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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

However, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a proposal that was gathering expanding support and made it evident they were ready to hold firm.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing economic resources to help them cope with the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Celebrations began. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings 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 achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some modest progress in the correct path, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the crosshairs at these negotiations," comments one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a time of global disagreements, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

Should the world is to avoid the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.