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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as weary delegates confronted the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were adamant this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a plan that was gathering growing support and made it evident they were ready to stand their ground.

Emerging economies urgently needed to make progress on securing economic resources to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and force a collapse. "We were close for us," stated one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development happened through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the correct path, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the crosshairs at the climate summit," says one policy convener. "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."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a period of global disagreements, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one global leader. "I cannot pretend that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

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