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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as sweaty delegates confronted the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

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

However, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was earning expanding support and made it evident they were prepared to hold firm.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to move forward on securing economic resources to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to systematically reduce 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 obtained a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the renewable industry

Differing opinions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the right direction, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the crosshairs at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is available. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.