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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as sweaty delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the greenhouse gases produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

Yet, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a plan that was gathering expanding support and made it apparent they were willing to hold firm.

Emerging economies strongly sought to advance on securing funding support to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly accepted the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the sustainable sector

Varied responses

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one policy director.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, continuing wars in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the focus at Cop30," notes one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a era of global disagreements, agreement is ever harder to reach," stated one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate crisis, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.