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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the richest economies.

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

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a proposal that was gathering growing support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to advance on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators split 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

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• 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 move toward the sustainable sector

Varied responses

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some baby steps in the right direction, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the focus at Cop30," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is available. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

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

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," stated one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

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