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

Tempers were short, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had created a proposal that was earning expanding support and made it evident they were prepared to stand their ground.

Emerging economies urgently needed to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Celebrations began. 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 hesitant, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the proper course, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the spotlight at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a period of global disagreements, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between our current position and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.