Valerie Volcovici and Jeff Mason

GLASGOW/WASHINGTON -President Joe Biden sought Monday to reassure world leaders that the United States would keep its promise of halving greenhouse gas emission by 2010. However, a setback back home raised concerns about Biden’s ability and willingness to deliver.

Biden joined leaders from over 100 countries in Glasgow for the start of the COP26 climate conference https://www.reuters.com/business/cop, which kicked off on the heels of the G20 summit in Rome that concluded with a statement that urged “meaningful and effective” action on climate change but left huge work for negotiators to ensure an ambitious outcome.

Biden was elected to succeed Donald Trump in January. In January, he pledged earlier this month that the United States would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50%-52% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. Even though the White House is confident it will achieve those targets, a bill which would further them remains in Congress with one key senator refusing to support him, Monday’s meeting was a reminder that this bill has not been approved by Congress.

Biden was trying to prove to the world Washington is capable of addressing global warming, even if policies adopted by Republican or Democratic administrations have weakened its promises in the past.

He stated that the United States would show the rest of the world how it is leading the way by example and not just being back at the table. “I know it hasn’t been the case, and that’s why my administration is working overtime to show that our climate commitment is action, not words.”

Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, causing a major blow to international efforts in the area while he was president. Biden was also elected to the presidency.

Biden stated at a separate COP26 meeting, “I don’t think I should apologize. But I do apologize that the United States pulled out from the Paris agreements in its last administration.”

Biden had been in Scotland meeting with international leaders when moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin stated that he did not support the $1.75 trillion legislation framework, which is essential to attaining President Barack Obama’s goals for reducing emissions.

Gina McCarthy, National Climate Adviser, said that Biden would arrive in Glasgow with $555 billion worth of climate spending. It was the largest ever investment made to combat global warming. The bill will also allow for the nation to cut emissions to the tune of well above a gigaton (or a quarter billion metric tons) by 2030.

Biden presented a long-term strategy that outlines how the United States will achieve its longer-term goal to have net-zero emission by 2050.

Biden stated that the world must help the developing countries in their fight against climate change during his COP26 speech.

He stated, “Right Now we are still falling short.”

Biden intends to collaborate with Congress to establish a $3Billion program that would help the developing nations adapt to the climate change impacts through local-led actions.

McCarthy addressed reporters’ concerns about Friday’s Supreme Court announcement that the agency responsible for regulating greenhouse gases emissions would be reviewed by it. This could potentially undermine U.S. climate objectives.

McCarthy declared, “We believe that the Supreme Court is going to confirm the things they’ve seen,”