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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as exhausted delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a proposal that was attracting expanding support and made it apparent they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries desperately wanted to advance on securing funding support to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The agreement 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, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will start developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of yearly funding to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the renewable industry

Differing opinions

With global conditions teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the proper course, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the focus at Cop30," comments one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are agreement-dependent, and in a era of geopolitical divides, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.