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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as weary delegates faced up to the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Officials from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a initiative that was attracting increasing support and made it clear they were ready to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to move forward on securing funding support to help them address the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the clean economy

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This flawed 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 increasing presence of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the focus at the climate summit," notes one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is ever harder to reach," observed one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.