Latest data shows wind and solar having a big impact on coal, gas and emissions, but the Australian switch to big diesel SUVs is eliminating most of those gains.

But there was also 5% increase in emissions from road petrol consumption and a 1.4% increase in emissions from road diesel consumption over the year to March 2023 – taking it close to, but not quite as high (3.6% below) pre-Covid levels.

According to the report, the “strong increase in diesel consumption since 2009” is largely driven by trends in the road transport sector, including the increasing popularity of diesel options for passenger vehicles – increasingly in the form of massive new SUVs.

Australia’s diesel vehicle stocks – including passenger, light commercial, freight and buses – have increased 84% since 2014, while petrol vehicle stocks have increased only 5% over the same period, albeit off a higher base, the inventory says.