Emissions from coal-fired power stations were halved last year, as a result of a sharp drop in the use of coal. At the same time, the share of biomass in the energy sector has increased sharply, by more than 130 percent, according to figures from the Dutch Emission Authority.
The CO2 emissions of all Dutch companies that fall under the European emissions trading system decreased by 11.5 percent in 2020. The emissions authority registers the emissions of 419 large companies, which together account for about half of all Dutch CO2 emissions.
For the third consecutive year, CO2 emissions from the energy sector have fallen more sharply than those from industry. The decrease in emissions is partly due to corona. But the most striking shift is that from coal to biomass (for example the burning of waste and residual wood, biofuels and VGF waste) in the energy sector.
According to NEA director Mark Bressers, this is the result of two factors. “What we now see is a combination of policy by politicians, and the higher price that companies have to pay to be able to emit CO2. verdict. You can see that it immediately has a significant effect. “
Wrong debate on biomass
The CO2 released during the combustion of biomass does not formally count. It is precisely this aspect that has been the subject of fierce debate in politics and society in recent years. The NEA does not get involved in the discussion, and only implements the rules that have been agreed upon. Mark Bressers: “Companies do not have to buy CO2 emission rights for the use of biomass.”
Incidentally, these figures only concern the large-scale combustion of biomass in coal-fired power stations. The biomass used in hundreds of smaller installations across the country is not registered with the NEA simply because they are not large enough.
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