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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as sweaty delegates confronted the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

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

Yet, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a proposal that was gathering growing support and made it apparent they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to move forward on securing funding support to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one national delegate. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

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

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the right direction, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.