In the third quarter of 2025, the electricity sector emitted 20 percent more greenhouse gases than in the same quarter of 2024. Electricity exports were higher than a year earlier, while imports were lower. This resulted in 10 procent more electricity produced in the Netherlands. More fossil fuels were used for production, especially coal consumption by coal-fired power plants was significantly higher. The electricity sectors contribution to total emissions was nearly 19 procent in the third quarter of 2025, compared to 15.5 procent in the same quarter of 2024.
The industry emitted 6 procent less greenhouse gases in the third quarter of 2025 than a year earlier. Especially natural gas consumption by the energy-intensive chemical industry and refineries was lower. These sectors produced less than a year earlier, while total industry production was slightly higher. The industrys contribution to total greenhouse gas emissions decreased from 37 procent in the third quarter of 2024 to nearly 35 procent in 2025.
The mobility sector emitted almost 5 procent less greenhouse gases in the third quarter of 2025 than a year earlier. This is mainly due to less diesel consumption by road traffic. Gasoline and LPG consumption were also lower. The mobility sectors contribution to total greenhouse gas emissions decreased from 22.5 procent in the third quarter of 2024 to 21.5 procent in 2025.
Statistics Netherlands also calculates CO2 emissions from all Dutch economic activities according to national accounts. Compared to emissions according to IPCC definitions, this also includes CO2 emissions from international air and sea transport and emissions from biomass combustion by persons and companies belonging to the Dutch economy. The message below presents CO2 emissions according to the national accounts calculation method.
In the third quarter of 2025, CO2 emissions of the Dutch economy were 1.5 procent higher than in the same quarter a year earlier. In the same period, gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1,6 procent. However, the third quarter of this year was colder than the same quarter of 2024. After correction for weather effects, the increase in CO2 emissions was 1.1 percent.
The larger increase in CO2 emissions according to national accounts is because it includes emissions from biomass and international air and sea transport, which the IPCC calculation does not.
Energy companies and the transport sector emitted more than in the third quarter of 2024. The energy and water companies and waste management cluster emitted over 18 procent more CO2, mainly due to higher coal and biomass consumption. Their added value (the difference between production and consumption of energy, materials and services) was 2.5 procent higher.
CO2 emissions from the transport sector were 5 procent higher, while added value grew by over 3 procent. Only road transport emitted less; inland shipping, sea shipping and aviation had higher emissions.
Households, the service sector and industry emitted less CO2, mainly due to lower natural gas consumption. The decline was accompanied by an increase in added value of the agriculture, mining, industry and construction cluster and the service sector.
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