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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as weary delegates acknowledged the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

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

However, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a proposal that was gathering expanding support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries urgently needed to move forward on securing funding support to help them manage the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

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

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

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will commence creating a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a era of international tensions, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.