Dutch growers use more lighting due to bad weather, CO2 emissions rise

Dutch agriculture and horticulture emitted 1.8 megatons of CO₂ in the second quarter of 2021. According to figures from the CBS, that is more than in 2020 and 2019.

The statistics office itself gives an explanation: colder and less sunny weather made extra lighting in greenhouses necessary. Greenhouse horticulture obtains its electricity largely from the use of natural gas for its own combined heat and power (CHP) plants, so agriculture also emitted more greenhouse gases (7 percent). The short-term trend in greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment and agriculture is not only influenced by the weather, but it often plays a major role, according to the CBS.

Overall, greenhouse gas emissions were 11 percent higher in the second quarter of 2021 than in the same quarter of 2020. With that, emissions are moving back to pre-corona levels.

CO₂ emissions from the Dutch economy were 14.1 percent higher in the second quarter than in the same quarter of 2020, growing faster than the gross domestic product (GDP). Higher output from industry and the transport sector in particular contributed to the higher emissions. GDP was 9.7 percent larger in the second quarter of this year than a year earlier.

Source: CBS

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