Greenhouse gas emissions 9 percent lower in 2022

Last year, GHG emissions were more than 30 percent below the 1990 level for the first time. The Dutch climate law sets a target of 55 percent reduction by 2030.

Significant lower emissions from built environment, manufacturing and agriculture

The built environment (homes, offices, schools, care institutions, etc.) emitted 21 percent fewer greenhouse gases than in 2021. Due to higher natural gas prices, substantial cuts were made in the consumption of natural gas. In addition, the weather was milder last year compared to 2021. As a result, less natural gas was used to heat homes and offices.

GHG emissions from manufacturing were 11 percent lower. This is also due to higher natural gas prices. Large-scale natural gas-intensive industries (especially petroleum and chemical industries) adapted their production processes to this by using less natural gas or partially shut down their production. Consumption of coal and petroleum products in manufacturing remained virtually unchanged. At 32 percent, manufacturing held the largest share in total GHG emissions.

Greenhouse horticulture also partially halted or scaled down activities due to high natural gas prices. This, in combination with more sunshine hours and higher average temperatures in 2022, led to less natural gas consumption in greenhouse horticulture. As a result, GHG emissions in agriculture were 10 percent lower.

Emissions in electricity sector 5 percent lower

The electricity sector, which accounted for 20 percent of emissions in 2022, emitted 5 percent fewer greenhouse gases in 2022 compared to the previous year. This is mainly because the production of renewable electricity grew to 40 percent in 2022. Due to this growth and high natural gas prices, gas-fired power stations used less natural gas. Coal-fired power stations consumed almost the same amount of coal compared to the previous year.

Finally, emissions in the mobility sector were barely lower than in 2021.

CBS 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 the Dutch economy over 8 percent lower in 2022

In 2022, the Dutch economy emitted 8.4 percent less CO₂ than in 2021. This also includes the CO₂ emissions from international air and sea transport and the emissions from combustion of biomass in the Netherlands. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 4.5 percent in 2022. Adjusted for the weather effect, the decline in CO₂ emissions amounted to 6.6 percent. The drop in emissions from the Dutch economy is mainly because of lower natural gas consumption.

However, the transport sector emitted more CO₂. This is mainly due to the partial recovery of aviation in 2022. CO₂ emissions from aviation were over 32 percent higher than in 2021. Compared to 2019, emissions in this sector were still over 20 percent lower in 2022. Emissions from inland shipping were also higher. On the other hand, emissions from road transport and maritime transport were lower than in 2021.

CO₂ emission intensity of the Dutch economy decreased further in 2022

Since 2016, the CO₂ intensity of the Dutch economy has declined continuously. This means that the CO₂ efficiency of production processes continues to improve. The greenhouse gas intensity of the economy as a whole was one fifth lower in 2022 than in 2015.