Breaking: US and Iran Stand Alone as World’s Only Major Polluters Without Net-Zero Pledges

Global Net-Zero Targets: A Snapshot

The United States and Iran are the only two of the world’s top 20 carbon emitters that lack national net-zero targets, according to the latest data from the Net Zero Tracker. This finding contradicts claims from UK right-wing figures that the country is an outlier in pursuing climate goals.

As of May 2026, 140 of 198 countries—71%—have adopted net-zero targets, covering roughly 74% of global emissions. The UK set its legally binding target in 2019, becoming the first major economy to do so, and has since been joined by China, India, Saudi Arabia, and others.

Background: The UK’s Net-Zero Debate

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and GB News owner Paul Marshall have asserted that the UK is pursuing a "unilateral" path on net-zero, arguing other nations are not following. Badenoch claimed countries are "not following us," while Marshall described the policy as "unilateral economic disarmament."

However, these statements ignore the global consensus. The Net Zero Tracker shows that 34 nations, including the UK, have enshrined net-zero in law; 63 have policy documents; 16 made pledges; and 23 have proposals. Only four nations claim to have already reached net-zero.

What This Means

If the UK were to scrap its net-zero target—as advocated by both the Conservatives and Reform UK—it would join the US and Iran in a small group of major emitters without a commitment. This would isolate the UK from the global trajectory aligned with IPCC science, which states that reaching net-zero CO2 emissions is the only way to halt global warming.

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. Arguing against net-zero is arguing for greater exposure to geopolitical instability and energy price shocks."

The US, the world’s largest historical emitter, abandoned its net-zero target under the Trump administration, though 18 states and 43 cities still maintain commitments. Iran has never set a target.

Key Data Points

• 140 of 198 countries have net-zero targets (71%)
• Top 20 emitters without targets: US and Iran
• Global emissions covered: 74%
• Legally binding targets: 34 countries
• US subnational commitments: 18 regions, 43 cities

Source: Net Zero Tracker, IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

Jump to Background section | See What This Means