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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had created a proposal that was earning increasing support and made it evident they were ready to dig in.

Emerging economies strongly sought to move forward on securing funding support to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the clean economy

Mixed reactions

With global conditions teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the correct path, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the focus at these negotiations," comments one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a period of global disagreements, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that this summit has provided all that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.