The rise in consumer consumption of SUVs made them the second - largest contributor to CO2 emissions increases over the past 10 years , according to a summary for the World emissions Outlook 2019 . While passenger consumption as a whole had a negative net contribution to vehicle output over the period , the SUV sector contributed more to emissions growth than heavy industry , automotive , aviation or shipping due to energy consumption 25 % higher than medium - sized vehicles . SUVs were pointed out as a counterexample to those who argue that energy regulations have unfairly targeted cars .
The rise in consumer use of SUVs made them the second-largest contributor to CO2 emissions increases over the past 10 years, according to a summary for the World Energy Outlook 2019. While passenger cars as a whole had a negative net contribution to CO2 output over the period, the SUV sector contributed more to emissions growth than heavy industry, trucking, aviation or shipping due to energy consumption 25% higher than medium-sized vehicles. SUVs were singled out as a counterexample to those who feel that energy regulations have unfairly targeted cars.