Netherlands CO₂ Emissions
The Netherlands emitted 115 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.3% of the global total. That ranks it 40th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 6.3 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does the Netherlands emit?
The Netherlands produced 115 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so the Netherlands accounts for 0.3% of it.
With a population of about 18 million, that is 6.3 tonnes per person, 1.3 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands since 1990
Annual emissions in the Netherlands have fallen by 30% since 1990, from 163 million tonnes to 115 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 27%. Emissions peaked in 1979 at 187 million tonnes and are now 39% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Gas is the largest source of CO₂ in the Netherlands, at about 47% of the total, followed by oil at 35% and coal at 16%.
How the Netherlands compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to the Netherlands in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Qatar | 125.81 | 0.33% | 41.27 |
| 39 | Venezuela | 116.04 | 0.30% | 4.08 |
| 40 | Netherlands | 114.79 | 0.30% | 6.30 |
| 41 | Bangladesh | 108.32 | 0.28% | 0.62 |
| 42 | Colombia | 92.66 | 0.24% | 1.75 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, the Netherlands has emitted about 12.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.66% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.3% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does the Netherlands emit per year?
The Netherlands emitted 115 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.3% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in the Netherlands?
About 6.3 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 1.3 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands rising or falling?
They have fallen by 27% over the last ten years and fallen by 30% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1979 at 187 million tonnes and are now 39% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in the Netherlands?
Gas is the largest source, responsible for about 47% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 35%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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