Nairobi/Addis Ababa  - African leaders have agreed on how much to demand in compensation for climate change at the upcoming global talks in Copenhagen, Ethiopia's prime minister said.

Speaking after an African Union panel met in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, Meles Zenawi said that leaders had agreed on a minimum figure, but expressed pessimism that Africa's demands would be met.

An earlier draft resolution said the compensation should reach 67 billion dollars by 2020. As many as 250 million Africans could be facing water shortages by this point, the UN Environment Programme has warned.

Studies have shown that Africa is bearing the brunt of climate change despite the continent itself being responsible for only a fraction of worldwide emissions.

Africa is expected to be hit hard by rising sea levels, drought and floods if global warming is not checked.

December's meeting in Copenhagen is part of a process aimed at negotiating a new climate change deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

African nations have struggled to find a common position, and the resolution is aimed at presenting a united front and increasing the continent's bargaining power. (dpa)