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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as exhausted delegates confronted the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a proposal that was gathering growing support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Developing countries strongly sought to advance on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and trigger failure. "We were close for us," stated one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Celebrations began. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will start developing a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the renewable industry

Differing opinions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the focus at Cop30," says one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is available. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.