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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries including the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

However, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a proposal that was gathering growing support and made it apparent they were ready to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would subtly reference 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". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the correct path, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the spotlight at Cop30," notes one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a time of geopolitical divides, agreement 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 difference between our current position and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will prove insufficient.