Why were developing countries exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits State parties to reduce greenhouse gas emission.

Developing countries like China and India were exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto protocol because they were not the main contributors to the green house gas emissions during the industrialization period that is believed to be causing today’s climate change.