Greenhouse gas emissions lower in Q3 2021

Fewer emissions in the electricity sector

Increased gas prices and relatively cheaper electricity from abroad, generated by nuclear and coal-fired power stations, led to higher imports (66 percent) and less production (-15 percent) of electricity in the third quarter of 2021 than one year previously. Due to the decline in production, the electricity sector emitted fewer greenhouse gases (-14 percent) despite burning more coal. Increasing production from renewable sources also reduced emissions.

Emissions from other sectors virtually unchanged

In the summer months, energy consumption by construction and buildings and agriculture does not vary much from year to year. In the colder months, sunshine duration and temperature play an important role in the energy consumption by these two sectors, but this additional consumption is virtually nil during summer.

Emissions from manufacturing and transport in Q3 were also approximately the same as in the third quarter of 2020. This means that emissions from the transport sector were still below pre-pandemic levels.

Emissions in first three quarters of 2021 below pre-pandemic levels

In the first three quarters of 2021, more greenhouse gases were emitted than in the same period of 2020 (3 percent). Although emissions in Q3 were lower than one year earlier (-3 percent), emissions in Q2 were substantially higher (+11 percent). Emissions were also higher in Q1 (+2 percent). Compared to two years previously, however, total emissions in the first three quarters were still lower (-6 percent).

Statistics Netherlands also calculates CO₂ emissions from all domestic economic activities according to the national accounts. Compared to emissions according to the IPCC definitions, this also includes the CO₂ emissions from international air and sea transport and the emissions from combustion of biomass. In the message below, the CO₂ emissions are presented in accordance with the calculation method of the national accounts.

CO₂ emissions by Dutch economy also lower in Q3 2021

CO₂ emissions from all economic activities in the Netherlands were 0.6 percent lower in Q3 than in the same quarter of 2020, while GDP grew by 5.0 percent in the same period. Here, too, the main cause is the lower production by the electricity sector.

However, CO₂ emissions by the transport sector (including aviation) were 28 percent higher than one year previously. This is mainly due to the partial recovery of aviation. Relative to the same period in 2019, however, emissions from aviation were around one-quarter lower. Emissions from inland navigation were also up on Q3 2020: more than 15 percent. In the third quarter of 2021, maritime transport emitted less than twelve months previously.