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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision 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 resolved this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that movement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a plan that was attracting increasing support and made it clear they were ready to hold firm.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to make progress on securing funding support to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one national delegate. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

The room expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the clean economy

Mixed reactions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

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

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the political challenges – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the spotlight at the climate summit," comments one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are unanimity-required, and in a era of geopolitical divides, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.