Dutch GHG emissions rise in Q2
The Netherlands' greenhouse gas emissions were up 11% year on year in Q2 as gas demand rose "in the built environment and industry." The measurements, reported by statistics bureau CBS, were taken in accordance with the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change and show a near return to pre-pandemic levels, it said September 15.
Households and offices kept the heating on for longer in the cold spring and as a result, their emissions were about 3 4% higher year on year. And because there was less sunshine than normal, greenhouse horticulture, which largely obtains its electricity from gas-fired combined heat and power plants, emitted 7% more.
Emissions from industry were 13% higher while output rose 14%. This required more energy, mostly gas. GDP was 9.7% higher than a year earlier. Compared with 2019, CO2 emissions from industry increased by 6.4% in 2021, and emissions of other greenhouse gases decreased by 5.5%.
Emissions from the electricity sector were up 2%, mirroring the increase in generation. Natural gas plants produced less though as gas prices were not competitive, and this was partly offset by higher electricity production from coal plants.