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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as exhausted delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

However, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a plan that was earning growing support and made it evident they were willing to stand their ground.

Developing countries desperately wanted to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

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

Participants collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will start developing a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the right direction, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the crosshairs at these negotiations," says one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is available. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.