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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as exhausted delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

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

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a proposal that was earning growing support and made it clear they were ready to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will start developing a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the clean economy

Differing opinions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the correct path, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the crosshairs at the climate summit," comments one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a time of geopolitical divides, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between our current position and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.