Most of the greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands are related to exports. This is according to data from the Central Statistical Office. This mainly affects emission-intensive sectors such as agriculture, industry and transport. “Exports here score three times worse than average emissions from the rest of the economy.”
Statistics Netherlands has examined the relationship between the Dutch economy and CO2 emissions. According to energy journalist Mark Beekhuis, almost 90% of emissions from Dutch companies are due to agriculture, industry, the energy sector, water companies and waste management and the transport sector. While these industries generate only 21 percent of the Netherlands’ added value.
Low income, high emissions
«A strange relationship, but on the other hand we will not only stop the oil industry. Electricity producers are also underperforming, as are the chemical industry and aviation. All major issuers from which we earn relatively little.’
Compared to the rest of the European Union, the Netherlands is doing well. This has to do with the fact that the Dutch economy mostly revolves around the service sector. ‘But if you correct for how many services and industry Europe has on average, then the Netherlands is not doing so well at all. We still have an advantage, but this is diminishing because the rest of the European Union is moving fast.’
Ukrainian War
The war in Ukraine also complicates matters, says Beekhuis. “There’s a problem there. We also now import 55% more coal than we did a year ago. The contribution of the energy sector to the climate has worsened significantly.
Source: BNR
Andrew Dwight is an author and economy journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of financial markets and a passion for analyzing economic trends and news. With a talent for breaking down complex economic concepts into easily understandable terms, Andrew has become a respected voice in the field of economics journalism.
