At the ongoing COP28 climate summit in Dubai, United States Climate Envoy John Kerry is facing both criticism and high expectations as he addresses the global climate crisis. Despite landmark climate legislation and efforts to reengage with international climate negotiations, many nations and climate advocates remain skeptical of the U.S.'s commitment to addressing climate change.

One of the key points of contention is the trust deficit surrounding the U.S.'s track record in international climate negotiations. As historically the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the U.S. is being scrutinized for its past contributions to global warming. Although U.S. emissions have been declining, it still remains a significant polluter, surpassed only by China in terms of annual emissions.

Former President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement further eroded trust in the country's climate commitments. While President Joe Biden has since rejoined the agreement, there are lingering doubts about the U.S.'s long-term dedication to combating climate change.

"We have a trust deficit, in particular, with the U.S.," says Nisha Krishnan, climate director for the World Resources Institute's Africa office in Nairobi, reflecting sentiments shared by many climate advocates.

Despite these concerns, many recognize that the U.S. is indispensable in addressing climate change, particularly when collaborating with China. The partnership between the world's two largest economies and greenhouse gas emitters has historically been crucial to major climate breakthroughs. The Obama administration's diplomatic efforts with China played a pivotal role in paving the way for the Paris Agreement in 2015.

The financial aspect of climate negotiations also adds to the challenges faced by the U.S. Wealthier countries have pledged to provide hundreds of billions of dollars to support poorer nations in transitioning to clean energy and adapting to the impacts of climate change. However, Congress has been reluctant to allocate sufficient funds for these payments. Opposition to the Paris agreement, primarily from Republican lawmakers, contributes to the resistance in providing the necessary financial support.

The ongoing COP28 climate summit has seen some progress, with negotiators finalizing a new fund to assist developing countries in covering the costs of extreme weather events. The United Arab Emirates and Germany have committed $100 million each to the fund, while the United States has pledged to work with Congress to commit $17.5 million.

Despite these efforts, there is widespread frustration over the U.S.'s failure to fully meet its climate commitments and its lagging efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The world is falling far short of the target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

As the negotiations unfold in Dubai, many developing nations are calling for the U.S. to take greater responsibility for its role in global warming. Expectations are high for the U.S. to deliver concrete actions and finance initiatives that can make a meaningful impact on curbing climate change.

While some remain skeptical, others are hopeful that the U.S. will surprise them with bold and decisive actions. As Denise Fontanilla, International Program Director at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities in the Philippines, emphasizes, "It's just high time that the United States has to come to terms with its role in global warming."

As the COP28 climate summit progresses, all eyes are on the U.S. Climate Envoy and his team, waiting to see whether the U.S. can address the trust deficit, exceed expectations, and make significant strides in tackling the urgent global climate crisis.