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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as weary delegates confronted 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 central impasse: Fossil fuels

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

Yet, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a proposal that was gathering expanding support and made it apparent they were ready to dig in.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to advance on securing funding support to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

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

The breakthrough came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the official document, countries will start developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

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

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the focus at these negotiations," notes one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that this summit has provided all that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.