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

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as exhausted delegates faced up to the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to dangerous levels.

However, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a initiative that was earning expanding support and made it apparent they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries strongly sought to advance on securing funding support to help them cope with the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Celebrations began. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will report back 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 achieved a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the clean economy

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the correct path, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The political space is open. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a period of international tensions, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.