Dutch greenhouse gas emissions were down 9% in the third quarter of this year when compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to more environment-friendly electricity production.

The electricity sector produced 37% less carbon dioxide during the period as the use of coal-fired power stations fell. The figures are preliminary and come from national statistics agency CBS and the RIVM public health institute.

Coal-fired electricity production was down 79% over the period, while production via wind rose 65%, gas 16% and solar 13%.

The decline in the use of coal also cut the share of greenhouse gases produced by the energy sector from 23% to 16% of the total.

Industry remains the biggest polluter, accounting for almost 39% of greenhouse gas emissions, despite using more gas and less oil and coal. This was virtually unchanged on 2022.

There was a 6% rise in emissions generated by farming, as lower gas prices encouraged more greenhouse growers to use more heat. But the contribution made by livestock and arable farming remained unchanged. In total, farming accounted for 17% of greenhouse gas emissions between July and September.