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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the poorest nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as weary delegates confronted the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a proposal that was earning growing support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," commented one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

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

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the renewable industry

Differing opinions

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

"The summit provided some small advances in the correct path, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the focus at Cop30," notes one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a era of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between our current position and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

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