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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as weary delegates confronted the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Officials from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was crucially important. They had created a plan that was earning increasing support and made it apparent they were willing to dig in.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to move forward on securing funding support to help them cope with the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They urged 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 mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

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

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the renewable industry

Varied responses

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the proper course, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a era of geopolitical divides, unanimity is ever harder to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between our current position and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.