Netherlands Carbon Footprint
Netherlands emits 158 million tonnes of CO₂ per year — equivalent to 8.78 tonnes per person, 93.4% above the global average of 4.54 tonnes.
Per-capita emissions comparison
Overview: Netherlands's emissions profile
Netherlands is a Europe nation with a population of approximately 18 million. Its total annual CO₂ output of 158 million tonnes represents 0.4% of global emissions. On a per-capita basis, each person in Netherlands is responsible for 8.78 tonnes of CO₂ per year — compared to the world average of 4.54 tonnes and the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C pathway target of 2.3 tonnes.
Renewable energy in Netherlands
Source: IEA 2023. Global average: ~30%.
Netherlands currently generates 33% of electricity from renewables — below the global average of around 30%. Expanding renewable capacity is one of the highest-leverage actions available for reducing national emissions.
Net zero target and climate commitments
Netherlands has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This aligns with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
The Paris Agreement (2015) requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — national plans for emissions reduction. Progress against these targets is tracked by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Carbon intensity of the economy
Netherlands's economy generates 0.16 kg of CO₂ per dollar of GDP — a measure of how carbon-efficient its economic output is. This is broadly average for an upper-middle or high-income economy.
How does Netherlands compare?
With 8.78 tonnes CO₂ per person, Netherlands is 93.4% above the world average of 4.54 tonnes. To meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C pathway, per-capita emissions globally need to fall to around 2.3 tonnes by 2030 — meaning Netherlands needs to reduce per-capita emissions by 282% from today's levels.
Explore the interactive world emissions map to compare Netherlands with other countries, or use our free carbon calculator to measure your own footprint.
Frequently asked questions
What is Netherlands's carbon footprint per person?
Netherlands's carbon footprint is approximately 8.78 tonnes of CO₂ per person per year. The global average is 4.54 tonnes. Netherlands is 93.4% above the world average.
What are Netherlands's total CO₂ emissions?
Netherlands emits approximately 158 million tonnes of CO₂ per year (IEA 2023 data). This accounts for 0.4% of global annual CO₂ emissions.
Does Netherlands have a net zero target?
Yes — Netherlands has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
What share of Netherlands's energy comes from renewables?
Approximately 33% of Netherlands's electricity generation comes from renewable sources (IEA 2023). This is around the global average.