Political Will is a Renewable Resource- Al Gore in Bali

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Bali talks headed for a compromise on Saturday to launch negotiations on a global pact to fight climate change after the European Union toned down a key demand for sharp cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

The Dec 3-14 talks had been bogged down by a row between the United States, which opposes a reference to non-binding goals for rich countries to curb emissions by 25-40 percent by 2020, and the European Union, which wanted a clear numerical target.

"This is a compromise. We can live with this. It's in a footnote," German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said, referring to the 25 to 40 percent range for cuts.

The United States, the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, also said it was satisfied.

"We can live with the preamble," U.S. negotiator Harlan Watson told Reuters of the introductory text of the talks draft that had been one of the main source of controversy for Washington because of its inclusion of a target range.