Greenhouse gas emissions virtually unchanged in Q3 2025

Emissions from electricity sector up by one-fifth

In Q3 2025, the electricity sector emitted 20 percent more greenhouse gases than in Q3 2024. Electricity exports were higher year-on-year, while less electricity was imported. As a result, 10 percent more electricity was produced in the Netherlands. More fossil fuels were also used, with coal consumption by coal-fired power plants up significantly. The electricity sector's contribution to total emissions was nearly 19 percent in Q3 2025, compared to 15.5 percent in the same quarter of 2024.

Lower emissions from manufacturing

The manufacturing sector emitted 6 percent less greenhouse gases in Q3 2025 than a year earlier. Natural gas consumption by the energy-intensive chemical industry and refineries was lower, in particular. Emissions from these sectors were lower than in the same quarter of 2024, while emissions from the manufacturing sector as a whole were slightly higher. The contribution of manufacturing to total greenhouse gas emissions was down from 37 percent in Q3 2024 to nearly 35 percent in Q2 2025.

Emissions from mobility also lower

The mobility sector emitted almost 5 percent less greenhouse gases in Q3 2025 than in Q3 2024, mainly because road traffic consumed less diesel fuel. Petrol and LPG consumption was also lower. The contribution of the mobility sector to emissions decreased from 22.5 percent in Q3 2024 to 21.5 percent in Q3 2025.

CBS also calculates CO₂ emissions from all domestic economic activity according to the national accounts. The difference with emissions calculated according to the IPCC definitions is that this also includes CO₂ emissions from international air and sea transport and emissions from the combustion of biomass. In the section below, CO₂ emissions are described in accordance with the calculation method set out in the Netherlands’ national accounts.

CO₂ emissions from the Dutch economy 1.5 percent higher

The Dutch economy emitted 1.5 percent more CO₂ in Q3 2025 than in Q3 2024, while gross domestic product (GDP) was up by 1.6 percent over the same period. However, it was colder in the third quarter of this year than in the same quarter of 2024. After adjusting for weather conditions, the increase in CO₂ emissions by the Dutch economy was 1.1 percent.

The larger increase in CO₂ emissions according to the national accounts is because this method includes emissions from the combustion of biomass and international air and sea transport, while the IPCC calculation does not.

The electricity and transport sector emitted more CO₂ in Q3 2025 than in Q3 2024. Energy and water companies and the waste management sector emitted over 18 percent more CO₂, primarily due to increased coal and biomass usage. Their added value (the difference between the production and consumption of energy, materials and services) grew by 2.5 percent.

The transport sector emitted 5 percent more CO₂ , while the value added of the transport sector grew by over 3 percent. Only road traffic emitted less; inland shipping, maritime shipping and aviation all had higher emissions.

Households, the services sector and manufacturing emitted less CO₂, primarily due to lower natural gas consumption. The decrease was accompanied by an increase in added value in the agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and construction clusters, and in the services sector.