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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing various coalitions of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as exhausted delegates confronted the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations faced the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that movement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a proposal that was attracting increasing support and made it evident they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly mentioning 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 deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the clean economy

Varied responses

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the spotlight at the climate summit," says one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The platform is open. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are agreement-dependent, and in a time of global disagreements, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," commented one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has provided all that is needed. The difference between where we are and what evidence necessitates remains concerningly substantial."

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