The CO2 emissions of 345 big polluters in the Netherlands dropped by over 13 percent to 58.9 million tons last year. That is a record annual decrease, the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) reported. The energy sector saw the biggest drop, while the aviation sector’s emissions increased by 11 percent, NOS reports.
The energy sector - responsible for the largest share of CO2 emissions - saw its emissions fall by 5.7 million tons compared to 2022. The sector accounted for over two-thirds of the total decrease last year.
The big drop is due to energy companies generating more electricity from renewable sources and less from fossil fuels. That is striking, given that the government lifted restrictions on coal-fired power stations last year due to concerns about the security of the electricity supply. According to the NEa, the four Dutch coal power plants emitted 4.6 million tons less CO2 than in 2022.
CO2 emissions in the aviation sector increased by 11 percent last year. It concerns flights within the European Economic Area by airlines that fall under Dutch supervision. The fact that planes are becoming cleaner cannot outweigh the increased number of flights, the NEa said. The aviation sector’s CO2 emissions are approaching the sector’s pre-pandemic peak again.
Make international train travel cheaper, and make flying more expensive, FFS!
We subsidize airlines to an insane degree when honestly they are only needed for trips across oceans or very long distance trips like LA to New York and London to Instanbul
