Greenhouse gas emissions fall 5% as coal use drops

Greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands were just over 5% lower in the first quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, mainly because power stations burned less coal, according to preliminary figures from national statistics office CBS and public health institute RIVM.

Total emissions came to 42.2 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent, down from 44.6 megatonnes in the first quarter of 2025. The decline came as the economy grew 1.2% over the same period.

The fall reverses a 7% rise in the same quarter last year, when power stations ramped up coal and gas use.

Coal down, wind up

The electricity sector cut its emissions by 12.5%, burning almost a quarter less coal, even though it generated more electricity overall. Most of the extra output came from wind power, as the first quarter was windier than a year earlier.

Industrial emissions fell just over 4%, largely because of lower oil use as production declined, particularly in the chemicals sector.

Emissions from transport were down just over 5% as drivers used less diesel and petrol. Diesel has become relatively more expensive in the Netherlands than in neighbouring countries, making it more attractive to fill up across the border, CBS said.

Fuel bought abroad does not count towards Dutch emissions under international accounting rules.

The figures are provisional and may be revised. In March, CBS reported that emissions for 2025 as a whole rose slightly, leaving the Netherlands well short of its climate law target of a 55% cut on 1990 levels by 2030.