Dutch greenhouse gas emissions rose slightly in 2025, mainly because more electricity was generated from coal and gas, according to provisional figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Total emissions were 0.8% higher than in 2024. This was down mainly to the electricity sector which produced 22% more greenhouse gases as power stations increased output to meet demand from Germany and Belgium.

At the same time, emissions fell in several other sectors, including manufacturing and transport, which both recorded reductions of more than 4% compared with the previous year.

Despite the long-term decline in emissions – now 36% below 1990 levels – the Netherlands still faces a steep challenge to meet its climate law target of a 55% reduction by 2030, meaning emissions will need to fall much faster over the next five years.