Where climate change policies are in action - Statista

Last year was the hottest on record, with the global average temperature more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels over an entire calendar year for the first time, Statista reports.

Scientists have repeatedly stated that the world must remain below this threshold to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. While a growing number of countries are setting ambitious targets to reduce their production of greenhouse gases, new data shows that many are lagging behind in implementing different climate policies.

According to the REN21 Global Status Report 2025, 90 countries had net-zero emissions targets in place last year, with 68 of these having set 2050 as the target year. Cabo Verde had the most ambitious target (2025), followed by Dominica, Liechtenstein, Maldives and Uzbekistan (all with 2030 as the target year). At the other end of the spectrum, India set its target year to 2070. Meanwhile, 43 additional countries had a net zero target that was proposed but had not yet been fully enacted. Analysts write that despite continued global commitment, some countries have also experienced setbacks. For example, Scotland postponed its 2030 climate targets to 2045 due to being unachievable.

Dozens of countries have both set net-zero emissions targets and also carbon pricing policies such as carbon taxes and emission trading systems (ETS). Several European countries, including Germany, France, Sweden and the Netherlands, as well as large emitters China, India and Brazil, are among those combining both approaches. By contrast, the United States and Russia are among 45 countries to have set net-zero targets but not carbon pricing policies. South Africa, Indonesia and Mexico are among the group of 8 countries to have introduced carbon pricing but have not yet committed to net-zero targets.

Analysts note, however, that many of the existing carbon pricing policies cover only a small portion of national emissions or just one end-use sector. For example, 51 countries covered emissions from industry and 45 countries covered emissions from transport (including aviation), while only 23 countries covered emissions from buildings and just 17 nations covered emissions from the agricultural sector.

You will find more infographics at Statista