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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as sweaty 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

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

However, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a plan that was gathering increasing 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 manage the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," commented one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the clean economy

Differing opinions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

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

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the focus at these negotiations," comments one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The political space is open. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.