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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as weary delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations faced the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a proposal that was attracting growing support and made it clear they were ready to hold firm.

Emerging economies urgently needed to advance on securing economic resources to help them manage the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to phase out 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 tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the renewable industry

Differing opinions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the correct path, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the crosshairs at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is available. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a period of international tensions, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.