This paper discusses the link between corporate environmental performance and the distinguishing characteristics of both more and less environmentally efficient in Europe. Three distinctive groups of companies were created according to their environmental efficiency level. These groups were analysed through 24 variables concerning privately versus publicly held shares, the size of companies, their capital structure, their profitability, their growth potential, their capital expenditures and their available cash. Complete information on the 24 variables was found for 393 companies - from 16 European countries - on which factor analysis and cluster analysis were conducted. From this study, it is demonstrated that there are global profiles of the more and less environmentally efficient companies. Three groups of companies have been identified: the “shareholders’ oriented companies”, the “lavish companies funded by debt” and the “publicly held companies with long term perspectives”. Results analysis emphasizes differences resulting from the various regulation environments and governance perspectives within Europe.