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

Tempers were short, the air heavy as weary delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

Nevertheless, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a plan that was gathering expanding support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to move forward on securing funding support to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Delegates showed visible 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 hesitant, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly 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 likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the clean economy

Differing opinions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the right direction, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the spotlight at these negotiations," says one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are unanimity-required, and in a time of geopolitical divides, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," observed one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.