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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless 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 poorest nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as exhausted delegates confronted the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

However, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a plan that was earning expanding support and made it clear they were prepared to dig in.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to advance on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly accepted the wording.

The room expressed relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from absolute paralysis.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates 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 tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the right direction, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the crosshairs at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are agreement-dependent, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.