Urgenda target for greenhouse gas emissions achieved in 2020
Emissions from coal-fired power stations will have halved by 2020, as a result of a sharp decline in the use of coal. At the same time, the share of biomass in the energy sector has increased sharply (130 percent), according to figures from the Dutch Emissions Authority. The drop in emissions is partly due to corona. But the most striking shift is from coal to biomass (for example the burning of waste and residual wood, biofuels and organic waste) in the energy sector.
In 2020, greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands were 25,5 percent lower than in 1990. The Urgenda target (at least 25 percent fewer emissions) was therefore achieved. In the last five years, emissions from coal-fired power stations have been reduced by 80 percent. In the corona year 2020, emissions from road traffic were 15 percent lower than in 2019. In addition, 2020 was a relatively warm year, which meant that less natural gas was needed for heating than in 2019. Statistics Netherlands reports this together with the RIVM based on final figures from the emission registration.
A quarter less emissions than in 1990
In the Netherlands, the Urgenda target has been in place since 2015 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 2020 percent in 25 compared to 1990 levels. With a 25,5 percent reduction, the Urgenda target has been achieved in 2020. Since 2015, emissions from the electricity sector have fallen by 39 percent, partly thanks to the closure of some coal-fired power stations. Emissions from coal-fired power stations have fallen by 80 percent in the last five years.
Significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions in 2020
In 2020, greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 164 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent. That is 56 megatons of CO2 equivalent less than in 1990. Of this decrease, 16 megatons of CO2 equivalent was achieved in 2020. In 2020, the electricity sector emitted almost 9 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent less than a year earlier by using less coal.
In the mobility sector (traffic and transport), 4,5 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent less were emitted than in 2019. This is related to a 15 percent lower emission from road traffic as a result of the corona advice to stay at home as much as possible, and if possible to work from home. By using less natural gas in the relatively warm year of 2020, homes and offices emitted approximately 1,5 megatons of CO2 equivalent less.
