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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries including the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air heavy as exhausted delegates faced up to the harsh 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

As science has told us for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a initiative that was attracting growing support and made it clear they were willing to hold firm.

Emerging economies strongly sought to move forward on securing funding support to help them cope with the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was done.

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 scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the spotlight at these negotiations," says one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is available. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a time of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach," commented one global leader. "We should not suggest that these talks has provided all that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.