Work out your diesel emissions
= 65.23 tonnes CO2e in 2026 (Scope 1)81.25 tonnes including upstream Scope 3
Each litre × 2.718 kg CO2e, the 2026 NGA Factors (DCCEEW) figure for cars and light commercial vehicles.
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Diesel emission factor by NGA edition (cars and light commercial vehicles)
| NGA edition | Energy content (GJ per kL) | CO2 | CH4 | N2O | Scope 1 (kg CO2e per GJ) | Scope 3 (kg CO2e per GJ) | Scope 1 per litre (kg) | Table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 0.01 | 0.5 | 70.41 | 17.3 | 2.718 | Table 9 |
| 2025 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 0.01 | 0.5 | 70.41 | 17.3 | 2.718 | Table 9 |
| 2024 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 0.01 | 0.5 | 70.41 | 17.3 | 2.718 | Table 9 |
| 2023 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 0.01 | 0.5 | 70.41 | 17.3 | 2.718 | Table 8 |
| 2022 | 38.6 | 69.9 | 0.01 | 0.5 | 70.41 | 17.3 | 2.718 | Table 7 |
Row as published: "Diesel oil" in Table 9 Direct (scope 1) and indirect (scope 3) emission factors for the consumption of transport fuels in different transport equipment. CO2, CH4 and N2O are in kg CO2e per GJ; Scope 1 is the three added together. Energy content is gross calorific value. The figures have not changed between the 2022 and 2026 editions.
Diesel for other uses (2026 edition)
| Use | Energy content (GJ per kL) | Scope 1 (kg CO2e per GJ) | Scope 1 (kg CO2e per litre) | Scope 3 (kg CO2e per litre) | Table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars and light commercial vehiclesCars, utes and vans | 38.6 | 70.41 | 2.718 | 0.668 | Table 9 |
| Heavy duty vehicles, Euro IV or newerTrucks and buses | 38.6 | 70.37 | 2.716 | 0.668 | Table 9 |
| Stationary energyGenerators, boilers and plant that doesn't move on roads | 38.6 | 70.2 | 2.710 | 0.668 | Table 8 |
Worked example
Take a fleet of utes and vans using 24,000 litres a year. Scope 1: 24,000 litres × 2.718 kg = 65.2 tonnes CO2e. Scope 3 (fuel extraction, refining and transport): 24,000 litres × 0.668 kg = 16.0 tonnes CO2e. The NGA Factors work it the same way: litres ÷ 1,000 × energy content (GJ per kL) × factor (kg CO2e per GJ).
How to use it
Diesel burnt in vehicles, boilers or equipment your business owns or controls is Scope 1. Multiply the litres used by the factor for the year. The NGA factors are per GJ of energy, so for fuel bought by the litre you multiply by the energy content as well (or use the per litre figure above, which already does). Pick the row that matches how the fuel is used: the table above shows each one.
Common mistakes: multiplying litres straight by the per GJ factor (the answer comes out 25 to 40 times too big); mixing up MJ and GJ on gas bills; counting fuel twice when it is in both a fuel card report and expense claims; and leaving out leased vehicles your business runs, which are usually in your Scope 1 under the operational control approach. The Scope 3 factor covers the fuel's supply chain and is reported separately, not added into Scope 1.
Which rules apply: the NGA fuel methods follow Method 1 of the NGER Measurement Determination; companies reporting under NGER take their figures from the Determination itself. Companies reporting under the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (AASB S2) disclose Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and the GHG Protocol treats fuel your business burns as Scope 1. UK companies with Australian sites or vehicles can use these factors for that fuel; for UK fuel use the UK government factors.
Where to find your litres
Fuel card statements list litres for every fill-up, which is the best source. Without fuel cards, use receipts or expense claims in litres; work back from spend only as a last resort, and say so in your report.
Related emission factors
- Petrol: 67.62 kg CO2e per GJ (2026)
- LPG: 60.6 kg CO2e per GJ (2026)
- Natural gas: 51.53 kg CO2e per GJ (2026)
- All Australian emission factors (NGA 2026)
- Australia grid average (Ember, every year since 2000)
- UK and other emission factors
Source: DCCEEW 2026, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts Factors, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Canberra, August. CC BY 4.0. Earlier editions: DCCEEW 2025, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts Factors, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Canberra. CC BY 4.0. (and the same for each year back to 2022). Carbon Recycling is not connected with or endorsed by DCCEEW; the worked examples and per litre figures are our own arithmetic from the published factors.