Despite a growing economy, greenhouse gas emissions fell 4% in the third quarter compared to a year earlier. This is evident from data from Statistics Netherlands. Agriculture and industry in particular emitted less, while emissions from aviation and power plants even increased.
A growing economy often goes hand in hand with higher emissions of greenhouse gases, such as CO2 and methane. But in the recent quarter, economic growth of 3.1% was accompanied by a decline in emissions.
This is partly because greenhouse horticulture could generate a lot of solar energy thanks to the sunny climate. As a result, that sector needed less gas for lighting. The oil industry also consumed less gas than the previous year. Emissions from road transport and construction, among others, were also lower.
Power plants consumed more gas
Power plants actually emitted 14% more last quarter as natural gas consumption increased. Electricity market prices were very high in the third quarter, making it more profitable for power plants to use gas. Generating energy with gas is relatively expensive and is therefore particularly profitable when selling prices are high.
Even aviation was more polluting than a year earlier. This is probably due to the increase in air traffic. In the previous quarter there were no or almost no lockdowns, while there were still a year earlier.
Data from Statistics Netherlands also show that two-thirds of total emissions are related to exports. This includes industry and agriculture, which produce a lot for overseas, but also the transportation of all those goods. The companies in question provide a third of the employment.
