The Netherlands emitted 7 percent more CO2 in the first quarter than a year earlier

Companies and households in the Netherlands have emitted 7 percent more greenhouse gases in the past quarter than in the same quarter a year earlier. This is evident from figures published on Tuesday morning from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

The considerable rise is partly because it was colder last winter than during the previous one (even though it was relatively mild last winter). As a result, the gas consumption of households and companies (to burn) has increased.

In addition, the coal -fired power stations in the Netherlands started running harder. This is again because little electricity could be generated with wind turbines, because it didn’t blow that often. Moreover, there was extra demand for electricity from surrounding countries such as Belgium and Germany. The Netherlands sometimes exports electricity to those countries (and imports at other times).

The long -term trend in the emissions is currently falling, according to others, previously published figures from Statistics Netherlands. In 2019, the total emissions of greenhouse gases were 185.3 megaton. In 2024 it was 144.2 megaton.

It is also positive that there was less in transport in the past quarter than a year ago: 5 percent. This is partly because companies replace lease cars that drive on diesel with electric cars.

The published figures concern the emissions of a total of six sectors that fall under the Climate Agreement. Ship and aviation, among other things, are not included. However, Statistics Netherlands also calculates that emissions and if it is included, greenhouse gas emissions rose by 7.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to a year earlier. The economy grew by 2 percent in this first quarter compared to the first quarter in 2024.

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