An analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shared exclusively with the Guardian logged 200 examples of the argument appearing in national newspapers of 27 countries that each accounted for less than 2% of global CO₂ emissions in 2024. Leaders including Rishi Sunak, Scott Morrison, Friedrich Merz, Giorgia Meloni and Tony Blair have cited the less‑than‑1% or 2% share to justify delaying or weakening climate policies, and a YouGov poll for the ECIU in April found one in four Britons believe countries emitting less than 1% should stop trying to reduce emissions, rising to half of Reform UK voters. Climate scientists counter that future warming is driven by future emissions, that wealthier nations have disproportionate historical responsibility per person, and that every avoided tonne of CO₂ improves outcomes.