Greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands, 1990-2002

Total Dutch greenhouse gas emissions have been virtually stable in recent years. Between 1990 and 2002, carbon dioxide emissions increased across the board, while emissions of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide declined. Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to fall in 2003 as a result of the economic recession. Partly because of the continued fall in emissions of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide, total Dutch greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decrease in 2003.

Emissions of greenhouse gases virtually stable in the period 2000-2002

Emissions of greenhouse gases in the Netherlands in 2002 were approximately 1% higher than in 1990 after adjustment for the influence of temperature. After an increase of approximately 5% between 1990 and 1995 and a decrease in the period 1995-2000, total Dutch greenhouse gas emissions were virtually stable between 2000 and 2002. This is accounted for by a fall in the emissions of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide (methane, nitrous oxide and the fluorine-containing gases) by 5%, by contrast with an increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions adjusted for temperature influences of almost 2%.
Of the greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide, emissions of fluorine-containing gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF₆) in particular have been falling since 1998 after rising steadily for many years. This is largely accounted for by two measures in industry. Methane emissions (CH₄) have fallen since 1990. The fall in the amount of waste sent to landfill has resulted in lower methane emissions from landfills. Emissions of nitrous oxide have also been declining slowly since 1995.

Emissions of greenhouse gases expected to fall in 2003

Total emissions of greenhouse gases are expected to fall in 2003 after adjustment for the influence of temperature. This is shown by provisional energy statistics and production statistics for 2003 from Statistics Netherlands and by information from the corporate sector.
For the first time since 1999, Dutch carbon dioxide emissions in 2003 would appear to have fallen after adjustment for the influence of temperature. The emissions of non-CO₂ greenhouse gases also continued to fall in 2003. The fall in carbon dioxide emissions is the result of the economic decline in most industrial sectors, the construction industry and in commercial services. There has been a slight increase in CO₂ emissions from road traffic, agriculture and horticulture and electricity plants.

Greenhouse gas policy

By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the Netherlands has undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% between 2008 and 2012 compared to the base year (1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and 1995 for the fluorine-containing gases). The Climate Policy Implementation Memorandum sets out the relevant policy (VROM, 2001).

• Climate change: policy

The emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and of the fluorine-containing gases HFCs, PFCs and SF₆ are covered by the UN Climate Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol. Increasing emissions result in a enhanced greenhouse effect.

• Environmental pressure, theme of Climate change: introduction

Reliability of basic data

The calculation of emission data has, since 1997, been based on annual environmental reports published by the corporate sector. Although the quality of the annual environmental reports has improved, incorrect and/or incomplete fuel data continue to present a difficulty in terms of arriving at a precise figure for, in particular, carnon dioxide emissions. The cabon dioxide emissions for recent years have been adjusted downwards because figures given by businesses in annual environmental reports have resulted in double counts in national totals. Because the calculations of greenhouse gas emissions are of major importance for the Kyoto Protocol and for international reporting obligations, work is taking place at present on establishing more transparent, consistent and precise methods for emission calculations.

• See Uncertainties about emissions to air

Calculation of emission data

Emissions of greenhouse gases are calculated using the RIVM-IPCC methods (Spakman et al., 1997/2003). Carbon dioxide emissions are adjusted for annual temperature fluctuations.

• See 'CO2 emissions explained' for an extensive discussion of the various methods for determining carbon dioxide emissions.

References

• CBS/Statline. Statistics Netherlands, Voorburg/Heerlen.
• Spakman, J., M.M.J. van Loon, R.J.K. van der Auweraert, D.J. Gielen, J.G.J. Olivier and E.A. Zonneveld (1997). Methode voor de berekening van broeikasgasemissies. Publicatiereeks Emissieregistratie/MilieuMonitor Nr. 37b, March 2003: electronic update of No. 37, July 1997, The Hague. An updated digital version (in Dutch) of the above document can be found on www.greenhouse gases.nl under "documenten" and "achtergrond informatie".
• VROM (2001). Uitvoeringsnota Klimaatbeleid. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Environmental pressure, theme of Climate change: introduction
• Carbon dioxide emissions in the Netherlands by target sector, 1990-2002
• Dutch CO2 emissions explained, 1990-2002*
• Emissions to air, 1990-2002*
• Climate change: policy
• Global carbon dioxide emissions, 1970-2001
• Global greenhouse gas emissions, 1970-2001
• See the Guide to 'Global air quality' section for the concentrations of greenhouse gases and for data about the greenhouse effect and the consequences for the climate.

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• The latest emission data can be viewed in detail from late June 2004 onwards on the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie'. This site also provides information about the methods for determining emission data and information about changes to methodology. Emission data relating to 2003 will be available from September 2004 onwards on the websites of the Environmental Data Compendium and the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie'.
• Information about current and future developments relating to the Climate change theme can be found in:
• Wijngaart, R. van den and J.R. Ybema (2002). Referentieraming broeikasgassen; Emissieraming voor de periode 2001-2010. RIVM (report no. 773001020). Bilthoven.
• Ybema, J.R., A.W.N. van Dril, R. van den Wijngaart and B. Daniels (2002). Referentieraming energie en CO2 2001-2010. ECN/RIVM, (report no. ECN-C-02-010), Petten.
• Boonekamp, P.G.M., Daniels, B.W., Dril, A.W.N. van, Kroon, P., Ybema, J.R., Wijngaart, R.A. van den (2003). Sectorale CO2-Emissies tot 2010: Update Referentieraming ten behoeve van besluitvorming over Streefwaarden. ECN/RIVM, (report no. ECN-C--03-095), Petten.
• Beker, D., C.J. Peek (2002). Referentieraming niet-CO2 broeikasgassen; Emissieraming voor de periode 2001-2010. RIVM (report no. 773001019 004 003). Bilthoven.
• RIVM (2004). Environmental Balance 2004 Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn.