The article discusses the history of global environmental policies and focuses on the struggles over the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It presents case studies from Australia, the United States, Canada, France, and Germany. Australia and the US decided not to ratify the treaty in 2001 due to domestic constraints. Canada had a debate on international environmental policy and sovereignty. France and Germany played key roles in developing the Kyoto Protocol and pushed for its ratification by all EU member states.