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

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as weary delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

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

Yet, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had created a proposal that was attracting growing support and made it evident they were willing to dig in.

Emerging economies strongly sought to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one government representative. "I was ready 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 head Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

The room expressed relief. Celebrations began. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be delivered in full 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 "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the proper course, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the focus at Cop30," comments one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a time of geopolitical divides, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will fall far short.