CO2 emissions slightly higher as production grows

The CO2 emissions by the Dutch economy were up by 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2014 on the same quarter of 2013. When corrected for differences in the weather CO2 emissions were 1.0 percent higher. The year-on-year growth of the Dutch economy in the third quarter of 2014 was 1.1 percent. These are the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands today. Dutch CO2 emissions are calculated according to the definitions of the Environmental Accounts.

Changes in the CO2 emissions and economic developments, third quarter of 2014

Energy companies produced higher CO2 emissions

CO2 emissions by ‘energy, water supply and waste management’ were higher than one year earlier. Electricity producers raised their production of electricity because demand increased and electricity imports were down. As natural gas became considerably cheaper in the third quarter, the producers of electricity used relatively more natural gas than coal in their production.

More CO2 emissions due to industrial growth

Emissions also increased in ‘agriculture, mining, manufacturing and construction’. This is mainly because of manufacturing, in particular the manufacturing of oil and basic chemical products. As the industries produced more, they also emitted more CO2. The value added of ‘agriculture, mining, manufacturing and construction’ increased as well. The agricultural sector also produced more, but CO2 emissions were lower because of the warm weather.

CO2 emission by the transport sector rising

CO2 emissions by the transport sector went up this quarter. The value added of the transport sector increased as well, but not as fast as the emissions. The greatest increases were found in the transport of goods by road and in sea shipping, which was mainly due to the increase in their production.

Households and services decreased their emissions

CO2 emissions by households and services were lower. Due to the relatively high temperatures, higher than in the previous year, especially in September, less natural gas was used for heating spaces.

Background information: CO2 emissions on quarterly basis