European Union leaders in Brussels have agreed a deal on how to help developing countries fight global warming.

After breaking a deadlock at an EU summit, the group decided on an offer that will be presented at upcoming climate talks in Copenhagen.

[Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President]:
"We are ready, let's engage, let's make Copenhagen a success. That does not mean being naive. Our offers are not a blank check. We are ready to act if our partners deliver."

Leaders agreed that developing countries need 100 billion Euros a year – or $148 billion – by the year 2020 in order to battle climate change.

The bloc will pay for a large chunk of that, but wants rich countries world-wide to contribute up to half the amount.

The deal was under threat when less prosperous EU nations argued they should pay less.

Now, they're looking into splitting the bill in a way that won't hurt their economies.

The group promised it will try to cut emissions 30 percent below 1990 levels if a deal is struck in Copenhagen.

But, Poland, which houses the EU's most polluting power plant, says this won't be easy.

[Mikolaj Dowgielewicz, European Affairs Polish Chief]:
"We don't want to become a museum of folklore of Eastern Europe. We want to develop quickly and this is in the interest of the European economy. At the same time, due to the structure of the polish power sector, we cannot reduce emissions very quickly, so basically, the scope for emission reductions is very limited.''

Talks in Copenhagen this December will try to find a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the United Nations scheme against climate change. But, success at the talks is likely to hinge on money.

Environmental group Greenpeace says 100 billion Euros is not enough but it's a start.

[Joris Den Blanken, Greenpeace]:
"EU leaders today backed global funding for climate action in developing countries but they failed to really put their money where their mouth is. They did not indicate what is their share in the contributions for climate action. But not all is lost, 27 of the richest countries in the world have indicated money for Copenhagen and this really gives us a ray of hope for the international negotiations and that is what is needed. It is now also up to others, for example President Obama, to also put money on the table."

Without that money from rich nations, developing countries say they won't sign up to tackling climate change.

They say that's because industries from developed countries are responsible for much of the damage already done to the planet.