U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, is participating in the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Kerry has emphasized the United States’ commitment to addressing climate change under President Biden’s leadership. However, many nations and climate advocates express skepticism due to the U.S.’s historical record as a major greenhouse gas emitter and occasional roadblock in international climate negotiations.
The U.S. has made efforts to reduce emissions and passed significant climate legislation, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. Nevertheless, critics argue that the U.S. needs to do more to fulfill its promises, including providing financial support to help developing countries transition to cleaner energy and adapt to climate change.
Despite these concerns, the U.S. remains crucial in global climate negotiations, particularly in collaboration with China. The Obama administration’s diplomatic efforts with China paved the way for the 2015 Paris Agreement. The relationship between the U.S. and China on climate issues has faced challenges but has recently seen renewed cooperation, as demonstrated by a meeting between climate envoys John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua in California.
The ongoing COP28 climate summit aims to make progress on climate finance and renewable energy deployment. While some hope for significant developments, others acknowledge the geopolitical challenges and consider any progress a success. Developing nations, however, urge the U.S. to take greater responsibility for its role in global warming.
The U.S.’s current efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions fall short of its own commitments under the Paris Agreement, and the world is not on track to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Expectations for the outcome of the climate summit vary, with some hoping for positive surprises from the U.S. delegation.