CO2 emissions virtually unchanged in Q3 2018

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In Q3 2018, CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in the Netherlands were up by 0.1 percent year-on-year. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.4 percent at the same time, according to the first estimate. Households and the services sector emitted less CO<sub>2</sub>, while energy companies contributed slightly more. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this based on the latest quarterly figures on CO<sub>2</sub> emissions.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the weather was warmer in Q3 2018, particularly in July and September. When adjusted for this weather effect, CO2 emissions were 0.8 percent higher in Q3 than one year previously.

CO2 emissions and economic development, Q3 2018
CategoriesCO2 emissions (year-on-year volume change in %)Value added of producers (year-on-year volume change in %)GDP (year-on-year volume change in %)
Dutch economy (weather adjusted)0.8
Dutch economy0.12.4
Services-2.92.1
Households-1.3
Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and
construction
0.53.5
Energy and water supply and
waste treatment
0.70.9
Transport sector11.4

Lower CO2 emissions by households and services sector

In Q3 2018, CO2 emissions by the services sector were down by nearly 3 percent year-on-year. The share in total emissions stood at 9 percent. Due to the warm weather, the services sector used less natural gas for heating of office buildings.

CO2 emissions by households in Q3 2018 were over 1 percent lower than one year previously. Natural gas consumption by households was down as well. On the other hand, emissions on account of motor fuel consumption were higher. In Q3 2018, households occupied a share in total CO2 emissions exceeding 14 percent.

Higher CO2 emissions by energy companies

In Q3 2018, CO2 emissions by energy, water and waste management companies was up by nearly 1 percent year-on-year. These companies accounted for over one-third of total CO2 emissions. Electricity companies used less coal and more natural gas in their production process. Combustion of natural gas results in lower CO2 emissions than coal combustion.

Higher CO2 emissions in agriculture and manufacturing

Emissions of CO2 in the cluster agriculture, mining, manufacturing industry and construction were up by 0.5 percent in Q3 year-on-year. This cluster was responsible for over one-quarter of total emissions. The petroleum and chemical industries emitted more CO2 in particular.

Transport sector emits more CO2

CO2 emissions by the transport sector were up by 1 percent year-on-year in Q3. This sector accounted for nearly 18 percent of total emissions. The sharpest increase was seen in the carriage of goods by road, mainly due to more transport movement.

Contributions of CO2 emissions by households and industries, Q3 2018
CategoriesShare
Energy and water supply and waste treatment33.5
Agriculture, mining, manufacturing and construction 25.5
Transport sector17.9
Households14.1
Services9

The calculation of CO2 emissions is consistent with the definitions used in the Environmental accounts. This is a first estimate based on information available at that particular moment. Figures may change as a result of new statistical source information becoming available at a later stage.