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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained stuck in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as weary delegates confronted the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a proposal that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were ready to hold firm.

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

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and force a collapse. "We were close for us," stated one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the sustainable sector

Varied responses

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the proper course, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the spotlight at the climate summit," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, agreement is ever harder to reach," observed one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.