Net-Zero Reality Check: US and Iran Stand Alone Among Top Emitters Without Climate Targets

Breaking News: Only Two Major Emitters Lack Net-Zero Goals

The United States and Iran are the only two of the world's top 20 carbon dioxide emitters without a net-zero target, new data reveals. This fact directly contradicts claims by UK right-wing figures that Britain is an outlier in its climate commitments.

According to the Net Zero Tracker, 140 of the world's 198 countries—71%—have set net-zero targets. The UK, which was the first major economy to adopt such a goal in 2019, is far from alone.

Background

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has repeatedly argued that other nations are 'not following us' on net-zero. GB News owner Paul Marshall also claimed in March that the UK is 'pursuing unilateral economic disarmament.' These statements ignore that China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Russia have all announced net-zero targets since 2020.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that reaching net-zero CO2 emissions is the only way to halt global warming. Currently, 34 nations—including the UK—have enshrined their targets into law, the highest level of commitment.

What This Means

John Lang, lead of the Net Zero Tracker, told Carbon Brief: 'Ironically, of the world’s 20 largest emitters, only the US and Iran lack net-zero targets – precisely as the Iran crisis exposes the risks of dependence on fossil fuels and volatile oil markets.' He added: 'Arguing against net-zero is arguing for greater exposure to geopolitical instability and energy price shocks.'

The US, the world's largest historical emitter, had a target under former President Joe Biden but abandoned it under the current Trump administration. However, 18 US regions and 43 cities still maintain net-zero commitments.

If the UK were to scrap its target, as urged by the opposition Conservatives and Reform UK, it would join the small group of major emitters without one. That group currently includes just Iran and the US.