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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as weary delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a initiative that was attracting growing support and made it clear they were prepared to dig in.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to advance on securing financial assistance to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took an incremental move towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries obtained a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the clean economy

Differing opinions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some modest progress in the proper course, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the crosshairs at Cop30," comments one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the sole international mechanism for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a era of global disagreements, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one global leader. "We should not suggest that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.