Dutch greenhouse horticulture CO2 emissions show slight increase in 2017

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands: According to the 2017 Dutch greenhouse horticulture energy monitor, published by Wageningen Economic Research (WEcR), the sector’s total annual CO2 emissions in 2017 increased slightly by 0.2 Mtonnes to reach 5.9Mtonnes. The increase is due to higher energy use per m2, increased electricity sales, economic growth and the higher use of green electricity which doubled last year.

Whilst a decrease of emissions is expected for the next few years, WEcR expects the sector will fail to meet its 2020 target. In the near future, a stabilising total greenhouse production area combined with higher energy use per m2 greenhouse area and continuing electricity sales will negatively impact the sector’s CO2 emissions. The research institute adds that it is still too early to confirm a reversal of a two-year trend.

From 2020 all new Dutch greenhouses must be climate and carbon neutral which has thrown down a challenge to the country’s horticulture research establishment. Dutch greenhouse horticulture has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to a maximum of 4.6 Mtonnes in 2020 however it is anticipated that, by then, emissions will amount to 6.3 Mtonnes.