CO2 emissions sharply lower in first quarter of 2020
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It was less cold in Q1 2020 than in the same quarter of 2019. Adjusted for this weather effect, CO2 emissions were 7.5 percent lower than one year previously.
Categories | CO2 emissions (year-on-year volume change in %) | Value added by producers (year-on-year volume change in %) | GDP (year-on-year volume change in %) |
---|---|---|---|
Total (weather adjusted) | -7.5 | ||
Total | -8.7 | -0.2 | |
Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and construction | -2.5 | 2 | |
Households | -5.9 | ||
Other services | -6 | 0.5 | |
Transport sector | -6.9 | -4 | |
Energy and water supply, waste management | -20.1 | 0.7 | |
Lower CO2 emissions by energy companies
In Q1 2020, CO2 emissions by energy, water and waste management companies were down by 20 percent year-on-year. These companies accounted for almost 23 percent of total CO2 emissions. Electricity companies used less coal and more natural gas in their production process. Combustion of natural gas results in lower CO2 emissions than coal combustion. Electricity production was down in the first quarter, while electricity imports were up. Production of wind and solar energy was higher than one year previously as well.
Transport sector emits less CO2
CO2 emissions by the transport sector were down by 7 percent year-on-year. The value added (output minus intermediate consumption) was lower in this period as well. Emissions by the aviation sector and road haulage were sharply lower; as a result of the coronavirus crisis, there were fewer transport movements, particularly in March. The transport sector accounted for over 10 percent of total emissions.
Lower CO2 emissions by households and services sector
CO2 emissions by households were 6 percent lower than one year previously. Households consumed less natural gas for heating of homes due to the mild winter. Emissions on account of motor fuel consumption were also lower. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Dutch government requested people to stay home as much as possible and to work from home, if possible. In Q1 2020, households occupied a share in total CO2 emissions of 22 percent. Furthermore, CO2 emissions by the services sector, accounting for 11 percent of total emissions, were 6 percent down year-on-year.CO2 emissions down in agriculture and manufacturing
In Q1 2020, emissions of CO2 in the cluster agriculture, mining, manufacturing industry and construction were 2.5 percent down on one year previously. This cluster was responsible for over one-third of total emissions in that quarter. The agricultural sector, the chemical industry and the basic metal industry emitted less CO2 in particular.
Categories | Share |
---|---|
Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and construction | 33.6 |
Energy and water supply, waste management | 23.3 |
Households | 21.7 |
Other services | 11 |
Transport sector | 10.4 |
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