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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as weary delegates faced up to the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a proposal that was attracting increasing support and made it clear they were ready to hold firm.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to advance on securing funding support to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely 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 secured a tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the clean economy

Varied responses

As the world approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the right direction, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the spotlight at these negotiations," says one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The political space is open. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a period of geopolitical divides, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," commented one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avoid the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.