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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as sweaty 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 sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

However, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a proposal that was earning expanding support and made it apparent they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies strongly sought to advance on securing financial assistance to help them address the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development 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 encouraged text that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the clean economy

Varied responses

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the proper course, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the focus at the climate summit," comments one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a era of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," stated one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between where we are and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.