US and Iran Stand Alone as Major Emitters Without Net-Zero Climate Targets, New Analysis Shows

Only two of the world's top 20 carbon dioxide emitters—the United States and Iran—have no net-zero target, according to the Net Zero Tracker consortium. This revelation directly debunks claims from UK right-leaning figures who argue the country's climate goal is unilateral. Read the background on these political arguments. See what this means for global energy security.

Key data: 140 out of 198 nations (71%) now have net-zero targets. Among the top 20 emitters, only the US and Iran are missing, as shown in the latest tracking update.

"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," said John Lang, lead of the Net Zero Tracker. "Arguing against net-zero is arguing for greater exposure to geopolitical instability and energy price shocks."

Background: UK Political Claims Debunked

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has asserted that other countries are "not following us" on net-zero. GB News owner Paul Marshall claimed the UK is pursuing "unilateral economic disarmament." However, these statements ignore that the vast majority of nations are pursuing similar targets.

The UK was the first major economy to set a net-zero target in 2019. Since then, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and many others have followed. Now, 74% of global emissions are covered by some form of national net-zero commitment.

What This Means: Geopolitical and Energy Implications

The absence of US and Iran targets leaves two of the world's most oil-dependent economies without a planned path away from fossil fuels. The Trump administration abandoned the previous net-zero goal set under President Biden, leaving US climate policy directionless at the federal level.

Even so, 18 US regions and 43 cities retain net-zero pledges. But the nation as a whole—the largest historical emitter—has no binding target, weakening global climate momentum.

For the UK, scrapping its net-zero target would place it alongside only Iran and the US among the top 20 emitters—a position that would undermine its leadership and energy independence. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that reaching net-zero CO2 emissions is the only path to halt global warming.

Global Net-Zero Landscape

• 34 countries, including the UK, have enshrined net-zero into law.
• 63 nations have stated their goal in a policy document.
• 16 have made a pledge, and 23 have a proposal.
• 4 nations claim to have already reached net-zero.

This article draws on data from the Net Zero Tracker and Carbon Brief reporting.