Greenhouse gas emissions 4 percent lower in Q2 2024

Lower greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector

In Q2 2024, greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector were 17 percent lower than in Q2 2023. The electricity sector consumed less coal and natural gas, mainly due to an increase in electricity production from wind. Because of this significant drop in emissions, the share of the electricity sector in total greenhouse gas emissions was also smaller, at 13 percent in Q2 2024 compared to 15 percent in Q2 2023.

Lower emissions from mobility sector and the built environment too

Emissions from the mobility sector were 11 percent lower than a year earlier. This is partly because there was a peak in the consumption of diesel fuel in June last year, which may have been related to the increase in excise duties on motor fuels which took effect on 1 July 2023. The volume of electrically powered traffic also increased.

Furthermore, less natural gas was used to heat homes and buildings in Q2 2024, mainly due to the milder weather in April compared to 2023. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment were 8 percent lower.

Higher greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing

The manufacturing sector emitted 4 percent more greenhouse gases in Q2 2024 than in Q2 2023. Coal consumption was higher than last year, when major maintenance was being carried out at the blast furnaces. The manufacturing sector also consumed more natural gas, but less oil. Due to the significant increase in emissions, the share of manufacturing in total greenhouse gas emissions was also higher, 36 percent in Q2 2024 compared to 33 percent in Q2 2023.

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 CO₂ emissions from international air and sea transport and emissions from the combustion of biomass. In the news release below, CO₂ emissions are described in accordance with the calculation method set out in the national accounts.

CO₂ emissions from the Dutch economy 6.6 percent lower

The Dutch economy emitted 6.6 percent less CO₂ in Q2 2024 than in Q2 2023, while gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.8 percent over the same period. The decrease in CO₂ emissions was mainly due to lower usage of coal and natural gas by power stations and lower consumption of motor fuels by households.

Total emissions are also related to weather conditions, and are lower when it is warmer. After adjusting for this factor, the decrease in CO₂ emissions by the Dutch economy was 4.9 percent.

In Q2, CO₂ emissions from agriculture, mineral extraction, manufacturing and construction were 2.4 percent higher than in the same quarter last year. In particular, the base metal and petroleum industries emitted more CO₂, while the construction sector emitted less.

The transport sector emitted 3.8 percent more CO₂ than one year previously. This was mainly due to aviation. CO₂ emissions from Dutch aviation were almost 4 percent higher than in Q2 2023. Emissions from maritime transport were also higher than in the same quarter last year.