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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as exhausted delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a plan that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were willing to hold firm.

Emerging economies urgently needed to advance on securing financial assistance to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through talks with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took an incremental move towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the renewable industry

Varied responses

With global conditions hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the spotlight at Cop30," comments one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is available. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of global disagreements, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one global leader. "I cannot pretend that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to avoid the worst ravages of climate collapse, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.