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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease 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 several other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a initiative that was attracting increasing support and made it evident they were ready to dig in.

Emerging economies urgently needed to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Delegates collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move 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 absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Complementing the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to 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 fossil fuel sectors move toward the renewable industry

Differing opinions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one policy director.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a era of global disagreements, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," stated one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between our current position and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

Should the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.