Even now that energy prices have recovered, the decline in greenhouse gas emissions continues. In the second quarter of this year, emissions in the Netherlands were 5 percent lower than the year before. The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported this on Wednesday based on provisional quarterly figures. The decline is mainly due to the electricity sector: it reduced emissions by 23 percent compared to last year.
After the Netherlands recorded the fastest decline in greenhouse gas emissions ever last year, it remained to be seen whether the trend since 1996 would continue this year. In 2022, Dutch households, companies and vehicles emitted more than 9 percent less than the year before, just like in corona year 2020.
The war in Ukraine was the driving force behind skyrocketing energy prices last year, which motivated (and also forced) citizens and companies to quickly switch away from gas. Energy prices have now returned dropped to pre-war price levels — but the transition from polluting energy sources such as gas to renewable electricity continues unabated. Cynically, the historically high temperatures also contribute to emission reduction. Last June was the warmest June ever recorded; Even in the second quarter, radiators were little more than decoration.
Only the mobility sector emitted more
Statistics Netherlands divides the Netherlands in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement in five sectors. Almost all of them emitted fewer greenhouse gases such as CO2 last quarter than in April, May and June 2022. This applies to the industry, agriculture, built environment and electricity sectors. The latter sector in particular transformed quickly: the electricity sector emitted almost a quarter less greenhouse gases in the second quarter than last year. The only sector whose emissions increased is the relatively polluting mobility sector. According to Statistics Netherlands, this is because petrol consumption increased by 12 percent.
The fact that the electricity sector managed to reduce emissions by as much as 23 percent is largely due to the ‘green’ transition. The energy sector — responsible for almost 15 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands — produced 42 percent less energy from coal and 2 percent less from natural gas. Instead, he relied more heavily on renewable sources such as wind and sun. CO2 emissions from the largest polluter, industry, also fell slightly.
Compared to the years behind us, things are moving in the right direction, although the current pace is not yet high enough to achieve the climate goals. It stipulates that the Netherlands must emit 55 percent less greenhouse gases in 2030 than in 1990. The government is aiming for 60 percent. According to the latest figures from last year, greenhouse gas emissions are 31.4 percent lower than in 1990. According to estimates from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) The Netherlands is moving too slowly and new, ambitious policy is needed.