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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as weary delegates acknowledged the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was crucially important. They had created a plan that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

Delegates collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the proper course, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the focus at the climate summit," comments one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

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

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a period of international tensions, consensus is progressively challenging 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."

Should the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.