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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling 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 complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

However, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were prepared to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to move forward on securing economic resources to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the clean economy

Differing opinions

With global conditions teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the proper course, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, continuing wars in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the spotlight at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a period of global disagreements, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

Should the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.