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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air heavy as sweaty delegates confronted the sobering reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had created a proposal that was earning increasing support and made it apparent they were ready to hold firm.

Emerging economies strongly sought to make progress on securing funding support to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will commence creating a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the clean economy

Varied responses

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the correct path, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the focus at these negotiations," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a time of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to avoid the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.