Emissions to air by the Energy supply target sector in the Netherlands, 1990-2002*
There is a downward trend in the emissions of all macro-substances compared to 1990. The exception is carbon dioxide, emissions of which continue to increase slightly.
| 1990 | 1995 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002* | |
| million kg | ||||||
| Sulphur dioxide (SO2) | 45 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Furnaces | 45 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Process/other | 0.25 | 0.22 | 0.079 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.07 |
| Nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 80 | 64 | 55 | 50 | 48 | 48 |
| Furnaces | 79 | 64 | 55 | 50 | 47 | 48 |
| Process/other | 0.99 | 0.28 | 0.49 | 0.091 | 0.18 | 0.02 |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | 15 | 21 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 |
| Furnaces | 10 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 21 |
| Process/other | 5.0 | 6.9 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | 41 058 | 45 993 | 45 475 | 49 803 | 52 789 | 53 104 |
| Furnaces | 40 673 | 45 538 | 45 096 | 49 248 | 52 231 | 52 484 |
| Process/other | 385 | 455 | 379 | 555 | 557 | 620 |
| Particulate matter | 1.6 | 0.68 | 1) | 0.37 | 0.46 | 0.45 |
| Furnaces | 1.5 | 0.40 | 1) | 0.30 | 0.35 | 0.37 |
| Process/other | 0.10 | 0.29 | 1) | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.07 |
| VOC 2) | 26 | 26 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
| Furnaces | 2.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| Process/other | 24 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
| Methane (CH4) | 181 | 174 | 150 | 137 | 140 | 125 |
| Furnaces | 2.7 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.4 | 4.9 |
| Process/other | 178 | 170 | 144 | 131 | 134 | 120 |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.36 | 0.38 |
| Furnaces | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.33 | 0.37 | 0.25 | 0.38 |
| Process/other | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.037 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.00 |
| Source: CCDM (2003). | CBS/EDC/Aug03/0121 | |||||
| 1) Incomplete observation. 2) Volatile organic compounds, excluding methane. | ||||||
Developments in emissions to air
After a fall in the emissions of sulphur dioxide prior to 1999, the emissions increased again in subsequent years. This is the result of a rise in the use of hard coal in electricity generation and a higher sulphur level in hard coal than before.
The changes in the 2002 emissions compared to 2001 are largely the result of a change in the use of hard coal and natural gas in the years in question.
More electricity generation and lower imports of electricity have led to a slight increase in emissions of CO2.
Methane emissions
Methane is mainly released during the extraction of oil and natural gas. Steps are being taken to reduce emissions.
Sources of emissions
Emissions are caused by:
- The combustion of fossil fuels or biomass in the electricity supply sector and heat production.
- Gas and oil extraction, both on land and off shore.
- The transportation and distribution of energy carriers.
