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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air heavy as exhausted delegates confronted the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Officials from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not happen again.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a plan that was attracting expanding support and made it evident they were prepared to hold firm.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to advance on securing funding support to help them address the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Rather than explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

The room expressed relief. Celebrations began. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings 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 secured a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the right direction, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at the climate summit," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a period of international tensions, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," commented one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The gap between our current position and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.