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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as exhausted delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a initiative that was gathering growing support and made it apparent they were willing to stand their ground.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing funding support to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from absolute paralysis.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will begin work a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling 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 "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the clean economy

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the focus at these negotiations," notes one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a era of international tensions, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.