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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as sweaty delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a initiative that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were ready to stand their ground.

Emerging economies strongly sought to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

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

The breakthrough occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the clean economy

Differing opinions

With global conditions hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some baby steps in the proper course, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, continuing wars in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the spotlight at Cop30," says one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is open. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," stated one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.