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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as exhausted delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a initiative that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were prepared to dig in.

Developing countries desperately wanted to advance on securing financial assistance to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

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

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The deal was completed.

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 continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

With global conditions teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the proper course, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one policy director.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the spotlight at the climate summit," says one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is progressively challenging to reach," commented one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between where we are and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.