Studies have shown that it is the developed countries that emit the most carbon (one of the major green house gases). The Kyoto Protocol recognizes this difference in emissions levels between the developed and developing countries, and responds to this by dividing the responsibilities. For example, developing countries, such as, India and China have been exempt from the first target year as they were not the main contributors of green house gas emissions during the industrialization period (circa. 1990). This has been criticized by a few developed countries as unfair.

In short, every country will sacrifice - but the Kyoto protocol takes into account every country's social and economical status and, and sets their goal according to that.