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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as exhausted delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to critical levels.

Yet, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a proposal that was earning growing support and made it apparent they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries strongly sought to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the official document, countries will start developing a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily 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 achieved a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the clean economy

Varied responses

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the correct path, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the crosshairs at the climate summit," notes one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a era of global disagreements, agreement is ever harder to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.