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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as weary delegates confronted the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

However, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a initiative that was gathering growing support and made it evident they were ready to dig in.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to make progress on securing economic resources to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

The room expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was completed.

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

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the clean economy

Mixed reactions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the proper course, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the focus at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is progressively challenging to reach," stated one global leader. "We should not suggest that these talks has provided all that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.