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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations faced the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was gathering expanding support and made it apparent they were prepared to hold firm.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions 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 manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the clean economy

Differing opinions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, continuing wars in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the focus at the climate summit," notes one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are agreement-dependent, and in a time of geopolitical divides, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

Should the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.