EU leaders have reached a landmark deal to cut greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels.

The binding decision came after heated discussions at a summit in Brussels, as some members had argued that their varied interests should be protected.

Correspondents say it could make the EU a leader again in climate policy.

The bloc also agreed to boost the use of renewable energy to 27% in the total energy mix and increase energy efficiency to at least 27%.

There were deep divisions within the EU on emissions cuts.

Poland, which is heavily reliant on coal, fears that the costs of decarbonising its economy will slow business growth. Its concerns at the summit were echoed by other central and east European members.

The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said afterwards that some poorer EU members would get help - including additional funds - in reaching the agreed targets.

The UK also had opposed nationally binding targets for renewables - mainly wind, solar and hydroelectric power. The UK is also embracing shale gas and nuclear as alternatives to the current over-reliance on oil and gas imports.

'Very modest' package

Leaders had been cautious about the prospect of a deal, before holding talks late into the night.

But in the early hours of Friday, Mr Van Rompuy, wrote in a tweet: "Deal! At least 40% emissions cut by 2030. World's most ambitious, cost-effective, fair #EU2030 climate energy policy agreed ."

The EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, said she was "very proud" that the leaders "were able to get their act together on this pressing climate challenge".

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "We made a decisive step forward."

The EU is already on target to cut its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, compared with 1990 emission levels.

EU officials earlier said they wanted the EU to have an "ambitious position" in the run up to the UN climate change conference in Paris in December 2015.

Europe's reliance on Russian gas has become a hot topic because of the Ukraine crisis, besides the climate impact of CO2.

However, environmentalist groups said the EU could have done more.

Joris den Blanken of Greenpeace called it a "very modest" package.

"It will mean a slowdown in clean energy development in Europe,'' he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

In the Belgian capital, the EU leaders were also expected to agree to boost measures to stop the spread of Ebola.

The UK is expected to urge its EU partners to send more medics and equipment to West Africa, in line with the UK's help for Sierra Leone.

(BBC)