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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained confined in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as sweaty delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a initiative that was attracting increasing support and made it apparent they were ready to dig in.

Developing countries urgently needed to make progress on securing economic resources to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and force a collapse. "We were close for us," remarked one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the right direction, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is available. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a period of geopolitical divides, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," observed one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between where we are and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.