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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as weary delegates faced up to the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a proposal that was earning expanding support and made it evident they were ready to dig in.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to make progress on securing funding support to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and trigger failure. "We were close for us," commented one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the clean economy

Differing opinions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some baby steps in the proper course, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at Cop30," notes one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

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

"UN negotiations are agreement-dependent, and in a time of geopolitical divides, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," commented one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the global discussions alone will fall far short.