a rather gentle fashion because he happens to be a Greek citizen. However, as long as Greece continues to use so-called creative accounting in its measuring of its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while failing to bring national legislation in line with EU regulations, the principal casualties will be the country and public health – not the European Commission.

It is Greece’s image that is being tarnished by the EU and UN, not that of Commissioner Dimas.