Greenhouse gas emissions slightly higher in second quarter of 2026

In the second quarter of 2026, slightly more greenhouse gases were emitted than in the same quarter in 2025. This amounted to an increase of 0.6 percent. This is mainly because energy companies produced more electricity using coal and natural gas.

Although the mobility sector had lower emissions, this was not enough to compensate for the additional emissions from the electricity sector. The mobility sector emitted over 10 percent less greenhouse gases. Many people, especially trucks, refueled in Germany because diesel was cheaper there due to lower taxes.

As a result, these emissions are now counted for Germany. There are also more electric cars on the road. In 2026, road traffic accounted for 21 percent of total emissions, compared to 23.5 percent in 2025.

The electricity sector emitted almost 22 percent more greenhouse gases. This is because more coal (87 percent more) and natural gas (15 percent more) were used. More Dutch electricity was also exported to Belgium and used within the Netherlands itself.

The sector accounted for 17.5 percent of total emissions. The industry emitted slightly less greenhouse gases than last year, about 1 percent less. The petroleum industry produced more, but chemical factories produced less because some companies were idle for maintenance.

The industry was the largest source of emissions, accounting for 34 percent. The Central Bureau of Statistics calculates carbon dioxide emissions mostly according to Dutch standards. This also includes CO2 from airplanes, ships, and biomass.

Using this method, CO2 emissions from the entire economy were 2.5 percent higher than the previous year. The economy also grew during that period, by 1.3 percent. The second quarter of 2026 was colder than in 2025, and when correcting for that, the increase was 1.4 percent.

The increase in CO2 is mainly due to energy companies burning more coal and biomass. As a result, these companies emitted nearly 19 percent more CO2. Emissions in industry and construction were slightly lower instead.

The transport sector, which includes airplanes, ships, and trucks, emitted just over 1 percent less CO2. Households and companies in the service sector also used less gasoline and diesel. Their CO2 emissions decreased, but the value of their work increased.

These figures are provisional. If new information becomes available, the figures may change.