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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained stuck in a windowless 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 least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a proposal that was attracting growing support and made it apparent they were willing to hold firm.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," commented one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording 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 previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient 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

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, continuing wars in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the spotlight at Cop30," says one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a era of geopolitical divides, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

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