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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as sweaty delegates acknowledged the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond 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 growing number of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a initiative that was attracting growing support and made it evident they were ready to hold firm.

Emerging economies urgently needed to make progress on securing funding support to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily 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 tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the clean economy

Varied responses

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the right direction, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," says one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a era of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The difference between our current position and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will fall far short.