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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as exhausted delegates confronted the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a proposal that was earning growing support and made it apparent they were ready to hold firm.

Developing countries desperately wanted to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them address the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and trigger failure. "We were close for us," remarked one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away 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". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly 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 faltering, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to phase out 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 obtained a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a US president who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a period of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," observed one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between our current position and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will prove insufficient.