Setting Net-Zero Targets: Why the US and Iran Stand Alone Among Major Emitters

Overview

In recent years, voices on the right of UK politics, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and GB News owner Paul Marshall, have argued that the UK's net-zero target is "unilateral" and should be abandoned. However, data paints a very different picture: 140 of the world's 198 countries—71%—have set net-zero targets. In fact, among the top 20 carbon dioxide emitters, only the United States and Iran lack such a goal. This tutorial will guide you through understanding global net-zero commitments, why these two nations are outliers, and how to evaluate such claims yourself.

Prerequisites

• Basic familiarity with climate change terminology (e.g., net-zero, carbon dioxide emissions).
• Access to a web browser for exploring datasets like the Net Zero Tracker.
• Interest in geopolitical and environmental policy analysis.

Step 1: Gather Data on National Net-Zero Targets

The first step is to access reliable data on which countries have adopted net-zero targets. The Net Zero Tracker consortium maintains a comprehensive database that categorizes commitments by type: in law, in policy document, pledge, or proposal. As of May 2026, 34 nations—including the UK—have enshrined their target in law, the highest level of commitment. Another 63 nations have stated the goal in policy documents, 16 have made a pledge, and 23 have a proposal. Four nations have declared they have already reached net-zero. Overall, 74% of global emissions are covered by some kind of national net-zero target.

Step 2: Identify the World's Top Emitters

Next, identify the top 20 carbon dioxide emitters. These include major economies like China, the United States, India, Russia, Japan, and Iran. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that reaching net-zero CO2 emissions is the only way to halt global warming. While China announced its net-zero target in 2020, and India, Saudi Arabia, and Russia followed in 2021, the US and Iran remain without any national net-zero goal.

Step 3: Compare Targets Against Emissions

Overlay the net-zero target data with emitter lists. The map from the original analysis shows visually that the US and Iran are the sole top-20 emitters with no target. Note that the US had a target under President Joe Biden, but it was abandoned by the Trump administration. Despite this, 18 US regions and 43 cities still maintain net-zero commitments—a nuance often overlooked in debates. Iran has never adopted a net-zero target at any level of government.

Step 4: Understand Types of Commitments

Not all targets are equal. Use the Net Zero Tracker's classification to differentiate between legal, policy, pledge, and proposal categories. For example, the UK's target is in law, giving it stronger enforcement potential than a mere proposal. This distinction matters when comparing countries: some may have a target but lack binding legislation.

Step 5: Analyze Political and Geopolitical Context

Finally, consider the political and economic drivers. As John Lang, lead of the Net Zero Tracker, notes: "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. Arguing against net-zero is arguing for greater exposure to geopolitical instability and energy price shocks." This step helps you see why the UK's right-wing claims of unilateralism are false: if the UK abandoned its target, it would join a group consisting only of the US and Iran among major emitters.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming net-zero is unilateral: The data shows 71% of nations have targets, covering 74% of global emissions.
• Confusing US federal with subnational action: While the US federal government lacks a target, many states and cities retain commitments.
• Ignoring the type of commitment: A pledge is less binding than a law; use the classification system to avoid overgeneralizing.

Summary

By following these steps, you can independently verify claims about global net-zero progress. The key takeaway: only two major emitters—the US and Iran—lack national net-zero targets, making the UK's adoption of such a goal far from unilateral. Understanding the data empowers more informed climate policy discussions.