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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as exhausted delegates confronted the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement 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 resolved this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a proposal that was attracting expanding support and made it evident they were ready to dig in.

Developing countries strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

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

Participants collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will start developing a framework 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 remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to 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 high-carbon industries transition to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the proper course, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one policy director.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the spotlight at Cop30," says one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

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

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a era of geopolitical divides, unanimity is ever harder to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.