More than one-fifth less CO2 emitted in Q2 2020

Q2 2020 was less cold than Q2 2019. Adjusted for this weather effect, CO₂ emissions were 20.5 percent lower than one year previously.

CO₂ emissions by energy companies down by one-quarter

In Q2 2020, CO₂ emissions by energy, water and waste management companies were around one-quarter lower than in the same quarter last year. These companies accounted for more than 30 percent of total emissions in the second quarter.

In recent years, electricity companies have used less coal and more natural gas. In the first half of 2020, the consumption of coal for the production of electricity was more than 60 percent lower than in the same period one year previously. Combustion of natural gas results in lower CO₂ emissions than coal combustion. Electricity production from renewable sources, such as solar power and wind energy, was higher in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year.

Lower CO₂ emissions by households and services sector

CO₂ emissions by households were more than 17 percent lower than in the same quarter last year. 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. As a result, emissions from car use decreased in particular. Households also used less natural gas to heat homes because of the relatively warm spring weather. In Q2, households accounted for more than 17 percent of total CO₂ emissions.

CO₂ emissions by the services sector were almost 12 percent lower than in Q2 2019. Its share in total CO₂ emissions amounted to more than 11 percent.

Agriculture and manufacturing also emit less CO₂

In Q2, emissions of CO₂ in the cluster agriculture, mining, manufacturing industry and construction were 9 percent lower than in the same quarter last year. This cluster accounted for more than 31 percent of total emissions. The chemical and basic metal industries in particular emitted less CO₂.

CO₂ emissions by the transport sector nearly halved

CO₂ emissions by the transport sector were down by almost half in Q2 year-on-year. The value added was considerably lower as well. CO₂ emissions by the aviation industry were more than 80 percent lower than one year previously. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many flights were cancelled in the second quarter and a large part of the fleet was grounded. Road transport also emitted considerably less CO₂ due to the coronavirus crisis. The share of the transport sector in total emissions stood at over 9 percent.