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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as sweaty delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

However, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was attracting growing support and made it apparent they were ready to stand their ground.

Emerging economies strongly sought to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates separated from the main group to hold a private conversation 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

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly accepted the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the renewable industry

Varied responses

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

"The summit provided some baby steps in the right direction, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The political space is open. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

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

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a period of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," stated one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.