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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of regular 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". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a initiative that was gathering increasing support and made it clear they were ready to dig in.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to advance on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will report back 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 secured a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

With global conditions teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the proper course, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, continuing wars in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the focus at Cop30," says one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The platform is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

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

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the global discussions alone will fall far short.