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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as exhausted delegates confronted the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up 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 Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, 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 advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a proposal that was gathering increasing support and made it clear they were prepared to hold firm.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and force a collapse. "We were close for us," remarked one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, limited step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the sustainable sector

Varied responses

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The political space is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is progressively challenging to reach," observed one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The difference between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.