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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as weary delegates confronted the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

However, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a plan that was attracting expanding support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to advance on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

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

The pivotal moment came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the right direction, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the spotlight at the climate summit," says one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is available. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a era of international tensions, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.