Abstract
This study aims to explain how the differences in political system in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the European Union affect the policymaking regarding international negotiation on climate change. The Netherlands' position on ambitious emission reduction targets was elevated by the country's election system that stimulates politicians' individual eagerness to be leaders, and the country's policy making process that involves various domestic actors. Germany's leadership position has been lowered in the hierarchy of leadership in climate change negotiation over the past decade. Such change has been influenced by decline of public awareness towards climate change and German political system that reflects such a shift of public awareness. The United Kingdom had not been much supportive of a strong EU position towards emission reduction targets and rather played a role of mediator between the EU and the United States. The United Kingdom's election system that hampers growth of Green Party, and its policy making process that mainly involves related departments within the government have affected its position. As the EU becomes more integrated in the future, it will not be any individual country such as the Netherlands and Germany but the EU as a whole, or the European Commission, that is more likely to take the leadership role within Europe and at international negotiations on climate change.
