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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as exhausted delegates confronted the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had created a plan that was attracting increasing support and made it evident they were willing to dig in.

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

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the official document, countries will begin work a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the renewable industry

Varied responses

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the right direction, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the crosshairs at the climate summit," comments one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a era of global disagreements, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.