This refers to the fact that EU member states such as Germany and the United Kingdom have achieved low emissions as the result of the closure of economically inefficient industries. Europe is opposed to most of the US conditions for an agreement to limit emissions. Because of this it has enjoyed support from developing countries and plaudits from environmentalists. This has made US officials uncomfortable, and they used the first day of the conference to expose inconsistencies in the EU's proposal to limit emissions. US support for differentiated targets puts the EU in an embarrassing position.
Member states are opposed to differentiated targets.
But their flat-rate target is the result of differentiated responsibilities between the 15 states. Some will reduce their emissions. Others, such as France, will stabilize. Poorer countries, such as Portugal and Greece, will be allowed to increase emissions to a certain level.