This chapter examines the multifaceted politics behind climate change mitigation. It opens by establishing that human activities—particularly the emission of greenhouse gases driven by industrialization and Western consumerism—are warming the planet, making effective global policies imperative. The chapter outlines the stark disparities in emissions, noting that while China is the largest annual emitter, per-capita emissions remain highest in the U.S. and other developed nations, with historical contributions placing a greater burden on the Global North. It critically reviews decades of international negotiations—from Kyoto to the Paris Agreement—highlighting their inability to produce binding, transformative measures. The chapter also explores how market-based mechanisms like carbon credit trading have largely amounted to greenwashing, failing to deliver real emission cuts. Moreover, it emphasizes that the climate crisis is exacerbated by the disproportionate impact of emissions from the super-rich, military activities, and economic growth in emerging economies. Ultimately, the chapter argues for a systemic, justice-oriented approach that integrates robust state-led interventions, decarbonizes key sectors, and rectifies historical inequities, as the only viable pathway to limit warming and secure a sustainable future for all.